Reliable safari packages for international market
Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- KATO, Ecotourism Kenya & Travelife
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $100 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
TH
Email Elliott | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience - bad organisation
I did a 6 day safari and the organisation here was very poor. Despite being assured i’d have plenty of time for my flight out of kenya, i almost missed my flight whilst the driver insisted in dropping every other person off first as it was a more convenient route for him (they were travelling between 4 hours to 1 day after me, so not urgent and dropping me off first would have added max 15mins to his driving). Everyday of the safari there was a late pickup, a failure to communicate changes in the schedule. What was worse that the driver generally seemed to have not been told, or had forgot, the agenda of my tour from the africa flash so was constantly asking me things I had not been told either (eg the name/phone number of the driver i was going to be dropped off with for the next days, where the meeting point was).
I’m an easygoing traveller and usually dont mind this sort of thing on normal holidays but when you’ve paid a lot of money (as these safaris are expensive) you do expect that the organisation at the very least would be in place.
In retrospect, i think it would have been less stressful and cheaper booking the hotels, transfers and safaris myself. Even one of the hotels I booked in the tour was not where I ended up staying because according to the tour operator supposedly the hotel had overbooked so I needed to be moved to another hotel (given all of the other things i experienced - i suspect that they had just failed to book my hotel).
I’m giving it two stars because despite my complaints above i did have a wonderful experience, i’m just not sure how much the tour organiser contributed to that.
Reply from Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel
Posted on Nov 7, 2024Dear Elliott,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're genuinely sorry that we did not meet your expectations. Creating a seamless and enjoyable safari experience is our goal, and we apologize for any stress or inconvenience you encountered.
It’s concerning to hear about the issues with pick-up times and communication around your itinerary. We recognize that, as a Group Joining Safari with guests staying at various hotels, staggered pick-up times can lead to delays. However, this should have been clearly communicated, and we’re addressing this internally to ensure all guides are fully briefed on each guest’s itinerary, especially for group safaris. We're sorry for any impact this had, particularly regarding your timely arrival for your flight.
We also understand the disappointment of an unexpected accommodation change. Unfortunately, due to an overbooking for one of the nights, we made the decision to upgrade your stay to Basecamp Masai Mara and adjusted your safari to be private in the Masai Mara. Our aim was to maintain the quality and comfort of your experience, and we regret any inconvenience caused.
Thank you again for your constructive feedback. We’re pleased that you were able to enjoy Kenya’s beauty, and we hope you’ll consider giving us another chance in the future to provide the experience we strive to deliver for all our guests.
Warm regards,
Peter M
US
Email OZo | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Needs improvement
The Masai Mara is an incredible place with incredible animals and landscapes. Peter was excellent at communicating with us in a timely manner to answer all our questions and set up our itinerary for our safari trip.
However we were not satisfied with the behavior of our driver who tried to convince us to enter and exit the park at the times we suggested. We think he was doing this in order to avoid paying the park fees for one day (each entry fee is valid for 24 hours). However we wanted to have as much time as possible in the park, as per what we had paid for, and in accordance with park timings. When we asked to stay in the park a bit longer than the time the driver was suggesting, he proceeded to avoid driving us out of the park through the main gate and instead drove us off track and trespassed through the Masai village at high speed. There were small children on the path and adult men and women (who carry sticks) started yelling at our van and throwing stones as the driver sped through. This was extremely embarrassing for us, as well as dangerous, as it was very dark and there were small children in the way.
Then the driver stopped and a man who seemed to be a Masai chief entered our car and spoke to our driver the entire way back to our hotel. We don't know what they negotiated or what they were talking about, since we don't speak their language and our driver wasn't communicating anything with us.
We hope Flash McTours will work on improving their services. This kind of experience is not conducive for a pleasant safari experience. It is unsafe and likely to make your visitors feel very nervous and uncomfortable. Furthermore,
It is essential that safari companies follow park rules and regulations and respect the Masai community, and their land.
IE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Refunded for day 1 of trip
** UPDATE APRIL 2015
Thanks to peter for refunding us the cost of our first day's travel as promised
** ORIGINAL REVIEW
We booked transport from Nairobi airport to Masai Mara for 7.30am dept time so we could do an afternoon game drive. We left nairobi 8 hours late at 3:30 pm having waited all day and arrived at 9:30pm and missed entirely one of our two days of game drives. We were given continued excuses over and over again and several requests for money en route for expenses etc. We had paid upfront and in full. This company almost ruined the entire trip. Thankfully we had independently booked great accommodation who provided their own good driver and guide for our game drive the next day. This company is not anywhere near good enough and should be avoided at all costs. They have promised a refund but continuously have deferred about paying this.
Reply from Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel
Posted on May 21, 2015Dear Patrick,
Sorry for the delay in departing for the Maasai Mara on the first day and missing out on the game drive on that day! This was as a result of change in vehicles for the safari and the vehicle assigned to you was late from a safari thus failure on our part to depart for the safari on time. This has been rectified by having a vehicle in standby just incase one of our vehicles does not make it in time for a pick up.
I am also sorry for the fact that you paid for some expenses, although all that was refunded this was not supposed to have happened and I have dealt with the issue permanently to ensure it never happens again.
Best Regards
Africa Flash McTours C.E.O