Luxury African Safari tours in East Africa
Natural World Kenya Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 50-100 employees (Founded in 2002)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, ASTA, KATO, MCTA & Ecotourism Kenya
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $310 to $500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Laura | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I would caution you not to book with this company
CAUTION - DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY!
Natural World Kenya Safaris, operated by Humphrey N. Ndara, could not be more of a scam and disappointment. This is a safari company that prioritizes taking your money upfront and providing disappointment on the back end. The customer service and pretend caring stop once they have your money. We learned the hard way that the company’s business practices are at best dishonest and possibly fraudulent. If your intent is to experience all that Kenyan’s National Parks can offer, to receive the services for which you paid; to follow the itinerary to which was agreed and paid for; to be treated with honesty, common courtesy and respect; and/or to enjoy equipment that works, then we strongly suggest that you ignore any positive reviews this company may have and research other safari companies. Their positive reviews might have been deserved once upon a time, but clearly that time is in the past. DO NOT fall into the same trap we did. Kenya and the Kenyan people are too special to mar your visit by using this company. For more details, read below.
None of the equipment, including the “Off-road 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep”, was as advertised. The vehicle did NOT have working electricity meaning that none of our phones or cameras could be recharged. The vehicle’s advertised WiFi was nonexistent. The portable fridge was broken so there was no cold water providing needed refreshment while in the heat of the Kenyan sun. The advertised sandbags for stability while picture taking were also nonexistent. The vehicle itself was old, busted in various places, and had abnormally inferior shocks (even for a safari vehicle). The poor condition of the vehicle ultimately resulted in an injury to one of us.
Although extremely disappointing, the poor (or lack of) functioning equipment could have been overlooked had the company not continued to ruin its questionable reputation through its misleading and underhanded business dealings. Despite having paid for all of our lodgings prior arriving in Kenya, we learned that it is Mr. Ndara’s business practice not to pay the lodging owners until the very last possible moment, and in some cases, not at all. Upon arriving early in the day at one of our lodging sites, we were unable to check in as the hotel/camp staff informed us that our lodging had not yet been paid by Natural World (Mr. Ndara). The hotel/camp staff suggested that we go ahead and spend our day in the park on safari under the assumption that all would be resolved before coming back at the end of our day. Unfortunately, when we arrived back at our lodging at the end of the day nothing had been resolved. In fact, the hotel/camp staff had been unable to contact anyone at Natural World all day. After an additional several hours waiting at the check-in desk, we were advised that we should (re)pay out-of-pocket and attempt reimbursement later. Our driver confirmed that this predicament is not an uncommon happening where Mr. Ndara is concerned. He often uses customer prepayments for other purposes.
Adding insult to injury, our driver (Jeff) was rude and condescending throughout our 9-day safari. He ignored asked questions, rushed us every time we stopped to take pictures, and repeatedly dropped us off at our camp earlier than scheduled (and much earlier than other safari groups that were staying at the same camp) causing us to miss the dusk hours when animals are most active. He did this without any explanation and got angry when we questioned him why he was returning to camp so early. Multiple times he skipped destinations listed on the itinerary that was agreed to when we submitted our safari down payment. One of the better examples of our driver’s rudeness is when he told us, “Why bother telling you what these animals are called since you can’t seem to remember them?”
On our last day of the safari, Mr. Humphrey Ndara verbally promised his commitment to addressing our negative safari experience and poor treatment. Unfortunately, true to form and never responding to our emails, this was just one more false and broken promise and another item to be added to the long list of extreme disappointments we suffered at the hands of Natural World, Mr. Humphrey and our driver Jeff.
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Email Jeff | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They are broke…when you get cheated go KATO. They guarantee payment.
We loved the safari and driver on a Kenya safari that ended Jan 20. Natural World Safari’s is broke. We raised hell and got 7 days of our 11 paid…one day at a time. At the end we brought the Nairobi Tourist police and the operator was able to refund the last $4000 US by some shenanigans with a refund to our credit card. My guess is the best route for a refund of the safari cost (not your airfare and hassle) is through KATO, an organization that apparently guarantees operators nationally.
If you have the funds, my recommendation is you do the safari and pay yourself, as needed and then go to KATO.
If you haven’t booked with this company, I would advise don't.
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Email Moneeb | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
They are a dishonest company based on our experience
I used this company for a Kenya family safari in 2017 and we had a great experience. Based on this, we booked a new 5 day luxury Safari with them. I had every expectation that - based on my prior experience from 2017 - we could expect another great experience. This was not the case. Something has clearly happened and this company has gone totally downhill.
In summary - we were assured that our private Safari trip was completely lined up and on track. However the moment we paid them the money ($12k for a family of 5) - the problems immediately began. Firstly we were lied to about the hotel we had chosen somehow not having availability and we were rebooked into a different hotel of a much lower caliber (and told that the price was the same). I later confirmed that there was NO lack of availability at our originally selected lodge - rather the company had never made the reservation and had just pocketed the money. Secondly the company never paid the Safari park fees (despite us having paid them IN FULL prior to our arrival). We were left stranded at the park entrance for over an hour and were constantly being pressured to just pay the park entry fees in "cash" and told we would get refunded later. I refused.
This company ruined our family vacation. They took our money upfront and assured us our trip is all paid for. Then left us stranded in a foreign country and told us to just pay in "cash" to cover ongoing costs. Our attempts to get a refund are met with a combination of them ignoring emails/phone calls and them sending us generic emails.
The people we dealt with are Fred and Humphrey. I would advise you don't use them and do not make the mistake we did.
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Email Casey | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Horrible Business Practices
The Safari was great and the guide was amazing! I received a charge 2 months after the Safari was over and it was not recognized as Natural World. After not responding to the dispute, Robert with Natural World Safari has now reported me to the authorities in Kenya as a criminal for not paying!! Even though they were the one's which didn't respond to the multiple requests from AMEX for 8 weeks!!! I have now reversed my dispute and allowed the payment, but I am still a criminal there!!
I would NOT recommend Natural World Kenya Safaris due to their business practices, not their guides!
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Email Eileen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We couldn't imagine a better experience!
We did a 6-day, 5-night driving safari with Natural World in April, and I cannot say enough good things about it! Email correspondance was prompt, polite and helpful; the itinerary was excellent (wonderful hotels!) and the price was a superb value. We left Mombasa on day 1 and spent 1 night each in Tsavo East, Tsavo West, and Taita Hills, plus 2 nights in Amboseli before finishing in Nairobi. Our driver and guide was Albert, and he was friendly, flexible, and knowledgeable. He was a wonderful guide with a good eye. Plus, we always felt safe and well-taken care of, whether in the parks or on the road. We saw an unbelievable amount of wildlife: too many zebras, giraffes, Cape Horn buffalo, antelope, and elephants to count, plus lions, leopards, baboons, hyenas, hippos, jackals, African wild dogs, and more. Every day was better than the one before. We opted for the Moderate price bracket, but the accomodations were so wonderful, I honestly couldn't imagine the Luxury bracket being any better. The Jeep Landcruiser is an upcharge from the standard minivan, but we thought that it was absolutely worth the extra -- the landcruiser was very comfortable with excellent sightlines. All in all, I can't imagine a better safari experience. Now I want to go back to Kenya and take another safari with Natural World...this time to the Masai Mara and Samburu! Thanks to Lillian and Albert for an unforgettable African adventure!
Reply from Natural World Kenya Safaris
Posted on May 8, 2019Jambo Eileen,
Thank you for visiting Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Taita Hills & Amboseli and making your safari with Natural World Kenya Safaris for 6 days (5 nights).
Glad to note your appreciation for your prompt, polite & helpful tour manager Lilian, the excellent itinerary, the wonderful accommodation at comfort level, your friendly, flexible & knowledgeable tour guide/driver Albert, the comfortable Land Cruiser Jeep, as well as the value for money tour package.
We are happy that you had a memorable safari experience!
"Asante & Karibu Tena to Maasai Mara & Samburu!"
IT
Email Guido | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exhiting
I recomend to improve the information on the elements for choise the best tour.
The dexcription of the park, rate the lodge not only by quality but also for their position (to avoid long transfer to park entrance) and finally to the vehicle.
Worst work ethic
My review might be the odd one among all the positive reviews. But I need to share my experience so others can avoid a similar experience with this tour operator. I booked a safari tour with Natural World Safari for Sept 2014 , paid all the advance, but had to cancel the tour in Aug 2014 for personal reasons. The experience and communications were fine until my cancellation but after that everything changed and was a nightmare. As per their terms and conditions, I was eligible for 80% refund. But every time I contacted them I was only getting false assurances that the refund shall be done shortly. This continued for the next 1 year 8months. After reporting this to KATO and other efforts from my side, I was finally able to get my refund in April 2016. I believe a good business should abide by their terms and conditions and also show professional ethics. Unfortunately this is not the case with this business once you cancel their service. I hope everyone booking safari with this tour operator understand these risks if you ever have to cancel.
BE
Email Steven | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent and Unforgettable Safari
The safari we made with Natural World was excellent. We had a great time and we were lucky enough to see 4 out of the big 5 in the 4 days we stayed at the Masai Mara. We stayed in the Sarova Mara at the deluxe room and it was amazing: the food at this place is very good, variated, the whole facilities were complete! the tour at the safari was well organised and planned with our driver Evanson who was very friendly and he knows a lot so we learned about the animals and the area itself with him. We had a good time also because Evanson was very flexible on the schedule and the program we had for the 4 days of gameviewing.
Natural World is well prepared for the safaris, it is noticiable their experience and the best thing is that their cars are closed big jeeps whose top is open, giving you a sense of security, which is very convinient if its your first time for a safari and maybe you are scared or intimidated by the experience you are going to have. These jeeps are comfortable as well and equipped.
Lastly another good thing is that you can always pay half via transfer first and then the rest you can pay (as we did) in their offices in Nairobi on the day they pick you up so this provides a stronger security feeling.
I am reccomending this company for safaris to my friends who also showed interest in safari after my trip.
Greetings from Belgium
Steven and Fiory
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Email S Dash | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very well managed - made everything go like clockwork and what an amazing experience it was!
This was our first safari and we are very happy that we chose to book through Natural World Kenya Safaris. Right from the word go, the team at Natural World made it a seamless experience: starting with the booking, the hotel options, schedule, airport pick-up and drop and of course the safari itself. Our tour manager Henry was always quick to respond and kept us up-to-date on all information. Bonaya Shari, our safari guide did a simply fantastic job - be it his driving on the highway (very safe) or in the parks making every effort for us to see and enjoy the wildlife and the natural beauty. We must especially thank him for his patience with our 10 year old's incessant questions! The vehicle was well maintained, equipped and comfortable - we were a bit apprehensive about spending 5 days travelling by road, but it turned out to be a very enjoyable experience. A big thanks to the entire team at Natural World for making our first Safari adventure a special and unforgettable experience. Keep up the good work!
CA
Email Jenna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Kind, organized, and provided a great experience
My friend and I loved our safari. We enjoyed having our own private vehicle and a very kind driver who took such good care of us.
We saw beautiful scenery in 2 locations (Tsavo and Amboseli) over the course of 3 days, and so many animals we can't count them all!
We were disappointed to arrive late to the Rhino Sanctuary and miss out on the chance to enter. This was one reason I chose the specific accommodation in that area. We would have appreciated being consulted regarding the changes made to our itinerary that led to us missing this opportunity. BUT everything else was seamless and provided us with an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended.