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Joseph Thuo

Born and raised in Kenya, in the land of the Maasai (Narok), I started traveling extensively around the country back in College, exploring unique destinations and cultural experiences one after another. This helped me to build genuine connections with local communities and I realized how powerful these local interactions are in enriching the overall travel experience. For this reason, I really like working with people coming from all over the world and sharing each other’s background. I make it a point to connect guests to local communities to share stories and meaningful connections. Get ready to be greeted by genuine smiles, open arms, and world-class hospitality. Let me help you to choose the best destinations, immerse in rich cultures, meet the warmest people, share stories and genuine connections, and eat the best foods and cuisines that East Africa has to offer. In short - I cannot wait to bring you to this beautiful piece of earth as close as possible to your personal wishes and I look forward to being able to participate in your travel planning.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"All of East Africa from wildlife safari, mountain climbing, beach holidays, cultural safaris, honeymoons, biking, trekking and everything in between. Whether you are looking for luxury, adventure, history, or any combination thereof, we can put together the perfect itinerary for you. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"I was super attached to my Cousin who was more like a big brother to me when I was young. Anything he did, I did, and anywhere he went, best believe, I would do everything possible to be there. In 2008, Mum was making arrangements for a family holiday to the Kenyan Coast. And since we used to live with my cousin, she asked him if he wanted to go and he simply answered “No” without a second thought. OMG I couldn’t believe it. It was my turn in the hot seat. “Joseph, would you like to come?” I could only manage to move my head from side to side which Mum took as a No. I truly wanted to go but sided with my Cousin. Not that he asked me to. I cried and begged to join them when the day finally arrived. Mum explained that it was impossible as plans were already made. I hugged her tightly and said goodbye.

They returned, and kept reminding me of how their holiday was. I told myself that whenever the opportunity to travel presents itself to me, I won’t turn it down. Though I didn’t have any real travel experience, I did the next holiday by myself, camping at the shores of Lake Naivasha. I found it easy to break with routine, meet new people, try different foods, see other landscapes and explore different cultures. Travelling solo is sink or swim, and you have to learn how to survive — who to trust, how to make friends and how to find your way around alone. With all the experiences as a Solo traveler I discovered my passion for traveling and I love helping others find their perfect journey.
"

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Oh, several. But one of my unforgettable experiences was when I decided to return to Aberdare as a Solo traveler for hiking and decided to camp before I would hike. As soon as it got dark and I was falling asleep my tent became covered with hundreds of rats. They were everywhere, climbing up my ropes and over the top of the tent. I shook as many as I could off and started a fire and stayed up all night hoping they wouldn't return. They seemed to be gone so the next night I stayed in the same place thinking they had moved on to another dump or something but no, again as it got dark they all returned bringing some of their friends as it seemed there was more than ever now. I again shook them off the tent and got a fire going.

When morning came, I decided to pack up my tent and head for a new place far from those rats. As I was walking down the trails wondering if I should return to another camping spot where we had been previously, there on the trail near to that place was a dead wild dog which had crawled out from the forest only a few feet from where we had been camping a few months previously. I decided my Aberdares hiking/camping adventure was not meant to be and headed back home."
"

Joseph is part of the following groups: Kenya Travel Agents
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Recent trip reviews for Joseph

Our African trip was amazing. We had Eric as ...
Kenya | Oct 28 - Nov 12, 2024

Dorothy
Dorothy M.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 14, 2024

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

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Nov 14, 2024
Dear Dorothy, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience in Africa with Eric and Rama as your guides. It’s great to know that they contributed to making your trip memorable with their knowledge and expertise. We’re also glad that the accommodations, food, and even the weather all aligned for an exceptional journey. We love being a part of these special moments and are honored that you chose us Thank you for your trust in us,... Read more

Dear Dorothy,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience in Africa with Eric and Rama as your guides. It’s great to know that they contributed to making your trip memorable with their knowledge and expertise.

We’re also glad that the accommodations, food, and even the weather all aligned for an exceptional journey. We love being a part of these special moments and are honored that you chose us

Thank you for your trust in us, and for recommending our services so highly. We look forward to helping you create even more incredible travel memories in the future!

Warm regards,
Joseph

Read all Kenya reviews

Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara 5 Day Kenyan Safari of a Lifetime
Kenya | Nov 9 - Nov 13, 2024

Adrienne
Adrienne E.
New Zealand | Reviewed on Nov 14, 2024
What a fantastic Kenyan safari trip we have just finished. It was organised by Joseph, we had quick reply’s and great suggestions just cannot fault their service. Then there was our accommodation, The Cliff Lake Nakuru and Entim Camp Maasai Mara, what absolute luxury, these places are unbelievable. The service from the staff and the food is next level, just loved every minute. Then there was our guide/driver Andrew what a bloody superstar! 5 days of adventure with this man. So knowledgeable... Read more

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

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Nov 14, 2024
Thank you Adrienne for sharing such an amazing review of your Kenyan safari! We're thrilled that you had a fantastic experience. It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed the luxury and hospitality at The Cliff Lake Nakuru and Entim Camp Maasai Mara. These are indeed extraordinary locations, and we’re glad they added to your adventure with superb service and delicious meals. Andrew will be so pleased to hear your kind words! His knowledge, sense of humor, and guiding expertise are truly... Read more

Thank you Adrienne for sharing such an amazing review of your Kenyan safari! We're thrilled that you had a fantastic experience.

It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed the luxury and hospitality at The Cliff Lake Nakuru and Entim Camp Maasai Mara. These are indeed extraordinary locations, and we’re glad they added to your adventure with superb service and delicious meals.

Andrew will be so pleased to hear your kind words! His knowledge, sense of humor, and guiding expertise are truly unmatched, and it's heartwarming to know he contributed so much to your experience—including helping you spot the Big 5 in record time!

Thank you for recommending KimKim and for trusting us with your journey. We look forward to helping you with more unforgettable adventures in the future!

Regards,
Joseph

Read all Kenya reviews

We had a once-in-a-lifetime amazing journey
Kenya | Sep 26 - Oct 8, 2024

L
Linda D.
Concord, NH | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2024
We had a once-in-a-lifetime amazing journey to visit Zanzibar, Tanzania and Kenya. The safari days were long and bumpy but so full of amazing things to see, that they passed quickly. The camps were so very much nicer than we had anticipated, and we very much enjoyed the wonderful food and relaxed luxury after those long days out in the sun and the dust and the bumpiness. Our stay in Zanzibar was marred by an inattentive "guide" and so much hawking that we fled from it to the hotel. Our guide... Read more

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

Activity Reviews
Rooftop Swahili Dinner
Rooftop Swahili Dinner
Stone Town Zanzibar

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

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Stone Town, Spice Farm, Prison Island & Kuza Cave Tour
Stone Town, Spice Farm, Prison Island & Kuza Cave Tour
Stone Town Zanzibar

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

Quality of Experience
See above
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The man was kind and all, but it was unsafe.
Mto Wa Mbu Cultural Immersion & on to Ngorongoro Conservancy
Mto Wa Mbu Cultural Immersion & on to Ngorongoro Conservancy
Kenya

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

Quality of Experience
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Kenya

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

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
very comfortable
Giraffe Center
Giraffe Center
Kenya

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

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
He was great to give us heads up about spending time there..
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Kenya

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

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Oct 18, 2024
Dear Linda, Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. We’re thrilled to hear that your journey through Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Kenya was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s wonderful to know that the safaris were filled with amazing sights and that the camps exceeded your expectations—nothing beats relaxing in comfort after a day of adventure in the sun and dust. We appreciate you sharing the highlights as well as the areas where improvements can be made. I’m sorry to hear that the... Read more

Dear Linda,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review. We’re thrilled to hear that your journey through Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Kenya was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s wonderful to know that the safaris were filled with amazing sights and that the camps exceeded your expectations—nothing beats relaxing in comfort after a day of adventure in the sun and dust.

We appreciate you sharing the highlights as well as the areas where improvements can be made. I’m sorry to hear that the Zanzibar guide fell short and that the hawking marred that part of your experience. We’ll certainly be addressing this feedback with our partners to ensure future travelers don’t encounter the same issues. Your praise of John in Tanzania and the wonderful experience in Naboisho really warms our hearts—we’ll make sure they know how much you enjoyed their company and insights.

I’m so glad that Maji Moto Cultural Camp was a highlight for you! It’s a truly special place, and we’re delighted you felt the impact of its authentic cultural experience.

Thank you again for choosing us for this adventure, and we would love to welcome you back for even more African adventures in the future. Safe travels, and we hope to see you again soon!

Warm regards,
Joseph

Nariku Travel Experiences
Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp

Magical safari trip in Kenya, but the details were hard to nail down.
Kenya | Aug 23 - Sep 1, 2024

Veronika
Veronika S.
Merrick, NY | Reviewed on Oct 14, 2024
We had a magical trip in Kenya. We went to Nairobi, Amboseli, Ol Pejeta, Samburu and Masai Mara. The itinerary was great and all of our camps were extremely nice. Joseph did a really good job working within our budget to find the best accommodations. He also booked fascinating safaris and cultural visits. We saw the Big 5 (lions, cape buffalo, leopards, elephants, and rhinos) and felt like we maxed out our time. The main thing that could have been improved is communication around the... Read more

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

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Oct 18, 2024
Dear Veronika, Thank you so much for your detailed and honest feedback. We're delighted to hear that you had a magical experience in Kenya and enjoyed the diverse destinations and accommodations. It’s wonderful to know that our planning helped you make the most of your time and ensured you saw the Big 5 – that’s truly a safari dream come true! We also appreciate your candor regarding the communication around itinerary details. You’re absolutely right, and we take full responsibility for not... Read more

Dear Veronika,

Thank you so much for your detailed and honest feedback. We're delighted to hear that you had a magical experience in Kenya and enjoyed the diverse destinations and accommodations. It’s wonderful to know that our planning helped you make the most of your time and ensured you saw the Big 5 – that’s truly a safari dream come true!

We also appreciate your candor regarding the communication around itinerary details. You’re absolutely right, and we take full responsibility for not providing the complete and timely information you should have received. While we usually pride ourselves on clear communication, the busy season did get the best of us this time, and we're not proud of that. We’ve since made improvements to both our staffing and internal processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

We hope you’ll consider giving us the opportunity to show you our best on a future trip, perhaps to other incredible destinations in Africa. It would be our pleasure to assist you again and exceed your expectations.

Thank you for traveling with us, and we look forward to the chance to serve you in the future!

Warm regards,
Joseph

Review of 3 week trip to Africa - September 2024
Kenya | Sep 2 - Sep 20, 2024

Greg
Greg F.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Sep 26, 2024
Overall we were very happy with the itinerary offered and the locations and accommodations were terrific. We do have a few suggestions to make the trip easier. 1 - We expected the overland transportation to be in a newer and more comfortable vehicle, like a Land Cruiser. We were in an older minivan which was not the best for the 28 hours of travel we did from location to location plus the 24 hours of touring and game drives on very poor roads. Our driver, Stanley was fantastic but we... Read more

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

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

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

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

Hotel Reviews
Pelican House

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Rudi

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Nairobi

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp
Maji Moto

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ashnil Mara Camp
Maasai Mara

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Crowne Plaza Nairobi Airport

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Avani Victoria Falls Resort
Mosi-oa-Tunya Road, Livingstone 20100

great Zambia location for walking to the Falls.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Commodore Hotel
Cape Town

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Kenya

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

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Kenya

fun and informational

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Giraffe Center
Giraffe Center
Kenya

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

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy

excellent in every way

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ol Pejeta Conservancy Game Drives
Ol Pejeta Conservancy Game Drives
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Meet The Northern White Rhinos
Meet The Northern White Rhinos
Ol Pejeta Conservancy

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

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lion Tracking
Lion Tracking
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Game Drive
Night Game Drive
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lake Naivasha Activities
Lake Naivasha Activities
Kenya
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lake Naivasha Hells Gate National Park
Lake Naivasha Hells Gate National Park
Kenya
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Activities
Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Activities
Maji Moto
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cultural Activities at Maji Moto
Cultural Activities at Maji Moto
Maji Moto
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maasai Mara Game Drives
Maasai Mara Game Drives
Masai Mara
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Victoria Falls Tour
Victoria Falls Tour
Livingstone

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

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zambia & Zimbabwe Activities
Zambia & Zimbabwe Activities
Livingstone

The Elephant Cafe was terrific

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dine at GOLD Restaurant
Dine at GOLD Restaurant
Cape Town

Not a great meal but fun entertainment.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cape Peninsula & Robben Island Tour
Cape Peninsula & Robben Island Tour
Cape Town

great drive , boat ride and tour

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day Hermanus Tour & Whale cruise
Full day Hermanus Tour & Whale cruise
Cape Town

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

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day Cape Winelands Tour
Full day Cape Winelands Tour
Cape Town

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

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Sep 28, 2024
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us, and we're glad to hear you enjoyed the itinerary, accommodations, and locations we curated for your trip. We sincerely appreciate your suggestions and insights on the areas where we can improve. The airport strike and resulting flight disruptions were unfortunately beyond our control, but we understand how this impacted your experience, and we will certainly work on ways to be more proactive in such situations in the future. We’ll also take your... Read more

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us, and we're glad to hear you enjoyed the itinerary, accommodations, and locations we curated for your trip. We sincerely appreciate your suggestions and insights on the areas where we can improve. The airport strike and resulting flight disruptions were unfortunately beyond our control, but we understand how this impacted your experience, and we will certainly work on ways to be more proactive in such situations in the future.

We’ll also take your comments about the overland transportation and flight arrangements to heart, ensuring that our future trips provide more comfort and efficient travel. Your input helps us fine-tune our services, and we’re committed to making improvements. And of course we’ll pass along your compliments to your driver guides.

Thank you again for choosing Nariku Travel Experiences, and we hope to have the opportunity to host you on another adventure soon.

Regards,
Joseph

Amazing, Amazing, Amazing.
Kenya | Aug 19 - Aug 28, 2024

Jennifer
Jennifer B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2024
Our trip to Kenya was awesome! The combination of great weather, amazing wildlife, gorgeous scenery, and friendly people made it one of our top trips. Our guide, Eric, was fantastic! The three reserves/National Parks we visited were the perfect combination to see different wildlife and environments. Our stay with the Masai Mara tribe was great and a very different experience! The Hot Air balloon ride at sunrise was beautiful. I know wildlife sightings can't be controlled but we barely saw... Read more

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

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Oct 09, 2024
Hi Jennifer, Wow, it sounds like your trip was incredible! I’m so glad you had such a fantastic experience with the wildlife, scenery, and the Maasai Mara tribe. Eric is one of our great guides and we’ll pass on the good message to him, and the hot air balloon ride at sunrise must have been breathtaking, even if the wildlife sightings were a bit sparse. I appreciate your feedback about the accommodations and the road to Mara Kimana Camp—it’s great to know where the highlights are and what... Read more

Hi Jennifer,

Wow, it sounds like your trip was incredible! I’m so glad you had such a fantastic experience with the wildlife, scenery, and the Maasai Mara tribe. Eric is one of our great guides and we’ll pass on the good message to him, and the hot air balloon ride at sunrise must have been breathtaking, even if the wildlife sightings were a bit sparse.

I appreciate your feedback about the accommodations and the road to Mara Kimana Camp—it’s great to know where the highlights are and what could be improved. Your recommendation means a lot, and we’ll definitely keep this in mind for future travel plans. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Warm regards,
Joseph

Read all Kenya reviews

We spent a magical week of wild life safari i...
Kenya | Aug 10 - Aug 17, 2024

Balachandra
Balachandra D.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024
We spent a magical week of wild life safari in Kenya thanks to the extraordinary services provided by Joseph and his team at Nariku Travel Experiences. Andy, was our personal guide and jeep driver who ensured that we had no difficulties in checking in to the various lodges and kept us informed and entertained during the several game drives we went through. Andy went above and beyond to ensure that we got to see the Big 5 animals and much more! Joseph addressed all of our questions and... Read more

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

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

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

Hotel Reviews
Kibo Safari Camp
Amboseli

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Very friendly and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fair Acres Boutique Hotel
Karen, Nairobi. P. O Box 1121 – 00208 Nairobi.

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lake Naivasha Simba lodge
Naivasha

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lake Nakuru Lodge
Nakuru

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pride Inn Mara Camp

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bathroom shower and sink is very luxurious
Activity Reviews
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lake Naivasha Activities
Lake Naivasha Activities
Kenya
Lake Naivasha Hells Gate National Park
Lake Naivasha Hells Gate National Park
Kenya

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

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive
Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive
Nakuru
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara
Maasai Mara Game Drives
Maasai Mara Game Drives
Masai Mara
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
Photo taken by Balachandra D
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Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Oct 09, 2024

Hi Balachandra,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with Nariku Travel Experiences! It sounds like you had an incredible time on your wildlife safari in Kenya. We're thrilled to hear that Andy provided such outstanding service and made your trip memorable.
Your recommendation means a lot, and we can't wait to reconnect again and help you plan your next adventure in Africa for other experiences!
Warm regards,
Joseph

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Awesome Cape Town/Kenya trip!
Kenya | Jul 28 - Aug 9, 2024

K
Kelly J.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Aug 15, 2024
I loved the customized trip and personal service, it made everything so easy! The excursions and accommodations were amazing. All the drivers and guides were very good, but especially our guides in Cape Town and Amboseli, who treated us like family. Read more

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

Hotel Reviews
Tawi Lodge
Amboseli

Loved everything about this place! The location, the accommodations, the food, and the people. It was beautiful and we enjoyed every moment!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Commodore Hotel
Cape Town

Nice accommodations in a great location. The breakfast was delicious!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Aug 15, 2024

Hi Kelly,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your trip, it sounds like our time spent together to plan this great adventure created a truly memorable experience. We love hearing that our suggestions for where to stay and what to do are well received and especially happy to hear that you connected with some wonderful people along the way.

We hope to welcome you back to Africa for more great times (Uganda gorillas and chimps? Cape Town penguins and whales?) and until then wish you all the best.

Asante sana (many thanks),
Joseph

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Kenya Adventure: Safari Magic, Beach Bliss, and a Dream Engagement
Kenya | Aug 3 - Aug 12, 2024

Dylan
Dylan J.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Aug 14, 2024
Our trip to Kenya, organized by Joseph from KimKim, was nothing short of a dream come true. My partner and I, now happily engaged, wanted to witness the Great Migration and experience a hot air balloon ride over the breathtaking landscapes of the Masaai Mara. Joseph meticulously planned every detail, making this a trip we will cherish forever. During our stay in the Masaai Mara, we were fortunate to have Thomas as our private game driver. His kindness and extensive knowledge of the area... Read more

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

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

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

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

Hotel Reviews
Fair Acres Boutique Hotel
Karen, Nairobi. P. O Box 1121 – 00208 Nairobi.
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Matira Bush Camp
Nairobi
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Diani Sea Lodge
Diani Beach
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Maasai Mara National Reserve Game Drives
Maasai Mara National Reserve Game Drives
Masai Mara
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
same as previous answer
Maasai Mara Game Drives & Hot Air Balloon Ride
Maasai Mara Game Drives & Hot Air Balloon Ride
Masai Mara
Quality of Experience
Food
Breakfast was incredible.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
David the pilot was incredible!
Transport
Was a very smooth, magical ride. We felt safe the entire time.
Diani Beach Activities
Diani Beach Activities
Diani Beach
Quality of Experience
Food
Deserts can be improved. And for the buffet, a lot of flies. Need some kind of solution. (Eg: Maybe citronells scent / fly strips to catch them.. something.)
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The car made a beeping noise constantly, it was frustrating.
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Aug 15, 2024
Hi Dylan, First of all, congratulations on your engagement! You really created an epic proposal story to remember forever and we were so happy to play a supporting role in creating the scene. We appreciate your kind words about our planning efforts as well as the positive feedback on your lodgings and activities. Our partnerships with exceptional people throughout Africa are a big source of pride for us and we will pass along your recognition of their efforts as well. And we also recognize... Read more

Hi Dylan,

First of all, congratulations on your engagement! You really created an epic proposal story to remember forever and we were so happy to play a supporting role in creating the scene.

We appreciate your kind words about our planning efforts as well as the positive feedback on your lodgings and activities. Our partnerships with exceptional people throughout Africa are a big source of pride for us and we will pass along your recognition of their efforts as well. And we also recognize some areas where things could have been better and will share that feedback as well.

We hope to welcome you back to Africa sometime to create more wonderful memories (Rwanda or Uganda gorillas and chimps? Victoria Falls, Egypt, Seychelles or Mauritius?) and until then wish you all the best as you plan your wedding day to come.

Asante sana (many thanks),
Joseph

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An amazing family trip.
Kenya | Jul 27 - Aug 7, 2024

Judith
Judith G.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Aug 08, 2024
Our Kenyan guide George was awesome- such personality and so joyful! From the moment he picked us up at the airport, we felt comfortable and well cared for- we didn’t have to think at all about next steps, where to go, what attractions to see, where our meals were, etc. Everything was exquisitely planned.
We saw the big 5 before we left Kenya!
Our Tanzanian guide, Francis was great too and this part of the trip was also well planned without us having to think about a thing! Francis is... Read more

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

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Aug 09, 2024
Thank you, Judith, for sharing your experience with us, which we are very happy to hear was so enjoyable. Our guides are always a high point of the trip, and we will be sure to pass along your praises. We’re sorry to hear that Francis had to put his mechanic skills to use on the car to keep things rolling, these cars really take a beating on the rough roads, but we’ve already been in touch with the team in Tanzania to be sure it is repaired well. We also take to heart your feedback on travel... Read more

Thank you, Judith, for sharing your experience with us, which we are very happy to hear was so enjoyable. Our guides are always a high point of the trip, and we will be sure to pass along your praises. We’re sorry to hear that Francis had to put his mechanic skills to use on the car to keep things rolling, these cars really take a beating on the rough roads, but we’ve already been in touch with the team in Tanzania to be sure it is repaired well. We also take to heart your feedback on travel timing so that we can do better on making sure the arrival to each destination is less pressured.

It was our pleasure to help create such wonderful memories for your family, and we hope you’ll get back in touch if you decide to explore further into Africa (Gorillas and chimps in Uganda? Whales and penguins in South Africa?)

Ashe Oleng, Asante Sana, Many Thanks

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