Guests photographing elephants from an open safari vehicle. Photo: Pexels (free licence).
Natural Habitat Adventures or Micato Safaris: which is better value for a safari?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 3 November 2026
Natural Habitat Adventures and Micato Safaris, set out the same way from each company's own website and review listings, read on 12 October 2026. No score and no rank: each one's best fit, in its own words.
Natural Habitat Adventures or Micato Safaris: which is better value for a safari?
On their own published facts, Natural Habitat Adventures is best for small-group trips and its own private camps; Micato Safaris is best for private safaris and small-group set departures. Both publish terms or trips for solo travellers. On value: the cards set out each company's own terms and reviews; prices are not set side by side, because they are not published on the same basis. No score and no winner: choose by what your trip needs.
Natural Habitat Adventures
- Best for
- Small-group trips and its own private camps
Micato Safaris
- Best for
- Private safaris and small-group set departures
Natural Habitat Adventures and Micato Safaris: side by side
The same facts for each company, from its own website, in the same order. Left out, because it is not readable for every company: own camps or vehicles. Where a company publishes nothing on a row, the card says so.
Natural Habitat Adventures
- Based in
- Louisville, Colorado, USA.
- Founded
- 1985.
- African countries it plans
- 12: Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda, Madagascar, Egypt and Morocco.
- Own offices or staff in Africa
- Not published on its own website.
- Deposit
- Typically $500-$1,500 per person, higher for select trips (as read on 12 October 2026).
- Cancellation charges
- 121 or more calendar days before departure: minimum $200 per person cancellation fee. 61-120 days: 50% of entire trip price (incl. internal air, extensions, extra services such as hotel nights). 60 days or less: 100% of trip price (as read on 12 October 2026).
- Guest reviews, per platform
- Google 4.9 out of 5 from 280 reviews; Trustpilot 4.9 out of 5 from 2,961 reviews.
Micato Safaris
- Based in
- New York, USA.
- Founded
- 1966.
- African countries it plans
- 8: Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
- Own offices or staff in Africa
- Nairobi and Cape Town: 'fully staffed' HQs there plus New York, with local staff on hand 24-7.
- Deposit
- 30% at booking.
- Cancellation charges
- Classic Safaris: 120+ days before departure 20% of tour rate; 119-60 days 50%; 59 days or fewer 100%.
- Guest reviews, per platform
- Tripadvisor 4.8 out of 5 from 149 reviews.
Who does each suit?
Each line is the company's own, on its own website. Where none was found on a company' + chr(39) + 's own website, the card says so. Left out, because it is not readable for every company: families, multigenerational trips, small-group departures, private guide, photography and walking, horseback and specialist trips.
Natural Habitat Adventures
- Solo travellers
- Single-room surcharge guarantees a private room (not available on all trips; amount on trip pages; single rooms may be smaller).
Micato Safaris
- Solo travellers
- Solo Safaris page calls single travellers a Micato speciality.
Where each line comes from
Every line above links back to the page of the company's own website or review listing it was read from, read on 12 October 2026.
- Natural Habitat Adventures: where it is based, year founded, African countries it plans, cancellation charges, Trustpilot.
- Micato Safaris: where it is based, year founded, African countries it plans, own offices or staff in Africa, deposit, solo travellers.
Natural Habitat Adventures vs Micato Safaris: the questions people ask
Which is older, Natural Habitat Adventures or Micato Safaris?
Micato Safaris, founded in 1966. Natural Habitat Adventures was founded in 1985.
Where is each company based?
Natural Habitat Adventures: Louisville, Colorado, USA. Micato Safaris: New York, USA.
Which plans trips in more African countries?
Natural Habitat Adventures names 12; Micato Safaris names 8, on its own website. More countries is not better in itself: check that each plans the ones you want.
What deposit does each ask for?
Natural Habitat Adventures: Typically $500-$1,500 per person, higher for select trips (as read on 12 October 2026). Micato Safaris: 30% at booking.
What are their cancellation charges?
Natural Habitat Adventures: 121 or more calendar days before departure: minimum $200 per person cancellation fee. 61-120 days: 50% of entire trip price (incl. internal air, extensions, extra services such as hotel nights). 60 days or less: 100% of trip price (as read on 12 October 2026). Micato Safaris: Classic Safaris: 120+ days before departure 20% of tour rate; 119-60 days 50%; 59 days or fewer 100%.
What do guest reviews say about each?
Natural Habitat Adventures: Google 4.9 out of 5 from 280 reviews; Trustpilot 4.9 out of 5 from 2,961 reviews. Micato Safaris: Tripadvisor 4.8 out of 5 from 149 reviews. Each platform is shown on its own, never added together.
Can I book either through Uncompromised Travel?
No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell safaris. Use each company's own enquiry page.
Is either company paying to be on this page?
No. None of these companies is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. None paid to be on this page.
How current is this comparison?
Each company's website and review listings were read on 12 October 2026. Prices, terms and trips change, so confirm them with the company before you book.
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