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
Please be aware. This "tour operator" is running a scam. Do not give them a cent!
** UPDATE MARCH 2015
After six months of hassle, I have received a full refund of the safari trip I booked and pre-paid with Africa Flash Mc Tours last year. I cannot recommend their services, as this has caused me trouble ever since I was in Nairobi in September 2014 waiting for a safari guide that never showed up and couldn´t contact anyone from Africa Flash MC Tours (including emergency phone numbers posted on the company's website).
** UPDATE FEBRUARY 2015
I want to reiterate my review submitted in October 2014. No money has been refunded to me from Peter Njenga. I have been communicating with him for many months. He has repeatedly promised to send a refund but has not been a man of his word. Please avoid doing business with him and his company.
** ORIGINAL REVIEW
I booked a tour with Africa Flash Mc Tours for September 2014 and paid it 100% up front, $1150.
Nobody showed up to pick me up at my hotel as arranged with Peter Njenga, the phone numbers of the company and Peter were turned off and no one answered my email. I never got to go on the tour I had paid for.
I complained to the Kenyan police which is now looking into Africa Flash MC Tours and Peter Njenga. I have not received a refund from the company, I hope the police will stop him from scamming tourists coming to Kenya. Please be careful and do not deal with this company.
Reply from Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel
Posted on Apr 8, 2015Dear Inga,
Sorry for the ruined vacation and the delay in getting back your refund, although we did a full refund I know I can not compensate for the lost time. I however will give a full complimentary trip on the same to ease the burden as I proposed.
I have put up mechanism to prevent future safaris from not taking off as having 4 of our staff undertaking and monitoring each of the safaris that have been booked with us and a back up vehicle throughout the safari.
We have also changed our stuff, and put up a new management team, to avoid any future misconduct from the top to the lower management personnel as advised.
Best Regards
Africa Flash McTours Team
HK
Email Kelvin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Stay away from this company. Still owed a refund
I travelled as a group of 4 and booked a trek and safari trip with Peter at Africa Flash McTours and paid in full before my vacation. He never showed up for the safari trip and I was left on my own to book another tour when I was in Africa. He promised to refund me my money (a couple thousand US dollars) and after 6 months, he still has not.
There has been mixed reviews on this company on safaribookings. Im sure Peter (who runs this company) has had some good tours in the past, but there are also many many poor reviews you need to be mindful of because they are in fact true. His company is NOT registered with the tourism board and he has a history of not showing up on time, changing itinerary and cheating people their money.
For the past 6 months he has continued to say he would send the refund that he owes my group. Every week he fails to do so. He has stolen over $2000 USD from my group.
Do NOT risk your vacation with this company. Do NOT put your trust in Peter. There are so many other safari tour companies you can go with.
HK
Email Rebecca | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unreliable and dishonest company
** Update September 22, 2016 **
We still didn't receive any refund from Africa Flash Mc Tours.
** Original review **
Beware when booking with this company. Peter who runs this company is a very dishonest man and his company is NOT registered with the ministry of tourism in Kenya.
I booked a trekking/safari tour with Africa Flash Mctours and made the full payment a month in advance. After flying 12hours to start my safari tour, peter and his tour guide was no where to be found. He claimed to be sorting out money issues at the bank but after waiting several hours for him at the hotel, peter never showed up.
This issue was brought to the ministry of tourism and found out that his company is not a legally registered tour company. DO NOT put your trust in booking with this company.
Peter offered to make a full refund to us as we never got to even start our safari tour. Til this day, Peter still has NOT refunded all our money. It has been almost 4 months.
QA
Email Nan | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Both Good and Bad Experiences (9-day trip with kids)
I just came back from a 9-day safari trip from Kenya and Tanzania. I want to write down both good and bad experiences. We have 2 adults, one 10.5-year boy and one 2.5-year girl.
Good experiences. (Peter is the one who runs the company)
1. Peter is very nice, from email contact to meeting me in the airport.
2. Peter upgraded my last night room in Nairobi for free, since I had some bad experience (see shortly below).
3. The travel guide is good.
4. The hotels are good.
Bad experiences.
1. On the trip from Masai Mara to Serengeti, Peter told me that it will take 4 hours. In fact, it took 14 hours, which was a terrible mistake. Although Peter said later that there is another route that he tried to ask the driver to use, however, I don't quite trust it since (a) the > 12 hours route is written in the itinerary; and (b) we have met in that day, if he knew another way, he should change it. BTW, the 12 hours driving is without traffic, but with very bumpy and dusty road.
Things got worse that night that the car we ran out of gas, in the middle of the big Serengeti national park. I don't know how professional people can make such mistakes. That was totally a mess, and we were lucky that the Tanzania guide found his friend to fix the problem, which took one hour. The worst case could be that we stayed in the car with kids for the whole night.
2. The car in Tanzania was bad, with a lot of dust, which made my daughter coughing and in fever for 2 days. Peter has no ability to change it, since it is from another company.
3. From Ngorongoro to Lake Manyara in Tanzania, it should take only a little bit more than one hour. However, in fact, it took us 4 hours. The reason is that Peter forgot to buy the pass. In Tanzania, you cannot even pay cash for the national park, the money should be transferred and the car should be registered before hand. This made us very unhappy since my son was sick and we wasted >2 hours for the pass (ticket) that was not prepaid.
Adding to the above bad experience is that, if you take more hours (for nothing) on the road, simply you have less hours to see animals, which you have paid for.
Again, Peter is very nice and he is very sorry for my bad experiences. However, I have to write down my experiences.
Reply from Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel
Posted on Oct 1, 2015Dear Nan
I would like to thank you for choosing to travel with us and having shared your experience, and also apologize to you and your family for the challenges you faced during the safari with my company as below;
1. On the distance from Maasai Mara to Serengeti - When I gave you the distance on the safari I used google map to determine the shortest distance, and I was hoping to use the road that crosses Maasai Mara directly to the boarder and that would have reduced the time by half, but after further consultation while on safari I opted we use the longer distance but I was not aware it would take 14 hours to the to get you to Serengeti. I apologize because it was my responsibility to know this would happen and I should have informed you accordingly.
On the fuel part, I never knew that happened until I saw and read your review. I have contacted our handler in Tanzania and he informed me that the vehicle still had fuel in it as the Land Cruisers have 2 tanks, and after the first tank ran out, the knob that was supposed to allow the second tank to begin it's consumption failed thus why the vehicle failed and they were able to manually transfer the fuel to the 1st tank and continue with the safari although this took an our of your time. This would have been avoided if I had taken adequate measures and ensured that the vehicle being offered on the Tanzania Part was well maintained and had not failed along the way, thus I take full responsibility for this and apologize for putting you and the family in that position.
2. The car in Tanzania, was a total failure on my part. After closing on the car on the Tanzania Part and being assured that the car was what I had requested, I should have traveled to Tanzania and ensure what you were offered is what had been agreed between me and my handler in Tanzania, and if this was not the case I would have put a mechanism to have another vehicle in the stand still ready to replace it. I can assure you that this information is very important to me and that I will ensure this never happens again.
3. As for Ngorongoro to Lake Manyara, I assure you that it was not a complete failure on my part as I had paid all your fees before hand through my Tanzania handler and you should not have had any delays, and when you called about this I made every effort to ensure this was resolved including sending additional cash to guide Leonard to ensure the trip proceeded without any further stalling and resolve the issue with him when you got back.
In light of the above I have put all the necessary measures to ensure the above never happens again, including buying a Land Cruiser purposely for Tanzania Safaris and opening an office in Tanzania to handle all our transport issues within the shortest time possible.
Thanks for Choosing us
Peter & the Team
CA
Email Lucien Rodrigue | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It is one of the worst experiences I have lived so far in my life.
Very soft talk on internet before booking.
Usurps identity, says that his name is Isaac on internet while his name is Peter in the real life.
Late for the apoinments 20 minutes the first day, two Hours and 20 minutes the second time. I therefore missed the shuttle to Tanzania so we started chasing after it finally reaching it after a 120 km race.
Chose a driver that was urinating outside of the car instead of in the latrines. This one forgets that I have booked a different hotel, takes my box lunch without asking me, forgets to tell my hotel manager that I need early breakfast to join the tour.
Asked (Peter) for more money (160US$) the first day we met saying that he needed it for the park fees. I had paid everything at least 2 weeks earlier. I was said that he asks extra money to all his clients.
Entered into a fight with the brother of a former employee right in front of me.
Set a transfer downtown Nairobi knowing the traffic Jams while it could have been done outside of the city.
Did not send enough money to the mountain operator so that I had to wait 36 hours in Moschi Tanzania, before going to the mountain. I finally had to do the climbing in 5 days instead of 6.
Was saying that the money was coming in the minutes to come but it took a whole day.
Did not give enough money to my Kenyian guide so that he has to take his own money and I had to help him with mine.
He was supposed to reemburse that guide 150US$ but I have no confirmation it has been done.
To me he (Peter) suffers of a antisocial personality disorder.
I do not recommend this company and wonder why it is in NATO.
Reply from Africa Flash Mc Tours & Travel
Posted on Aug 10, 2015Dear Lucien, thanks for the review, in regard to your review;
We have a team of 4 people who handled your emails but your main contact was Isaac. Peter (I), was handling the logistics and operations.
In regard to time, your hotel was a bit hidden and was difficult to locate, thus one locating it and picking you on safari, we had to make sure we reached you to the shuttle on time, despite the heavy traffic from your hotel which was due to the preparations of the arrival of the US president.
As for the driver, I am deeply sorry for his misconduct, as I have only known this from your review and will take the necessary disciplinary action on him.
The $160 you paid on the first day was uncalled for, and I am sorry for that, but I gave it back to you as you continued with your safari to Amboseli.
There was a disagreement with a former employee, and I explained everything to you.
It was the US presidents visit and there was nothing I could do to avoid the traffic as most of the roads were being repaired and your hotel was on the same route.
The Tanzania Kilimanjaro safari was outsourced and I made it clear, and the reason for the delays is that they changed their terms once you arrived in Moshi and on asking for extra cash I did sent them via Western Union, and due to their systems failure there was some delays.
I offered a reimbursement for the trip, which you said I should give to your guide, and I did that the next day after your request, and the guide did sent you an email.
All this being said, I have put all your issues into account, and have put up measures to ensure, it never happens again. Thanks for the insight.
Email Brian Armour | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trips to Masai Mara and Nairobi National Park
From the start they were good on the phone, friendly and welcoming when I was picked up and good driver heading towards the reserve - although we couldn't tell then how well he would fare with the animals - while other vehicles were getting stuck we had a great afternoon and morning drive with sightings of lions, cubs, zebra and 3 families of elephants - there was good local knowledge as well as wise use of the radio. Peter and his team dropped us at the airport, even took us for coffee on the way as there was plenty of time before the flight.
Second time, I only had an afternoon to spare at short notice but no problem, Peter picked me up and arranged a tour van to meet us at the gates to the park - all very efficient.
Would I recommend them - sure, no hesitation! Nice people leaving me with an amazing experience.
Email Kelo | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Safari Experience
This was by far one of the best experience. The tour was well organised from start to finish. Staff communication was great. The driver was quite patient during the tour allowed us to see the animals up close and shared insightful information about how the animals interact. Never seen so many animals in one place. The chance to meet the Masai community and learn their wau of life was also a valuable experience. I would highly recommend it!
Email Philip D | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing Safari All The Way
This was my second safari with Africa Flash McTours, this time round with my parents and they were true to their every word. The communication was prompt and clear (Peter's English both written and spoken is very good and clear, something that highlights him from the other operators), the selected itinerary which we worked on together was delivered beyond our expectations. The guides, the hotels stuff were great. I recommend anyone who wish to travel to work with Africa Flash McTours.
Email Ken Surridge | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Superb - have no hesitation recommending
I have now been on safari twice with Peter and his team. Each time Peter has gone out of his way to make our trip the best possible. On the first trip there were 5 people in the group and on the second trip their were 6 people in the group. Each and every person in both groups came home raving about their experience. I have no hesitation recommending Peter and his team.
CY
Email Erika | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional and the most reliable and reasonably-priced Safari Operator in Kenya
I have always wanted to do a Safari but I find the prices quite expensive. I have scanned different websites and thoroughly reviewed packages, reviews and prices until I came across Africa Flash Mc Tours. The offer was the cheapest I could find so I emailed the company (along with other companies just to compare and have other options). I got a response right away and I was impressed by how my inquiry was handled. I was even given more information that I haven't asked for but clearly needed to know. Everything was arranged right then and there and Peter was so kind to schedule me even though I haven't paid a single penny as a down payment. Come the 1st day of Safari, I was picked up by his driver and everything was smoothly arranged from food to accommodation, and of course the Game Drive, which was the main activity. I literally just had to go with the flow as everything was taken cared of. In the lodge where other guests are staying, there were some complaining on how their safari operators were not clear about what was included and what was not in the package. I couldn't help but be thankful that Peter actually takes the time to make sure that his clients are well-informed of the activities and not just shut them off as soon as the payment has been made. I think this is what most safari operators lack- the value of customer service! I will definitely recommend this company to friends especially because Kenya or Africa in general has a lot of safari operators in the industry and it's difficult to find one that you can actually trust.