Great team work, end result is great success
African Sunset Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Tour Types:
- Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $50 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
IT
Email Rolando | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Fantastic experience
Precise communication, fast and detailed.
Services offered in compliance with agreements.
Fantastic experience, to repeat and to recommend to other travelers.
Accuracy, attention, availability from the Driver (Heron).
We found it very useful to have the availability of WI-FI in the Jeep during transfers.
Undoubtedly certify the professionalism demonstrated the Company.
Based on my esperience, I can confirm that the African Sunset Safaris you can trust. Finally, if in the future I will make other
CN
Email Zi | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience with Mr.Haron
Me and my friend booked the air ticket to Kenya in last minute. Then we started searching for safari agencies. After pitching from several agencies based on the itinerary, price, and reviews, we chose to go with Sunset and what's more exciting Mr. Haron confirmed he will be our guide in person. We specified we are both photographers and Me. Haron prepared beans and bean bags for us! The wonderful 8 days tour started from 6 am in the airport. Mr. Haron picked us up and we drove to Amboseli directly. He is an excellent driver and guide. Got us all the animals we wanted to shoot and he knows where to find them. On the last day when we were hearing back he got the news that a leopard was spotted he turned around immediately and found us the leopard, which I was been looking for the whole trip. That night we headed Bach really late and it started to rain heavily right after we arrived. The thing we also like about Mr. Haron is that he doesn't talk much but whenever you have question, he always has the answer. We really enjoyed the well-designed itinerary that fits our demand, rich variety of animals we've seen, always on schedule, decent price and everything. Hope we can be back quickly.
SE
Email Joakim Ekedorff | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Owner cancelled the trip 4 days before arrival!
I will do my absolute best to hereby share my experience with African Sunset Safaris in the most objective way.
Note: This review do only cover their services in regards of booking accommodation and their general way of working and communicating, since Mr. Haron (the owner) decided to cancel the trip only 4 days before arrival!
Mr. Haron is a well-spoken person. The problem is that he lies a lot!
He lied about the condition of the tents at our confirmed accommodation, and therefore asked us to pay more to move us to another hotel.
He lied about the cost of our accommodation when calculating on our refund.
He lied about the Kenyan tourism levy rate (6% instead of 2%).
He told me it is against the Kenyan law to share the receipt of his payment to the hotel (I have not confirmed this, but I find it very hard to believe).
All in all, his last-minute cancellation made us find another agent in very short notice, in peak season.
It cost us 300 USD more than initial agreement, for the exact same itinerary due to out-sourced jeep rental.
I would never recommend African Sunset Safaris to anyone.
Full time line:
October 10th: We agree on booking of 2 nights at Mara Leisure Camp + game drive in jeep + transport from/to Nairobi at 1400 USD for 2 persons.
October 16th: I transfer 945 USD (~70 % of total amount) to Haron as deposit.
October 24th: Haron confirms payment is received and "hotel is cleared".
Dec 18th: Haron emails: "I had to move you from Mara leisure to Sarova Mara due to unavoidable reason being at Leisure the were affected by the short rains two weeks ago and currently most of there tents are under Maintenance." ... "I kindly advice we shall have a small hick on the price by USD 250."
Dec 19th: I find Haron's message suspicious and contacts Mara Leisure Camp directly to verify that their tents actually are under maintenance. Their sales manager dismisses this false facts and personally guarantees there are no problems with their facilities. They also say "your booking is still on tentative status awaiting for payment to confirm". (meaning my pre-payment had not yet been received by the hotel!)
Dec 21st: I get back to Haron: "We believe we will be very satisfied with Mara Leisure Camp, even though the tents are in bad condition.
I want you confirm the booking of a Nyati tent at Mara Leisure Camp ASAP and send them the money to confirm the reservation before it gets lost to any other client."
Dec 21st: Mr. Haron now seems to feel neglected and decides to cancel both the safari game drive and transport! However, he promises to pay the money to Mara Leisure and refund us the remaining amount of 200 USD.
Dec 22nd: I asked Mr. Haron about a reciept for his payment to Mara Leisure to confirm that 200 USD is the correct amount to refund. He now refers to their listing rates instead (which is higher that his agent rates) and concludes that I actually owe him additional 35 USD, but in the same e-mail he also states that he is willing to refund 200 USD anyway as a Christmas gift (?!).
Dec 22nd: Still without showing any receipt of his payment to Mara Leisure, I at least get the 200 USD in refund.
Jan 10th: After a number of emails to Haron and Mara Leisure Camp, I finally received a copy of Haron's payment of 716 USD, i.e. 264 USD less that what he tried to tell us when referring to their public listing rates + Christmas supplement.
Reply from African Sunset Safaris
Posted on Jan 17, 2017Mr Joakim
When we first got you request we treated you the same way we do to all our clients until the day we felt this could not work out for both of us
We clearly stated to you we are not in this business to take any advantage of anybody, but to give our clients the best time of there life and life time memories
Mr Joakim at the initial stages of our conversations when you raised the issue of agents that promise to take clients to the park and direct the to other place and liar that that is the park, we clearly told you we are not the kind of people that promise you wine and give you water and in case you have any doubts at all you book with the next agent ?
Let us get to the reason that brought about your cancellation
We had clients that had just completed there 14 days safari in Kenya and Tanzania, three weeks to your arrival dates. they raised some issues a bout the lodge in question and we felt we need this sorted out before we could take other clients to this lodge or hotel, When they told us of the hiking group at Mt. Meru group we had to completely terminate the contract that we had with that company since they were not working up to our standards. It would be very wrong of me if I would not take advice from my clients on what is to be improved to ensure better services is offer and maintaining our standards.
The next group of clients which you happened to be one of them was Mr Sumesh Sreevalsam and Mrs Sanna. We wrote to each one of you advising of the change of the accommodation and on the email I indicated this was un upgrade from your previous accommodation and by standard this was the best ranked in the Main Mara in terms of services and facility. This I gave you 100% guarantee of the accommodation, I wrote to you advising to all of you since the change was within a short notice this being 13 days to your arrival, the increase of the change of the accommodation was not mandatory and we would cater for the increase to those of you who could not be in a position to and said our main objective was to ensure you enjoy your trip. this can be confirmed by anyone that would required as to extract those emails and forward to them.
It was after this Mr Joakim started having conversations with Mara leisure and went on to disclose the package details to the hotel with the intent that should Mara leisure be in a position to offer them this tour under the same conditions, they move and work with Mara leisure , we got to learn of this when Mara leisure sells Manager wrote to us requested us we go and discuss the issue that were making us move our clients. The hotel Manager told us the client was in direct contact with them, we did got to there office and raise the issues we had with them and he promise to have the sorted out,
The Manager is a very good friend of ours and he agreed if he was the agent he would like the same done before going on.
When Mr Joakim realised what he intended could not work out he wrote to us asking us is we could continue with this trip in, We clearly told him we can not ,do a safari where there issues of mistrust and we did his payments to the lodge in question as requested by him and asked him how he would like to get his balance we shall make it available at his most convenient place. After the payment a scanned copy of his confirmation to leisure was scanned and sent to him and email followed from the hotel followed
This time we knew everything was settled and we wished him well only to get a surprising call and email from SAROVA informing us they got a email from joakim requesting for there booking availability, this know is only 3 days to there arrival and a confirmation of leisure had Already gotten to them 2 days ago. this beg the question were this clients serious
THE EXTRACTED CONVERSTION CAN TELL JOAKIM WAS GIVING VERY MIXED SIGNAL AND DENGEROUS
FW: Reservation 25-27th Dec
From: Sarova Mara Reservations
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2016 4:12 PM
To: 'Joakim Ekedorff'
Subject: RE: Reservation 25-27th Dec
Dear Joakim,
Thank you for your email, we are fully booked on the 25th please advice on alternative dates
The below voucher belongs to an agent booking which was already cancelled
Kind regards,
From: Joakim Ekedorff
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2016 3:15 PM
To: Sarova Mara Reservations
Subject: Fwd: Reservation 25-27th Dec
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Joakim Ekedorff
Date: 2016-12-21 18:03 GMT+01:00
Subject: Reservation 25-27th Dec
To: econcierge
Dear Sarova,
Our tour agent has bailed out, please confirm if this reservation is still available and at what price.
Please also quote cost for pickup at Nairobi (both ways) and 2 days game drive.
Please reply asap as we need to clear out our options by tomorrow at latest.
Thanks,
Joakim Ekedorff
DISCLAIMER: This email and any attachments are confidential and are intended solely for the addressee. If you are not the addressee tell the sender immediately and destroy it. Do not open, read, copy, disclose, use or store it in any way, or permit others to do so. Emails are not secure and may suffer errors, viruses, delay, interception, and amendment. Sarova Hotels does not accept liability for damage caused by this email and may monitor email traffic.
________________________________
Before printing this mail please make sure it is completely necessary.
THE ENVIRONMENT IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS.
http://www.sarovahotels.com/eshots/images/sarovawhitesandspic3.jpg
THE OFFER OF THE SAFARI
We had given Joakim the best offer since he just happened to be one of the last client to travel with us in 2016 the transport on a Jeep at half price the normal price
let us all work this out
- the hotel if it was the normal safari by any other agent would be Usd 399 by 2 = 798
798 plus charismas supplements 200 = 998
- Park fees charges would be USD 80 by 2 people by 2 nights this will give us = 320
- transport on a jeep for three days it would be 220 by 3 days this will give us = 660
TOTAL COST = 1978
What we charged Mr Joakim -
Full time line:
October 10th: We agree on booking of 2 nights at Mara Leisure Camp + game drive in jeep + transport from/to Nairobi at 1400 USD for 2 persons.
if we take 1978 - 1400 = USD 578
Let us say he picks the very cheapest mode of transport this brings him a negative of USD 300 and still we gave him the agents price which we are not supposed to give and can never be given by any agent
We felt we deceive some respect after give them this kind of offer.
We have and we shall always advice our clients to the best of our knowledge and should we feel there is any form of doubts we shall request the client to kindly pick the next agent.
We need to know we have clients who can trust us and we trust them to give the a safari they will for ever live to cherish.
OM
Email Sumesh Sreevalsam | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Absolutely wonderful experience with great support.
It was my pleasure to had my recent wildlife safari - Kenya + Tanzania through African sunset safari. They arranged very good accommodation at both countries and parks. It was really nice experience with the guide / service during our time.
Being a wildlife photographer , my requirement is not limited to just spot and see the animal. I am keen to capture the action , behavior & rare moments around me. In that respect , African sunset safari was very co-operative & appreciated their effort to give me the best result out of it.
DE
Email Judith & Florian Schmid | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great trip with even more than we could imagine
It was a dream and totally relaxing because everything was taken care of by African Sunset Safaris! Communicating with Haron, the owner, only via email (be aware that sometimes text is short because written from a game drive), we adapted the 12 day trip to Kenya and Tanzania according to our wishes: We enjoy more active parts, so we included biking in Hell's Gate as well as a 4 day hiking trip to Mt. Meru and cancelled Lake Nakuku, where Haron informed us that there are no Flamingos due to high water.
Before, we have never been to Africa and of cause you have some doubts regarding spending so much money beforehand to an operator you don't know. But as soon as we met Haron all doubts disappeared. He is a perfectionist, very trustworthy and his slogan to make it your dream holiday is not only a slogan but his real concern!
Of cause in Tanzania due to legislation we had to change to our new guide Gideon. But no worries, Haron chooses his partner very well! So we had a lot of fun and a good time with Gideon, too. Both really have a deep knowledge of the animals and their habits! So just sit back and relax and trust that either of them will "achieve" (we liked this phrase ;-) ) for you what you never imagined!
Mt Meru was definitely worth the effort as well (especially the last 500 high meters are really tough): to see Mt Kilimanjaro in sunrise having reached a peak of 4.565 m is a great adventure. Be aware that here for safety reasons (wild animals in the park) single groups are combined for the trip until Saddle hut with one ranger to protect you. We were 17 in total (and every fitness level made it to the top!), but our ranger Baraka was perfect in making everybody happy!
Thanks to Haron, Gideon and Baraka for this great trip! Whenever you come to Germany please visit us!
Email Shivam Singh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing, Fabulous !!!
We went to Safari in Masai Mara with our guide and tour operator Mr. Haron in the first week of August 2016. All the arrangements made by him were perfect right from the vehicle to our accommodation. Being the expert of Safaris that Haron is made our journey memorable.
It is a double thumbs up from my side for African Sunset Safaris.
IN
Email Gaythri & Mansur | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Making of a Dream Come True.
It was one of the most memorable trips we have done till now. Found all arrangements were made with lots of care right from the properties selected to the vehicle used. Found Haroon very accomodative and informative and never complaining. Be it an early morning start or waiting at the same place for hours, there was total cooperation. Being wildlife photographers, every single of our needs were taken care. This was our dream for a very long time and this became a dream to reality in style. Special thanks to Haroon Gashao & African Sunset Safaris for making this happen.
IN
Email Shantha | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience!
The whole safari was well organized and was a wonderful experience. We did all day safari throughout the entire period and our guide and driver Haron Gashao was knowledgeable and helpful. Whenever I go back to East Africa, it will be with Haron. Thank you Haron, for making our trip memorable.
Email Edward | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unmatched Expert Adventure of a Lifetime Deep Into Masai Mara's Marvels
You can see the Masai Mara in a pop-up van, or you can jump into a rugged safari vehicle with a total pro at the wheel - Haron Gashao, owner of African Sunset Safaris - and experience one of the planet's gems in its full magnificence. Haron took us deep into the Mara into the thick of the legendary wildebeest migration from the Serengeti... and no other vehicle was anywhere in sight! We passed at least 50,000 wildebeests and thousands of other animals (impala, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, cheetah) in this unforgettable journey across an epic, immense grassland... then Haron found a lioness in wait in the tall grass and we spent a half hour up close observing her - again, with no other vehicle intruding. And those were just some of the highlights of the three exceptional days he delivered. His knowledge of the landscape and the wildlife, his instinct for finding the Mara's great animals in amazing places, and his friendly, dedicated customer-focused approach (he booked us into an excellent lodge), put African Sunset at the top of the pack in my book. This was a tremendous value and an experience simply unmatched. One of the top experiences of my travels around the world. So looking forward to seeing other parts of Kenya with Haron!
Email Monicah | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience
The tour was well organised and exceeded my expectations