Kimkim Trip Reviews for South Africa

4.8
Based on 170 ratings
Read 170 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to South Africa on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

South Africa - Esther
South Africa | Dec 15 - Jan 3, 2025

Gretchen
Gretchen D.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Feb 19, 2025
Esther was great to work with and organized a very customized trip for us that included lots of time with our local family while we were in South Africa, while also suggesting places to stay or visit that we wouldn't have known about. She helped find accommodations that our family of 6 were comfortable in and was super responsive and accessible throughout the planning process and the trip itself. She managed to keep us within budget, and when there were small hiccups a few places we went,... Read more

Esther was great to work with and organized a very customized trip for us that included lots of time with our local family while we were in South Africa, while also suggesting places to stay or visit that we wouldn't have known about. She helped find accommodations that our family of 6 were comfortable in and was super responsive and accessible throughout the planning process and the trip itself. She managed to keep us within budget, and when there were small hiccups a few places we went, her team was able to troubleshoot to get us the best outcome possible.

We had a magical experience with our family of 4 teen and pre-teen boys, and I know it was in no small part due to Esther's help, ideas, creativity, and resourcefulness.

Hotel Reviews
City Lodge Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport

This was clean and comfortable and close to the airport (though a longer walk than I envisioned with all of our bags). Everyone who we were in contact with was kind and helpful. The breakfast in the courtyard was wonderful and delicious, and our family of 6 had a nice stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Angel's View
Graskop

A gorgeous view - we stayed in a stand alone house and there was plenty of room for our family of 6. The bathrooms were adequate, but the bedrooms and living area and kitchen were lovely. The hotel itself was beautiful - bright and clean and full of helpful staff. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and breakfast before our stay was up and are glad we got to stay here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
HYDE Hotel Rosebank

Lovely hotel - lovely location - delicious restaurant (though it was a bit loud in the evenings). Nice neighborhood, helpful and accommodating staff. Rooms were spacious and clean and offered big views of the city. Loved this spot.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cinnamon Boutique
Wilderness

Such lovely folks who run this hotel - offered us restaurant recommendations, directions to the beach path, and umbrellas to use when the skies opened up, and worked hard to fix a non-working tv situation for us and had it solved within a short time. Breakfast was delicious and the location was close enough to walk to the grocery store and restaurants and beach, but also secluded enough to feel away from all the hustle and bustle of the main area of town. The bathroom situation could benefit from a few updates, but beds and rooms were clean and large and had lovely views.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ocean & Marine Apartments
Cape Town

This was a fantastic place for our family of 6 to stay while in Cape Town over the Christmas holiday. Location was amazing and convenient, apartment was clean and bright and spacious, and it was wonderful to have secure parking right in the heart of CT.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Navarre Residence

This place was magical. Clean, indulgent, spacious, beautifully kept and stunning grounds, wonderful helpful staff, and a good location to explore the winelands. A real treat for all of us at the end of our three week trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mjejane River Lodge
Hectorspruit

Loved the people here - Aaron was an incredible guide and driver - and Simon who helped welcome us and get us settled in - and everyone from the folks at the front desk, to those who made the delicious meal spreads, to those who helped with luggage and cleaned our rooms, and served in the restaurants - everyone was so wonderful. The location was incredible right along the river and allowed for some great game viewing. The game drives were informative, fun, and interesting, and the breaks for coffee and sundowners were special. The bathrooms could use a bit of updating, but the rooms were spacious and had lovely outdoor space, too.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Esther Ruempol
Esther
Esther Ruempol
Local specialist in Johannesburg, South Africa | Replied on Feb 22, 2025

Hi Gretchen and family

Thanks so much for your wonderful review and for the individual accommodation reviews! These are incredibly helpful to us to continuously improve our offerings :-).

It was such a pleasure to plan this trip with you and we are so happy you enjoyed it!

Warm regards
Esther

Fantastic South Africa Trip with KimKim – Gre...
South Africa | Jan 26 - Feb 8, 2025

Martin
Martin D.
Argentina | Reviewed on Feb 09, 2025
Fantastic South Africa Trip with KimKim – Great Itinerary, Some Communication Gaps We booked our trip to South Africa through KimKim, and overall, it was a 5-star experience! Our agent, Lucy, put together a very good itinerary, perfectly tailored to our interests. The accommodations, activities, and recommendations were excellent, making for an unforgettable adventure. However, when weather contingencies arose, leading to multiple cancellations, we experienced a lack of communication... Read more

Fantastic South Africa Trip with KimKim – Great Itinerary, Some Communication Gaps

We booked our trip to South Africa through KimKim, and overall, it was a 5-star experience! Our agent, Lucy, put together a very good itinerary, perfectly tailored to our interests. The accommodations, activities, and recommendations were excellent, making for an unforgettable adventure.

However, when weather contingencies arose, leading to multiple cancellations, we experienced a lack of communication from Lucy, which left us uncertain about the next steps. Fortunately, after reaching out to a KimKim agent by phone, everything was quickly sorted out, and the rest of the trip went smoothly.

One of the absolute highlights was our stay at Shamwari. The experience was absolutely gorgeous, and every aspect of that part of the trip exceeded our expectations. From the stunning landscapes to the incredible wildlife encounters and top-notch service, it was truly unforgettable.

Our guides in South Africa, Henrik and Brian, were absolutely first-class and took care of all our needs while we were there.

South Africa was absolutely thrilling, and our entire family came back fascinated and already excited to plan our next adventure. We would definitely use KimKim again!

Hotel Reviews
LawHill Luxury Apartments
Cape Town

Perfect Location & Modern Comfort – Lawhill Apartments Lawhill Apartments is the perfect place to stay in Cape Town! The location is unbeatable—right in town and within walking distance of the V&A Waterfront. The apartment itself was very modern, spacious, and well-equipped, making for an extremely comfortable stay. The pool was a great bonus, and every aspect of our experience was excellent. Would highly recommend Lawhill Apartments for anyone looking for a stylish and convenient stay in Cape Town!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Whale Coast All Suite Hotel
Hermanus

Great Stay at Whale Coast All Suite Hotel Whale Coast All Suite Hotel was a fantastic choice! The apartment was spacious, and very convenient, located just one block from the beach and inside a shopping mall, making it easy to get groceries and essentials. The breakfast was very good, and the staff was absolutely excellent—super helpful and attentive. A perfect place for a comfortable and hassle-free stay. Good 4 star option

Authenticity & Character
Location
Did not have views of the ocean
Staff
Súper Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hunter's Country House

Exceptional Stay at Hunter’s Country House Hunter’s Country House was an absolute gem! The setting is beautiful, with a peaceful and elegant atmosphere that made our stay truly special. The rooms were spacious, charming, and perfectly maintained, offering a luxurious yet cozy experience. The service was outstanding—the staff was incredibly attentive, warm, and always ready to help. The food was excellent, and every detail of our stay exceeded expectations. For those wishing to visit Plettenberg Bay, the hotel is a bit too far away, and you will need a car or driver to go back and forth. That would be the only drawback for staying there. A perfect retreat for anyone looking for tranquility, comfort, and top-notch hospitality. Highly recommended!

Authenticity & Character
Location
It’s not walking distance from Plett
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Shamwari Sindile Lodge

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Safari Experience at Sindile Lodge Our stay at Sindile Lodge was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we arrived, we were met with exceptional service, breathtaking accommodations, and world-class hospitality. The lodge itself is stunning—beautifully designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, offering luxury, comfort, and an intimate connection with the wilderness. The suites are spacious, elegantly furnished, and provide unparalleled views of the reserve. The food was outstanding, with every meal exceeding our expectations. From gourmet breakfasts to exquisite dinners, each dish was crafted to perfection, making dining an experience in itself. A special thank you to our ranger, Siya, whose knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm made every game drive unforgettable. His deep understanding of the wildlife and the environment added incredible depth to our safari experience. Another heartfelt thank you to our butler, Siya, who went above and beyond to ensure our stay was nothing short of perfect. His warm and attentive service made us feel truly special, and his attention to detail was impeccable. Sindile Lodge is a true gem, offering a perfect blend of adventure and luxury. If I could give it 6 stars, I absolutely would! If you’re looking for an unforgettable safari experience, this is the place to be. We can’t wait to return! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (but truly a 6-star experience!)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
6 star service
Cleanliness & Comfort
Belle Maroc
Bloubergstrand

Great Location, but Maintenance Could Be Improved – Belle Maroc Hotel Belle Maroc Hotel is exceptionally well located, making it a convenient spot for exploring the area. However, the general maintenance falls a bit short compared to the other hotels we stayed at. We encountered some electrical issues, which were resolved by running a cable to our TV—not the most elegant solution. The staff was okay, as was the breakfast—nothing exceptional, but nothing to complain about either. Overall, it’s a decent stay with a fantastic location, but it doesn’t quite reach a five-star experience.D

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Table Mountain Adventurous Hike & Cable Car Descent
Table Mountain Adventurous Hike & Cable Car Descent
Cape Town

Amazing Alternative Hike – Lion’s Head Instead of Table Mountain Our original plan was to hike Table Mountain, but due to weather conditions, we had to switch to Lion’s Head at the last moment. The change was handled seamlessly, and honestly, we couldn’t have had a better experience! The hike was excellent—challenging but rewarding, with breathtaking views throughout. Our guide was exceptional, making the experience even more enjoyable with great insights and a perfect pace. Although we missed Table Mountain, this alternative turned out to be an unforgettable adventure. Highly recommended!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour
Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour
South Africa

Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour – A Well-Run and Fun Experience The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour was a very good experience—safe, well-organized, and professionally run. The guides were great, and everything was done with a high level of care. Since we had done a similar experience in Costa Rica, this felt familiar, so it didn’t have the same thrill for us. Some of the ziplines were a bit less exciting than others, but overall, it was still a fun and enjoyable activity. If you haven’t done a canopy tour before, this is definitely a great option and worth trying!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cape Peninsula & Penguins Excursion
Cape Peninsula & Penguins Excursion
South Africa

Spectacular Cape Peninsula – Penguins Were Okay Our trip to the Cape Peninsula was absolutely outstanding—definitely a 5-star experience! The landscapes and views were breathtaking, making for an unforgettable day. Every stop along the way was stunning, and we truly enjoyed exploring this beautiful region. The visit to the penguins was okay, but a bit too crowded for our taste. It was still nice to see them, but it didn’t quite match the spectacular experience of the Cape Peninsula itself. We were originally supposed to do a kayaking tour, which would have been a great addition, but unfortunately, it had to be canceled due to the weather. Despite that, it was a fantastic day overall!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Noordhoek Beach Horse Rides
Noordhoek Beach Horse Rides
South Africa

Nice Horse Ride, But Not What We Originally Planned Our original plan was to do a beach horse ride at Noordhoek, which we were really looking forward to. However, due to weather conditions, it was changed to a ride along the mountains instead. The experience itself was pleasant—the guide was very friendly and experienced, and the scenery was beautiful, with a peaceful ride through the vineyards. However, it was a very easy walk, and I would have liked the opportunity to trot or gallop a bit. The timing of our ride made it quite hot, and we couldn’t help but feel that the beach would have been a much better setting. That being said, we understand that the change was necessary due to the weather. Overall, it was a nice experience, just not quite what we had hoped for.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was a Pro
Transport
Tsitsikamma National Park Walk (guided or self-guided)
Tsitsikamma National Park Walk (guided or self-guided)
South Africa

Tsitsikamma National Park Walk – A Scenic and Enjoyable Experience Our visit to Tsitsikamma National Park was a nice and enjoyable experience. We did the walks, took in the beautiful views, and had a great time exploring the area. The landscapes were stunning, and it was a peaceful way to connect with nature. Compared to some of the more mind-blowing experiences on our trip, this one felt like a step below, but it’s still definitely worth doing. If you enjoy scenic walks and coastal beauty, it’s a great addition to any itinerary!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Shark Cage Diving
Shark Cage Diving
South Africa

Shark Cage Diving – A Truly 6-Star Experience! One of the absolute highlights of our trip! Everything about this experience was flawless. The company that took us out was incredibly professional—they explained everything clearly, provided an excellent introduction, and made sure we had top-quality wetsuits. Their attention to detail was exceptional. We were extremely lucky to see plenty of sharks, and the feeling of being in the cage, up close with these incredible creatures, was absolutely mind-blowing. After getting out of the water, we were welcomed with a hot shower inside our wetsuits—something we had never experienced before—and a cup of hot chocolate, which made it even more special. This was truly an unforgettable adventure, and I would highly, highly recommend it. If I could give it 6 stars, I absolutely would!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayak, Lilo and Cliff Jumping on the Storms Rivier
Kayak, Lilo and Cliff Jumping on the Storms Rivier
South Africa

Kayak, Lilo, and Cliff Jumping on the Storms River – A Fantastic Adventure! This was a very good experience and one of the highlights of our time in Tsitsikamma. We loved the kayaking, especially going out into the ocean—it was safe, well-organized, and the guides were excellent. After paddling into the river, we continued through beautiful surroundings with top-quality equipment. The experience was a mix of adventure and fun: we hiked, paddled to some rocks, crossed them, and then floated on inflatable rafts (similar to lilos). It was a unique and relaxing way to enjoy the stunning scenery. We took some great pictures and had an amazing time. Definitely an experience worth doing!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dinner/ Lunch Recommendation: Authentic Coastal Dining at Perlemoen Restaurant
Dinner/ Lunch Recommendation: Authentic Coastal Dining at Perlemoen Restaurant
Hermanus

Authentic Coastal Dining at Perlemoen Restaurant Perlemoen Restaurant was a nice stop during our trip. The highlight was definitely the food—we had the best fish of the entire trip, cooked to perfection with fresh, high-quality ingredients. However, the restaurant was quite crowded, and we couldn’t find a great table with a view of the ocean, which would have made the experience even better. Despite that, the meal itself was excellent, and it’s a good spot for those looking for fresh seafood in a coastal setting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Marine Big 5 Boat Tour
Marine Big 5 Boat Tour
South Africa

Marine Big 5 Boat Tour – Canceled but Great Replacement! Our Marine Big 5 Boat Tour was unfortunately canceled due to weather conditions, but we were offered a quad biking experience instead—and we ended up really enjoying it! The quad biking was different from what we originally planned, but it was safe, fun, and a great way to explore the area. We had a fantastic time and truly enjoyed the experience. Although we missed out on seeing marine life on this tour, our cage diving experience gave us a great feel for the ocean and its incredible wildlife. In the end, everything worked out, and we had an amazing adventure!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Cango Caves
Explore Cango Caves
South Africa

Explore Cango Caves – A Good Stop, but a Long Journey Visiting the Cango Caves was a good stop during our trip, offering an interesting and well-organized experience. The caves themselves were impressive, and the guided tour was engaging and informative. However, the downside of that day—especially since it was my birthday—was the incredibly long drive. We spent about 6 to 7 hours in the car, which made the day feel exhausting. Looking back, I might have chosen to take a short flight instead of enduring such a long drive. That said, the caves were worth seeing, and overall, it was still a good experience despite the travel time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tsitsikamma Segway experience
Tsitsikamma Segway experience
South Africa

Tsitsikamma Segway Experience – Fun and Unique! This was a really fun activity, especially since we had never ridden Segways before! It was a great way to explore the area in a different and exciting way. What made the experience even better was our guide—absolutely fantastic! They made sure we felt comfortable, kept the tour engaging, and added to the overall enjoyment. It was a very, very nice experience, and I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking to try something new and have a great time in Tsitsikamma!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
A very special note on the guide for this experience
Transport
Bloukrans Bungy with Bridge Zipline
Bloukrans Bungy with Bridge Zipline
South Africa

Bloukrans Bungy & Bridge Zipline – A Thrilling, World-Class Experience Only Valentina was brave enough to take on this adventure, and it turned out to be one of the absolute highlights of our trip! Bloukrans Bungy holds the world record for the highest bungee jump, and the entire operation is run with the utmost professionalism. The facility is extremely safe, with top-quality, well-maintained equipment that gave us full confidence in the experience. The jump itself was absolutely awesome—pure adrenaline! They also offer a video package, which is a great way to relive the moment and make the experience even more memorable. For anyone looking for the ultimate thrill, this is a must-do. Highly recommended!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrive at Shamwari Game Reserve
Arrive at Shamwari Game Reserve
South Africa

Arriving at Shamwari Game Reserve – A 6-Star Welcome! Shamwari was the absolute highlight of our trip. From the very first moment, we were warmly welcomed with hot tea and the friendliest staff, setting the tone for an incredible stay. We were fortunate to go on a safari the same day we arrived, making our first day at Shamwari already a 6-star experience. Everything about it—service, atmosphere, and the excitement of the wildlife—was beyond expectations. From the start, it was clear that Shamwari is a truly special place. We couldn’t have asked for a better beginning to this unforgettable adventure!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Shamwari Experiences
Shamwari Experiences
South Africa

Shamwari Experiences – A 6-Star Adventure in Every Way As I mentioned before, Shamwari was a truly 6-star experience. We had incredible opportunities to see all the animals in their natural setting, making every game drive unforgettable. The wildlife, the landscapes, and the expert guidance from our rangers made it an exceptional adventure. Beyond the safari itself, the gourmet experience was outstanding. A special highlight for us was the care and attention given to my three kids, who are gluten-intolerant. The staff went above and beyond to create a special menu for them, ensuring they had the same high-quality dining experience as everyone else, despite their dietary restrictions. Shamwari exceeded every expectation, not just in wildlife and luxury but in its outstanding hospitality. It was truly an experience we’ll never forget!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
On Safari
On Safari
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kitesurfing at Bloubergstrand Beach
Kitesurfing at Bloubergstrand Beach
Bloubergstrand

Kitesurfing at Bloubergstrand Beach – A Missed Opportunity but a Great Day We arrived the afternoon before our scheduled kitesurfing session and were lucky to witness Bloubergstrand in all its glory—hundreds of kitesurfers on the water, showing why this is one of the world’s best spots for the sport. It was an incredible sight! Unfortunately, on the actual day of our session, the wind didn’t show up, and we had to cancel. Looking back, we had to cancel other activities earlier in the trip due to strong winds—had we planned kitesurfing on one of those days instead, we probably would have had the perfect conditions. If I could redo the trip, I would definitely make that adjustment. In place of kitesurfing, we made the most of our time with a relaxing walk along the beach, enjoying lunch and dinner at seaside restaurants. It turned out to be a great and chilled-out way to wrap up our trip before heading back to Argentina!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Depart Africa
Depart Africa
South Africa

Smooth and Well-Organized Departure from Africa Our departure was seamless and well-organized. On Saturday morning, our driver arrived on time and took us swiftly to the airport, making the process stress-free. Everything went smoothly, allowing us to finish our incredible trip on a relaxed note. A well-handled end to an unforgettable adventure!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Lucy Berndt
Lucy
Lucy Berndt
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Feb 10, 2025
Dear Martin, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a detailed and thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to me and the SALTY Travel team to hear about your experience, and I’m thrilled that your trip to South Africa was such a memorable one! I want to acknowledge your comment about the communication gaps during weather contingencies. Initially, I wasn’t actively involved in the communication process, as I had full confidence in my team to handle everything smoothly. However,... Read more

Dear Martin,

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a detailed and thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to me and the SALTY Travel team to hear about your experience, and I’m thrilled that your trip to South Africa was such a memorable one!

I want to acknowledge your comment about the communication gaps during weather contingencies. Initially, I wasn’t actively involved in the communication process, as I had full confidence in my team to handle everything smoothly. However, once you expressed that you’d prefer to deal directly with me, I made sure to step in and communicate with you personally. So it wasn’t a lack of communication but rather a reflection of my trust in my team’s ability to manage things effectively. That said, I appreciate your feedback, and we’ll refine our approach to ensure an even smoother experience for future travelers.

I’m especially happy to hear that you and your family were pleased with the selection of properties—I always aim to choose accommodations that best suit the needs of each traveler, and it’s wonderful to know that the stay at Shamwari, Lawhill Apartments, Whale Coast All Suite Hotel, and Hunter’s Country House all lived up to your expectations. Shamwari truly is an unforgettable experience, and I’m delighted that you enjoyed every aspect of it.

Your detailed insights on the activities, accommodations, and logistics are incredibly valuable, and we’ll use this feedback to fine-tune things even further. We will be looking into improving how we handle last-minute changes due to weather and making sure there’s always clearer communication around contingencies so guests feel reassured every step of the way.

Thank you once again for trusting us with your South African adventure! I’m so happy to hear your family loved the experience and that you’re already looking forward to planning the next one. It was an absolute pleasure working with you, and I’d love to assist with any future travels.

Wishing you all the best, and I hope we get to plan another unforgettable journey for you soon!

Best regards,
Lucy Berndt
SALTY Travel

Amazing trip!
South Africa | Dec 23 - Jan 2, 2025

Rachel
Rachel M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 21, 2025
Lize planned an amazing trip for us! We saw all the animals we hoped to on the safari and had fun and memorable experiences in Cape Town and Franschhoek as well. Our kids said that it was the best trip we’ve ever taken! Read more

Lize planned an amazing trip for us! We saw all the animals we hoped to on the safari and had fun and memorable experiences in Cape Town and Franschhoek as well. Our kids said that it was the best trip we’ve ever taken!

Hotel Reviews
Table Bay Hotel
Waterfront
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
L'Ermitage Franschhoek Château & Villas
Franschhoek, Western Cape
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kapama River Lodge
Hoedspruit
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full Day City, Table Mountain & Robben Island Tour
Full Day City, Table Mountain & Robben Island Tour
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Final Morning Game Drive
Final Morning Game Drive
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A Day at Kapama Game Reserve
A Day at Kapama Game Reserve
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour (including lunch)
Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour (including lunch)
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kapama Game Reserve Game Drive
Kapama Game Reserve Game Drive
Kapama Game Reserve
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Hermanus tour including Whale Cruise
Full Day Hermanus tour including Whale Cruise
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Cheese, Wine and Chocolate Tour (including lunch)
Full Day Cheese, Wine and Chocolate Tour (including lunch)
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
VineBikes
VineBikes
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Lize Enderstein
Lize
Lize Enderstein
Local specialist in Cape Town, South Africa | Replied on Jan 22, 2025

Hi Rachel,
Thank you for the lovely review. It is great to hear that you enjoyed the trip, especially the part about the kids that said, "that it was the best trip we’ve ever taken!"
Thank you once again.
I hope you have a lovely 2025.
Take care and all the best, Lize

Very well planned out trip with the best team to help us.
South Africa | Dec 17 - Jan 2, 2025

P
Paul F.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 09, 2025

Everyone who our local specialist Nokuthula put us in contact with was amazing. Our guide to hike up Table Mountain, Fatima was very knowledgeable and helpful as well. Everything about the trip was very planned out and outlined in the details. We were in constant communication with everyone if anything came up or if we had any questions during our stay. Couldn’t recommend them any higher.

Local specialist: Nokuthula Khumalo
Nokuthula
Nokuthula Khumalo
Local specialist in Gauteng | Replied on Jan 24, 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled that you enjoyed your trip and had such positive experiences with everyone that connected you with. It’s fantastic to hear that Fatima made your Table Mountain hike memorable and that you felt supported throughout your journey.

Your kind words mean the world to us, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to help create such special memories.

Wishing you many more adventures ahead!

It’s been several months since I returned. Th...
South Africa | Aug 10 - Aug 15, 2024

K
Kelly W.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jan 08, 2025
It’s been several months since I returned. This trip goes down in memory as one of the best…and easiest! Kim Kim made super easy for my friend and I to travel to South Africa. They worked with us to customize a trip suited for our interest. Nadia was incredible - checking in on us all the time and helping make quick decisions if travel changed due to weather or other things. The guides they recommended were incredible- some we still keep in contact with. I’m planning my next two trips with... Read more

It’s been several months since I returned. This trip goes down in memory as one of the best…and easiest! Kim Kim made super easy for my friend and I to travel to South Africa. They worked with us to customize a trip suited for our interest. Nadia was incredible - checking in on us all the time and helping make quick decisions if travel changed due to weather or other things. The guides they recommended were incredible- some we still keep in contact with. I’m planning my next two trips with Kim Kim because this experience was so special.

Activity Review
Full day penguin safari - Cape Peninsula
Full day penguin safari - Cape Peninsula
South Africa
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Nadia A Albertus
Nadia A
Nadia A Albertus
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Feb 03, 2025
Hi Kelly, I'm so thrilled to hear that your trip to South Africa was one of the best and that everything felt smooth and easy for you. It was an absolute pleasure working with you and Mikayla to create a journey that matched both your interests. I'm especially happy to hear that you had such a great experience with the guides and that you're still in touch with some of them—that's what travel is all about! Thank you for your kind words, and I hope to help you plan your next adventures... Read more

Hi Kelly,

I'm so thrilled to hear that your trip to South Africa was one of the best and that everything felt smooth and easy for you. It was an absolute pleasure working with you and Mikayla to create a journey that matched both your interests.

I'm especially happy to hear that you had such a great experience with the guides and that you're still in touch with some of them—that's what travel is all about! Thank you for your kind words, and I hope to help you plan your next adventures to Southern Africa with Kim Kim.

Looking forward to creating more unforgettable memories for you!

Best regards,
Nadia

Amazing Local Team for South Africa Travel
South Africa | Dec 15 - Jan 2, 2025

Emily
Emily K.
Costa Rica | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2025

Anna-marie and team did an amazing job planning our family trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe. From unique local experiences we never would have discovered on our own to ensuring our trip had enough to engage and inspire both kids (ages 10 and 12) and parents, I can't recommend their services enough! You won't be disappointed!

Local specialist: Anna-marie Mocke
Anna-marie
Anna-marie Mocke
Local specialist in Cape, Winelands | Replied on Jan 08, 2025

Hello Emily

Thank you so much for your kind words and the great review.😍 Messages like these make us love our jobs even more.

I’m so happy you and your family had a great holiday.

It was a pleasure helping you plan the trip.

Warm greetings
Anna-marie

Hi! Unfortunately It was so disappointing in ...
South Africa | Dec 21 - Dec 31, 2024

F
Fargol G.
Campbell, CA | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2025
Hi! Unfortunately It was so disappointing in many ways.
Lack of communication!
The overall experience did not justify the high price we paid for the higher package that we paid more compared to the regular level.
Every day seemed to bring new surprises—none of them pleasant.
-Mistakes on name of a hotel in our finalized itinerary, we went there and we didn’t have hotel reservation. Then we found out we were booked at a very simple and small hotel that our rooms were full of flies and... Read more

Hi! Unfortunately It was so disappointing in many ways.
Lack of communication!
The overall experience did not justify the high price we paid for the higher package that we paid more compared to the regular level.
Every day seemed to bring new surprises—none of them pleasant.

-Mistakes on name of a hotel in our finalized itinerary, we went there and we didn’t have hotel reservation. Then we found out we were booked at a very simple and small hotel that our rooms were full of flies and small cockroaches. This wasnt even normal! Luxury???
My son scared and didn’t sleep at his room.

-For transportation
We were provided with an old Toyota for transportation, despite booking a higher-priced package that promised more premium services. The car did not match the level of comfort or quality we expected.

-One of the biggest disappointments was the “African food cooking class” we had requested. Instead of a proper class, we were taken to an introduction to Islam, which consisted of a prerecorded video and a presentation about the life of a Muslim from birth to death. While educational, this was not what we had asked for.After this, we were taken to a dirty, cramped room with around 27-28 people. The sink was filthy, and the hygiene standards were unacceptable. The instructor announced we would be learning to cook chicken masala—an Indian dish—not an African one. Having taken many cooking classes during my travels, I expected to learn a traditional local dish from a knowledgeable local cook, in a clean and organized setting. We couldn’t bring ourselves to stay due to the poor conditions, and other groups left as well. This was a highly disappointing and unhygienic experience.

I request a refund from Kim Kim for:

• The cooking class, which was not what we were promised.
• The difference in cost between the standard package and the 2nd level package we paid for, as the trip did not meet luxury standards in any way.

I cannot recommend Kim Kim to friends or family based on this experience. I hope the company takes steps to address these issues and improve their services.

Regards
Fargol Givehki
.

Local specialist: Nokuthula Khumalo
Nokuthula
Nokuthula Khumalo
Local specialist in Gauteng | Replied on Jan 24, 2025

Thank you for sharing your feedback. I’m truly sorry that your experience did not meet your expectations and for the challenges you encountered during your trip. I deeply regret the disappointments you faced, as this is far from the level of service we strive to provide.

Your concerns are being taken seriously, and I will review each issue to ensure appropriate action is taken. I will also follow up with you regarding your refund request.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Dream Vacay in South Africa
South Africa | Nov 24 - Dec 9, 2024

Rafael
Rafael C.
Austria | Reviewed on Dec 14, 2024
Esther planned a wonderfull vacation for us.
We enjoyed all the highlights of Cape Town and the sorrounding areas.
Starting with a bus-tour through the city and a tour to Cape Point during which we also visited a Penguin Colony.
We then spent time in Hermanus and did an incredible shark cage experience.
After this we drove to Stellenbosch and enjoyed South African wine with the Wine Tram.
Our vacation then endes with a safari in a private game reserve and some last day to relax in Cape...
Read more

Esther planned a wonderfull vacation for us.
We enjoyed all the highlights of Cape Town and the sorrounding areas.
Starting with a bus-tour through the city and a tour to Cape Point during which we also visited a Penguin Colony.
We then spent time in Hermanus and did an incredible shark cage experience.
After this we drove to Stellenbosch and enjoyed South African wine with the Wine Tram.
Our vacation then endes with a safari in a private game reserve and some last day to relax in Cape Town.
All the activities were planned perfectly. Esther was always there to help and assist us if needed and also our drivers were punctual, polite and shared a lot of stories about South Africa and there culture.
All in all a perfect vacation!!!

Activity Reviews
City Sightseeing (Hop-on Hop-off) Bus Cape Town
City Sightseeing (Hop-on Hop-off) Bus Cape Town
South Africa

Good for a first look at the city. Could contain more historical infos.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
African Dinner Show & Drumming Experience
African Dinner Show & Drumming Experience
Cape Town

Great show and food!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Shark Cage Diving Adventure
Shark Cage Diving Adventure
South Africa

It should be stated more that Great White Sharks sightings are quite unlikely. Bit still great experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine Tram Hop on Hop off Tour
Wine Tram Hop on Hop off Tour
South Africa

Great experience! It should be stated that the wine tastings have to be paid extra

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Esther Ruempol
Esther
Esther Ruempol
Local specialist in Johannesburg, South Africa | Replied on Dec 15, 2024

Thanks so much Rafael, so happy to hear everything went smoothly and that you enjoyed your South Africa vacation :-)

Amazing Trip to South Africa
South Africa | Nov 24 - Dec 9, 2024

Theresa
Theresa E.
Austria | Reviewed on Dec 14, 2024
Esther was a Great and very patient Specialist. She tried to meet all our expectations and was there for us at all times. Great Service!! Read more

Esther was a Great and very patient Specialist. She tried to meet all our expectations and was there for us at all times. Great Service!!

Activity Reviews
City Sightseeing (Hop-on Hop-off) Bus Cape Town
City Sightseeing (Hop-on Hop-off) Bus Cape Town
South Africa

Very Little Information about the history of the Country

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Shark Cage Diving Adventure
Shark Cage Diving Adventure
South Africa

There is a very low chance to actually see white sharks there.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Wine Tram Hop on Hop off Tour
Wine Tram Hop on Hop off Tour
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
African Dinner Show & Drumming Experience
African Dinner Show & Drumming Experience
Cape Town
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Esther Ruempol
Esther
Esther Ruempol
Local specialist in Johannesburg, South Africa | Replied on Dec 15, 2024

Thank you so much Theresa, wonderful to hear you had a great time!

Amazing Africa ...
South Africa | Oct 18 - Oct 27, 2024

Kolla
Kolla S.
India | Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024
We three couples from India had a great time in South Africa and Victoria falls thanks to KimKim and Steph our trip planner..This is our third trip with Kim Kim.Perfectly planned and coordinated by Steph,who needs a special mention.She was very patient and catered to all my wishes and suggestions.Especially celebrating my wife s birthday in Kruger shalati train on the bridge.A memorable celebration.Mark our guide in Capetown was exceptional and took proper care of us,very punctual and... Read more

We three couples from India had a great time in South Africa and Victoria falls thanks to KimKim and Steph our trip planner..This is our third trip with Kim Kim.Perfectly planned and coordinated by Steph,who needs a special mention.She was very patient and catered to all my wishes and suggestions.Especially celebrating my wife s birthday in Kruger shalati train on the bridge.A memorable celebration.Mark our guide in Capetown was exceptional and took proper care of us,very punctual and friendly.In Victoria falls we had little problem in coordinating with the guides and pick ups.Kruger Shalati was again an awsome experience
Now the negatives in our trip though very few need to mention it here,
1)The sunset cruise we were given in all the itineraries was Sunset cruise luxury signature deck experience by Pure Africa,but we were taken to a small cheap boat with basic drinks and hot sun with no shade and hard wooden benches to sit..After a very hot day we were just looking to relax and unwind on the luxury cruise with artisanal premium drinks and canapes and watch the famous African sunset.A very bad experience.Especially with the signature deck cruise sailing next to us all the while.Stephs explanation that small boats reach better places wasnt very convincing.Didnt know why KimKim has compromised on this.This happened for the first time in my three trips.
2)They were few mix ups in flight bookings that made our hearts to beat lil faster with stress in the airport ,but were immediately resolved by Steph.Thanks once again Steph.
3)We were told we will be given visa on arrival for Zambia.The Bushtracks driver who took us to devils pool,stopped at Zambia immigration ,went inside and came back saying sorry you cant go to Zambia today as Indians need prior visa to enter.Then again he goes in and comes back saying if you pay a little extra(bribe) they will give you visa in 10 mins otherwise it will take one day as the visa has to come from Lusaka.So we had no option to shell out that extra bribe along with 50usd visa fee(which also am not sure that it ll be so much for a day tripper)Just informing you this so that this will not be repeated with your future clients.
Apart from these incidents,the trip had gone well with amazing experiences like Penguins,Devils pool,shark cage experience,shalati stay n safari,thanks once again Steph and Kimkim from six of us for curating an amazing trip

Hotel Review
Kruger Shalati Train on the bridge
Kruger National Park, Skukuza

A great stay on the train on the bridge.enjoyed every moment of our stay.An experience of a lifetime ,courteous staff,knowledgeble safari guides,ours was Elvis ,with lot of patience showed us the Big five.The views from the room of the sabie river and the game that come to drink water too good!The pool with an infinity view and bar was a high light

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Elvis the safari guide,Remember the guy in the restaurant need special mention.And also all the singers and dancers at the evng dinner who wished my wife on her birthday
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed and the pool
Activity Reviews
Table Mountain Tour
Table Mountain Tour
Cape Town

Sadly missed the cable car tour because oh high winds,but Mark our guide made it up by taking us on a city tour

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day touring Boulders Beach and Kirstenbosch Gardens
Full day touring Boulders Beach and Kirstenbosch Gardens
Cape Town

Mark was an amazing guide and took us for local sight seeing to areas like Bo-kaap and other areas of caoetown which was not there in the itinerary.African penguins are cute at Boulders then went to Kirstenbosch gardens which was also lovely

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The guide cum driver Mark
Full Day Boutique Winelands Tour
Full Day Boutique Winelands Tour
South Africa

We missed the tour and participated in Capetown marathon

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Stephanie Louw
Stephanie
Stephanie Louw
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Jan 08, 2025
Hi Sudhakar
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and for choosing KimKim for your third trip! I am thrilled to hear that you, your friends, and your family had such a memorable time in South Africa and Victoria Falls. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that your experience, including the special birthday celebration at Kruger Shalati, was everything you hoped for.
I sincerely appreciate your kind words, and it was truly a pleasure assisting with the planning of your trip. I always... Read more

Hi Sudhakar
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and for choosing KimKim for your third trip! I am thrilled to hear that you, your friends, and your family had such a memorable time in South Africa and Victoria Falls. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that your experience, including the special birthday celebration at Kruger Shalati, was everything you hoped for.

I sincerely appreciate your kind words, and it was truly a pleasure assisting with the planning of your trip. I always aim to cater to each client’s unique wishes, and it’s great to know that my efforts helped make your travels special.

Regarding the concerns you raised, I’m truly sorry about the mix-up with the sunset cruise and the flight booking issue. I will make sure to address these points to ensure future clients have a smoother experience.

Regarding the visa situation at the Zambia border, the two guests were informed by immigration that, as Indian passport holders, they needed to pre-apply for a visa. Without the correct visa, they were initially denied entry.
The Bushtracks driver assisted by speaking with immigration, where an emergency/rushed visa option was offered due to the circumstances. This allowed the guests to proceed, though it caused a delay. The supplier kindly agreed to wait for them, which is not typical.
Please rest assured that no bribery was involved. Bushtracks Africa follows strict ethical standards, and their staff is fully trained to adhere to a no-bribery policy.

Once again, thank you for your trust and for the opportunity to be a part of your unforgettable adventure. I look forward to assisting you again in the future!
Warm regards,
Steph

South Africa family of 4
South Africa | Sep 26 - Oct 12, 2024

R
Renee H.
Australia | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2024
Salty Travel did a fantastic job of making an itinerary for our family of 4. Lots of great suggestions of activities and we had fabulous accommodation too. We would happily organise another trip with them. Read more

Salty Travel did a fantastic job of making an itinerary for our family of 4. Lots of great suggestions of activities and we had fabulous accommodation too. We would happily organise another trip with them.

Hotel Reviews
Kapama River Lodge
Hoedspruit

Incredible Safari lodge. We loved every minute and felt completely spoilt. The food was incredible- fed 7 times a day! The rooms really comfy and had everything we needed for our family of 4. The pools and gym were great. The staff were amazing, they were all so lovely, friendly and went out of their way to be helpful. The wildlife were out of this world! We had such incredible sightings even family from South Africa were stunned at what we saw in our 6 days. Most people stay 2-3 night, we stayed 5. I would totally recommend staying as long as you possibly can.

Authenticity & Character
I love the African architecture internal and external. It's such a lovely indoor outdoor experience.
Location
We were picked up from the airport in the open 4WD's and the animal sightings started the moment we were in the gates of Kapama less than 5 minutes from the airport. They were the best airport transfers ever.
Staff
So lovely, helpful, and went above and beyond their usual duties when my daughter scarf fly out of the vehicle on our way to the airport they courier it down to meet us at our last hotel in Johannesburg before we flew out of SA. They did it without hesitation. The guides and trackers are so knowledgeable and no question was too silly to ask. We learnt so much and experienced so much more that we would have driving around by our selves in other parks. The housekeeping staff were lovely fixing our rooms several times a day. You are given your own waitstaff that meet you at every meal time and that was very special. Every time we had a genuinely happy smile greeting us and getting to know the quirks of our family. One our last night they surprised us with a private dinning room decorated for us with our family name spelt out in leaves from one of the local plants with beautiful decorations all over the table. It was so special.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was immaculate and comfy. We had the best sleeps.
Garden Route Hotel

The moment we checked in we contacted our travel agent to see if we could bring forward our reservation at our next stop. It did not feel welcoming and certainly wasn't a place to stay as a family with kids. It smelt of cigarette smoke- even where it was a non smoking part of the hotel and felt old and musty. The linen was clean but the room felt musty and a bit damp. There was mouldy carpet where rain had come in the glass doors onto the lawn and pool area. The staff didn't look happy either.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Seperate it totally from the casino.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Replace the carpet everywhere it stinks of cigarette smoke every in the non smoking areas. Replace the mouldy curtains, fix the water leaks in the glass sliding door. Throw out or replace the luggage rack that was broken.
Local specialist: Lucy Berndt
Lucy
Lucy Berndt
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Oct 28, 2024
Hi Renee
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the itinerary we crafted for your family and that Kapama River Lodge exceeded your expectations. It sounds like the team went above and beyond to make your stay unforgettable, from the warm staff hospitality to the incredible safari experiences. Your recommendations on staying longer and your wonderful descriptions make us so proud of the partnership we have with Kapama!
We’re sorry... Read more

Hi Renee
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the itinerary we crafted for your family and that Kapama River Lodge exceeded your expectations. It sounds like the team went above and beyond to make your stay unforgettable, from the warm staff hospitality to the incredible safari experiences. Your recommendations on staying longer and your wonderful descriptions make us so proud of the partnership we have with Kapama!

We’re sorry to hear that your stay at the Garden Route Hotel didn’t meet the high standard we aim to provide. We’ll be sure to pass along your feedback regarding cleanliness and comfort to the hotel management to help them improve. Thank you for sharing your insights—they help us ensure every aspect of your journey is exceptional. We would be delighted to plan another adventure for you and your family whenever you’re ready!

Warm regards,
The SALTY Travel Team

An outstanding trip
South Africa | Sep 30 - Oct 10, 2024

Jane
Jane E.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Oct 11, 2024
Lize was always patient with our planning of this trip. She was supportive, constructive and responsive in our communication emails.
Her ideas for the itinerary were excellent 👌
There were so many highlights of the trip, we cannot single one out.
The hotels were great and staff helpful.
Having a pre programmed satnav certainly helped with driving and navigating, especially on the long, remote roads around Namibia.
We would certainly recommend your company to family and friends.
Read more

Lize was always patient with our planning of this trip. She was supportive, constructive and responsive in our communication emails.
Her ideas for the itinerary were excellent 👌
There were so many highlights of the trip, we cannot single one out.
The hotels were great and staff helpful.
Having a pre programmed satnav certainly helped with driving and navigating, especially on the long, remote roads around Namibia.
We would certainly recommend your company to family and friends.

Hotel Reviews
Desert Homestead Lodge

Perfect distance from dunes. Lovely cabins and helpful staff. Great food and views

Authenticity & Character
Location and views
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Windhoek Luxury Suites
Windhoek

The Windhoek Luxury Suites was absolutely fine and very helpful. It's conveniently located near a supermarket and you can eat across the road at a beautiful place. The area is secure, though at first, the security features made it seem like it might be closed, which was a bit confusing. Overall, a great start to our trip.

Swakopmund Luxury Suites
Swakopmund

Swakopmund Luxury Suites was a bit disappointing despite the amazing staff and great location close to the sea and restaurants. We were excited to have the best room, with a lovely view and facilities, but several issues like a broken TV, clogged shower, and sink problems weren't fully resolved. It's a beautiful area, but the maintenance problems were a letdown.

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge
Khorixas

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge was hard to find due to lacking signage, but once located, it was a decent stay. The instructions to reach it needed improvement. The written directions were essential in finding our way. Be aware that WiFi at the lodge isn't complimentary as stated on the app—you have to pay for it and it only works in the bar and restaurant area.

Etosha South Safari Camp
Namibia

Etosha South Safari Camp was in a great position just outside the park. The staff was really helpful, and we enjoyed the communal dining and music. A perfect spot for self-driving in the park and made for a wonderful end to our holiday.

Local specialist: Lize Enderstein
Lize
Lize Enderstein
Local specialist in Cape Town, South Africa | Replied on Oct 11, 2024

Hi Jane,
Thank you for the lovely feedback and kind words. I appreciate it.
I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed your overall trip to Namibia.
Thank you for trusting in me to book your special trip.
I hope to hear from you again in the near future.
Take care and all the best.
Kind Regards, Lize

Steph did an amazing job. Coordinating our f...
South Africa | Sep 13 - Sep 30, 2024

Paul
Paul K.
Brinnon, WA | Reviewed on Oct 07, 2024
Steph did an amazing job. Coordinating our flights and ground transportation to the safari camps was flawless. Cape Town was fun. Skip Karibu restaurant. Plenty of much better places nearby Cape of Good Hope is a must do. Book a private tour. Our 'small group' tour had 23 people on a 23 seat bus. Several were ill and they passed it along. 24 hours of down time. The foodie tour was unimpressive. Our hike up Table Mountain was fantastic. Justin Hawthorne is an amazing guide. ... Read more

Steph did an amazing job. Coordinating our flights and ground transportation to the safari camps was flawless.

Cape Town was fun. Skip Karibu restaurant. Plenty of much better places nearby

Cape of Good Hope is a must do. Book a private tour. Our 'small group' tour had 23 people on a 23 seat bus. Several were ill and they passed it along. 24 hours of down time.

The foodie tour was unimpressive.

Our hike up Table Mountain was fantastic. Justin Hawthorne is an amazing guide. 10/10.

The Safari camps were great.

We liked Umlani camp in Timbavati: it had the best animal viewing of the trip. The camp itself is just great.

Rhino Post Lodge is amazing. Just a beautiful place and excellent service. Our Guide Wesley was great.

The Vic Falls tour was more crowded than we would have preferred. Batonka Guest Lodge was just great. We would avoid the Boma dinner: very touristy with crowds of people taking selfies. No thanks. Highly recommend the helicopter flight over the falls. We also enjoyed the river cruise upstream of the falls.

Hwange Bush Camp tied with Mana Pools as our favorite places. The Bush Camp is beautifully set overlooking a huge savannah. Sophie and Anthony are great hosts. Our guide Darmesh, was great. We also spent two nights at fly camp. We were the only guests and were treated like royalty. Spent 3 days tracking Black Rhino with two trackers and Darmesh. Walked 25 miles and never found them. Nevertheless an amazing experience out in the bush.

John's Camp/Croton Camp is great. Set near the shore of the Zambezi River, you overlook the flood plane with the mountains of Zambia in the background. Breathtaking. Milo is a wonderful host. We spent one night in the treehouse. What a unique experience.

Overall very happy with the trip.

Hotel Reviews
Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel
Cape Town

Nice location. Roof bar and breakfast are nice. We stayed in a basement room.

Hwange Bush Camp - Fly camp
Hwange

highly recommended

Garden Court O. R Tambo
Johannesburg

this is an old hotel a 15 min drive from the airport.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
no shampoo
Umlani Bushcamp
Greater Kruger National Park

quite nice.

Johns Camp
Mana Pools
Local specialist: Stephanie Louw
Stephanie
Stephanie Louw
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Oct 07, 2024
Hi Paul and Rena, Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! I am so happy to hear that your trip was a success and that the coordination for flights and transfers ran smoothly. It’s great to know that you had such memorable experiences at the safari camps, especially at Umlani and Rhino Post Lodge. We truly appreciate your feedback about the tours and restaurants as well. It’s always helpful to hear insights, and we’ll definitely keep them in mind for future recommendations.... Read more

Hi Paul and Rena,

Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! I am so happy to hear that your trip was a success and that the coordination for flights and transfers ran smoothly. It’s great to know that you had such memorable experiences at the safari camps, especially at Umlani and Rhino Post Lodge.

We truly appreciate your feedback about the tours and restaurants as well. It’s always helpful to hear insights, and we’ll definitely keep them in mind for future recommendations. I'll also make sure to pass along your kind words to Justin, Wesley, Darmesh, and the amazing hosts who made your journey special.

It sounds like your time in Hwange Bush Camp and Mana Pools was unforgettable, and I am so glad you got to experience such unique adventures, even if those elusive rhinos kept their distance! Your descriptions of the camps and the incredible scenery are just breathtaking.

Thank you for choosing us to help plan your adventure—I am so happy to hear that you were pleased with the overall experience. We look forward to welcoming you back on your next journey!

Warm regards,
Steph

Trip of a lifetime
South Africa | Sep 4 - Sep 17, 2024

D
David R.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Oct 06, 2024
As our first trip to Africa in general and South Africa specifically, we had no idea where to start in planning, though we had some idea about experiences that we wanted. We jumped online to search for a travel agency to assist us, another first for us. We found KimKim somewhat randomly, but the feedback of other traveler led us to take a chance. What we found was that from start to finish, Anna-marie was attentive, responsive, energetic, and proactive. She took our somewhat neophytic... Read more

As our first trip to Africa in general and South Africa specifically, we had no idea where to start in planning, though we had some idea about experiences that we wanted. We jumped online to search for a travel agency to assist us, another first for us. We found KimKim somewhat randomly, but the feedback of other traveler led us to take a chance. What we found was that from start to finish, Anna-marie was attentive, responsive, energetic, and proactive. She took our somewhat neophytic thoughts and arranged an experience that will be indelibly fixed in our memories for the rest of our lives. The guides provided not only their knowledge, but their openness and willingness to share insights beyond geography, food and textbook history. The authenticity of those discussions truly made the journey one that was holistically edifying. Radheeka and Stephanie of Earthstompers, as well as Marlene of Adventure Shop were excellent. Probably most impactful personally for us was the day spent in Soweto with the guide from Lebo's Soweto Backpackers. The tuk-tuk tour gave us the opportunity to engage with people of all ages and the culture on a deeper level. The smiles and waves of the children, not to mention their innumerable high-fives, will not be forgotten or unappreciated for the hope for the future that they represented. Lastly, we are still in awe of the natural wonders that we shared in during our stay at the Walker Plains Camp. Our days there were never the same, with new animals and behaviors seemingly by the hour. Paul and Kenwell, our driver and tracker, were fantastic hosts for our daily drives, expert in their crafts and exceedingly gracious as they dealt with non-stop questions.
So with all of the wonderful personal and natural experiences, as well as the well appointed accommodations, we definitely look forward to our next adventure as curated by KimKim.

Hotel Reviews
Oude Werf Hotel
Stellenbosch

The location was great and it was modern hotel. We did not find it to very inviting. The staff was polite but did not go out of their way. We found the room to be small and standard. The breakfast was lovely.

Authenticity & Character
A modern hotel. Nothing set it apart
Location
Staff
Responsive but not proactive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
I recommend you select your room.
Dorp Hotel
Cape Town

Beautiful and well appointed accommodations. The staff was attentive and friendly. We felt like home in a very short amount of time. This hotel is not gated which we appreciated. The views were absolutely stunning.

Authenticity & Character
It transformed us back into time. We loved the photographs, history, etc.
Location
It sits on top of a hill. We made the mistake of walking up. LOL.
Staff
Extremely friendly and helpful. Our every need was met.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The size of the room and balcony was fantastic!
Walkers Plains Camp

Our home away from home. We fell in love with everything about this place. The accommodations were first class. The community was wonderful. The staff was friendly and professional. The meals were outstanding. We were celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary and they planned a romantic dinner in our cottage by the pool. Absolutely beautiful. We hope to return soon.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Peech Boutique Hotel
Johannesburg

The property was very nice with the exception of being a gated community. We are the type of travelers that immerse ourselves into our environment. This was not possible at this location. The staff was professional but not overly friendly or accommodating with the exception of the gentlemen at the gate.

Authenticity & Character
It was a nice property but nothing stood out,
Location
We did not like the gated community
Staff
The gentlemen at the gate were very nice, friendly and professional
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Lunch at Crofter's Kitchen
Lunch at Crofter's Kitchen
Cape Town

The conversation with the chef and her staff, the tasting walk through the house garden.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guided Hikes in Stellenbosch
Guided Hikes in Stellenbosch
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Foodies on Foot
Foodies on Foot
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Private Game Drives
A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Private Game Drives
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cape Peninsula & Penguins
Cape Peninsula & Penguins
South Africa

We enjoyed the entire experience, visiting the parks and seeing the wildlife. Radheeka was a wonderful guide for the day.

Quality of Experience
animals, geography.
Food
stopped for coffee and pastry, which was nice.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
knowledge and openness of conversation
Transport
Robben Island
Robben Island
Cape Town

The experience was thought provoking and one we would not have missed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
tour of cellblock conducted by former inmate. their presentation was evocative and moving, framed within the melancholy of the lasting effects on the guide.
Transport
not sure it can be improved, but a very crowded bus with relatively poor sound.
Dinner at GOLD Restaurant
Dinner at GOLD Restaurant
Cape Town

As dinner theatre goes, it was a reasonably entertaining evening. However, it had too much of a touristy flavor.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cape Town Food, City & Table Mountain Private Day Tour
Cape Town Food, City & Table Mountain Private Day Tour
Cape Town
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full-Day Wine Tour
Full-Day Wine Tour
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrive at Your Lodge in Kruger & First Game Drive
Arrive at Your Lodge in Kruger & First Game Drive
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Another Day in the Kruger with 2 private game drives
Another Day in the Kruger with 2 private game drives
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Final morning game drive & next stop
Final morning game drive & next stop
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Soweto Bicycle, Walking, or Tuk-Tuk Tour with Traditional Lunch in Outdoor Kitchen
Soweto Bicycle, Walking, or Tuk-Tuk Tour with Traditional Lunch in Outdoor Kitchen
Johannesburg
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Anna-marie Mocke
Anna-marie
Anna-marie Mocke
Local specialist in Cape, Winelands | Replied on Oct 07, 2024

Hello Dana & David,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for taking the time to rate all the hotels and experiences. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve our services. I loved reading about the high-fives in Soweto—it was definitely a highlight for me too!

It was great to meet you in person at Bochendal; I wish we could have spent more time together.

We truly hope that you will bring the kids to Africa someday!

Warm greetings,
Anna-Marie

So we just returned from an eight day trip to...
South Africa | Sep 25 - Oct 2, 2024

Faithe
Faithe W.
Wilmington, DE | Reviewed on Oct 04, 2024
So we just returned from an eight day trip to South Africa which included 3 nights at Elephant Plains Lodge with safari and ending with four nights in Cape town. I am happy to share that everything on our trip went off without any problems. The hotels and activities picked were great and we enjoyed a trip of a lifetime! Bianca did a great job of arranging and scheduling our lodging, activities and guides. We would recommend your agency and Bianca without hesitation. Read more

So we just returned from an eight day trip to South Africa which included 3 nights at Elephant Plains Lodge with safari and ending with four nights in Cape town. I am happy to share that everything on our trip went off without any problems. The hotels and activities picked were great and we enjoyed a trip of a lifetime! Bianca did a great job of arranging and scheduling our lodging, activities and guides. We would recommend your agency and Bianca without hesitation.

Hotel Reviews
Elephant Plains Game Lodge
Bushbuckridge

We had an amazing stay at Elephant Plains Game Lodge. The accommodations were great, food was good and the staff were exceptionally helpful and kind.

Authenticity & Character
The cottages are clean, cosy and very comfortable
Location
Staff
The staff were always willing to help with anything. They went out of their way to help with any issues. I was not feeling well a few days and they provided me with special food and meds to help with my issue.
Cleanliness & Comfort
There were plenty of places to relax and just enjoy that safari environment. Everything was well kept and clean
The Commodore Hotel
Cape Town

Our experience at the Commodore was very good. The breakfast was fabulous and the rooms were very nice. A little small but very adequate. Our only critique would be the door on the bathroom. It was very heavy and hard to pull open. When it would close it would bang, which was a little annoying when our neighbors had an early wake up and we heard their door bang several times in the early morning. The staff was great and very helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was very nice to be able to walk to the waterfront with all of its stores and restaurants.
Staff
The evening front desk registrar was very helpful and friendly!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very adequate
Activity Reviews
Days on Safari
Days on Safari
South Africa

A little early, but understandable. The guides were great and helped us see everything we wanted to!

Quality of Experience
The guides expertise and tracking of the animals
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Attitudes and helpfulness. Went out of their way to help.
Transport
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
Sabi Sands Game Reserve

The guides were great and went out of their way to make sure that we saw everything we wanted to see. They were very knowledgeable about everything they did.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour (excluding lunch)
Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour (excluding lunch)
South Africa

Scenery was amazing and the guide was very informative.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Everything went well and the guide was very flexible and able to rearrange things to accommodate us better.
Full Day Winelands Tour (excluding lunch)
Full Day Winelands Tour (excluding lunch)
South Africa

The day was a bit rainy, and we are not big drinkers so this wasn't an overwhelmingly amazing tour. We did enjoy it, especially the scenery.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very knowledgable and helpful.
Transport
Half Day Private Table Mountain and City Tour
Half Day Private Table Mountain and City Tour
Cape Town

We moved some things around so that we could go to table mountain when the crowds were less and visibility was better! This was all orchestrated by our guide. He was also great at showing us all the best places in the city to see and things to do.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Departure from South Africa
Departure from South Africa
South Africa

No probems or issues.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Departure from Zambia
Departure from Zambia
South Africa

Everything went as expected

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Game Drive
Afternoon Game Drive
Sabi Sands Game Reserve

I have already addressed this. These were very good.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Bianca Gersbach
Bianca
Bianca Gersbach
Local specialist in Cape Town, South Africa | Replied on Oct 07, 2024
Dear Faithe I wanted to personally thank you for your kind review. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us as we strive to continually improve our service. It’s wonderful to hear that you had such a great time at Elephant Plains in Sabi and in Cape Town, especially after waiting for over a year for this trip. Planning so far in advance worked to your advantage—it really does offer many benefits! I hope to have the pleasure of helping you create another unforgettable African adventure in... Read more

Dear Faithe

I wanted to personally thank you for your kind review. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us as we strive to continually improve our service.

It’s wonderful to hear that you had such a great time at Elephant Plains in Sabi and in Cape Town, especially after waiting for over a year for this trip. Planning so far in advance worked to your advantage—it really does offer many benefits!

I hope to have the pleasure of helping you create another unforgettable African adventure in the future. Please don't hesitate to reach out whenever you're ready for your next journey.

Warm regards,
Bianca

We had an amazing trip to South Africa and ev...
South Africa | Sep 4 - Sep 18, 2024

Jennifer
Jennifer P.
West Columbia, SC | Reviewed on Sep 25, 2024
We had an amazing trip to South Africa and every detail went smoothly and was perfectly planned. We bought a safari at a fundraiser, but it was only 6 days. We were overwhelmed trying to plan additional days for our trip, but Anna-Marie and Deb made it easy. They planned the perfect trip for us and were in contact with us on WhatsApp the whole time. In Cape Town our tour guide Radheeka with Earthstompers was wonderful. She was very knowledgeable and made our two days there perfect. We saw... Read more

We had an amazing trip to South Africa and every detail went smoothly and was perfectly planned. We bought a safari at a fundraiser, but it was only 6 days. We were overwhelmed trying to plan additional days for our trip, but Anna-Marie and Deb made it easy. They planned the perfect trip for us and were in contact with us on WhatsApp the whole time. In Cape Town our tour guide Radheeka with Earthstompers was wonderful. She was very knowledgeable and made our two days there perfect. We saw Cape Point, Boulder Beach penguins, Table Mountain, and the winelands to name a few. Anna-Marie even met us and joined us for our winery tour! We had a wonderful time with her & Radheeka! Our flights and transfers to Victoria Falls and Namibia went perfectly and were on time. This was our second trip that we entrusted KimKim with and we have been extremely pleased both times.

Hotel Reviews
Sanctuary Mandela
Johannesburg

The staff was very attentive and helpful. Amazing breakfast and dinner. Rooms are spacious, quiet, and clean. The bathroom is open to the rest of the room with the bed (it’s one room). Overall pleased with our stay. It’s about a 30 min drive to the airport.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Chobe Princess
Chobe National Park

This was an amazing experience! We saw so many animals & the views were incredible. The meals were delicious and we enjoyed getting to know the other couples on the boat. This is a must do!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Being on the Chobe River was amazing! We could see elephants and giraffes right from our bedroom window!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tree House Boutique Hotel
Cape Town

This was a modern and very unique hotel. Beautifully decorated. The free breakfast and coffee each morning was very nice. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Location isn’t walking distance to V&A Waterfront, but they have a driver that will take you.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ilala Lodge
Victoria Falls

This is a beautiful hotel with a very authentic old world safari feel. Pics of Dr Livingstone are everywhere. The outdoor pool and bar area are very nice & I wish we would’ve had a day just to spend hanging out there. We enjoyed the breakfast every day and they had great coffee. Very glad we stayed here. It is walking distance to Vic Falls but I would caution anyone to not walk there with just two people. My husband & I walked back after touring the falls and had a difficult time getting past the vendors and panhandlers. If you have 4 or more people you should be ok.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Don’t walk to Vic Falls alone. Much better if you have a group to walk with.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Lunch at Crofter's Kitchen
Lunch at Crofter's Kitchen
Cape Town
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full-Day Wine Tour
Full-Day Wine Tour
South Africa

We loved Fairview Winery. Our guide Radheeka even arranged for us to see the goats!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Radheeka with Earthstompers was the best tour guide ! After the second day she was like a good friend & I was sad to leave.
Victoria Premium River Safari Sunset Cruise
Victoria Premium River Safari Sunset Cruise
Victoria Falls

We loved our dinner cruise. The sunset and views were spectacular!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dusty Road Township Dinner Experience **highly recommended by our team
Dusty Road Township Dinner Experience **highly recommended by our team
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chobe Princess Houseboat Arrival
Chobe Princess Houseboat Arrival
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat Life on the Chobe River
Boat Life on the Chobe River
Chobe National Park

This was a once in a lifetime experience! Amazing!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dinner at Sanctuary Mandela
Dinner at Sanctuary Mandela
Johannesburg
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Last morning on the Chobe Princess
Last morning on the Chobe Princess
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cape Peninsula & Penguins
Cape Peninsula & Penguins
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Table Mountain
Explore Table Mountain
South Africa

Beautiful views! Bigger than I thought it would be! Bring a jacket it gets cold!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Anna-marie Mocke
Anna-marie
Anna-marie Mocke
Local specialist in Cape, Winelands | Replied on Sep 26, 2024

Hello Jennifer

Thank you so much for the great review, and all the feedback, we appreciate it so much. The pictures are great and thank you for sharing them with us!

I am so happy that you enjoyed your trip. It was lovely spending the morning with you at Fairview, and it is a pity I could not do the goat tour with you.

Please bring the kids to South Africa one day!

Warm greetings
Anna-marie
Anna-marie

Mother/daughter trip went flawlessly and the ...
South Africa | Sep 9 - Sep 16, 2024

Eloise
Eloise D.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2024
Mother/daughter trip went flawlessly and the entire week near Kruger was top notch! Esther made great recommendations and was reassuring about all the lodging and transfers. It was wonderful to have her expertise from the planning stages to the completion of the trip. Our guide on the panoramic drive was very knowledgeable. (Maybe Titus) Sadly I have forgotten his name. The guides at Kruger Shalati (Lisa) and at Mjejane made sure we found lots of animals on every drive. The worst part about... Read more

Mother/daughter trip went flawlessly and the entire week near Kruger was top notch! Esther made great recommendations and was reassuring about all the lodging and transfers. It was wonderful to have her expertise from the planning stages to the completion of the trip. Our guide on the panoramic drive was very knowledgeable. (Maybe Titus) Sadly I have forgotten his name. The guides at Kruger Shalati (Lisa) and at Mjejane made sure we found lots of animals on every drive. The worst part about the trip was the condition of the road between Hootspreit and Kruger Shalati. I counted over 100 speed bumps. Minor detail. Thank you Esther, and the rest of
our support staff.

Local specialist: Esther Ruempol
Esther
Esther Ruempol
Local specialist in Johannesburg, South Africa | Replied on Sep 23, 2024

Thanks so much for your great review Eloise. Sorry to hear about the road conditions and the long drive, but I'm glad you enjoyed your trip overall!

August 2024 South Africa Vacation
South Africa | Aug 4 - Aug 15, 2024

Glicelda
Glicelda B.
Saint Matthews, KY | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2024
Without a doubt, one of my most favorite vacations despite missing four days due to flight disruptions. The first part of our trip, we spent three nights in Cape Town and stayed at the La Splendida Hotel with an ocean view and minutes away from the waterfront. Bridget Wilcox was our tour guide in Cape Town to a Penguin Safari, a drive along the coast to Cape Point, Hirschenbosch Botanical Gardens and wine tasting. Bridget was friendly, informative, funny, and knowledgeable. We enjoyed... Read more

Without a doubt, one of my most favorite vacations despite missing four days due to flight disruptions. The first part of our trip, we spent three nights in Cape Town and stayed at the La Splendida Hotel with an ocean view and minutes away from the waterfront. Bridget Wilcox was our tour guide in Cape Town to a Penguin Safari, a drive along the coast to Cape Point, Hirschenbosch Botanical Gardens and wine tasting. Bridget was friendly, informative, funny, and knowledgeable. We enjoyed having Bridget as our tour guide while in Cape Town. I appreciated, Laurel, a representative from Capi Tours, meeting my husband and I at the airport while we waited for our ride to the hotel given the chaotic start we had. From Cape Town, we flew to Kruger National park - Shalati. The 3 day safari was the highlight and best part of our adventure. Shalati did not disappoint from the staff, accommodations, food, surroundings/atmosphere and overall experience. Definitely exceeded all of my expectations. Benedict from what I observed ran the place well, professional, helpful and made it a point guests were taken care of. Shout out to Subisiso and Lurrecia, both waited on us the majority of our stay and super friendly and helpful. The game drives were quite an experience like no other. We were able to see 4 of the Big Five and in complete awe of seeing them in their nature habitat. The last leg of our vacation, we flew to Zimbabwe. We saw Victoria Falls (no dead pool swimming) but pretty neat regardless and then a Bomba dinner that evening. Our last night, we had lunch at Dusty Road and a sunset cruise. It was such a pleasant evening on the cruise and surprisingly had a great time.

My biggest complaint: La Splendida Hotel and theft. We had a few items laundered with a next day return. I picked up my clothes at the front desk from Lucille (manager) the morning of our last day in Cape Town. I took the clothes to my room and left for our all day wine tasting tour. When we returned, I noticed 4 of our laundered items were missing. I immediately notified the front desk and was told to talk to the manager in the morning, which was the morning we were flying to Kruger National Park. Lucille tried to deflect that it was a possible mix up with another guest's request, plausible but very unlikely. Someone with a key entered our room while we were away and stole our clothes!! We had laundry service at Shalati and Pioneer and had no issues or experienced theft of any kind. Apparently, others have also reported theft at La Splendida (something we found out later after the fact). With a service such as Kim Kim, it is their responsibility to vet hotels, tour guides, etc. and ensure they are reputable before recommending to their guests. I paid for and relied on Kim Kim's expertise to do that on my behalf. In this regard, they failed in my opinion. Stephanie did work with the hotel to recover the stolen clothes. It's been almost 6 weeks since we've been back and I have yet to receive them, if ever.

Hotel Reviews
La Splendida
Mouille Point, Cape Town

Theft! Need to hire trustworthy employees. Online pics were so misleading because our room was no where near what was shown in the pics!

Kruger Shalati Bridge House Suites

From the moment we arrived to departure, service was top notch. Everyone was friendly, welcoming and helpful. Wonderful experience and highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Being able to see elephants, hippos, baboons from our room was incredible!
Staff
Shout out to Subisisco and Lurrecia!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pioneers Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls

Loved the quaintness and coziness of Pioneers!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Arrival at Kruger National Park
Arrival at Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset Cruise - Signature Deck
Sunset Cruise - Signature Deck
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kruger Shalati Train on a bridge
Kruger Shalati Train on a bridge
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boma Dinner and Drum Show
Boma Dinner and Drum Show
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour Victoria Falls
Tour Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day penguin safari - Cape Peninsula
Full day penguin safari - Cape Peninsula
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dusty Road Lunch Experience
Dusty Road Lunch Experience
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Stephanie Louw
Stephanie
Stephanie Louw
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Oct 07, 2024
Dear Glicelda and Steve, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback on your recent adventure! I’m thrilled to hear that despite the unfortunate disruptions with your international flights prior to arrival, it turned out to be one of your favorite vacations. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed your time in Cape Town and that Bridget made such a positive impression—she really is one of our gems. I’m glad that the highlights, from the penguins to Cape Point and... Read more

Dear Glicelda and Steve,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback on your recent adventure! I’m thrilled to hear that despite the unfortunate disruptions with your international flights prior to arrival, it turned out to be one of your favorite vacations. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed your time in Cape Town and that Bridget made such a positive impression—she really is one of our gems. I’m glad that the highlights, from the penguins to Cape Point and wine tastings, made lasting memories.

Shalati sounds like it was everything you hoped for and more! I’ll be sure to pass on your lovely compliments to Benedict, Subisiso, and Lurrecia, who will be delighted to hear how much they contributed to your unforgettable safari experience. And it sounds like your time in Zimbabwe was equally magical—Victoria Falls, the sunset cruise, and Bomba dinner are always such unique and enriching experiences!

However, I was truly sorry to hear about the unfortunate incident at La Splendida. Please know that I completely understand your frustration and disappointment. Situations like these are not only upsetting but also a breach of the trust you had placed in us. I assure you that this feedback is being taken very seriously. I have been in regular contact with the manager of the hotel and continue to follow up on your missing items. I will make sure to keep you updated on any progress and work towards a resolution.

Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we will be reviewing this hotel to ensure that future guests do not experience a similar issue. Thank you again for your patience, and I will continue to do everything I can to assist in recovering your items. Your loyalty and trust are important to me, and I deeply regret that this incident has marred an otherwise wonderful experience.

Warmest regards,
Stephanie Louw

Highly Recommend!
South Africa | Sep 1 - Sep 5, 2024

C
Carlee N.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Sep 12, 2024
Esther was great to us through the whole planning of our trip. She would answer questions quickly and effectively. She made the process smooth and easy. She would check in with us throughout our trip to make sure things were seamless. I cannot recommend her enough, thanks to her we had a great trip. Read more

Esther was great to us through the whole planning of our trip. She would answer questions quickly and effectively. She made the process smooth and easy. She would check in with us throughout our trip to make sure things were seamless. I cannot recommend her enough, thanks to her we had a great trip.

Hotel Review
Kruger Shalati Train on the bridge
Kruger National Park, Skukuza

Shalati was a beautiful resort with amazing services. We felt welcomed the whole time we were there. We had a great tour guide, Tebojo, who helped us through our safaris. We had a great waiter, Fanni, who was very helpful to us. We really enjoyed our stay at Shalati and cannot recommend it enough.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Esther Ruempol
Esther
Esther Ruempol
Local specialist in Johannesburg, South Africa | Replied on Sep 12, 2024

Thanks so much for the raving review Carlee!! So happy that you had a great trip :-)

Trip of a lifetime. HIGHLY Recommend
South Africa | Sep 1 - Sep 5, 2024

C
Cashe M.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Sep 12, 2024
Esther was more than helpful from start to finish with helping us plan our trip months in advance and also being very accommodating while we were in South Africa so that we make sure we are on the right track. The Shalati Train on the Bridge was by far the most amazing all inclusive everyone in our group has been to. From the views you had to the top of the line food and drinks provided. We also had a kind knowledgeable game driver and waiter that the Shalati pairs your group with while we... Read more

Esther was more than helpful from start to finish with helping us plan our trip months in advance and also being very accommodating while we were in South Africa so that we make sure we are on the right track. The Shalati Train on the Bridge was by far the most amazing all inclusive everyone in our group has been to. From the views you had to the top of the line food and drinks provided. We also had a kind knowledgeable game driver and waiter that the Shalati pairs your group with while we were there. Would definitely stay again and recommend to anyone going to Kruger.

Hotel Reviews
Kruger Shalati Train on the bridge
Kruger National Park, Skukuza

If you are wanting a location with views, amazing food, and top tier customer service this is the place to book.

Authenticity & Character
Makes you feel like you really are part of the African Safari.
Location
You can view almost any wildlife you like right from your suite on the bridge.
Staff
Good not ask for a more accommodating staff.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Got our suite cleaned. TWICE a day. Was top tier.
City Lodge Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport
Authenticity & Character
Well kept hotel.
Location
Walking distance from the airport terminals.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Esther Ruempol
Esther
Esther Ruempol
Local specialist in Johannesburg, South Africa | Replied on Sep 12, 2024

So glad you had a good trip! Thanks so much for your amazing review and it was a great pleasure planning this with you :-)

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.