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.
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Email Justin | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
BEWARE
This is not a complaint, it is too late for that, since I don’t plan to use this company ever. Instead, I am writing this review to help future travelers be aware of what they might encounter, and to provide important information so you can make an informed decision for your trip.
We booked our safari for six people with them well in advance and paid in full more than three months prior to travel. Our trip was coordinated by “safari specialist” Esther, who assured us that everything was set. She even met us in person to collect a thank-you note and reaffirm that everything was set.
Our first two days in Kenya went smoothly. However, the problems began when we crossed the border into Tanzania, in route to the Serengeti. We were suddenly stranded at the border because Natural World had not paid the local driver. Despite multiple attempts to reach Esther, we were finally able to get her on a call, during which she told us we had to pay $200 ourselves to continue the journey. We were shocked and explained that we had already paid in full. After a few hours, our driver, out of sympathy, decided to take us to the hotel without payment.
Upon arrival, we found that there was no reservation, and no payment made. The driver gave us the contact information for someone he called the “owner” of Natural World – Hamfry. After multiple attempts, we finally got a response, and the hotel reluctantly accepted us for the night.
The next day, while heading toward Serengeti, we were stopped at the Ngorongoro Park gate and again unable to proceed because no fees had been paid on our behalf. After hours stuck at the gate trying to sort this out, I received an email from Esther (please see attached) informing us that WE would need to pay $5,000 per day to continue, claiming they were having "a problem with their bank."
At that point, we had no choice but to hire another company in Tanzania, paying nearly $4,000 just to continue our journey. Had we not done this, our once-in-a-lifetime trip would have ended there. Another hotel had only been partially paid, and they were asking to we pay the balance ourselves.
I spent over a year planning this trip, and Natural World completely ruined it. Despite promises to reimburse us for the additional payments we made, we have not received a single cent.
To make matters worse, the “owner” never answered his phone when we needed urgent assistance. I have a log of
I am submitting a formal complaint to the Ministry of Tourism to help prevent other travelers from being put in a similar position.
I hope this review and the extremely unpleasant experience we endured will help shed light on what might happen to you. Please consider your options carefully before entrusting them with your dream vacation.
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Email Sean | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I recommend being cautious when booking with this company. Paid for service that we did not get
Sadly, like a bunch of others you can see on TripAdvisor, we lost thousands of dollars due to the actions of this tour company. This company operates under African Kenya Safaris as well as Natural World Kenya Safaris, so beware of both those names. We paid for our entire trip, in full, weeks before flying out to Kenya. When we arrived at our second hotel, they said our booking had been completely cancelled by this tour company one full week before we arrived.
Our next two hotel stays were still booked, but the company never paid. We spent 1.5 hours, each time, back-and-forth calling and messaging on WhatsApp in the hotel lobby with all our luggage. Neither were ever paid. It was late, dark, and we were tired and hungry, so we paid (again, since everything had been prepaid before we left home) with our credit card for the hotel - AFTER the tour company rep, Mary, agreed the company would reimburse us. She acted like this was an outlier, but we later discovered there are plenty of other victims.The hotel staff were shocked and felt so bad for us, and offered to comp our drinks at the restaurant. One guide said he had never heard of anything like this in over 18 years of being a guide. It has been weeks since they said they would refund us the money they owe, but now they will not reply to any messages. Beware of this tour company.
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