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
CA
Email David | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beware - Unilateral changes in Itinerary, last minute flight changes, hotels not reserved
We booked a 10 day safari to Kenya and Tanzania followed by 4 days in Zanzibar. We were a group of four. Upon arrival, we were picked up at the airport and transported to our hotel, only to find out there was no reservation for us and the hotel was full. This required us to move to another hotel (much inferior in quality). The next morning, a representative of Africa Remote met us and indicated that the payments we had made one month earlier were still being held by their credit card agency and we would have to pay for the night's hotel plus US $160 (cash) for that day's entrance into Nakuru Nat'l Park - but that they would refund the money to our credit card. This they did but because we are not American, we do not travel with a lot of U.S. cash. We were told the money we paid should soon be available and everything would be O.K. Not so. When traveling from the Masai Mara to Amboseli Nat'l Park, we passed through Nairobi and were told the same representative needed to see us again. This time, were told we were required to pay the entrance fees into Amboseli - another $160 cash. Our U.S. cash reserves were getting very low at this time. We were assured everything would be O.K. once we crossed into Tanzania. The next day when we met our Tanzanian, guide we asked if all fees were paid. His response was that we were to pay the entrance fees for the parks. It took him over an hour to clarify our situation with the Nairobi office, but still we had to pay the entrance fee to Tarangire Nat'l Park. All these fees were eventually refunded. This is when things really started to go wrong. On our drive from Tarangire to Ndutu Tented Camp, our guide received a text message from the office that advised him to stop early at a 1 star (at best) roadside hotel until he could complete some necessary banking the next day. In other words, our accommodation at Ndutu had not been reserved or paid for. We wasted half a day at this hotel with absolutely nothing to see or do. The next day, we set off again and had to wait over 2 hours while our guide completed the banking. This resulted in a very late drive over some questionable tracks after the sun had set. To say it was nerve racking is an understatement. On our way out of Ndutu, it was obvious that no accommodation had been booked for the night. We had paid in advance to stay at the Rhino Lodge but ended up in the Bouganvillea Lodge (very pleasant, but cheaper) after our guide had a heated exchange with his office. What a surprise in the morning when we found out we had to pay for the night at the hotel ($186). That day was our flight to Zanzibar, which, at the request of Africa Remote, we had paid $280 each in May of 2015 - we were told it was necessary to pay early because the flights sell out. We had asked for the flight itinerary and when we passed through Nairobi were told that we were flying Precision Air at 1:15 from Arusha's domestic airport. At 9:00 a.m. we finally got our flight itinerary. We were now flying Fast Jet at 12:30 from Kilimanjero airport - over 2 1/2 hours driving away. They had booked us at the last minute on a Low Cost carrier (the tickets cost them less than $124 each -in other words, they made a lot of money). Our driver drove at breakneck speed to get us to the airport. We made it to the check in counter with less than 2 minutes to spare. Then we found out our flight not only had a 6 hour layover in Dar es Salaam, but we were charged luggage fees for each flight segment (another $ 70). Upon arrival late in the evening in Zanzibar, there was no one to meet us as had been promised. We made our way by taxi to the hotel listed on our itinerary (Pongwe Beach Hotel) only to find, once again, that no reservation had been made. Fortunately, the manager was very accommodating, had room for us and said he would work everything out the next day. He got an e-mail in the morning telling him to expect our arrival and "customer to pay". In other words, they had not paid for this hotel either. The manager tried to contact Africa Remote by e-mail and phone but had no luck. We ended up paying for this hotel for the three nights we stayed ($600). Pongwe Beach Hotel is a gem! Pongwe Beach even arranged our transfer and stay at our next destination in Stone Town. Africa Remote ended up owing us a considerable amount of money. It took them almost a month to process a refund. We are lucky because we had the resources to weather this situation. It might not be so for other travelers. Even though the two guides we had were excellent (Simon in Kenya and Hamza in Tanzania) the front office ruined this experience. We wasted time in hotels, while they were banking and sitting in an airport departure lounge. They caused us far more stress than any other trip that I have taken - and I have traveled to over 90 countries. I would never recommend this company!
NZ
Email Edwin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Maasai mara and Serengeti
Had an absolute amazing time on safari with Africa remote safaris. They were excellent. Got picked up from the airport when we arrived and transferred to very nice accommodation. Travelling through on safari there were no problems at all. Vans and Jeeps were perfect safari viewing vehicles and the guides and cooks were amazing! Extremely impressed by the all round service, would definitely recommend.
Email Xavier Jerry | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar
"Our family of 6 traveled to Kenya and Tanzania for a 12 day Kenya, Tanzania Safari with an extension to Zanzibar two weeks ago.. It was absolutely amazing. Our guide was Hamza in Tanzania and Simon in Kenya .The best guides we have ever had and we have traveled to many countries. There was not one subject that they were not knowledgeable about. He made the trip so memorable. Simon was so flexible and when he picked us up in the mornings to head out, he was talking nonstop to tell us so much about everything we were seeing. There was so much to see in Maasai Mara including the Big 5 and Maasai people. He made sure we saw it all.. He truly has a gift in the touring business, you feel as if your leaving your best friend when the trip is over. When we left Kenya for Tanzania and got to the airport in Arusha, Hamza spotted us before we saw him and of course, we asked him, how did you recognize us? He even went as far as to get the local Laibon to meet us in Ngorongoro . We also enjoyed our stay at Ndutu Camp where the staff had a birthday surprise for our 13 year old son.
Zanzibar was fantastic. We spent three nights at Blue bay beach club and also managed to do some tours in Stone town. Our guide in stone was Musa recommended by Africa Remote Safaris. The night before we left to return home, Musa did our names in Zanzibari Arabic frame, They were beautiful, He showed us a picture of the Presidents Face he had done for the The President of Zanzibar! Amy from Africa Remote Safaris planned our trip and she was amazing, planning everything as he thought we would like based on what I told her. She did an Outstanding job and literally sent our Itineraries by next day in a beautifully done spiral bound personally book for each family that was going on the trip, soooooooo impressed and she even got the guide we requested!!!! I can’t say enough about this trip and Africa Remote Safaris, we will definitely use again!!! We experienced a very different culture in going to Zanzibar(We could have stayed longer) and that’s what we wanted, a Very different exotic trip and thats what we got!!!! Again our accommodations we top notch, staying in the truly authentic Camps and Lodges like four Seasons Serengeti, they were sooooo Luxurious, Plan on taking another suitcase or buying one there because you will buy more things to bring home than any other trip because of all the Handicrafts there, especially in Zanzibar!!!
TH
Email Traccy White | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Exciting Tour Experience with Africa Remote Safaris
"I have travelled all my life. I've combed much of Europe, from the arctic north in Norway to the streets of Seville in Spain, the beaches of Cannes and Nice in France and the medieval heart of Bologna in Italy. I've been on two African safaris (one tented, one not), both "luxurious." I've been on more than a dozen jaunts to India, some guided, others not. Over the years I have discovered that I had rather be lost and disoriented in a foreign country than submit once again to the unbending schedule of a guided tour. Hence I had given up tours of any kind, until Becky Anderson, an American travel agent, suggested I might want simply to list the places my friends and I wished to see in East Africa then let Africa Remote Safaris make accessing them in an orderly way not only possible but thoroughly enjoyable as well. And this Africa Remote Safaris did. They pulled our disparate destinations together and designed a far, far better route than we could ever have done on our own 4 Days Gorrillas Rwanda 5 Days Kenya 5Days Tanzania. They satisfied all our requests and threw in delicious additions, areas of interest we had never considered or even heard of. Our accommodations were well within our means and wonderful. Our guide and driver, not to mention our 4x4 Landcruiser with Hamza Nyelo. Could not have pleased us more. In other words, thanks to Becky and her recommending African Remote Safaris, we had a sensational holiday."
BE
Email Elena | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Really nice safary
Steve was really helpful and came to pick me up in my hotel. Things run very well during my 3-day safari!
US
Email Mark | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great safari experience in kenya
As a family we are hooked on safaris. To us the issue is to have with the best wild life wild place experience coupled with low tourist density, flexibility in what we want to do and also to know that we are supporting real sustainable eco tourism.
We found this blend at Tanzania Bush camps, booked through Africa Remote Safaris. The experience was special for a number of reasons. The first is the great wildlife
1) No set times to return to your camp
2) there is real engagement with the local community who share in the benefits of the conservancy.
Our friends and us have also used Africa Remote Safaris to book other places as they know what is good and can usually get better prices than going direct. We didn't see a Rhino but I think we saw everything else. Great guides. They knew their birds which was a bonus. Every one was so nice and accommodating, friendly and fun. We were very pampered
A 5 star, memorable trip
SA
Email Kevin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A visit to Kenya with Africa remote safaris an excellent trip it was
Kenya Safari was wonderful
We came between late December and had an amazing trip !!
A sensational discovery, Kenya and its wildlife.
For Photography enthusiasts , this is the place ... , hoping to recapture the magic of the wildebeest migration in two years time, the big five and others.
Africa Remote Safaris,thank you for the quality of its services and soon !!
Great Safari Experience
As a single female, i decided at the last minute to change my travel plans and include Tanzania on my 8 days East African Tour. I emailed Amy at Africa Remote Safari to see if she could assist me with planning an 8-day all inclusive trip. Within an hour, i received a quote and itinerary that was exactly what i was looking for. Amy also assured me that she would get the best guide to make me feel more comfortable. Africa Remote Safaris far exceeded my expectations and not only put together the most amazing tour of Tanzania and Kenya, covering everything in 8 days, but also everything worked within my budget. I have traveled to over 37 countries now and i can say, without a doubt that Africa Remote Safaris is the only tour company that has ever exceeded my expectations and done so with a quality of customer service that is very rare. Thank you Africa Remote Safaris.
US
Email Seattle | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Scam bookings - denied plane boarding, unpaid park fees, missed pick-up & briefing etc.
Do not take the chance to have the same terrible and costly experience we had with Mr. Steve Biko, Africa Remote Safaris! As of today, 1/6/2016, we have not been reimbursed for our additional expenses, US $ 4,461, which we occurred due to Steve Biko's continued failings, and have not heard back from Mr. Biko.
Our safari was scheduled, Aug. 16 - Aug. 22, 2015. Day 1, we were not picked up as scheduled in Nairobi to continue to Masai Mara. The hotel arranged for transfer to Wilson Airport and from there we flew to Masai Mara. Upon arrival and being greeted by our driver, we were told our park fees, driver and car fees had not been paid. After waiting around and phoning with Mr. Biko, we were off to go about 1 hour after arriving. Day 3 our scheduled balloon ride did not happen. Day 4 we were supposed to continue to Serengeti, and were denied boarding the SafariLink plane due to Mr. Biko had failed to pay for the tickets. On day 5 after not being able to leave our hotel due to Mr. Biko not paying for our lodging, our family of four had no other option than to change our itinerary for the remaining day's. This cost us an additional $4,461 for accommodation and flights, not to mention the time we missed actually being out seeing animals, and instead dealt with the many failings of Steve Biko and a police report encouraged my the Manager of our hotel, who wants this type of scoundrels out of the Kenyan travel industry. Throughout our safari when running into unpaid services, Steve Biko continuously asked us to pay in order to be reimbursed later - we did not as our safari was paid in full well in advance.
With the experience and knowledge I have today, my advice to you would be to organize your own safari. It might seem overwhelming, but you can book your flights and hotels directly, and arrange for a car with knowledgeable drivers with the hotel you are staying at. Enjoy your travels, and stay away from Steve Biko and Africa Remote Safaris.
US
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.