Kimkim Trip Reviews for Kenya

My hat is off to both Nadia and Stephanie! This almost 4 week trip to Africa was spectacular. Everything went off without a hitch except for one incident in Tanzania which Stephanie handled professionally and without incident. The incident in question was not KIMKIM's fault or the guides but that of the guide's office in Arusha. My son and I were very well taken care of and every request along the way was handled timely and efficiently. The guides were extremely accomodating for all my son's requested related to getting the photography he wanted. We have traveled extensively as my son is a professional photographer so we are well experienced. This is the second time I have used KIMKIM and I will do it again probably for Norway and Patagonia in the near future. Again Thank you to Nadia and Stephanie for a great African tour.
Judie and Chris Behrend

Our African trip was amazing. We had Eric as a guide in Kenya and Rama as a guide in Tanzania. Both were wonderful young man who were so knowledgable about everything. Our accommodations were terrific, and the food was very good as Well. We had wonderful weather. I told Kim Kim to arrange that and he did. This is the second time I have used this company and both trips were wonderful. The first was Egypt and Jordan. I would highly recommend them. They are very efficient and very happy to make any changes at any time, Dorothy McConville

What a fantastic Kenyan safari trip we have just finished. It was organised by Joseph, we had quick reply’s and great suggestions just cannot fault their service. Then there was our accommodation, The Cliff Lake Nakuru and Entim Camp Maasai Mara, what absolute luxury, these places are unbelievable. The service from the staff and the food is next level, just loved every minute. Then there was our guide/driver Andrew what a bloody superstar! 5 days of adventure with this man. So knowledgeable and the best sense of humour. We saw everything possible with Andrew, the big 5 within a few hours and so much more! We did find the driving on the highways between the camps a little scary but felt so much at ease with Andrew and his driving. We loved the way all the Safari drivers in the parks communicated and if there was something to be seen the radio went crazy and it was all on. We just cannot recommend enough the KimKim team and our absolute legend of a guide Andrew, thank you so much for the holiday of a lifetime!

We had a once-in-a-lifetime amazing journey to visit Zanzibar, Tanzania and Kenya. The safari days were long and bumpy but so full of amazing things to see, that they passed quickly. The camps were so very much nicer than we had anticipated, and we very much enjoyed the wonderful food and relaxed luxury after those long days out in the sun and the dust and the bumpiness. Our stay in Zanzibar was marred by an inattentive "guide" and so much hawking that we fled from it to the hotel. Our guide in Tanzania, John, could not possibly have been better or offered more insights and expertise--plus he taught us some Swahili!
In Kenya we did not have the one guide/driver for the whole time that we had expected, but our lodge and its driver at Naboisho were terrific. You could do an entire successful wild animals viewing just there. Finally, we visited Maji Moto cultural camp and it was the highlight experience. It was much more impactful than being sent to tourist traps. We ended our trip in Nairobi and had an enjoyable day and very pleasant hotel.

Activity Reviews

Rooftop Swahili Dinner

Stone Town Zanzibar

The staff and chef are wonderful. The meal was outstanding, beautifully prepared and presented, and always preceded by clear explanations of the dish being served and its ingredients and preparation. Dinner lasted a couple hours. It was a very good value.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Stone Town, Spice Farm, Prison Island & Kuza Cave Tour

Stone Town Zanzibar

the "guide" dropped us with a man who did not speak English, but had an old boat. It had no life vests and a half-rotted floor. It took about half hour to cross to the island instead of the 15 minutes other boats did. We were then handed off to an unscrupulous horrible man who served as a "guide" -- did NOTHING--and demanded $20. The tortoises were very interesting to visit--the "guide" scratched one's neck when it was clearly marked not to touch them. We received NO tour of Stone Town at all--we walked out a bit by ourselves but pretty much got lost. We did not go to any Kuza Cave.

Quality of Experience

See above

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The man was kind and all, but it was unsafe.

Mto Wa Mbu Cultural Immersion & on to Ngorongoro Conservancy

Kenya

We started out enjoying this experience very much. Our guide was kind and full of info. The tour was fine. But being led into these money-sucking situations, like the carvers/artists place, was a bit off-putting. I will say it was MUCH lower pressure than other places, and after having visited Morocco, we are familiar with this "game." The only real unfortunate issue was that he somewhat pressured my husband into tasting his brewed banana beer -- and that resulted in two days of intestinal disaster.

Quality of Experience

Nairobi National Park

Kenya

This is another great place to hunt for animals but after our prior experiences, it fell pretty flat -- EXCEPT for the most remarkable viewings of the rhinos. Most of the animals spotted were extremely far away.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

very comfortable

Giraffe Center

Kenya

WELL WELL worth it. Delightful encounter to see giraffes really up close. Loved also the botany -- the trees and plants marked with descriptions and medicinal uses. The nature walk was very pleasant. The gift shop was probably the best shop we saw in two weeks. It was outstanding.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

He was great to give us heads up about spending time there..

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Kenya

It was interesting to hear the caretaker's presentation, and it was fun to watch the elephants and the baby rhino. I really loved having a chance to actually touch an elephant. They stayed very close.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We had a magical trip in Kenya. We went to Nairobi, Amboseli, Ol Pejeta, Samburu and Masai Mara. The itinerary was great and all of our camps were extremely nice. Joseph did a really good job working within our budget to find the best accommodations. He also booked fascinating safaris and cultural visits. We saw the Big 5 (lions, cape buffalo, leopards, elephants, and rhinos) and felt like we maxed out our time. The main thing that could have been improved is communication around the itinerary. I've booked 4 trips with Kim Kim, and usually, the local travel agent tells you the pick up time so you know when you need to wake up and can plan accordingly. I don't know if it was cultural, but we had to ask for that a few times before we got those details from Joseph, despite having early flights most mornings.

I recently went on a safari tour in Kenya and Tanzania, and it was amazing! The itinerary was well-planned, allowing us to see the famous “Big Five” and enjoy the stunning landscapes of both countries. Our guides were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about the wildlife and local cultures, adding great value to our experience. When we expressed interest in coffee beans, Nicholas kindly arranged some for us, which was a delightful touch!

The accommodations arranged by the agency were comfortable and authentic, making our stay memorable. Each place offered beautiful views and the staff were incredibly friendly.

Overall, Nicholas provided an unforgettable, enriching journey. I highly recommend this travel agency to anyone interested in exploring the wonders of East Africa. Thank you for making our dream safari a reality!

Overall we were very happy with the itinerary offered and the locations and accommodations were terrific. We do have a few suggestions to make the trip easier.

1 - We expected the overland transportation to be in a newer and more comfortable vehicle, like a Land Cruiser. We were in an older minivan which was not the best for the 28 hours of travel we did from location to location plus the 24 hours of touring and game drives on very poor roads. Our driver, Stanley was fantastic but we did notice the ride was much better more comfortable and faster with guides who had new Land Cruisers.

2-We had a flight delay out of Nairobi (we were told the delay was secondary to airline strike Monday) which made us miss our connection in Lusaka to Livingstone, and only found out about this when we arrived at the airport ready to leave for Lusaka and then to Livingstone. Someone from Nariku should have been able to notified us beforehand and make necessary flight changes. We had to wait in the Nairobi airport for 4 hours waiting for Joseph to make new arrangements and then we had to spend the night unexpectedly in Lusaka, waiting for a flight out to Livingstone the next day. We met people in the Nairobi Airport who had a direct flight to Victoria Falls Airport. We should have been redirect to that flight and not miss a day of touring.

3-We did not get our inter Africa flights until a few weeks before our trip. Those should have been done farther in advance because we did have to make major changes. There were flights that we found doing our own research that were shorter, also we should have been booked on a direct flight Nairobi to Zimbabwe with car transfer to Livingstone which would have alleviated the missed connection on September 13th.

Hotel Reviews

Pelican House

Very large and comfortable. We had the 3 bedroom compond with 4 staff to ourselves. Private very clean and beautiful. Beautiful views. Saw animals everyday. Great location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Rudi

Great location and super friendly staff. Small room and a little worn but beautiful manor home and gardens.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Naivasha Sopa Lodge

Nairobi

Excellent location and big beautiful lodge and ground. Excellent food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp

Maji Moto

very wonderful and unexpected interactions with all the camp. it has left an impression on our lives. Food and outdoor eating meals excellent. Great for 2 days.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ashnil Mara Camp

Maasai Mara

Great tent but hot in the daytime and cold at night. Beautiful looking out onto river, but too far into the reserve - a 2 hour drive from the entrance.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport

wish we didn't have this unexpected stay but this City hotel was good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Avani Victoria Falls Resort

Mosi-oa-Tunya Road, Livingstone 20100

great Zambia location for walking to the Falls.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Commodore Hotel

Cape Town

perfect location and ambiance - great breakfast and ok staff - not as friendly as other locations but typical for a Big City Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Nairobi National Park

Kenya

Good intro to Kenya - saw lots of animals including a Rhino charging our van.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Kenya

fun and informational

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Giraffe Center

Kenya

interesting but we have Giraffe at our zoo that we can feed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

excellent in every way

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ol Pejeta Conservancy Game Drives

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Meet The Northern White Rhinos

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

so special to meet the remaining 2 in the world and feed them

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lion Tracking

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Night Game Drive

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Naivasha Activities

Kenya

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Naivasha Hells Gate National Park

Kenya

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Activities

Maji Moto

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cultural Activities at Maji Moto

Maji Moto

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Maasai Mara Game Drives

Masai Mara

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Victoria Falls Tour

Livingstone

We did not need a guide for this activity. Easy to walk and enter the Falls area at no charge. Paths and walkways well marked and safe.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zambia & Zimbabwe Activities

Livingstone

The Elephant Cafe was terrific

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dine at GOLD Restaurant

Cape Town

Not a great meal but fun entertainment.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cape Peninsula & Robben Island Tour

Cape Town

great drive , boat ride and tour

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day Hermanus Tour & Whale cruise

Cape Town

disappointing because of weather conditions, rough seas and very long 5 am drive from Cape Town. Beautiful location

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day Cape Winelands Tour

Cape Town

the weather was bad but we did see great locations. Our guide arranged a private small family vineyard tasting.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip to Kenya was awesome! The combination of great weather, amazing wildlife, gorgeous scenery, and friendly people made it one of our top trips. Our guide, Eric, was fantastic! The three reserves/National Parks we visited were the perfect combination to see different wildlife and environments. Our stay with the Masai Mara tribe was great and a very different experience! The Hot Air balloon ride at sunrise was beautiful. I know wildlife sightings can't be controlled but we barely saw anything. I likely would have passed on the ride having known that on the front end. A very enjoyable and ll of our accommodations were spot-on. We especially enjoyed the Mara Kimana Camp. Beautiful! However, the road leading to the camp is awful! They really need to improve that road.
Overall, we had a very enjoyable experience and we would definitely recommend this kind of trip/itinerary to our family and friends!

Nicholas helped us plan and experience highlights of Kenya in a trip well tailored to our family of 6 (including children ages 8 through 13). He was very knowledgeable, flexible, and professional in ensuring that our trip went smoothly and maximized everyone's enjoyment.

We enjoyed a full 4-day itinerary in Nairobi to enjoy some city experiences before heading out on safari. We enjoyed the David Sheldrick's rehabilitation center, the Nairobi national park, the Giraffe center, the Bomas of Kenya homesteads, and the Nairobi national museum. Transportation to and from these locations was comfortable and smooth, in a minivan that fit all of us easily. We hesitate to give a full 5 stars for the Nairobi stay only because our hotel (Fair Acres Boutique), while it was comfortable and nicely located, hosted a large party (conference? wedding?) on our final night there and loud music/speeches kept us all up close to 1am. This was just as we had finally recovered from jet lag so made the following day a bit of a struggle.

Our next stop was Ol Pejeta, where we enjoyed 2 nights at the Sweetwaters Serena camp (beautiful grounds right within the conservancy, including a watering hole frequented by many animals day and night; cozy and well appointed tents; great meals in a beautiful central lodge; very kind and thoughtful staff). Nicholas took us on safari throughout the conservancy and also to visit various programs including the Chimp exhibit and a Rhino rescue center.

Next we spent two nights at the Sopa Lodges in Naivasha, where we enjoyed a boat tour of the lake and a walk on Crescent Island - for beautiful distinctive scenery compared to the prior few days at Ol Pejeta. Sopa Lodge was a very impressive property - comfortable rooms within private cottages, spread across large lake-front grounds with tropical landscaping. Another excellent dining experience with a large buffet for every meal and very kind staff.

Our final stop was 3 nights in Maasai Mara, where we stayed at the Ashnil Mara camp. Another excellent lodging option - comfortable and cozy tents, beautiful dining/common area with views of the river (and occasional hippos/crocodiles), bar with a firepit, pool that the kids enjoyed greatly, fantastic food and very friendly staff. Nicholas again took us on game drives each day (based on the frequency/duration we were looking for) which were highly successful thanks to his knowledge of the park and connections with other guides.

Nicholas was an excellent host throughout the week - always pleasant, open to changes in the itinerary, ready to offer his recommendations, eager to get to know us. Our itinerary required lots of driving (3-5h between destinations, plus the game drives) on roads of varying quality and often with hectic traffic. He is an excellent driver and his 4WD vehicle was roomy enough for all 6 of us plus our luggage, and well suited for safari drives with its pop-up roof... however I would have felt a bit safer (especially on the long highway commutes) if it had cross-body seatbelts rather than just lap belts.

Overall, this is a trip that we invested a large amount of time and effort in planning, and it turned out even better than our high expectations, thanks to the dedication and expertise of Nicholas. Would not hesitate to recommend other travelers to work with Nicholas to enjoy a tailored visit to Kenya.

This was the second epic trip that we booked through KimKim and could not speak higher of the knowledge, professionalism and dedicated support we received once again on this two week trip through Kenya. Both Melvin and Stephen took care of every detail of accommodations, tours, side trips and dedicated drivers. They really listened to what our goals were for the trip - both adventure and budget wise - and customized a trip that we could never have put yigether on our own.

The safaris were all memorable as were the hotels and provided meals. They were also wonderful to work with in terms of answering questions and really picking our brains to find things to see that were attuned to our ideals of fun stuff to do.

Most impressive was their availability while on the trip. Whenever we had a question or perhaps hit a small snag, they were immediately available to right any wrong or perhaps instant ways to make quick changes to the itinerary. When we wanted to add a visit to a museum that wasn’t on the original plan, they immediately made it happen.

It was also clutch to have our own driver, Peter, for the entirety of the trip who was friendly and always open to our whims of stopping at a roadside attraction or taking us to a specific spot for lunch. He was so nice and so pleasant to let us just wallow in the beauty of the countryside without always feeling the need to create conversation.

Can’t speak highly enough about KimKim’s partners that they chose to work with. They take the headache out of travel and let you just sit back and enjoy the wonders of your trek.

Can’t wait for our next adventure and working with another top notch team!

Nicholas was the perfect local specialist, planner, driver, game spotter, and friend! My daughter (16) and I had a wonderful trip!
After telling Nicholas a little bit about what we wanted, he put together a draft of a trip that we then went through, asked questions, and made some changes. I’d been to Kenya 43 years ago and wanted to stay at one of the same hotels I’d stayed at all those years ago, and Nicholas had no problem accommodating my request. I had also been to Zanzibar before so wanted to revisit that island, which again Nicholas had no problem arranging.
Once the trip started, Nicholas continued to be able to accommodate us as needed. Our arrival was delayed by a day, but we were still met at the airport at the new arrival time and given options on how to try to make up for the lost time. Additionally there were times when my older body needed a little extra rest, so we could decide on the fly to start a game drive later or finish early. When I struggled with getting in and out of the truck, Nicholas got a milk crate step to help me and always was near by in case I needed an extra hand. A truly personalized experience that I appreciate so much!
The hotels that were picked out for us were wonderful. We particularly enjoyed the Ashnil camps (Masai Mara and Samburu). On top of that, Nicholas made sure our rooms/tents were located perfectly. At Ashnil Samburu, we looked out on the river where elephants gathered - what a way to wake up! At Ashnil Masai Mara, he got us a table that looked out at the river where the hippos would climb in and out.
Nicholas also has a great sense of humor and is easy to talk to. My normally shy teenager was joking with him and asking questions right away. He even let her use his personal camera to take photos and she now wants to take photography classes thanks to Nicholas.
Across our game drives, we saw not only the big 5, but a plethora of birds and animals. Cerval cats playing, a cheetah, black rhino, and baby leopard were some of the more special sites . What I enjoyed the most was finding a quiet corner of the park with no other trucks around, turning off the truck and watching a herd of elephant pass right in front of us. I can’t even imagine going on one of those big group trips now!
I plan to use a local specialist for any future trips from now on, and to anyone going to Kenya, highly recommend Nicholas of Animal Kingdom Safaris.

We spent a magical week of wild life safari in Kenya thanks to the extraordinary services provided by Joseph and his team at Nariku Travel Experiences. Andy, was our personal guide and jeep driver who ensured that we had no difficulties in checking in to the various lodges and kept us informed and entertained during the several game drives we went through. Andy went above and beyond to ensure that we got to see the Big 5 animals and much more!

Joseph addressed all of our questions and concerns before and during our trip very quickly to give us peace of mind. There were no surprises either in the itinerary or costs - everything was well designed and transparent.

We very highly recommend Nariku Travel and will most certainly be using their services in the future…

Hotel Reviews

Kibo Safari Camp

Amboseli

Lodging is good , food is excellent and people are the best! My spouse fell sick while we stayed here, and the Asst Manager Mr. Joseph helped us so much, I will always be grateful to him.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fair Acres Boutique Hotel

Karen, Nairobi. P. O Box 1121 – 00208 Nairobi.

Rooms are good and clean. Room service is non responsive. Breakfast menu is very limited, Restaurant service is very slow.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lake Naivasha Simba lodge

Naivasha

Good accommodations, and wonderful food! Hotel grounds are v exquisite. Hippos are shy didn’t come out of water

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Nakuru

Location and rooms are good. Food was below average, and not many vegetarian options. They let the bonfire die by 8pm, and didn’t kindle the fire even when requested

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pride Inn Mara Camp

Accommodation is excellent, and we loved the outdoor shower experience. Lots of modern amenities provided. Indian food here was the best we had on our trip, really fantastic. We celebrated my son’s birthday here, and they baked a cake for us, and had the Masai tribesmen wish him.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom shower and sink is very luxurious

Activity Reviews

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lake Naivasha Activities

Kenya

Lake Naivasha Hells Gate National Park

Kenya

Our guides Kevin and Dennis made Hells Gate very memorable for us! Their energy and enthusiasm kept the trip very interesting and fun.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive

Nakuru

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara

Maasai Mara Game Drives

Masai Mara

I loved the customized trip and personal service, it made everything so easy! The excursions and accommodations were amazing. All the drivers and guides were very good, but especially our guides in Cape Town and Amboseli, who treated us like family.

Our trip to Kenya, organized by Joseph from KimKim, was nothing short of a dream come true. My partner and I, now happily engaged, wanted to witness the Great Migration and experience a hot air balloon ride over the breathtaking landscapes of the Masaai Mara. Joseph meticulously planned every detail, making this a trip we will cherish forever.

During our stay in the Masaai Mara, we were fortunate to have Thomas as our private game driver. His kindness and extensive knowledge of the area truly enhanced our safari experience. We stayed at the Matira Bush Camp, which exceeded all our expectations. The service was exceptional, and the staff went above and beyond to make our stay special. Matira played a crucial role in organizing our engagement, arranging private cocktail drinks in the bush followed by a romantic private dinner. It was an unforgettable experience.

After the excitement of the safari, we transferred to Diani Beach for some relaxation. Our stay at the Diani Beach Resort was equally incredible, with top-notch service and a beautiful setting. We even had the opportunity to snorkel with the vibrant marine life, which was a perfect way to unwind after the adventure-packed days in the Mara.

In summary, this trip was a perfect blend of adventure, romance, and relaxation. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a memorable and personalized safari holiday in Kenya. Thank you, Joseph, and everyone who made this trip so special!

Hotel Reviews

Fair Acres Boutique Hotel

Karen, Nairobi. P. O Box 1121 – 00208 Nairobi.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Matira Bush Camp

Nairobi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Diani Sea Lodge

Diani Beach

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Maasai Mara National Reserve Game Drives

Masai Mara

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

same as previous answer

Maasai Mara Game Drives & Hot Air Balloon Ride

Masai Mara

Quality of Experience

Food

Breakfast was incredible.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

David the pilot was incredible!

Transport

Was a very smooth, magical ride. We felt safe the entire time.

Diani Beach Activities

Diani Beach

Quality of Experience

Food

Deserts can be improved. And for the buffet, a lot of flies. Need some kind of solution. (Eg: Maybe citronells scent / fly strips to catch them.. something.)

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The car made a beeping noise constantly, it was frustrating.

Our Kenyan guide George was awesome- such personality and so joyful! From the moment he picked us up at the airport, we felt comfortable and well cared for- we didn’t have to think at all about next steps, where to go, what attractions to see, where our meals were, etc. Everything was exquisitely planned.
We saw the big 5 before we left Kenya!
Our Tanzanian guide, Francis was great too and this part of the trip was also well planned without us having to think about a thing! Francis is passionate about the animals and knows so much about them. Francis found remote spots in the parks, which gave us a different perspective.
The Serengeti is HUGE! We finally saw lion cubs and a hunt!
Unfortunately, the vehicle needed some repairs and he was struggling with it stalling and having to restart along the way. Thankfully with his mechanic background he figured out how to keep it moving.
The only general feedback (for the whole trip) I would give is that the travel time on travel days was underestimated and we often arrived at the next spot later than anticipated.
The lodges and camps were all wonderful in their own ways. Not being a fan of camping I was worried about the tented camps, but they were all so comfortable and the staff so accommodating. The food was great and the wine was always pouring. My favorite lodging experience had to be the Kilimanjaro Coffee House. We were the only guests and felt so pampered!
While the kids hiked, we took a tour of the coffee farm, hiked to a waterfall nearby and enjoyed a massage. It’s a magical place.

Wow. Just Wow!
Four of us made a last minute decision to go to Kenya to revisit some places my husband and family remember as children and to create new memories now as adults and to bring their spouses to share those experiences with. Within a very short timeline Joseph at KimKim created an itinerary and plan that was nothing short of perfect. Joseph delivered this itinerary in a very short time span.

Joseph was incredibly responsive and no questions were left unanswered with great attention to detail. Throughout our trip he was quick to respond and ensured all was going
As planned. No stones were left unturned.

Our group of four were paired up with our driver and guide Eric. Eric was truly exceptional. He helped to find all the places my husband and brother-in-law wanted to visit with ease and coordinated admittance with grace and ease. Eric was patient, kind and thoughtful as the brother visited and reminisced at places of their childhood. He enjoyed looking at the pictures of their childhood and listening to the stories of their life in Kenya in the late 1960’s.

Eric introduced us to Kenyan Life as he drove us around the countryside. He was our drive during our game drives and we could not have asked for better. He wanted to ensure we saw everything there was to see. He spoke with staff at parks and with rangers to enhance our experience. No one could ask for more than he provided to us.

Some of the roads were encountered along the way were pretty rough. It was a bit disconcerting at times when the bottom of the vehicle scraped along. Eric took this all in stride. A vehicle with higher clearance would be ideal for these types of situations.

The attention paid to each and every aspect of this trip was really beyond compare.
Each hotel/accommodation was unique and varied. All were fantastic. Joseph provided us with some many new experiences and honored the old. Not a detail was missed from flights, hotels and lunch reservations.

Joseph, Eric and the team at KimKim made the whole African experience of old and new memories so incredibly special and for that we are truly grateful.

When we decided last minute to take a trip from Calgary to Kenya I had no idea where to start. With only days to to plan a deeply personal and emotional trip for our group and given our tight timeline and the complexity of our needs, (and specifically my lack of knowledge of where we were going!!!), I was initially apprehensive about the trip and how everything would come together. I sent a simple message to a website called KimKim and all my worries vanished. Joseph connected with me immediately and exceeded all expectations and delivered an extraordinary experience. Truly.

From the very beginning, Joseph demonstrated an incredible sense of urgency and responsiveness. Within hours of our initial contact, he provided a comprehensive outline of our potential itinerary, tailored perfectly to our specific desires and requirements. His quick responses to emails and phone calls ensured that every detail was addressed promptly, leaving no room for stress or uncertainty. I truly wonder when he sleeps!!! Right up until the very last day he organized us and ensured our safety from the first to the last day.

In addition to Joseph's perfection in planning, our trip driver/guide , Eric, went completely above and beyond. We went to Kenya to re-vist the places my husband and his family lived in 1967, 1968 and 1969. Eric, our guide and now our friend, was able to connect with the local people in a capacity that we never would have been able to communicate properly. He spoke so well with guards at the college where my father in law taught and lived at, enabling us the opportunity to enter the community and see the home they lived in. We visited the school where my brother in law attended, which was a truly moving experience seeing where he spent years as a young boy. The golf courses their father played and the hotels the favoured. He found and took us to places that we were unsure we would even be able to find.

Half our trip was old memories then the next half was new memories. Eric took us on a few safari's where we saw the most beautiful animals and we were able to get closer to some than we ever thought imaginable. He was relentless trying to find us a lion! He talked with the rangers with such respect and taught us so much.

The only suggestion I would have is that we wished the vehicle we had was better. Eric did an incredible job driving on very poor roads, through the safari and from location to location. The vehicle should have been raised higher. I would only suggest when using this company that you request a better vehicle for the roads.

Accuracy was another area where both Joseph and Eric were incredible. They meticulously arranged every aspect of our journey, from flights and accommodations to local tours and special activities. Despite the short timeline, there were no errors or misunderstandings; everything was exactly as promised. It was evident that they paid close attention to every detail, ensuring our trip was seamless and enjoyable.

Communication was clear, consistent, and compassionate throughout the entire planning process and during our trip. Eric took the time to understand the emotional significance of our trip and handled all arrangements with a level of care and sensitivity that made us feel valued and understood. They kept us updated at every stage, providing reassurance and support when we needed it most.

Our trip turned out to be a profoundly moving and unforgettable experience. Their ability to deliver such a well-organized and meaningful trip on a short timeline was truly impressive. I wholeheartedly recommend Joseph at Nariku Travel to anyone in need of a travel agent who is not only professional and efficient but also empathetic and dedicated to creating memorable journeys.

Thank you, Joseph & Eric, for turning our vision into reality and for making our trip so special. We will always be grateful.

I booked a safari with Animal Kingdom through Kim Kim and it was an absolutely amazing experience from start to finish. There are so many options of safaris to choose that it can be daunting. From the moment I messaged with Nicholas, I felt completely at ease. In the process leading up to the trip, he answered all of my copious questions. He was always quick and kind with his responses. He made sure we go our vaccinations and the proper visa. Once we arrived, he and our driver, John, picked my wife and I up from the airport. This was the biggest relief since we landed at 11:00pm local time. Nicholas rode with us to the first hotel we stayed at and he walked us through what most of the trip would look like beyond the itinerary he provided. For almost the rest of the trip, my wife and I were just with John, our driver. I cannot talk highly enough of John. We told him all of the animals we wanted to see and what pictures we wanted. He made sure we got and saw everything we wanted. He also did an amazing job of answering all of the questions we asked throughout the trip. On our last day, we had many hours between our last safari and our flight out of Nairobi and Nicholas and John helped my wife and I out by recommending a good area of Nairobi to stay in until the flight and then John took us to the airport.

For the trip, we went to Nairobi National Park, David Shedrick’s Elephant Preserve, Giraffe Center, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Amboseli. All were fantastic but Lake Nakuru was our biggest surprise. Do not skip it!

Hotel Reviews

Fair Acres Boutique Hotel

Karen, Nairobi. P. O Box 1121 – 00208 Nairobi.

Fantastic hotel! Staff was attentive. The room was nice and clean. The restaurant had delicious food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ashnil Mara Camp

Maasai Mara

The lobby area was very nice. The buffet was good for all meals. WiFi was only available in the main area which was a challenge. You also could not bring food to your room because monkeys would break in and steal it. Otherwise, great experience!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lake Naivasha Simba lodge

Naivasha

The grounds of this hotel are amazing! Very cool area to walk around and be amongst zebras, giraffes, and other wildlife.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kilima Safari Camp

Nairobi, Kenya

The first room we were put in smelled like an animal had died inside of it. There were also many bugs, living and dead, in the room that was “freshly cleaned.” We switched rooms without issue from the staff but the lack of cleanliness persisted in the second room. It was also incredibly hot when we were there. There was no portable fan in the room. There was one fan which was mounted on the wall in the room. This would be fine but they put a twin bed with a full wooden bed frame in front of the fan so you couldn’t use the queen bed without sweating all night. Then, at night, there were thousands of grasshoppers. This would not be a problem except for the fact that they kept getting in the room so I heard them all night trying to get past the mosquito netting. Worse yet, the hotel didn’t have any protection for the outdoor buffet. So while we were trying to eat, grasshoppers were jumping into our mouths and food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Giraffe center

Nairobi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nairobi National Park

Nairobi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

David sheldricks

Nairobi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a fantastic trip!
Joseph was extremely helpful, patient, and always responsive. He worked with us and adjusted the trip to all our requests until we had the trip we always dreamed of. During the journey, it all went smoothly, and he was still available when we needed him. Somewhat more expensive than anticipated, but truly a great experience.

Activity Reviews

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Kenya

It was so heartwarming to see all of the great work that is happening at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and of course, who doesn't love seeing these amazing beings up close. Loved every minute of the experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Naivasha Hells Gate National Park

Kenya

So fun!! Beautiful place

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hello Joseph, I wanted to give you a feedback about Andrew who was great with us during our trip who was able to answer all our questions and adapt according to our needs. Andrew is very professional and I plan to come back with my mom and would like to do the same trip with Andrew again. The trip was fantastic and very interesting we saw everything we wanted to see. Compared to the hotels they were all very good but on the 2nd a lake navaisha the room was not terrible and the food too. And for the last one in masai Mara this one was top but no wifi in the room which is a pity. So much for my little return I wanted to thank you and thank Andrew.