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 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 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.
RS
Email Aleksandra Grubin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent service
Martha from Natural World Kenya Safaris provided me with excellent service. Answered all my questions and made my experience of Kenya wonderful.
My visit to Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary was memorable and the guide Ezekiel went above and beyond and I was able to see elephant mother and the calf. I was able to Ngonzini Primary School which was a highlight of my trip.
Also James that drove me from airport to Pazuri at Vipingo and later to Tiwi, was full with very useful information. Peter who drive me from Diani beach to airport was vary helpful too.
Thank you very much Natural World Kenya Safaris and see you next time!
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 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!
SA
Email Alex | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect Safari and Tour of Kenya, great for all experience levels
My partner and I enjoyed a fantastic 10-day safari organized through Natural World Kenya Safaris. The entire experience, from planning through execution, was flawless. Our agent, Faith, was excellent with communication and helped us build a custom itinerary to give us the best chance at seeing all of the animals we hoped for.
The safari exceeded our expectations, particularly as it was during the supposed rainy/low season. We saw an incredible array of wildlife: 3 species of rhino, 3 species of giraffe, 2 species of zebra, lions, elephants, leopard, hyena, jackals, hippos, crocodiles, gazelles galore, warthog, cape buffalo, an incredible diversity of bird life, and more.
Our driver-guide, Kim, was a true gem. Knowledgable, experienced and jolly are just a few of his great characteristics. Kim was a great spotter of wildlife, a very good driver in the bush, and taught us so much about the flora and fauna that we encountered. We would highly recommend him for any type of safari-goer, but particularly those with an acute interest in wildlife knowledge or photography.
My partner and I were a bit anxious when planning this safari, as it was our very first one. But we couldn't be happier with how it went. If you have the option of going to Kenya for safari: do it! And please consider using Natural World Kenya Safaris and their guide Kim. You won't regret it.
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Email Holly | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome
Our experience started with booking. We were given the option for a private tour only since we were booking short notice. They were very accommodating and replied promptly even late at night. They arrived a little early the next morning and we’re waiting for us at our hotel in an awesome safari pop up car. He took us first to the giraffe center. Then we stopped at a market and then we went to the Nairobi National Park. Where for 5 hours we were able to have the whole 360° view of the park in the private tour. (Highly recommend!!) we took hundreds of pictures and videos and just really enjoyed the animals and surroundings. Our guide Ken was perfect. He knew exactly where to go and he was very respectful of the animals and of the park rules. Which made me feel safe and like he really cared about the animals. We were able to see 4 lions, Rhinos, buffalo, giraffe, monkeys, hippos, alligators, so many different kinds of antelopes, zebras, birds and more. He would identify the different kinds of animals for us and also any kinds of land marks. However, he didn’t talk so much. Which was so nice! We were able to focus on the animals and the beautiful scenery. He took our pictures whenever he wasn’t driving and was very attentive. At the end when we were leaving the park we were extremely hungry. So he brought us to a cool restaurant carnivore. And from there we found our own way back to the hotel. It was so magical. We will definitely be booking with Natural World the next time we are back.
ES
Email Álvaro & María | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Nice company!
Everything was excelent. We contract everything from Spain via mail with Faith, and it was very easy and clear.
During the hollydays we were travelling with our guide Thomas, he speaks Spanish very well, pick up us at the airport and he was very friendly with us.
We will recommed Natural World Kenya Safaris to everybody!
thanks Alvaro
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Email Diane | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very friendly, spoke good English. Worked very hard to find wildlife and give us time to photos
Natural World Kenya Safaris is an extremely reliable company. Three couples gave a deposit in 2019 for a 2020 ten day safari trip to Kenya and Tanzania, which of course was not possible because of the Covid shutdown. We were told our money was safe and that we could go in the future. We chose September 2021. As promised we were picked up at the airport in Nairobi, brought to a very nice hotel and started our safari the next morning. We received everything that was promised and more. Covid testing was never an issue as all arrangements were made ahead of time with results back in a timely fashion. The lodges were beautiful and our driver/guides were fabulous (we needed to change to a different guide when entering Tanzania from Kenya then back to our original guide when going back into Kenya). Both were wonderful and worked hard to get us as much wildlife as possible and position the Safari jeep for better photographs. We were greeted with open arms at all of the lodges. The employees could not do enough for us! Food and accommodations were great. I would highly recommend Natural World Kenya Safaris for anyone considering a visit to Kenya and Tanzania. They are wonderful countries to visit. My husband and I did a similar trip over 22 years ago and we were pleased to see the wildlife even more protected then they were in 1999. We will definitely be doing another trip with Natural World Kenya Safaris in the future!
