US
65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
More Money for Less Value
Save money and frustration by skipping Natural World Safaris and go to the actual operator. Natural World Safaris charged us a premium for our Antarctica expedition, yet, does not operate this expedition and has no employees on location. Making matters worse they attract adventurous customers with the lure of camping, kayaking and other expedition compliments without adequately informing you that these require separate bookings (and more money). When we arrived in Ushuaia (after traveling 7,000 miles) we discovered they separated my family into two different hotels, several miles apart. They say they did not know we were a family; however, they got this detail correct on my invoice and contract? Sharing an amazing adventure with my family justified the considerable investment traveling to Antarctica requires; yet I'm asked to say goodbye to part of my family on the first night? Save money and frustration and skip Natural World Safaris. To be clear actual operator, based in Canada and Ushuaia, is fantastic.
CA
Experience level: first safari
This was one of the worst travel and tour agencies I have ever dealt with.
My review is based SOLELY on the experience I had in booking my tour. The actual tour guides and other people in South Africa were amazing.
My mother had purchased the safari tour In 2019, but was unable to travel due to Covid. In July of 2022 she was advised that she needed to rebook her tour soon or she would lose her money. For personal health reasons, my mother was no longer able to make the trip, so we contacted GTD to make the transfer.
There was a lot of communication between GTD, my mother and I, and it took almost 2 full weeks before anything could be done. GTD would communicate with my mother, without cc’ing me on emails, and vice versa. She had been told to include both of us on all emails so we could ensure that we were all on the same page.
The biggest “bottleneck” was I needed to confirm that what I wanted to do and when I could do it would be available before we did the transfer. I was not going to confirm anything or assume a travel package without knowing if I could do what I wanted. I finally got an email apologizing for the delays with an explanation that there were protocols that needed to be followed.
A quick explanation at the beginning would have provided clarification and I would not have been compelled to follow up so often. And yet, GTD didn’t seem to understand that I wasn’t going to agree to take on my mother’s trip if I couldn’t confirm what I wanted to do
The transfer was finalized at the end of July.
When it came time to pay, I only had AMEX or through my bank. No one had mentioned this beforehand. I had paid off my visa to pay for this trip, and then had to wait until I got paid again, because I didn’t have the cash. Knowing this at the beginning of the conversation would have been helpful so I could have planned better. Not everyone has $3000 cash sitting in their bank account at a moment’s notice.
I chose the tour that I wanted – Johannesburg and Cape Town, and then chose the add-ons that I wanted to do.
I stated that I wanted to do the Cradle of Humankind in Cape Town and then the Lesedi Cultural Village. GTD emailed me back to say that the Cradle of Mankind is in the Safari region and I would need an additional day to do it. I asked if I could cancel one of my safari days while I am in Johannesburg doing the safaris, and she said it was not an option. She said that it was too far away. I was a bit confused and upset because I didn’t understand why I was being presented with an option that wasn’t viable. I was willing to give up one of my safari days to do this but was told it couldn’t happen. And yet, when I was there, I was told that it was closed to public because of flooding - so what was it? Too far? flooding?
On August 11 we discussed the add-ons again, and I heard nothing back from GTD until October 5th when I emailed her (a third time) and cc’d the general email address as well. GTD called me and apologised sating that she had Covid and the hurricane had caused delays. Then she said that she had sent my add on request to someone else and that they hadn’t done it, and that it was now coming back to her to do, and she was overwhelmed with everything. I indicated that I recognize that there are problems everywhere, but a response of any kind would have been appreciated. The hurricane and her having covid did not happen in August or September. And quite frankly, I was getting extremely fed up with the delays and excuses.
On Oct 13 we talked about two other add ons (endangered species and District 6 Bo Kapp) and the shuttle and hotel I would need to pay for as I was arriving early. On Oct 14 I paid for everything that we had talked about … or so I thought.
On October 18 I emailed GTD saying that now that EVERYTHING is paid for, could you please send me a detailed itinerary. She replied back that she was happy everything was in order, and my detailed itinerary would only be available about 30 days prior to my trip.
On October 20 I received an email from GTD with the information and price for the District 6 excursion. I emailed her back indicating that I was confused … we had confirmed on Oct 14 that EVERYTHING was paid for, and all I needed was my detailed itinerary. She said no, she would have discussed this with me before she got me to pay. I replied that we had had this discussion, and I had confirmed everything on October 14. She called me on the phone and I explained it to her again, and I sent her the email again showing her where I said EVERYING and it was in bold. She apologized and said she misunderstood. At this point my frustration level in dealing with GTD was at it’s peak. I was done. I told her to forget it, I’m done, I’m not booking any more trips. And that was the end of it.
On December 1, I received my itinerary and was reviewing it and all of the other information. I was VERY surprised to read that I would need to tip about $10-14 USD a day per guide / ranger. It would have been nice for me to be told this at the beginning when I was speaking with Marie. Not a deal breaker, but advance information would be appreciated.
I have travelled extensively in the last 30 years, and I must admit, I have never had a more challenging time booking a trip as I have had with GTD.
1. The lack of understanding / clarification
2. Missing out on two excursions that I really wanted to do (Cradle of Humankind – I still don’t understand why this was presented as an option and then removed, and then District 6, because she misunderstood)
3. The delays between emails, and no follow up from her end – I was always the one following up to make sure everything was completed
4. Not providing valuable information at the beginning – i.e how to pay for the trip (no VISA option)
5. Not providing valuable information during the booking – i.e extra things that I will be paying for $10-$14 USD a day = $14-$19 CDN for me at 10 days, that’s an extra $200 roughly.
The above information was provided to GTD prior to my departure (I have updated it with some current info) in November. I was told I would receive a response as soon as possible. I got nothing - absolutely nothing. I even followed up two other occasions. On the third occasion I "threatened" to leave a negative review if I didn't' receive a response by Jan 26.
I got an email from Deon Barnard at Corporate. His response? Oh sorry? I've explain to her what she should have done, and that Canadian files are complicated. She should have gone to her supervisor. I don't think she realized how frustrated you were.
His response was a slap in the face, and I emailed him back, itemizing in detail the inconsistencies in his email. I have yet to hear anything back from him, and I highly doubt I will.
The trip itself was fabulous - South Africa is a gorgeous country - the big 5 are enthralling and the people are wonderful. But do yourself a favour and book with a different travel agency. Save yourself the heartache of missing out of things you wanted to see because of lack of communication, mis reading emails and flat out ignoring you.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
DO NOT BOOK With this company - they are thieves!!
Do NOT book with this company! Michael and Nelson took our money for the trip months in advance and then came up with numerous excuses about why we needed to pay more each day of the trip. They did not pay for transfers or park entrance fees multiple days and held us in parking lots until we paid more money. We booked a safari with this company for our 10th wedding anniversary trip and it was ruined.
IE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Non existent as never got to go!
I have travelled with many travel companies and this is by far the worst experience so far. Extremely poorly organized, no help when in need of emergency assistance and incredibly rude customer service that shouted over me on the phone at me. Due to the poor organization we were unable to go on our trip and there wasn't a cent refunded or credit noted.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
No follow through
I was kidnapped while on a game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda. I purchased my tour through natural word safaris and they brokered it out to wild frontiers. No one was at the airport to meet me when I first arrived in Entebbe by myself. I did get to gorilla trek for two days and then the third day I was kidnapped. I was held at gunpoint from April 2 , taken into the democratic republic of Congo, held by four men with machine guns and a fifth man who only had a machete. I was recovered on April 7 by the American Embassy in uganda. My guide was taken with me most likely he was involved & this tour company sold my photos all over the media. They made my incredibly horrific trauma the whole world‘s business. They never followed through on contacting when I got home as they said they would to see how I was doing. like everyone else they wanted to distance themselves from the terrifying experience that happened while I was in there care, or lack there of. They did not provide any security yet somehow I was ,in the media, held responsible for no security being available. since they sold my photos I can only assume that they were part of that propaganda. This company let me take the fall for what happened just outside of their camp with their tour guide. They should have done more, much more when they said they would. The loss to my life , both personally and professionally, Has been in measurable and PTSD my constant companion. Know who your are traveling with in dangerous places. Natural world safaris has tried to victim shame me for reviewing my experience and their deplorable behavior, let’s see what this company does.
AE
20-35 years of age
Tactless
I had the worst experience with Lightfoot Travels. After multiple attempts to contact them for my travel plans, I received no response. To add insult to injury, I then was sent an email informing me that I have been "blacklisted" for trying to get quotes from other vendors. This is completely unacceptable and unprofessional. The service industry requires tact and customer care, but Lightfoot Travels has failed to provide either. I would never recommend this company to anyone and would advise them to stay away.
FR
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Mount Elgon Climbing : Company Rep did all to make savings and spoil AA clients
The operator representative made all possible savings on food, water, camping material, transfers.
On arrival the operator rep had no car and we assumed HIS transfer to the starting point when it's OUR transfer that was supposed included. On way back we got transfer after having hardly insisted. We also had to insist to have enough porters, the operator rep trying to save on them letting us transporting our bags when mail exchanges were clear on the subject : only a small walking bag per person and the rest (night and change) by porters.
During the trek was only planned 1.5 l of water per person and per day, rice, noodles, popatoes and .... meat once over 4 days (two of us were vegetarians but all of us have been turned to "carbohydrates-only" vegetarism).
Tents and sleeping bags were not adapted to cold conditions below 0 and nights were nightmares. Tents, ventilated like for savannah and had holes, jammed zips, an arch broken (we repared as we could). Peds and tensioners were missing and we had to fix it ourself. Sleeping bags were very thin and cold and one bag was even a commercial gift printed with a beer advertising !
After complain, the operator proposed that WE would promote them to friends who would benefit of a discount. No compensation for the bad service we received.
RO
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Lying
The bus was robbed and they took no responsibility. No compensation or anything. Here's what happened:
We stopped at Tubatse Crossing Mall. 2 trucks full of white people on their expensive phones with transparent windows. Even a blind person could spot us from miles. We were parking relatively far from the entrance because the public parking has a height limit that we couldn’t pass. No worries, we can walk a few minutes to the Mall entrance. They say to leave everything on the bus. Why? Because they are going to take care of it while we’re in the Mall. And we do, as they say. I believe most of us did. With only my phone and headphones in my pocket, we go to “hunt” some food in the Mall.
45 minutes later we arrive back. I see some people worried, and I hear somebody saying “Oh my God! Some backpacks are missing.” I was like definitely not mine, the most important backpack where we have ALL our combined documents, cards, passports… That cannot be happening. Then I run up the bus and to my worst nightmare, my backpack was gone. I was running up the other bus, hoping I’m an idiot, and confused my seat but no. It was gone. I come down, I start kicking the metal fence in my anger, and after rage asking the tour operators about where’s my backpack from this safe bus, I’m confronted with what happened.
While we were gone, they left 1 guy alone to take care of the 2 trucks. Trucks where each backpack had at least one laptop or iPad if not more. More than $100.000 on wheels. They thought that it was a good idea to leave a single unarmed man with all this value. And of course, 6 guys came with weapons, threatened him to open up one of the buses, ran up, and took whatever they could. Of around 50 bags 5 were stolen, and mine was one of them.
In the loving memory of my personal belongings that I believe I’ll never see again, here’s what was in the Nomatic backpack:
16” MacBook Pro M1 Pro 32GB, Oculus Quest 2, GoPro Hero 8, JBL Flip 6, Electric toothbrushes, around $1.000 in cash, cables, clothes, and even my favorite underwear.
Total value around $5.000. Still, this is something relatively easily replaceable.
The most painful part was that all of our combined documents with Mila were gone too. And when I say all, I mean it: Both Passports, Residence permit, Driving license, ID cards, 6 bank cards including our corporate one, and even my Albert Hein Bonus card.
We didn’t have luggage for months now to travel light, so I was left there stripped from all my belongings except what I had on me. There were 6 of us affected and 3 of us couldn’t continue the trip to the next country because of the lost Passports. So we couldn’t attend the 10-day
JP
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great experience excluding tour guide, Mr.Noely
Yes, I and my wife could see a lot of animals including all Big5 in this tour, it was great for us.
We got satisfied with it.
But our tour guide, Mr.Noely, his attitude to us was terrible, he ruined our experience.
We're really regret choosing this tour ant giving Mr.Noely tips.
The biggest reason why we're thinking so, is that he denied our religion.
In a convesation, we taught him that many people in our country believe in Buddhism.
He said to us,
" I HATE BUDDHA."
.....What ?? Why can he deny the religion others believe in ??
If you dislike other religion, you must not tell others that.
(We didn't say anything about his comment because we already understood his terrible humanity at that time, and of course we were afraid that he could abandon his responsibility to let us see animals tomorrow.)
The second reason is, he perfectly blamed his traffic violation on us.
He committed a traffic violation because we didn't fasten seatbelt on back seat of a car, and he had to pay the fine of it.
Then his attitude to us got terrible, drove dangerously with many tsk, and told us anything in a car.
Yes, it's true that we didin't fasten seatbelt, but that was because it's NOT illegal in our country, besides he NEVER told us "fasten your seatbelt."
Finaly, we decided that we gave him money ..... to save our lives and the rest of our tour.
There're so many other reasons why Mr.Noely 's humanity was terrible, but the margin is too narrow to contain it.
According to him, Mr.Noely have a 3 years-old daughter.
You must be an adult, because your child always see how parents behave, listen to what parents say.
HU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Most horrible organization and client servize management that we have ever experienced
DOUBLE ZERO review if it would be possible!!!
We booked a 3 day safari with this organization to Mikumi. The offer was this:
- 6 hours travel from Dar Es Salaam to Mikumi with lunch then Masai village tour
- full day PRIVATE safari
- full day Udzungwa mountain hiking tour
- 4th day go back to Dar Es Salaam
Drinks, breakfast, lunch, dinners included everything for 1000$ for 2 people (2022 price)
Reality:
- 6 hours trip became 9 hours with really short 20 mins break because we did not want to waste time. Rush to the masai village tour. We signed to the organizer the same night that there are huge differences between 6 hours and 9 hours in a car and on our last day we need to catch a ferry which would not work with this long trip. Asked to change for flight or find some solution...
- next morning it turned out that the Private tour is not private however we booked private tour. Midday I wrote next email about it that basically nothing is the same as in the offer and we would like to find a solution, ask some compensation, or do sg.(dont even talk about the hotel where we were... dirty hot water, airconditioner so noisy that we cant use, etc.) After few hours they wrote back a totally attacking email that everything payed in advance and they will not change the travel for flight because its few thousand dollars. (we asked other guides and they said a 1 way flight to Zanzibar is 120$/person so they didnt even try to ask about fligh possibilities). so generally instead of trying to find solution for our problem they just made nothing. I even asked them to cancel the hiking program and take us back to Dar Es Salaam earlier, give back some money and just forget each other. No answer at all...
- so 3rd day what to do, we went to the full day hiking program. well it turned out that it is only a few hours program, we left the hotel at 8:30 and arrived back to the village at midday (45 mins trip by car). At least the guide adviced a snake farm program that obviously we needed to pay for extra, but at least we could do something. Still we arrived back to the hotel at 1pm... no lunch, no possibility to go out to the village, no activity possibilities in the hotel. basically we could just sit in the bar and drink...
After all of this I have asked some compensation because basically nothing happened on the way that we booked. No private tour, no full day hiking, 9 hours trip instead of 6 hours and really-really-really horrible client service management. So we had soooo much nervousness during those few days... Obiously they just wrote back an attacking email again and thats it. In the last night my wife was even crying because of the organization...
Anyway the qulity of the programs were okey, the guides made really good job, but this is totally not depending on the organizer...
So in sum, DO NOT BOOK with these guys if you are expecting correct client service and programs that you booked and you expect. DONT pay 100% in advance. That was our mistake too, because otherway they would be much helpfull for sure if we pay for example just 70% in advance and rest in the end of safari. For them only the money is important. After they got it, they give a shit about you, does not matter if you are complaining about something.
I hate to write negative feedback, I even offered them that i will not write anything in case of compensation but it seems the reputation is not so important for them in the 21st century... So I really hope that others will not make the same mistake as us of booking safari tour with this organization.