65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I recommend you do not book with this company
Do Not Book Any Tours With This Company (NWKS)
The manager has blackened the previous good name of this company, and has probably tainted the good reputations all his drivers\guides
I have used this company in the past, with no complaints, actually they were so good, I have used their services three times.
I contacted NWKS in February this year to book another safari, and I paid a very large deposit.
I was not concerned because I had never experienced any prior problems with NWKS.
In hindsight, while planning a tour in 2024 with a friend, our choice of East Tsavo accommodation was changed due to ‘a government department booking out the whole venue\resort’, and our accommodation was downgraded without any reduction to the fees, maybe this was an earlier sample of the devious methods of the manager.
The manager had frequent contact with me while I was emailing him planning my 2025 itinerary, but once I had paid a deposit, I did not hear from him much at all, except when I arrived in Nairobi.
I spent 5 weeks in Kenya visiting friends in the Kisumu area, then had a short Mara safari with a different operator who is a friend, when I mentioned my planned safari to my friend, she asked which operator I was booked with and expressed her extreme concern about NWKS and their recent bad reputation for dodgy practices.
Apparently, they hadn’t been making bookings or paying for accommodation, nor arranging or paying for park entry fees, arriving at parks and then their guests have had to pay for things that should have been booked and paid for on receipt of the guests’ deposit.
I contacted the NWKS manager to inform him that I was back in Nairobi, and he wanted to know my method of payment for the balance of my planned safari, and he\his staff contacted me about this payment several times
I was to be picked up on 15\4\25 at 0700
On the advice of my friend, I did noy pay the balance, and requested a copy of the service voucher, which was not forthcoming.
My friend rang all three park accommodations that I was due to visit, and there were no bookings for me at two, and one had a cancelled booking.
My friend booked a whole new safari for me with her own company, similar to my planned one, and I left with her and joined her driver\guide after having to deal with the managers lies, as below
The NWKS driver arrived at 0700, I asked him to show me the service voucher for the first park, and when he couldn’t produce it, he rang the manager who spoke to me and told me that it wouldn’t be available until his office opened at 0830. He asked me to present to his office at 0830.
At 1145 that day, I received a ‘copy’ of a service voucher for one of my accommodations at 1145 that day, which was ‘created’ on 21\2\25.
I have reported this company to KATO, which said NWKS has been removed from membership, and the issue has been passed on to TRA. I don’t know if I will ever get a ‘refund’.
Apparently, the office and phones, aren’t manned, and all the vehicles have been auctioned, but the manager is still arranging safaris and ripping people off, using reputable drivers, and tainting their reputations.
Since receiving the ‘copy’ of the service voucher on 15\4\25, I have not had any contact from this company at all, and surely, if they had any morals or concern, they would have been wondering where the hell I went to after I left with my friend?
I have waited, and contacted both KATO and TRA again, but I have not heard anything from either organisation in over a month since being home, and I have been hesitant about complaining about this until now, while hoping for some positive response, and an indication of some kind of refund.
This situation is very damaging to the Kenya tourist industry and needs to be addressed to prevent the honest operators, guides and drivers being tainted by another company’s rotten reputation.
DE
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Another One bites the Dust
We found this company based on their very good reviews on TripAdvisor. But after booking two safari with this company, we saw all the negative reviews they got here.
We were worried, so once we arrived in Nairobi, we visited their office straight away. The following trip to Masai Mara was great, even though we understood afterwards that the driver seemed not to have been paid.
Our second trip to Amboseli was when it went bad. The accommodation told us our rooms hasn't been paid for, the promised services and meals was not delivered, the driver didn't get the money to pay for the gas. In all cases, it costed us more money and nerves that it should have, especially after the already large initial costs.
I don't know if this is malice or incompetence, and I am glad some trips are great. This seemed to be mostly down to the drivers that are either paid in time, or locked-in waiting to be paid for.
You should not book with a company with a succes rate of 50%. Book elsewhere or directly by a driver.
US
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.
MY
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Terrible
No time management and not responding to the msg once you are out of country
IN
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Avoid like Black Mamba
Modus Operandi - collects full fare. Does not pay to service providers. Drivers wait endlessly at park gate. You end up paying entry fee, fuel, hotel charges. The CEO vanishes from scene. KATO suspended them. But they have managed to resurface. TRA , the authority who blacklist, has not done anything. I saw some other operator black listed but not Natural World. With all the amounts being diverted must be having a huge cash reserve to pull strings.!
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very bad experience with Zamunda Tours & Safaris
We, a couple in our late 20s, would like to give our honest feedback on Zamunda Tours & Safaris.
First of all, we've only given positive feedback so far, but unfortunately, that doesn't apply to Zamunda Tours & Safaris.
Furthermore, we've experienced safaris before.
After paying a deposit of 25% of the quoted price, the service generally left a lot to be desired, specifically delayed responses (several days, previously immediate response).
Our safari began with an airport transfer in Zanzibar.
Our hotel there was near Makunduchi.
We were picked up by a taxi driver.
It was repeatedly discussed and firmly agreed with Zamunda Tours & Safaris that our luggage, which we didn't want to take with us on safari, would remain in Makunduchi and, after the safari, would be taken to our next hotel in Kendwa, including us.
Fortunately, the taxi driver informed us that if we left our luggage in Makunduchi, we would be taken from the airport to Makunduchi after the safari ended and then to our new hotel in Kendwa, even though we had arranged something completely different with Zamunda Tours & Safaris.
Since we didn't want to do that, as it would have involved a 4.5-hour drive after the flight, the taxi driver offered to take our luggage and store it at his home.
The next point of criticism concerns the pickup at the airport in Arusha.
Every safari company was there on time with a name sign upon arrival, except for Zamunda Tours & Safaris.
But that wasn't the only thing:
We were told on WhatsApp that Zamunda Tours & Safaris would be there.
A guide from another company eventually called and, since there was no response on the other line, passed the call on to us. I didn't receive a response either.
Zamunda Tours & Safaris finally showed up a few minutes later, and the remaining 75% was paid.
The offer advertises that the game drive begins immediately upon arrival and lasts until the evening.
We define a game drive as a drive in a national park with possible sightings of free-roaming and wild animals.
The first two hours involved driving on a highway, so it had little to do with a game drive.
In Tarangire National Park, we had a net game drive time of 3.5 hours, meaning it didn't last until the evening.
That evening, the next surprise came:
We had booked a lodge with a pool, but we ended up staying in a much cheaper lodge without a pool.
The next day, we were supposed to be on a game drive from morning to afternoon.
However, here too, our net game drive time was shorter (to be precise: four hours). This net time is still quite good, though, because we left the lodge as early as possible at our request.
The experiences in the two parks (Tarangire & Ngorongoro) were, of course, unique, but we would recommend everyone to book and take this trip with a different provider.
Zamunda Tours & Safaris also received this feedback personally, but all they offered was an apology and a lack of understanding at first.
Not to mention a small compensation, which would have been the least we could have done (downgrading our accommodation without being informed).
OM
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely Disappointing Safari Experience with Kibera Holidays
Unfortunately, my experience with Kibera Holidays was extremely disappointing and frustrating on many levels. I feel obligated to share my story so that others can make an informed choice.
1) Major Route Change Without Notification:
The original itinerary clearly stated that we would spend the first two days in Amboseli National Park — the main reason I booked this tour, as seeing Mount Kilimanjaro was my top priority. However, without any explanation or prior notice, the route was changed, and we were taken to Tsavo East instead. I only found out at the park gate. As a result, I missed the one clear day to see Kilimanjaro. By the time we returned to Amboseli, the weather had turned cloudy, and when it finally cleared, we were already rushing to the airport.
2) Extremely Poor Vehicle Condition (Plate: KDL 368Y)
The safari vehicle (plate number KDL 368Y) was in terrible condition. Over the course of the trip, we lost around 10 hours trying to fix mechanical problems — valuable early morning hours that should have been spent on game drives.
On the first day, after my early arrival, the driver (Jacob) spent two hours unsuccessfully trying to repair the windshield wipers.
On multiple occasions, we had to divert to garages for repairs instead of going on safari.
On the final morning, when we should’ve been looking at Kilimanjaro, we were inflating a tire for an hour.
Later that day, a flat tire left us stranded on the roadside. Jacob was unable to change the tire on his own until other safari drivers stopped to help.
3) Uninformed and Unprepared Driver:
Jacob seemed completely unprepared for the trip. He did not know the route or even the names of the hotels where I was staying. He constantly had to ask other drivers for directions, which caused further delays and unnecessary stress.
4) Long Delays at Park Gates Due to Ticket Issues:
At every park entrance, we experienced long and unnecessary waits — often 30 minutes to over an hour — just to process entry tickets. Other safari vehicles were cleared within minutes, while rangers themselves seemed confused by our repeated delays.
The worst delay happened at Amboseli, where we waited over 1.5 hours to enter. Shockingly, Peter (the manager) asked me to pay the park fee using my personal credit card — something that should never happen on a prepaid tour.
5) Terrible Quality Lunches:
While breakfasts and dinners at the lodges were fine, the lunches provided by Kibera were awful.
On the first day, I was taken to a filthy roadside café with flies everywhere and food I couldn’t even eat.
The following days, I received “lunch boxes” with dry bread rolls, a tiny piece of cold boiled chicken, stale fruit, and cheap juice.
There were no picnic setups — I had to eat under a tree without a table. At one point, rangers in Amboseli felt sorry for me and invited me to eat in their office.
6) Water Not Provided Despite Being Included
The tour description clearly said that drinking water was included. However, Jacob was unaware of this, and I had to buy water myself throughout the trip. Only on the last day did Peter acknowledge the issue and resolve it.
Final Thoughts
Poor communication, disorganization, lack of professionalism, and vehicle neglect ruined what could have been an unforgettable adventure.
I strongly advise others to look for more reliable and reputable safari companies. I hope this feedback helps improve Kibera Holidays' operations, but based on my experience, I cannot recommend them.
CZ
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Warning
Do not trust this company. The owner stole our money and ruined our holiday in Uganda. He has been reported to the police.
IL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Just don't
Warning: “Opulent Africa Tours and Safaris” is just a rebranded name for “Opulent Tours and Travel.” Please read before booking.
My wife and I had carefully planned a once-in-a-lifetime 31-day safari with Opulent Tours and Travel. The staff were polite and helpful—until the moment we needed our money back.
When COVID hit and our country banned travel to South Africa, we canceled well within their official refund period and filled out all the required paperwork. Then the excuses began. “Be patient,” they said. Weeks turned into months. We later realized their terms of service say nothing about when refunds are due. We had paid months in advance, but now they felt no urgency to return what was ours.
After nearly two years of waiting, we offered them a chance to redeem themselves: let us take the original trip. Instead, they demanded an additional $3,000 for a shorter 25-day tour. Why? Because of our negative review. Yes, really. We were told we owed them for being honest. Since then, they’ve gone silent. We even tried to sue them, but Evans, the owner and CEO keeps moving from address to address to avoid the judicial process.
Planning a tour like this is about trust, and Opulent Africa Tours broke it. Please don’t make the same mistake we did. Do yourselves a favor and choose a company with basic decency.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Do Not Book through this company
A very dishonest company from our experience. You see all the high rated reviews here & on TripAdvisor, pay your money, then if you are lucky the 'game' starts 2 days before your safari. Having now delved into many bad reviews the script is exactly the same. Issues with account department, not my fault, I'm trying my best for you. Multiple apologies. Your midway lodge/camp won't be booked, park entrances won't be paid for, nor transport/driver fees or fuel, oh and if you manage to actually get all that sorted by them, who will 'gently' hint that you will need to pay more, or in the worse cases leave you stranded at a park entrance or in a park until you pay more (with empty fake promises of refunds for the additional costs due to their account department errors) the time in the parks is rushed, your transport won't be the luxury comfortable, air conditioned, WiFi enabled (despite stickers on the windows) charging point enabled, cold water providing vehicle you are promised. We enjoyed our safari that we actually managed to go on, but the stress prior and during as this company tries to con you ruined much of what our holiday was for. We believe we only got what we did because I made them aware I had contacted my bank and the fraud department asked me to keep them informed of what was happening. I strong recommend you do not use this company or their sister company Africa Kenya Safaris.