Nairobi Forum: Natural Track Safari's

They do have a website (which is currently down) http://www.natural-track.com/

Here is all the information:

Elizabeth Ndirangu

Safaris and Tour Reservations

Natural Track Safaris

reservations@natural-track.com

Skype: naturaltracksafaris (I used skype a couple of times to communicate with them)

http://www.natural-track.com

http://www.natural-track.com/blog

http://www.natural-track.com/forum

Honestly, Natural Tracks Safari's was very efficient getting back to us and they had tours that catered to children. Some tour companies did not have packages that included children. As well, the price was right!

I wish you and your husband a great safari, and "hi" to James, Elizabeth and Simon from us.

Thanks for the information - our communication with Natural Track has been professional and pleasant so far...but I just wanted a second opinion since they are not a company that has received a lot of reviews online yet. Appreciate the feedback!

That was our worry too, but it all worked out for us. Have a great time!

They are PRO's

Elizabeth organized for us a fantastic safari within our budget. All was perfect and above our expectations.

We visited the Nakuru and Masai Mara parks with Mike who knows where to find the wild animals and every holes in the trails. His explanations and advices were always from first quality.

Thank you for the unforgettable holidays we got in Kenya during August 2010.

Assanti.

Could we have a breakdown of costs and which lodges and vans or jeeps were used from any of those who have used this company. Thanking people in anticipation of a full answer

Hello,

I'am considering to make a safari with Natural Track wit Peter. Can someone give information about the agency and their experience. I will go with 2 children.

Myself and 2 friends have just returned from Kenya and a safari with Natural Track Safari, and I fully endorse them as a safari company. Elizabeth who worked with me to ensure that we got a tour that covered the parks that we wanted to see and do the things we wanted to do in the time available. Michael our driver was fantastic offering us options each evening for the following day, and ensuring we got to see a large diversity of animals and the animals we wanted to see. Both Michael and Elizabeth ensured that our safari was our safari. We had a glitch when one of my friends left her passport in Masai Mara, Both Michael and Elizabeth worked hard making numerous phone calls to locate the passport and then have it bought down to Narobi, and took her to the flight office to change flights. That added personal touch was so great when it was a stressful time.

Elizabeth , Michael and Natural Track, you are simply the best !!!

Many thanks Gill, Ciara and Jocelyn

10 day safari with Natural Track

I would like to add our endorsement to the previous comments above. This was the first safari for my wife and I and after blanketing the web sites with questions and sifting through dozen of answer, Peter Philip appeared to provide no-nonsense, practical and no pie in the sky answers. (We had asked about doing a 3 drive during lunch time worried we would be bored , and he responded very appropriately that the guide and ourselves we would need the rest. He was totally right!)

Peter (the manger) and our guide Gerald are spectacular. Gerald is a wonderful companion, guide and instructor. He has a vast knowledge and the wisdom to not impose it, a man who anticipated where the animals are, and where we wanted to be to do pictures. He also respected the roads and did not do any of the wild off-tract driving that so many guide books tell you to avoid. We have developed a lot of respect for him and it was a great pleasure at the end of the trip to invite him for dinner with his wife and adorable kids.

The tents and lodges were all perfect matches for our needs, neither too rough (some companies required that you rent a sleeping bag !) nor too ostentatious ! Meals were good and plentiful aside from one evening were we had “lion’s meat” (meat only a lion could chew ). But that was more of a fun anecdote.

We visited 6 camps which was plenty. The more camps to visit, the more traveling in between, so there is really no point in seeing all the camps, better and more comfortable to spend some time taking pictures then to constantly pack and unpack.

Talking about pictures, if you are into doing photography, bring the longest lens you can afford. We had a 80-400 mm and often I would have wished a little longer. On the other hand a tripod was not needed since we rested the camera on the van roof, and Gerald had the forethought to turn off the engine each time to prevent vibrations. Of course bring a laptop and several USB hard drives to back up each day. There was always electricity in the camps but some had just from 6-11 pm. We had a US extension cord so from only one converted outlet we could plug and recharge the cameras and laptop. But be sure to plan your recharges. Cell phone communication (ATT-IPhone) was virtually impossible in any of the camps, and internet access is 20-year-old modem speed.

This is a wonderful trip, a spectacular country, a perfect company to work with, enjoy your trip and say “Hello” to our guide Gerald from us.

Philippe & Thao Jeanty

Like everyone else on this thread, I'm so impressed with Natural Track Safaris that I must add my endorsement to this list as well.

I just returned from the most magnificent 11-day safari with my best friend and his 13-year-old son. I'd never heard of Natural Track Safaris before we booked our trip, but I'm so glad we went with them! We all had a spectacular time, and that's mostly due to Peter Philip and his talented, friendly and competent staff.

I'd never been to Africa before, so naturally I had many questions (and worries). For instance, my flight arrived the day before my friend's, and I worried about being alone in Nairobi, how I would get around, would I be safe, etc., but every worry I had was greeted by Peter with a "No problem!" and an easy, affordable solution. He was kind enough to arrange airport pick-up, accommodations and even a lovely driver named James who escorted me to a number of places around Nairobi the day before my friend arrived. (Go to the Giraffe reserve -- it's wonderful!)

Peter also planned a perfect itinerary and accommodations for our safari. To give you an idea...

We began our adventure in Nairobi. We visited the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage (again, wonderful!) and the famed Carnivore restaurant which is every bit as gluttonous and delicious as you can imagine! The next morning, we set off for Samburu, a place full of wild life and distinctive, enchanting landscapes. We stayed at the Sopa Lodge which was lovely. From there we went to Lake Nakuru, all pink with flamingos! Part of the reserve teamed with monkeys and we were able to walk around among them -- something I've dreamt of since I was a kid! We stayed at the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge -- charming accommodations and the food was out of this world -- best of the trip!!! The next day, after an an early morning game drive, another guide named Simon led us on a boat ride around Naivasha, and an afternoon cycling and hike at Hell's Gate. It was one of the highlights of our trip and, if you have the time, I recommend it highly. That night we stayed at the Sopa Lodge which, wait for it: HAD A BATHTUB! I forgive them their mediocre food because the room was so gorgeous I nearly cried! :) We ended our safari with 4 days in Maasai Mara which was the absolute standout in terms of beauty and wild life. We encountered a record number of cheetahs, lions and elephants, and we were even lucky enough to see the Wildebeast Migration. It was truly magical. To save money, Peter suggested we stay outside the reserve at Ol-Moran Tented Camps. The tents were great, complete with electricity (though just one outlet so bring a power-cord if you have lots to charge), bathrooms and showers, and the food was simple but delicious. All in all, we had a sensational time, and it was so lovely not to have to worry about arranging everything ourselves.

Gerald, our safari driver, is a remarkable man with an incredible heart and a deep love, knowledge and respect for wildlife. He's gifted with an eye that can (and did!) spot leopards and cheetahs in trees as well as a beautiful place to capture a sunrise or sunset. He made our trip... (oh dear, I'm running out of superlatives!) phenomenal! In fact, all of the drivers I had were kind, knowledgeable, really loved their jobs (who wouldn't?!), and really cared about providing you with the most fun adventure you'll ever have.

As for wildlife, we saw so many cheetahs, leopards, lions, wildebeasts, elephants, water buffalo, etc. -- I was blown away. During our last game drive in Maasai Mara, 6 cheetah cubs rested by the shade of our van while their mother looked for prey. One brave cub jumped up on the van to "explore". Gerald, of course, kept very calm, told us simply to stay quiet and assured us she wasn't a threat. I trusted him completely, and he was right. I was awe-struck to be that close to wild life, and I felt so safe because of Gerald. What a thrilling end to our adventure!

After one last trip to Carnivore, we dropped my friend and his son off at the airport. I remarked to Gerald that I never found a specific gift I had in mind and, without a second thought he said, "Let's try one of the shops in Nairobi!" Keep in mind, this was after an 11-day safari where I'm sure he wanted to get home to his wife and kids and just drop me off at my accommodations! But he insisted, picked up another driver, Mike, who escorted me into the shops. Mike was a riot and, within minutes, I found what I was looking for. Then off to my accommodations, and Peter himself took me to the airport the next morning.

These are all wonderful people who will make it their mission to give you the time of your life. I can't recommend them highly enough. If you are thinking about taking a safari in Kenya, please go! Do it! And book with Natural Track -- you'll be so glad you did.

Thank you, Peter, Elisabeth, James, Simon, Mike and of course Gerald for making this trip possible. It was by far the best vacation I've ever taken and I'll keep the memories of it forever.

With sincere admiration and gratitude,

Amy Montminy, New York, NY