65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fabulous Tour and Guides!
Africa Flash McTours & Travel Review
12 days: Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari
We are a mid-60s couple that just completed the 12 day Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari with our mid-30s daughter and son-in-law. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in an extensive safari experience.
We were extremely pleased with our overall experience with Africa Flash McTours. Our travel contact Peter Macharia was always responsive to our questions and helped us design the trip we wanted. Wire transfers from USA have a unfavorable transaction fee so we recommend credit card payments despite 3 % fee. Although there were two nights where we were sent to different lodgings due to a booking error, the substitute lodgings were wonderful.
Our two trip guides/drivers were Simon (in Kenya) and Esa (Tanzania) …both were OUTSTANDING! We thoroughly enjoyed meeting both of them ….they were excellent, safe drivers and awesome at pointing out wildlife sightings. They also ensured a very smooth border transfer for us from Kenya-Tanzania-Kenya.
Both Simon and Esa made sure to find out what our priorities were as well as preferences for various game drives. Simon also went above and beyond to accompany members of our group in the Hell’s Gate area since some of our party did not wish to join the Bicycle Safari.
Lodging – All of the lodging was quite comfortable (and often luxurious to those of us accustomed to backpacking!) with ensuite bathrooms. Hot water was available at all locations except one tent camp …not a big deal considering you could watch mongoose, jackals and antelopes run by your porch! Buffet style food available at all camps…we were pleasantly surprised at the variety and quality ….and yes, we all gained weight!
We were exceptionally lucky to see an amazing number of animals as well as experiencing the differences among the various national parks. A few of the travel days were quite long…and unfortunately one or two days were on pretty rough roads resulting in significant “African Massage” treatments ….something to note if anyone has back issues. However, as an avid amateur photographer, it was well worth it in exchange for the amazing animal encounters we experienced.
In summary, we would highly recommend Africa Flash McTours & Travel.
Debbie Klosowski and Peter Link - USA
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best Safari
Booking a safari in Tanzania is not an easy decision because there are so many different options. We had one clear plan: we wanted to see the Ngorongoro Crater. However, organizing this from Zanzibar for just a 2-day safari was quite challenging. Many operators only offered 3-day safaris that included Ngorongoro Crater, while others were extremely expensive. Another important factor for us was that we wanted to spend only one night away from Zanzibar, and we also had a relatively small budget.
In the end, I found that The Face of Africa could provide exactly what we were looking for. I got in touch with Hamadi and asked about prices and tours. From the very first minute, Hamadi was incredibly supportive. He offered us many different options, explained everything in detail, and answered all of our questions. Since we reached out quite close to our travel dates (just 2–3 weeks before), time was working against us. At first we weren’t 100% happy with the proposal, but Hamadi adjusted it several times until we were fully satisfied. In fact, we made our final decision only about a week before the safari, when we were already in Zanzibar.
We did face a small issue with the payment process because our bank wouldn’t allow us to transfer money directly to the company’s account. Hamadi quickly provided us with a payment link so we could pay by credit card. This came with an additional charge, but it was the only feasible solution.
Once the payment was completed, our trip was confirmed. On the morning of our flight we were picked up from the hotel. This is maybe the only point of criticism: the pick-up was scheduled quite late, and due to heavy traffic we almost missed our flight from Zanzibar to Arusha. We arrived just 25 minutes before departure, and the airport staff told us we were very late. They rushed us through security and straight onto the bus where all other passengers were already waiting. It was a close call. Not really Hamadi’s fault, but I would suggest scheduling pick-up at least half an hour earlier to avoid this stress.
After landing in Arusha, we were greeted by our safari guide. He explained the plan for the day and even gave us a small gift from Hamadi — a cap and a water bottle from The Face of Africa. A very nice gesture.
Our first stop was Tarangire National Park. It was a long drive, and we arrived around 10 or 11 a.m. to begin our safari. The experience was amazing — we saw lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, monkeys, and more. Our guide made sure we got the most out of it, and we really enjoyed every moment.
In the evening we drove to our hotel near Ngorongoro Crater. It was a small place still partly under construction, so the atmosphere was a little different than usual, but the staff went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed. The food was good, the rooms were clean, and the overall vibe was pleasant. We had a good night’s sleep before starting early the next morning for our second day at Ngorongoro.
The crater safari was again absolutely breathtaking. We saw so many animals, and our guide was always attentive, answering our questions and taking us exactly where we wanted to go. It truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
On the way back to the airport, we stopped for food and then continued safely to our flight. Since Hamadi couldn’t meet us in person, he called us to check that everything was fine, which we really appreciated. At the airport we met Pedri (Football player of Barcelona, not really part of the Safari but it was nice anyways haha). The flight back to Zanzibar was on time, and upon arrival we were picked up at the airport without delay and returned safely to our hotel.
All in all, the safari was perfectly organized, and we couldn’t have asked for more. If we had known in advance how incredible it would be, we would definitely have booked 3–4 days instead of just 2. It was one of the best experiences of our lives.
We give this safari a clear 10/10. The price was a little high, but since it was a last-minute booking, that was to be expected. Booking earlier would certainly have been cheaper.
We would like to thank Hamadi and The Face of Africa for everything they did for us. We will carry this safari in our hearts forever, and whenever someone asks me for a safari recommendation in Africa, I will always recommend The Face of Africa. I also hope to do another safari with them in the future.
FR
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very nice experience with a guide at the top of the top!
The Dextrip Safari team was able to meet our expectations, despite our somewhat tight budget everything was very good! They are very accommodating and attentive. The only small downside is the misunderstanding during the settlement, but everything worked out! We made an extraordinary safari with a great guide (Thank you Steve)! I recommend
MT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Adventurous
Hectic but worth it all the way. Namibia was simply outstanding. Corteous and professional guides/drivers. Lived to our expectations
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Absolutely Exceptional!
What a fantastic experience! Archie let me tweak the itinerary to include some extra places that weren't on the original plan. His response time was very prompt and if he couldn't answer because he was busy, he would tell me when he would get back to me (usually within the hour).
Our guide Tafara was the best tour guide I have ever had! He took care of every detail for us at all time. From having cold water in the car, to making sure every hotel check in went seamlessly, to going out of his way to get something for us when he heard us talking about it. For example, arranging a tour of a local school for us. He noticed I drank soda water at dinner, so the next day there was soda water in the cooler in the car.
Tafara is very knowledgeable and he will stop along the way to show you interesting things about each area you drive through, things you wouldn't notice otherwise.
I can't say enough good things about both the company and Tafara. It was a trip of a lifetime and it was made extra special with Tafara as our guide.
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
incredible!
Thank you Simon and Yusuph! We met wonderful people to share the tour and spent incredible days! The tour guide drove safe and taught us everything about the animals. The chef made us lovely food. We love this trip. Thank you so much!
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unsafe Transfers, Safari late morning, Transfers longer than normal.
The first problem is at the beginning, they don't pick-up me and they send a uber driver, that bring me in a unsafe neighbourhood, then it was just wrong and I arrive late at the office. Transfers are longer than normal, because the minibus is very old and because they did detours to pick up tourists from other agencies. So Transfers of 4-5 hours became of 6-7 hours. Safari starts too late, two times at 9 o'clock. During the safaris all drivers go to much nearby the animals and they stressed them. The last safari, the saturday morning, it was not a true safari, we run fast to the border of Tanzania and we don't stop the just time to see a scene with hyenas and lions, because the Driver was stressed to join the border. We cross the park amboseli in one hour and 25 minutes.
At the end the driver bring me at the wrong adress, I suggest that the hotel was another, but it says to entry there (a garage), because was the second entrance. Finally I walked 25 minutes too join my hotel.
IE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very professional and very prompt with all replies to questions
We were very happy with all communication. our experience was wonderful Everything regarding the tour ie pick up times schedule and any information we needed was always provided Simon our driver was very professional was so. knowledgeable and fantastic at imparting same always helpful .A true gentleman and excellent driver
Our chef Yousef was superb he provided fabulous food and was so pleasant and friendly .He worked very hard and always had a smile on his face.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous Adventure!!!! Meshack, Manu and James were professional, kind, knowledgeable, and trustwort
Do you want to see more elephants, zebras, lions, wildebeests, water buffalo than you could have imagined, to say nothing of the cheetahs, leopards, rhinos, and hippos, then book this tour with “Alligator Adventures, Tours and Safaris”. This tour exceeded our expectations. Meshack Mureithi was a wizard at organizing our accommodations, making us comfortable and welcomed at each of our lodges in Tsavo West, Amboselli, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and Masai Mara over our 10 day adventure. The lodges all had a great view and were clean well appointed. The food was diverse for all tastes and the people were lovely. Our guides Manu Muniafu and his brother James were kind, funny and so knowledgeable about where to go to see each of these animals and their habits and habitats. I highly recommend these two drivers. They were great! The pictures don’t do this beautiful country justice but here are a few of our best taken with just an iPhone camera from the van.
AT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfekt safari
Everything was perfect- we had the best guide ever. Thank you Leonard!