Owned and managed by Magda Vrijs and Edward Mollel
Flash Safaris and Photography
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Member Of:
- TATO & TTB
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $250 to $950 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
NL
Email Tim & Kiki | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari experience (Arusha NP - Tarangire NP - Serengeti NP - Ngorongoro Conserv Area)
After the first email contact Magda sent us a preliminary programme of our safari, which she then tailored to our wishes. Every time she almost instantly answered all of our questions. When we arrived at Kilimanjaro airport she and Edward picked us up personally, which was great, especially since we arrived in the evening. The next day we met our driver/guide Melek. What a fantastic guy! He drove carefully and learned us so much about Tanzania, Masai, the animals and nature. He even made sure we could take the perfect picture by pointing out the perfect spots and locating the jeep in the right place. When we wanted to see the crossing of the wildebeast in the Northern part of the Serengeti Melek went out of his way to find it for us. And he did! Thanks to him we were able to watch it from a number 1 spot.
All of our accomodations were just amazing. Every time we were welcomed with open arms without registration hassles. Really perfectly organised! The staff allways did their best to make it an unforgettable experience for us.
When we went back to Arusha airport for our flight to Zanzibar Magda and Edward came to say farewell. Edward even checked if the booking of our flight (which we arranged ourselves) was okay before he would leave. They also arranged a cab for us at Zanzibar airport to transport us to the hotel (which we also arranged ourselves).
I can only say we had a great experience booking/travelling with Flash Safaris. We loved their personal approach and would definitely recommend their agency to our friends and relatives, without a doubt!
NL
Email Pim and Inge | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
From south to Northern tanzania!
Although not planned from the start, during our stay in Tanzania (because of future work) we came across Flash Safari's. We went on a 4 day trip visiting 3 totally different national parks. This was a good opportunity for us to visit the Northern part of Tanzania while we will be staying in the south. With thanx to our humorous guide Adam we saw the beautiful parts of the parks and plenty of wildlife. Even with a limited budget, Magda made it possible for us to enjoy the luxury of this trip (with great overnights and dinner!). We had a wonderful time and hope to go back as soon as our expected child is a little bit older.
CH
Email Ignacio | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing experience!
Magda arranged a custom tour that exceeded our expectations. Our 10-day trip to Tanzania was an adventure that will remain as one of the most amazing experiences of our lives. The stunning landscapes, the diversity, quantity, the beauty of wildlife, our great guide, the lodges, the interesting culture; it was just amazing. We went to three national parks (Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro) where, thanks to our guide Meleck, we were always happy, very comfortable, and having the time of our lives. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Flash Safaris and all the people of Tanzania! Thanks for 10 unforgettable days!
Spot On!!
This is a small company and as a result, can offer custom, personalized service at reasonable prices.
Magda, who is part owner and runs the front office, did a superb job, educated me, listened to what I wanted, answered all of my questions and set up an ideal trip for me. She and her team are well organized and responsive. The seven day safari cost about $5000, and was private - just myself and a guide. Worth every penny.
I asked Magda for a guide who had a strong interest in photography, was communicative, but knew how to be quiet as well. She gave me Meleck, who was an ideal fit. Meleck was a complete professional when we were in the vehicle, dedicated to driving, spotting animals and setting up some great compositions for me, as well as explaining animal behavior. At night, we chatted a lot - he's interested and knowledgeable about African politics, economics and culture, so this gave us a lot to talk about.
As an aside, I'm told that the luxury companies don't let the guides dine with their clients. As well as smacking a tad of colonialism, this would have ruled out some great table conversations we had ourselves and with other groups.
If you are interested in a well run, comfortable, pleasant safari without the unnecessary costs and constraints of a luxury company, this outfit is for you.
CA
Email Margaret | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable 12 day safari for retired ladies from Canada
We just returned from safari in northern Tanzania and a week in Zanzibar.It was a very exciting trip for four retired gals.Magda met our every need from start to finish. We had our own 4 wheel drive vehicle with guide Meleck.He was extremely knowledgeable about all the animals and where to find them,also his driving skills were superb.Highlights were lions mating, 2 honeymoon couples we called them, and cheetahs hunting,3 brothers who worked as a team. Also lots of elephants, hippos, buffalos, gazelles,giraffes, baboons and even a couple of rhinoceros.Also a leopard and 11 lions up in trees.We especially enjoyed picnic lunches with Meleck chatting about our day. Magda was kind to arrange a visit to a medical clinic and orphanage which we were interested in. Tents lodges very comfortable, meals excellent, gorgeous views and conversation with other travellers interesting.Many photos taken.Last week relaxing at Blue Oyster Hotel on beach in Zanzibar,swimming and beach walking. Stonetown last 2 days, hotel charming ,great rooftop breakfasts. Thanks Magda, Edward and Meleck for an unforgettable holiday.
US
Email Jessie Reid | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgetable experience! Amazing wildlife, beautiful scenery and happy, warm people!
Just back from an unforgettable 2 week family adventure in Tanzania! This was my 2nd time using Flash Safaris. Magda once again did an outstanding job of organizing our custom made safari through Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ndutu and Ngorongoro Crater and visit to a masaii boma where we were greeted by smiles, warmth and dance. We had an awesome guide Abraham who was not only a superb driver and wildlife spotter (we saw the big 5)but also awesome story teller and cappuccino maker! He took excellent care of us and quickly became part of our family! The tented lodges were spectacular, delicious food, kind staff and bonfires at night. What better way to end than relaxing and snorkeling at Blue Oyster in Zanzibar and exploring historic Stone Town and all for a very reasonable price! Asante sana Magda and Edward and Flash Safaris for making our trip so very special! You guys are the best!!
US
Email Timothy Key | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The perfect safari experience, expertly arranged.
Magda planned out our itinerary and it was an amazing experience! Our driver, Abraham, was wonderful and a very careful driver and knowledgeable. The camps and lodges were all very special with all the amenities and terrific staff. The meals were also very good. We saw countless animals in the endless plains of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro including the "big five" . It was an unforgettable trip. The hotel in Zanzibar , the Blue Oyster, was lovely and the staff very friendly. It was a nice way to wind down the trip and relax on an amazingly beach. Exploring exotic Stone Town was fascinating and our hotel there, the Zanzibar Coffee House, was first rate.
US
Email TL | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A tour of dream that was carried out above and beyond all expectations!
From the start of our planning for the trip, Magda, the owner of Flash Safaris, had already impressed me with her friendliness, patience and efficiency. All of her communications betrayed her passion for this adopted country of hers. Meeting her in person (yup, she would come to see her customers at pick-ups and drop-offs when she could!) cemented the fact that she genuinely wanted her customers to see and enjoy the beauty of Tanzania. Along with her business partner Edward, she collaborated with us in designing the itinerary, based on our timelines and wishes.
We (2 ladies) did a 10-day private tour in a 4x4 pop-top (a MUST!). Our focus was the Northern Circuit where we visited (or, rather, game drove) 5 national parks: Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti (Seronera and Ndutu), Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire. We enjoyed all the lodges that Flash Safaris arranged; each was charming and had characters of its own. I especially appreciated the tented camps (which, very different from the common perception of "camping", are actually lodges - proper beds, tables, couches, bathroom, etc) Serengeti, where one is melted into the nature, with the wild around and blanketed by galaxy above.
Our safaris would not possibly have been so unforgettable without our guide, Rajabu! Not only does he have eagle eyes (no, I take that back: he has vulture eyes) but also he's very experienced and knows very well his way around in all of those national parks (which is ultra important because all drivers share information about animals whereabouts; we came across a few occasions where some of the tourists missed out due to their guides' lack of experience and knowledge of the parks). Furthermore, he always won over our challenges to him and ended the day on a high note every day; therefore, we had a National Leopards Day, National Lions Day, National Cheetahs Day during our tour! In Ngorongoro, we almost gave up the hope to see any black rhino; Rajabu still kept on searching and gathering information and, there it was, strolling right in front of us! Above all, kudos to Rajabu that he had to, with much courtesy and kindness, put up with our senseless debate over why Big Five is Big Five, silly talks about our friends and sordid stories about our families, in a closed space on those long drives of 10 days!
Looking back, I realized that the traits in Magda and Rajabu I appreciated the most is that they are reliable and do not impose. They delivered exactly what they had promised us and respected our wishes in what we would like or dislike. And that is exactly why our safaris were a tour of dream that was carried out above and beyond all expectations.
NL
Email Thea Ligtvoet | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The Best touroperator we ever had!
Great experience! Saw de big 5 and many other animals, very close! Great accomodations with a touch of European luxury. Bathrooms and toilets! The food was super! And our guide was the best. If you want to go to Tanzania, I recomment Flash Safaris an d Photography. They react very quickly and make your personal wishes come true. Five stars touroperator.!!!
NL
Email Jelle Zijlstra | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best holiday ever!
Flash Safari's was recommended to us by friends and they were so right! Magda and her team gave us and our kids the holiday of our lives! She gave us perfect advise about the best time and the best route for our safari. As a result we have seen lots of wildlife (the entire big five and much more) and the accommodations were perfect. The entire program was perfectly balanced. We started out in the Arusha National Park - a beautiful park just north of Arusha. This is one of the very few places where you can do a walking safari accompanied by an experienced (armed) ranger. Great to get some exercise after sitting in an airplane for an entire day! It was an ideal day to acclimatize with lots to see. The next days we visited all the famous National Parks and Conservation area's. An absolutely unforgettable experience. Tarangire with its Baobabs and many elephants, The Ngorogoro conservation area with its very diverse landscape ranging from tropical rainforest to hills and grassy plains and off-course the endless grassy plains of the Serengetti filled with all sorts of wildlife. We ended our safari in a luxury hotel (Acacia Lounge) which was great! After eight days on dusty bumpy roads it feels so good to clear off the dust, have a long luxurious shower and a swim in the pool.
The absolute highlight of our safari was our driver Adam Mtiro! He was a very experienced and very knowledgable game-spotter, catered for our every wish and gave us all the time we wanted to observe the wildlife. Without him we would not have seen half as much! Thanks again Adam - you have really made our safari unforgettable!
The second part of our holiday was on the east coast of Zanzibar. We spent three nights in the Sunshine Hotel and four nights in the Marine Lodge - both beautiful accommodations under the same management with very nice swimming pools. The Sunshine Hotel has a lovely beach with very warm seawater (around 37 degrees centigrade!) Swimming is very good when the tide is high. When the tide is low you must wear reef-shoes and be careful, not to step on the many sea urchins. The Marine Lodge is more isolated and does not have a beach. It does have a very good diving school however and the Mnemba Atoll right in front of the hotel, provides numerous lovely diving and snorkeling spots. You can spot many tropical fish, sea turtles and dolphins there.
If you want a beach.....go to the Sunshine Hotel. If you want to go diving and enjoy peaceful and quite surroundings......go to the Marine Lodge. If you like a bit of both.......use the special offer to stay a couple of nights in each hotel (including two dive or snorkeling trips). Both places are highly recommended.
We ended our holiday with one day/night in the Zanzibar Coffee House, a very good old, authentic hotel in Stonetown, the historic centre of Zanzibar City. Stonetown is a must see experience. It gives you a good impression of the daily live on the island. Most buildings are old and dilapidated - even those on the world heritage list - but they are still a sight to see! Also the local market was an unforgettable experience. You can make some lovely pictures there, although in some places (like the fish and the chicken market) you must be able to hold your breath for quite some time ;-).
All in all we have had the time of our lives in Tanzania and on Zanzibar and we can highly recommend Flash Safari's! Its strong point are:
* The personal approach and personal assistance - both before departure and during travel
* Knowledgeable , highly committed staff and very good travel advise
* A perfectly balanced program with very good accommodations
* Very good, patient and knowledgeable drivers - they are the key to a perfect safari experience!
We highly recommend Flash Safari's without any reservations!