Africa Remote Safaris (Kenya)
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 1999)
- Member Of:
- IATA, ETT, Eco Tourism Society Kenya & East African wildlife Club
- Tour Types:
- Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $450 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Mark M | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Kenya and Tanzania Safari report
Steve was absolutely superb both in helping us frame and develop a custom tour as well as in constant follow up until we left.Inevitably things will change on the ground when trips are planned in advance and Steve was consistently on top of the changes and adviced us accordingly.As first time travelers to Kenya and Tanzania Steves advice and guidance was simply excellent.An example is when we changed the start of our Safari at the last min.from Serengeti to see the migration.We met Jackson from the Arusha,TZ office who was also superb.Totally responsive to our needs,she helped make a few adjustments while we were there.Once again an exceptional experience made possible by Africa Remote Safaris.
Email Nancy Cox | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent
It was a great experience, all tour were we well organised. Hotels books in the mara, were excellent. I would use them again.
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Email Timothy wanguru | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
awesome safari thanks to africa remote safari
From start to finish they took care of me and my family.picked us up on time for our daily activities.everyone was friendly.we really enjoyed every moment.kudos.
SA
Email Kevin Mugamba | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great Safari with Africa Remote Safaris
WoW !!! Great trip! A big thank you to Steve for organizing our itinerary. We had a great time with our guide / driver and Dominic our cook.
Our journey began on July 18 with the home of Steve at the airport and meet Kenneth Gawo the next day. Here we left for the safari. The Masai Mara is obviously unbeatable to see the multitude of animals. In four game drives with a full day in the park, we saw four of the Big Five with Ken. We made a short stop at Lake Nakuru to find the rhino, the last of the Big Five. Have coffee on the porch of WCK guesthouse is very relaxing and magical. However, we have a little less relaxed at Roberts Camp Lake Baringo since hippos roamed the site overnight. Beautiful experience! from Baringo, we went to a few hours at Lake Bogoria to see the flamingos and geysers. We loved this landscape and diversity. Before heading to Amboseli, Naivasha we stopped for a walk to Crescent Island. This place is worth the trip as we look at the zebras, wildebeest, gazelle and bucks of a different perspective. Dominic(our cook) unfortunately left us before because at Amboseli Kibo logde we had a buffet. We would have preferred to keep our cook! The most incredible view from this lodge with Kilimanjaro. I miss having breakfast at there. The droughts of the past years are felt on the park since there are not many animals. In nine days of safari, we traveled over 1600km without counting the game drives. The road is very difficult to several places and tiring.
We tip our hats to Ken for his work and for its friendliness. We had great conversations together. Dominic was able to fill our tummies with each meal with very good creamed vegetables, stew, pasta, local dishes and tasty fruits. I would take good note of the stew recipe vegetables!
We took four days later to go relax and sunbathe in Mombasa. Everything went very well during our trip and we again thank the whole team.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Africa Remote Safaris thinks about everthing you just think about enjoying
Steve and Naphtally are very helpful to organise our safari according to our requirements. They received us at the airport in Nairobi and drove us at the hotel. The day after, we started our 4 nights safari with Mike (Amboseli-Lake Nakuru Masai Mara). For all safari we had a private minivan. At Masai Mara, Africa Remote up-graded our accomodation at the same price (Osero Camp). It was a nice surprise.
Mike is a great guide, very patient with a sharp eye to see animals. When we came back to Nairobi, Africa Remote (Steve) offered us a dinner at Carnivore Restaurant. We really suggest this tour operator for your safari due to their availability, drivers ability and good quality/price ratio. (P.s.: if sometime they don't answer to your mail quickly or they don't arrive on time, don't worry).
Email Robert | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The game drive was superb, but the food and lodging was poor.
Some of the food on this trip was inedible -- namely the goat stew at one of the restaurants we stopped along the way. Otherwise the food was average, but hey, I was here for the safari! Speaking of which, the safari was great. Maasai Mara is beautiful, and our driver James was safe, smart, and friendly. We saw all the highlights, and came back each night happy. The tents were okay, but the water came out brown from our shower. The food at the accomodation was average, and tea was available all day, which we liked.
Email Lindsay Allison | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
DO NOT EVER USE THESE - THEY ARE FRAUDSTERS - YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE YOUR SAFARI HOLIDAY
They will happily take your money and then leave you with nothing!
Once they have your money you will not hear from them - they won’t respond to any calls, emails or messages.
They are known fraudsters in Kenya.
MQ
Email Igout Maryse | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
did not take us on safari and did not refund our money!
Through www.safaribookings.com , my daughter and I have booked a 5 days Safari (from December, 31st, 2016) that should include Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro (Tanzania) with Africa Remote Safaris: http://africaremotesafaris.com/ . For this we paid an advance of 1200$. We received mails from a so called Naphtally from Africa Remote Safaris confirming our booking.
On December 30th, 2016, we had arrived in Arusha and had still not received any instructions concerning the safari. With the help of the Manager of the hotel where we were staying, we managed to call the Arusha number mentioned on the website and got in touch with a driver who informed us that he had only worked for Africa Remote once. On December 30th, my daughter and I went to bed not knowing whether we would go on safari or not the following day.
In the morning (Dec 31st), we at last received a WhatsApp message from the so called Naphtally indicating that we would be picked up by a driver from another safari operator.
Since ARS had not wired any money to them. We had to pay the full cost of a budget Safari 1800$.
While we were on Safari, ARS wired 440$ to the other Safari operator. This amount was given back to us upon our return by this operator with whom we went on Safari.
Thus, Africa Remote Safari still owed us 760 $. We wrote to them numerous times and once a certain Steve Biko even apologized for the delay and promised that he would soon refund us the money. Almost 2 months later, we still have not heard from him despite our reminders.
It appears that though Africa Remote Safaris claims to have offices in Arusha and Zanzibar, they do not have offices in those places and are only represented in Kenya. The phone numbers mentioned on their sites are only the numbers of drivers who have worked for them occasionally. They also do not have a license to operate in Tanzania and are only represented in Kenya. So if you book with them for a safari in Tanzania all or part of your money may be lost!
We wanted to tell about our experiences with Africa Remote Safaris so that you should avoid a bad and stressful experience on your holiday. They are found directly on (http://africaremotesafaris.com) or through www.safaribookings.com
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Email Pushpa | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
They Cancel our trip before 24 hrs our of departur to Kenya&Did not refund our Deposit of $11300.00
No star-No Star-No Star & if I have to give them a star then it is -10 or -100 star
We would like to rate Africa Remote Safaris very high, however we cannot do that because we never made it on the tour. Initially they were very helpful during our booking process, answering questions about the hotels and the particulars of the safari.
However this is where we must rate them Poor and we must advise no one else to book with them.
Several weeks prior to the trip, we had not heard back on our general email inquiries - this was not typical as they originally were very responsive. The day before our scheduled trip, we received an email from Africa Remote Safaris warning of increased Cholera cases in Kenya, and political unrest due to upcoming Kenyan elections. They advised us to cancel the tour, which We responded immediately acknowledging that we will cancel the tour based on their suggestion, and asked how we can proceed to get a refund of the $11,300 USD we had already spent on our deposits.
We heard no word from them for over 3 weeks. No responses to email. No one answered our calls.
Finally we received one email indicating they are sorry for the delay, and that employees are just now getting back to work and getting settled. However, we received no communication after that email.
Our tour was scheduled for July 31 - Aug 11. We cancelled the tour per their advice on July 29 (the day before we were to depart for Nairobi).
It is now September 1st, and we have still received no communication, other than that one email.
As much as we would like to give a high rating, we cannot.
Anything reading this "must not book with Africa Remote Safaris"
Not reply from them, sending 1 e-mail everyday
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Email Rob | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Unethical business practices
The director, Naphtally, accepted our payments in advance. Upon the very morning of the start of our safari, the local tour guide showed up with Naphtally on the phone. He claimed the government was slow in allowing bank transfers into the country, etc. He asked that we pay for the park fees in advance with our credit card and that he would in turn reimburse us for the different at the end of the tour. In fact, he has not paid the tour guide, the local operator, or us. It is unfortunate because he gives tourists a bad feeling about all local companies which is unfair and unethical. Do NOT give this company any of your money or business.
Reply from Africa Remote Safaris (Kenya)
Posted on Jan 12, 2017Dear Robert,
We thank you for your review and honest comments.
We would like to sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by you having to pay your park entry fees. Your Safari began on the 25th December 2016 and ended on the 01January 2017.
Although our communication had began on the 28th of October 2016, It wasn’t until the 30 th of November 2016 that we received the initial 20% deposit required to secure part of the booking.
For a Christmas and new year booking, this dates were very sensitive since most places tend to fill up and also because you were joining a group.
We went ahead made the bookings and hoped that the balance payment would be received in good time at least prior to your arrival.
On the 15th of December, you wrote to us informing us that you had made the balance payment through bank of America, see email below. In the email, you even went ahead to quote the payment date as 9th of December 2016.
Thu 12/15/2016 2:59 PM
Thank you Napthally, a Bank of America transfer was made last week to your account for the balance of xxxxx was paid on or after 10 December.
Regards,
Rob
On Thu, Dec 15, 2016 at 1:50 PM, africaremotesafaris <africare@africaremotesafaris.com> wrote:
However by 19th of December, no payment had been received – This was just 6 days to Christmas day when your safari was meant to begin.
You sent us as email requesting for the Bank details so that you could make the payment, despite having written us an email on the 15th of December informing us that you had made a payment on the 09th of December.
Paying by Bank transfer in USD on the 21 {Wednesday) of December for a safari that was departing on the 25th of December ( It takes at least 4 working days for Central bank to release the money of there are no delays) Counting from 22 and 23( Thur and Friday) Skipping 25th December which was Christmas day ( The day when your safari departs) The earliest your funds would have come through( If they came through) was 28th Dec on Day 4 of your 6nights Safari.
The lodges/camps also would not give us the same rates/waivers they had given the kids, it meant Africa Remote Safaris absorbing the cost for last minute payment.
On the 25th December we picked you up from your hotel and departed for the safari with only the deposit paid, we opted to gamble and pay for everything except for the park entry fees which we asked you to pay directly while we await your funds to come through.
We had even suggested to reverse your Bank order, but seeing that we had already committed 80% of funds towards paying for suppliers( without full payment), we saw no problem agreeing to knock off whatever costs from the tickets purchase.
On the 29th of December after many trips back and forth to the Bank, we finally got a confirmation of payment. We have requested you to kindly send us your tickets and receipts for us to process the refund.
Ours was to make sure that you had a good safari experience and to this you attested to having had a great time in the Serengeti,
Please refer to your message to our staff at the end of your safari on the 01January.
We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused by the one and a half weeks delay in settling your refund. ( Our Terms and conditions provides for between One week to 3weeks) This was only because we had to source for funds to finance your safari but also understand that maybe your Bank delayed in forwarding the payments.
All in all we do appreciate your feedback and have learnt a from this experience.
Below is our correspondence.
Please refer to your email below
From: Robert xxxxx
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2016 7:15 PM
To: africaremotesafaris
Cc: hollyxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Howe safari payment?
Hi Napthally:
Please resend the payment information for your bank, account info, swift code, and bank contact information. Holly Colvin is cc'd on this email and will issue the payment again.
Regards,
Rob Howe
Rphowexxxxxx
On Monday, December 19, 2016, africaremotesafaris <africare@africaremotesafaris.com> wrote:
> Dear Robert,
>
> Thank you very much for your email. As of Saturday 17th Dec ,the funds were yet to show but we are checking again today.
>
> I will revert back tonight.
-----Original Message-----
From: Roxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2016 10:03 PM
To: africare@africaremotesafaris.com
Subject: Money Transfer
Hi,
xxxxxxUSD is being transferred electronically to your account at Barclays Bank of Keny....
Contact me directly if you have any questions. I've chosen to have this message sent from my bank to confirm that the transfer is scheduled.
Regards,
Rxxxx