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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
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Joseph

The trip was awesome! Joseph did a great job...
Kenya | Jan 30 - Feb 5, 2025

A
Amber R.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Feb 12, 2025
The trip was awesome! Joseph did a great job of creating an itinerary that worked for myself and my 70 year old father. We were overjoyed with the trip of a lifetime! Read more

The trip was awesome! Joseph did a great job of creating an itinerary that worked for myself and my 70 year old father. We were overjoyed with the trip of a lifetime!

Hotel Review
Ashnil Mara Camp
Maasai Mara
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Maji Moto Maasai "Olpul" Bush Camp
Maji Moto Maasai "Olpul" Bush Camp
Maji Moto

This was our favorite activity! Camping out at the Bush Camp after slaughtering a goat was an incredible cultural experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Feb 12, 2025
Dear Amber, Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing trip—it was truly a pleasure crafting an itinerary that suited all of you. We're especially happy to know that Maji Moto Maasai "Olpul" Bush Camp was a highlight for you. It’s such a unique and immersive cultural experience, and I’m glad it left a lasting impression! If you ever decide to explore more off-the-beaten-path adventures, I’d love to help you... Read more

Dear Amber,

Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing trip—it was truly a pleasure crafting an itinerary that suited all of you.

We're especially happy to know that Maji Moto Maasai "Olpul" Bush Camp was a highlight for you. It’s such a unique and immersive cultural experience, and I’m glad it left a lasting impression!

If you ever decide to explore more off-the-beaten-path adventures, I’d love to help you plan another unforgettable journey.

Wishing you all the best, and safe travels in the future!

Best regards,
Joseph

Our driver, John was amazing. The whole trip ...
Kenya | Jan 28 - Feb 6, 2025

Lauren
Lauren T.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Feb 09, 2025
Our driver, John was amazing. The whole trip was made by having him with us every day and in every park. Since all the accommodations were over 4 hours apart we spent a lot of time together, (in my opinion this is something that should have been explained during the booking process and planning).
I will say the accommodations started off strong but got worse as the time went on. The first place, Fair acres was nice although the bathroom area did not seem to clean. The second accommodation,...
Read more

Our driver, John was amazing. The whole trip was made by having him with us every day and in every park. Since all the accommodations were over 4 hours apart we spent a lot of time together, (in my opinion this is something that should have been explained during the booking process and planning).
I will say the accommodations started off strong but got worse as the time went on. The first place, Fair acres was nice although the bathroom area did not seem to clean. The second accommodation, Sweetwater was by far the best. The ease of being in the park was well worth the money. The food was absolutely amazing and the wait staff was so attentive. Lake Nakuru lodge was okay, with food that was just okay. We were glad to only stay there for one night. The Masai Mara cultural camp was amazing, and I wish we were able to stay in the regular accommodations for a night. The food was delicious. We did the bush camp which I wish was explained a little better before we booked, but it was a good experience. The last camping was Mara Kimana which was the worst accommodation by far. I would have rather stayed in the park to bypass the streets everyday and made the game drives easier. The caliber of food was not nearly as good as we were used to. The staff was nice, but I had to ask about my laundry multiple times. For dropping it off the bag was forgotten, and then for the delivery we did not get it until around 9pm, when we were leaving early the next morning.
After the safari was completed we went to the airstrip to get a flight to Nairobi to connect to Diani. It was disappointing to learn when we got to the airstrip that an option to go straight to Diani and not stop in Nairobi was an option. I wish this would have been provided for us and given as an option to upgrade for additional cost, we lost most of our day traveling. when we arrived in Diani we were disappointed in our accommodations. We personally do not like all-inclusive, and this place was just that. While the beach was beautiful, the room was okay and the bug net was impossible to work. Any time you tried to close it, the other side opened. Which was stressful in the middle of the night when you got up and then basically had to rearrange all the sides of it.

All in all we appreciate everything Kim Kim did but we would have liked a better explanation of the trip and what it entailed. We did not previously look up anything about traveling to Kenya so we knew nothing of what to expect and I feel like that could have been discussed and explained better.

Hotel Reviews
Fair Acres Boutique Hotel
Karen, Nairobi. P. O Box 1121 – 00208 Nairobi.

This place was a little far from the airport, and considering we had to drive back closer to the airport on our first day of travel it probably would have been better if we were in a different location. The staff made it easy to check in, the food that was available was okay. It was close to Karen Blixen and Bomas which we did that day. When we arrived the shower did not have any clean towels, but the staff brought some right away. The shower did seem like it needed to be cleaned, especially the doors and the floor.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Nanyuki

This was the best hotel we stayed at, we loved the staff and the cleanliness of the accommodations. The front desk was so welcoming, they had tea and coffee available at all hours, and the food for breakfast, lunch and dinner was amazing. There was a decent amount of options every time. At night they would give you a heating pack to sleep with since the tent can get a little cold, and it stayed warm almost all night. We loved staying inside the park so the game drive began as soon as we left in the morning.

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

I would say the only positive thing about this hotel is that it is located in the park. The bed we slept on was by far the most uncomfortable and felt the same as sleeping on the floor. The food was okay, but they did not have that much variety. We would not recommend this place to other travelers.

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

We had a wonderful time here learning about the community and what they have created. We would have liked to have more of an explanation of what this camp entailed. The walk to the bush camp was quite a hike and I would not recommend it for everyone. Once you are up at the camp there is no running water. While they do have a “washroom” it is just a wooden toilet that is covered by an enclosure. We were hesitant to participate in eating the goat, but after seeing it cooked we became much more comfortable. They had informed us that no one has every gotten sick from eating it and that was also comforting. I would have felt better if this was explained to me beforehand. All the staff was very sweet, and we really enjoyed the food offered.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mara Kimana Camp

We would not recommend this hotel to other travelers. Because it was outside the park getting into the park every day was a hassle, and you had to go through town and be swarmed by people trying to sell you stuff. The tent we were booked was entirely too big for us and had a master and a separate bedroom with 3 beds in it as well. For us, it seemed like a waste and we would have rather been booked inside the park at a nicer accommodation. When we got there I asked about laundry and they informed me they would bring a bag before dinner. This did not happen and I had to go to the front desk to remind them. The shower we took there was freezing and they had to work on the water heater. They did not have many food options for dinner. The WiFi in the tent did not work at all, you basically had to be in the reception area to be able to do anything on your phone. I was told the laundry would be completed before dinner the next night, when we left to go to dinner we still did not have the laundry. I was in the room during turn-down service and she said she would have it after dinner which left us not a lot of time to pack considering we were leaving early in the morning.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Diani Sea Lodge
Diani Beach

I had read some reviews on google and trip advisor and requested to change this accommodation but only when it was too late. This was an all-inclusive hotel which would have been nice to know before it was booked. Me and my husband personally do not like these sorts of accommodations and would have rather been booked elsewhere. The room seemed clean, except the bathroom shower pretty much couldn’t drain due to the way it was built and water would get everywhere since there was no door. One of the weirdest things they did was have reusable water bottles full of “clean water” to brush teeth with and such but the fact that they were plastic reusable bottles was very weird. I didn’t want to put my mouth on something someone else had used. They had no water bottles anywhere for purchase, they just used a big jug to fill up everyone’s water. While this is fine, I would have liked to have access to water bottles while in the room. I could see how people get sick from the food. During all services some of the food that probably should have been cold was just left out, who knows how long this was for considering they had to set up for the service. We stuck to food that had been heated or was cooked right in front of us and I think that’s why we didn’t get sick. The bug net that was in the room was a mess. If you tried to close it on one side it opened on the other and felt like it was constantly open. It’s not that hard to have an easy to use bug net so this was really frustrating. We were worried about this because when you closed the door it still looked like it was open, there was cracks on all side that were decently big for plenty of insects to come in. I was thinking since this accommodation was on the beach that there would be beach loungers but unfortunately there was not, all the loungers are on the grass overlooking the beach. It felt like unless you got out there early you couldn’t get a lounger which was pretty annoying. People would leave their stuff there even if they weren’t using it all day. The service was pretty slow since it was all-inclusive. The outside pool bar usually had 2-3 guys working and about 10+ people waiting. At one point I waited 15 minutes for a coffee before I gave up because there was still someone in front of me that hadn’t ordered yet. there was an inside bar but everytime I went over there it was closed, so I’m not sure if they even use that. This place was close to the airport which was nice, but I would not recommend anyone else stay here. It was just okay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy

We enjoyed both drives

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Mount Kenya Day Hike
Mount Kenya Day Hike
Kenya

This was a much more difficult hike than I thought it was going to be and we are very active, working out daily and have been on previous hikes before. We would not recommend this activity to other travelers, it is basically all uphill with very little plateaus.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Moses was an amazing guide even though we didn’t go all the way
Transport
Maji Moto Maasai "Olpul" Bush Camp
Maji Moto Maasai "Olpul" Bush Camp
Maji Moto

Should be explained more what this entailes with pictures of where you will be staying, that there is a hike up there, etc.

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
Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive
Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive
Nakuru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Feb 10, 2025
Dear Lauren, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your trip. We’re so glad to hear that John made such a positive impact on your experience—having a knowledgeable and reliable guide truly makes all the difference! We appreciate your honest thoughts on the accommodations and travel logistics. Your input is invaluable, and we regret that some aspects did not meet your expectations. We understand how important it is to have clear communication during the planning... Read more

Dear Lauren,

Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback about your trip. We’re so glad to hear that John made such a positive impact on your experience—having a knowledgeable and reliable guide truly makes all the difference!

We appreciate your honest thoughts on the accommodations and travel logistics. Your input is invaluable, and we regret that some aspects did not meet your expectations. We understand how important it is to have clear communication during the planning process, especially regarding travel distances, accommodation details, and available flight options. Your comments will help us improve how we present these details to future travelers.

We’re also sorry to hear that the last accommodation and the experience in Diani did not align with your preferences. We aim to match each traveler’s expectations with the best possible options, and your insights highlight areas where we can refine our recommendations.

That being said, we’re thrilled you enjoyed Sweetwaters, the cultural experience in Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp, and the incredible wildlife encounters in Maasai Mara. We truly appreciate you choosing KimKim for your adventure in Kenya.

Thank you again for your valuable feedback.

Best regards,
Joseph

Stanley our driver was amazing!!
Kenya | Jan 30 - Feb 5, 2025

R
Roger C.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Feb 08, 2025
Stanley our driver was amazing! He was always on time and provided much insight into places to go and things to see and very flexible if we wanted to vary from the assigned itinerary and schedule. Read more

Stanley our driver was amazing! He was always on time and provided much insight into places to go and things to see and very flexible if we wanted to vary from the assigned itinerary and schedule.

Hotel Reviews
Fair Acres Boutique Hotel
Karen, Nairobi. P. O Box 1121 – 00208 Nairobi.

Quiet with good service and very personable personnel. A nice hotel and good food.

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

Very nice location and great accomodations.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Located close to the lake and we were able to see the hippos when they came upon land near our facility. (We were protected by an electric fence so there was no threat to us.
Staff
The staff carried our luggage to our rooms and back to the lodge the next day.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and the staff was very congenial at the dining facility.
Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp
Maji Moto

We spent one night at the bush Camp and it was amazing, what an experience we will never forget!

Authenticity & Character
Unreal in that it was authentic Massai life style and culture.
Location
It was definitely located in the rough but that is what we requested and received.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ashnil Mara Camp
Maasai Mara

This hotel and facility was amazing and very clean and so unique with the tent cabins and the culture at the dining facility.

Authenticity & Character
The Massai members that did the chanting and dancing at our meal were exceptional!!
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
 Giraffe Center
Giraffe Center
Kenya
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maji Moto Maasai "Olpul" Bush Camp
Maji Moto Maasai "Olpul" Bush Camp
Maji Moto
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The Massai people were amazing!!
Transport
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Kenya

We went on several game drives and thoroughly enjoyed our time with the animals we saw and the experiences we had. We went on a Hot Air Balloon ride that was exceptional.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Stanley was an exceptional driver!
Transport
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Kenya

Sharing with feeding the giraffes was really neat.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lake Naivasha Activities
Lake Naivasha Activities
Kenya
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Maasai Mara Game Drives
Maasai Mara Game Drives
Masai Mara

Our driver, Stanley was very knowledgable and we really had alot of fun with him. He knew where to go to see the animals and knew his way around for game drives.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Feb 10, 2025

Hi Roger,

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that Stanley made your trip enjoyable with his punctuality, insights, and flexibility. We'll be sure to pass along your compliments to him.

We truly appreciate you trusting us for your adventure in Kenya, and we would love the opportunity to plan another trip for you in the future in other destinations

Best regards,
Joseph

A Phenomenal Trip
Kenya | Jan 6 - Jan 14, 2025

Briana
Briana W.
Bethesda, MD | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2025
We (my fiance and I ) just returned to the U.S. after spending 12 amazing days in Kenya. Joseph did a great job at organizing our trip and ensured we got what we desired out of our visit, which included cultural immersion, safari drives, and a relaxing stay at the beach. Joseph was communicative and provided all of the details for our trip a few days before our arrival date. (I am very organized and thrive on details so I appreciated this very much.) Our driver, Eric, was amazing! He was... Read more

We (my fiance and I ) just returned to the U.S. after spending 12 amazing days in Kenya. Joseph did a great job at organizing our trip and ensured we got what we desired out of our visit, which included cultural immersion, safari drives, and a relaxing stay at the beach. Joseph was communicative and provided all of the details for our trip a few days before our arrival date. (I am very organized and thrive on details so I appreciated this very much.) Our driver, Eric, was amazing! He was knowledgeable, professional, and always prioritized our safety while exploring the country. We recommend Joseph and the rest of his team and will use them again in the future. Thanks for everything!

Hotel Reviews
Fairview Hotel, Nairobi
Nairobi

The grounds here are beautiful! The staff are friendly and helpful. The property is very secure and I felt safe staying here while in the city.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lake Naivasha Country Club
Naivasha

The food here was incredible. We spent 12 days in Kenya and the food here was within my top two out of all our lodging experiences during the trip. Having all the wild life animals right outside your door was a unique experience. The only downside was our mattress was SO hard. My fiance and I struggled to fall asleep. However we were only here for one night so not a huge issue. The pros outweighed the con for sure.

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

This is a once in a life time experience. If you are looking for a true cultural immersion, then look no further! The people were warm and welcoming in a very sincere way. We felt like family while staying with them and learned so much about their culture. Honestly, I am not an outdoorsy person so this was outside of my comfort zone but I would stay here again and again to get to experience and learn more about the Maasai culture.

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

My fiance and I loved this place! To the point where we were a little sad to leave despite heading to the beach to relax for the remainder of our trip. The food-delicious. The accommodations-gorgeous and comfortable! The staff-friendly and happy to help. Amos checked on us and helped us during our stay and was wonderful at his job. Thank you for welcoming us! We shall return

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Diani Sea Lodge
Diani Beach

The rooms are a bit dated but the air conditioner works and the bed is comfortable. We spent all of our time in the sun anyway so I was not as worried about the accommodations. The staff were friendly and helpful. My only downside was the quality of the food was lacking in terms of options and flavors for different meals. However, the beach was pretty and the pool was nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Jan 17, 2025
Dear Briana Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! It was truly a pleasure organizing your trip, and I’m thrilled to hear that you and your fiancé had an amazing time in Kenya. I’m especially glad that the level of detail and communication met your expectations—I know how important that is when planning a big adventure! Eric will be delighted to hear your feedback as well; I’ll be sure to pass along your appreciation. Ensuring our guests feel... Read more

Dear Briana

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! It was truly a pleasure organizing your trip, and I’m thrilled to hear that you and your fiancé had an amazing time in Kenya. I’m especially glad that the level of detail and communication met your expectations—I know how important that is when planning a big adventure!

Eric will be delighted to hear your feedback as well; I’ll be sure to pass along your appreciation. Ensuring our guests feel safe, informed, and immersed in the beauty of Kenya is always our top priority. We have also noted your feedback on all the accommodations and will pass along your message to them.

We would love to welcome you back in the future for another unforgettable journey! Wishing you both all the best and hoping to see you again soon.

Asante sana (thank you very much)

Best regards,
Joseph & Team

An absolutely fantastic trip. All our accommo...
Kenya | Jan 6 - Jan 15, 2025

Mark
Mark F.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2025
An absolutely fantastic trip. All our accommodation and guides were wonderful. Not one single complaint. Read more

An absolutely fantastic trip. All our accommodation and guides were wonderful. Not one single complaint.

Hotel Reviews
Ichumbi Gorilla lodge

If I could give it more than five stars I would. David and his staff are amazing!

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

We loved this camp we stayed at!

Ashnil Mara Camp
Maasai Mara

This was another of the camps we stayed at, and we loved it as well! Recommended!

Activity Reviews
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Kenya

It's a great place where you can see plenty of elephants and see them being taken care of!

Maji Moto Maasai "Olpul" Bush Camp
Maji Moto Maasai "Olpul" Bush Camp
Maji Moto

Very cool experience and wonderful camp!

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Jan 16, 2025

Hi Mark,

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic trip and that everything met your expectations. It was our pleasure to be a part of your journey, and we hope to welcome you again for another adventure probably visiting South Africa, Tanzania or any part of the world.

Regards,
Joseph

This trip to Kenya 12/20-12/29/2024, was the...
Kenya | Dec 21 - Dec 29, 2024

richard
richard w.
SeaTac, WA | Reviewed on Dec 30, 2024

This trip to Kenya 12/20-12/29/2024, was the trip of a lifetime. My kids ages 10 and 13 came with us which made it all the more special. The wildlife was surreal. We had a new stop each couple days that offered great diversity. Stanley was our driver and he has the perfect personality for the job. We found the people to be very genuine in Kenya and Stanley epitomizes that. The Maasai cultural experience is not one to skip. The 18 hours there was seriously life changing for my family.

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Jan 01, 2025
Hi Richard, Thank you for sharing your incredible experience in Kenya! It sounds like the trip was truly magical, especially having your kids along to share in those unforgettable moments. The diversity of the stops, the surreal wildlife, and the Maasai cultural experience all seem like highlights that made the journey so special. Stanley sounds amazing—having a genuine and personable guide can make all the difference in a trip like this. It’s clear he played a big part in creating such a... Read more

Hi Richard,

Thank you for sharing your incredible experience in Kenya! It sounds like the trip was truly magical, especially having your kids along to share in those unforgettable moments. The diversity of the stops, the surreal wildlife, and the Maasai cultural experience all seem like highlights that made the journey so special.

Stanley sounds amazing—having a genuine and personable guide can make all the difference in a trip like this. It’s clear he played a big part in creating such a memorable adventure for your family. It’s inspiring to hear how the experience was life-changing for you all.

We'll look forward to reconnecting for other experiences.

Regards,
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

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

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