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
IT
Email Daniela Curioso | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
IMPECABLE SERVICES, INSPITE OF THE WARNINGS!
I found the warning after paying my entire safari and got quite nervous, but I am glad to write that our safari was perfectly organized and delivered.
The predeparture communication was clear and quick; we were given all mobiles associated with whatsapp and I received answers to my many questions.
Nondi, our driver, met us at the airport in Dar at 1am and helped us to buy sim cards and change money.
We met again at 5.30 and drove to the Selous wilderness camp,4 hours, safely and carefully.
The Camp is great, across the Rufiji, 20 minutes away from the Selous gate in a superb location on the river.
Our tent was big with 3 beds and an open air shower.
The staff is lovely and made us feel at home; Freddi, Sifuni, Ludovick and Kenneth were the highlight of our stay.
Food was simply excellent, and we Italians are not easy to please;-)
The jeep sits six, but once we were by ourselves. We stayed 5 nights and did 3 full day game drives. Most people stay 2 nights, but after coming all the way from Roma we wanted to explore the park and enjoy its remoteness.
The Company organized also our flights to Pemba.
I am sorry for those who had a bad experience and I am quite puzzled about it, since in our case all the services were extremely professional. We thank Africa Remote Safaris for a once in a lifetime experience!
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
US
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 Brigitte and joël | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
6 days enjoying the kenyan experience
We want to thank you for the wonderful trip we made. Everything was excellent. Paul was of remarkable kindness and an outstanding guide. Thanks to him, we could see many animals. He knew how to even see the invisible. Without him the journey would not have had the same flavor. He speaks perfect French and explained to us the names and habits of all animals. All lodges were impeccable. We preferred the Masai Mara and Samburu for the number and variety of animals. We have only one hurry is to go back. thanks again
Brigitte and Joël
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Email Andy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya - Tanzania safari report with Africa Remote Safaris.
My Wife and I went on a wonderful Africa Remote Safaris arranged Tour of Kenya and Tanzania this past December. I could say many nice things about the company and certainly the trip we enjoyed. However I must say that there were few instances that we believe the tour operator can certainly improve on. For one thing it was almost impossible to get clear information and instructions from the Agent that I was working with.
For example we arrived in Nairobi at midnight, naturally exhausted after a long plane ride and perhaps a bit more apprehensive since this was our first trip to Africa. Although we were met at the airport with someone holding a board with our names, the airport rep did not have any information on the next days activity.
However we were met on time the following day by Steve who gave us a briefing of about our safari, provided us with maps and other essentials before introducing us to Paul who was to be our guide in Kenya.
We enjoyed our stay at Maasai Mara’s Ol Moran camp and the last night at the Mara river camp. The game drives and guides were well co-ordinated.
On the 4th Day, we experienced some delays at the border, due to immigration rules. I felt that the Agent would have briefed us more about what to expect at the border and the procedures. This would have saved us alot of time.
Having said that I must say that our accommodation were purely outstanding. Africa Remote had recommended Tented Camps and although they were not all 5star, they were all in great locations and really connected with nature. We stayed at the Mbugani tented Camps in Serengeti and were hosted with Maggy. In Ngorongoro we stayed at Rhino Lodge before and Marimboi tented camp in Tarangire. In several of this places we were upgraded which I felt was probably due to Africa Remote.
All in all despite the little hitches in getting information, ours was a great Safari and as a result I have recommended Stafford and his team at Africa Remote Safaris to my friends.
Andy and Sarah
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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 <[email protected]> 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 <[email protected]> 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: [email protected]
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
US
Email Mary and Sandra | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Safari was an Amazing Life Changing Experience!!!!
It was my aunt’s dream to go on a safari in Africa. I researched many companies and did not want a ‘cookie cutter’ safari with a ‘guaranteed window seat’. We both are thrill seekers and wanted to be up close and personal with nature and the wildlife that lived within the national parks of East Africa.
Once I spoke with Stafford, a Safari Specialist at Africa Remote Safaris, I knew that they would be one of the top 3 safari companies that we would choose to plan our custom trip of a lifetime. Stafford was kind, patient, knowledgeable, and made recommendations that was tailored to the activities we wanted to do most. Along with Steve and Naphtali, they had plotted a trip that did not follow the rest of the safari enthusiast’s.
Before heading out to Amboseli we stopped at Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust in Nairobi that fostered orphan elephants and released them back into the wilderness where they belong. A MUST SEE while in Nairobi. We arrived at Amboseli NP in Kenya with our guide Paul and stayed at Kibo Camp which was our first destination. It was a bit of a drive from Nairobi to Amboseli but on safari you will do a lot of driving. The sacrifice was well worth the reward. Kibo was well beyond our expectations and I would highly recommend this accommodation if you want a real ‘Glamping’ experience but not too close to the animals that are active after dark. Friendly staff, very clean, well maintained, and is right outside the entrance to Amboseli NP. Paul our guide was very knowledgeable about the environment and would identify the animals, birds, and plants that we were seeing along the way. He was so familiar with Amboseli that he actually recommended the time and places within the park to see wildlife viewing of Elephants making their daily trek to the watering hole. We saw an abundance of elephants, cape buffalo, giraffes, hippos, the list goes on and on. He even spotted Cheetahs that were about to start hunting in the late afternoon. Paul was a pro and an excellent guide.
Next we crossed over from Kenya to Tanzania and meet our guide Hamza. There were little bumps along the way with immigration and customs, but Hamza was determined to get us to Ngorongoro Crater and to Serena Lodge before the park gates closed at 6 pm. I mentioned that I wanted to do some Tanzanite shopping and Hamza knew the perfect place to stop. The Cultural Heritage in Arusha is a jewelry store that offered the high quality of stones I was looking for. I found the perfect tanzinite pendant that was Tiffany & Co. quality. It had a deep saturation of Blue/Purple and I was very pleased with my purchase. Our first night in Serena we were fortunate to see a bull elephant grazing on vegetation as we were walking back to our room after dinner. He was browsing along the tree line snapping limbs like they were twigs. We watched in awe for about an hour and felt very safe even though the elephant was only about 10 feet away. Hamza was one of the best guides on our tour when he insisted that he could smell the wild life and I believe he does have a sixth sense. While in the Ngorongoro there was again an abundance of wildlife, but nothing could prepare us for what Hamza lead us to that day. We actually witnessed a pride of 5 juvenile male lions, stalk, hunt, and take down a cape buffalo. Something that not too many guides get to experience let alone the visitors that spend much less time in this area of the world. We captured the event on video which was the center of discussion back at the lodge as well as throughout the rest of our safari. The expression on the faces of those who watch showed a multitude of emotion, even from the Massi that watched the video were captivated. Serena is another lovely place, clean, comfortable, and had a very joyful and helpful staff. Each night for dinner they offered an authentic African dish for and entertainment of Maasi dancing and Africa Stilt dancing. Another perfect selection by Africa Remote Safaris.
On our way to the Serengeti Hamza stopped off at a Maasi village and their greeting of song and dance brought tears to my eyes. In Serengeti NP we stayed at Mbugani Camps which was a newer migration camp and I was please to spend more time with Hamza as the guides and guests shared breakfast and dinner together. It was nice to recall the excitement and activities of the day over dinner and then plan the next game drive at breakfast. Mbugani was another good pick as the wildlife was free to roam throughout the camp and you need to follow camp policy by having an escort after dark. The staff (Mary, Constantini, Samuel, etc.) were absolutely wonderful, hospitable, and warm. We especially loved the lunch under the Acacia Tree…. Truly elegant…. not to mention my first taste of Konyagi…. TUM! By this time I knew that Hamza did in fact have a sense for wildlife and the Serengeti bush. We saw so many lions one day that we lost count after 25, including a pride of two large females with 8 small cubs and 2 older cubs. The next day we caught a glimpse of the pride and the cubs feeding on a wildebeest that was harvested just hours before we arrived at the site. What happened next I will never forget, a group of cubs walked casually over to the stream and began drinking. They lined up shoulder to shoulder as they drank and was literally 10 feet from our vehicle. National Geographic’s… eat your heart out! During dinner I showed Hamza a photo from Amboseli where we were surrounded on all sides by a herd of cattle as we were exiting the park. He replied that cattle are domestic and the migration is wild, but he would do his best to put us in the middle of the wandering herds. The next morning Hamza put us right in the middle of the migration…. Wildebeest and zebra by the thousands! They were all around us heading in the same general direction as far as the eye could see. My aunt and I were sad to leave the Serengeti and will never be the same for the experience that we shared. We both thank Hamza for divulging his knowledge, making us feel safe, being courteous, and making this segment of our trip a memory that will last a lifetime.
One plane… two plane… and we land in Zanzibar where Suleiman met us at the airport and whisked us to Pongwe Beach Resort. If you are going on safari in East Africa you must go to Zanzibar or your trip will be incomplete. Again, impeccable accommodations that far exceeded our expectations. Not our first choice, but we were not disappointed. I slept like a baby (Lala Fofoo) in this serene and inviting resort. Suleiman was a very humble man that was extremely knowledgeable and proud of his homeland and was eager to show us the areas of interest. We fished with locals in a dhow and was captivated by the tour at Big Body with Tatata Spice Farm. As we passed by Suleiman’s village he asked if we would like to meet his family and we accepted. He gave us a quick tour of the village and introduced us to his wife, watoto nieces and nephews, and Baba Mdogo his Uncle, as well as his mom who we chatted with for a while before we were off to our next destination. It was an unforgettable experience and we are very grateful for his hospitality. One note... stear clear of Zanzibar Watersports in Nungwi... not worth the money we spent there. Masudi was our guide in Stone Town and I have only one suggestion… just visit stone town…. don’t stay there. Don’t get me wrong…. Stone Town is a MUST SEE location. Masudi showed us all there was to see in Stone Town, the market and historical sites, Prison Island and land tortuous…. some of them almost 200 years old. I thank him for his smile, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the ancient town and its history.
There is so much more to mention that I could write a book…. And I just might.
I would like to thank Stafford, Steve, Napthalie, Paul, Hamza, Suleiman, and Masudi for making our fabulous safari more than just a vacation. All of you were responsible in some way…. changing our eyes and the way we see, our minds and the way we think, and touching us and bringing out emotions we never knew before. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you and hope that we can return someday, and that others have an opportunity to experience what Africa Remote Safaris made a reality for my aunt and I.
Asante Sana,
Mary and Sandra
Wonderful trip with great landscape and thousands of animals!
Had a great 3day-safari in Tsavo East and West. The trip was just amazing. Seen stunning landscapes and all the animals we expected (and much more).Jackson Kilonzo was a great guide, try to get him!
Thanks to Jackson and Steve, hope to come back to Kenya some day!
Email Cecil | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Service! Great Experience!
All our needs and requests were patiently and promptly taken care of by our tour manager Naphtally from day one. We were picked up at Nairobi airport by our guide, John, who took great care of us throughout our 9-day safari trip from Nairobi-Amboseli-Naivasha-Masai Mara-Nairobi. We managed to see all the Big 5! And what fantastic and memorable animal encounters. John was very experienced and knowledgeable so was able to recommend and advise on the best times and areas for sightings so we got the maximum out of our trip.
We would highly recommend Africa Remote Safaris for your East African adventure!