Truly Swahili

I had a wonderful safari with Kaka and Jambo! I saw many, many animals including the big 5. The following beach trip to zanzibar was also lovely! It was a great vacation!

Wow and Incredible
We had an amazing experience in Kenya and Tanzania. Stephan pulled together an adventure that was perfect for us! We saw everything on our Must-See list and more. The guides and lodging were all great. The transportation was safe and convenient. The welcome booklet from Stephan was so valuable. Because of it we had everything taken care of and had no problems in either country.
Kenya:
Stephan and our Guide/Driver Norman from Truly Swahili were at the airport to greet us when we arrived in Nairobi. On the drive to the 1st hotel, we went over the plan and discussed logistics. This was great so when we took off the next day for Lake Nakuru, we were ready.
Norman was our driver and guide while we were in Kenya. It was great to have the same person the whole time we were there. Norman was great, what a nice and caring person. He is also a great guide. He found so many birds and animals. It is amazing to watch him work. The number of small hidden birds he saw was incredible. We would have never seen as much as we did without him. We spent 2 full days on Safari in the park with Norman. We would do it again
Skynest Residences by CityBlue - this was an apartment/hotel which I really appreciated. We stayed here twice as we were going in and out of Kenya. The unit had clothes washing machine which was helpful. We did not have to pack for the whole time we were away. The people were all very friendly, the unit was clean and comfortable. The view from the roof of the building was wild. Nairobi is HUGE!
Sopa Lodge Nakuru - This is a beautiful lodge above Lake Nakuru. The views are incredible. The location is in the park, so our safari began when we woke up with Zebras just nearby. The room was clean and comfortable. Maggie and Mary in the restaurant took amazing care of us!!! They were so friendly! We felt welcome and safe the whole time
Cliff Lodge Sunrise Boat Safari. This was fun. We were treated to a boat cruise on Lake Nakuru. We were able to cruise the shoreline to find all sorts of different birds, and 100’s of Pelicans and Flamingos. It is an early start, so a delicious breakfast is provided. Milka really knew her birds and what we could expect to see. And the Milka/Suleman team were great together spotting everything!
Tanzania
This time we were met at the airport by Truly Swahili’s Irene and our guide Kaka. We met our driver Jambo the next day. More on Kaka and Jambo later! Irene went over the plan for our 8 days in Tanzania on the drive to the hotel in Arusha. This was great so we again knew what to expect.
Sanna Boutique Hotel in Arusha was quite nice. It had an amazing rooftop view, and we were just at the base of Mt. Meru. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Gofrery in the restaurant talked birds with us and made sure we were always ok! It was a good stay before the long drive to the Serengeti.
Kaka and Jambo our guide and driver. I do not think there is enough good to say about these 2 guys. They were a power team! Driving is long and challenging. Jambo got us where we needed to go every time. We were so impressed how he knew how to get around in the Serengeti. There are no roads or signs, yet we always arrived at our lodge at the end of the day. Jambo has crazy skills to be able to drive and find birds and game as we go. Then there was Kaka, he was joy to be around. He saw the positive in everything. And he also saw everything. He knew what was most important to us (birds) and took us to the places that had birds. He knew where a fig tree was that all sorts of bird life. Amazing! Both Kaka and Jambo listened to us, stopped the car when we asked and never rushed us to get going again. Both laughed easily and knew so much! We were able to enjoy the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater game drives to the fullest! The combination of being in Tanzania with Kaka and Jambo was incredible. I will want these 2 to guide me next time. Tanzania without Kaka and Jambo – I don’t think so!
The Acacia Seronera Luxury Camp was amazing. It was the iconic staying in a tent-cabin in the Serengeti. What fun. We heard lions from our bed the 1st night. That is not something that happens in the USA! The rooms were clean and comfortable. There were plenty of people to escort us to our room in the dark. So, we always felt safe! Mariska took care of us in the restaurant, and she was great! The lodge is doing a big update and from what we saw it will be even more luxury than it was for us!
Karatu Simba Lodge – we enjoyed this lodge a lot. It was also clean and friendly and safe. The rooms were very comfortable. Sitting on the deck looking over the hills and farms was beautiful! The meals were buffet style so there was lots of variety and all of it was very tasty!
A last minute add on to our trip was Lake Manyara Biking, Canoeing & Cultural Experience with lunch, instead of a second day in the Ngorongoro crater. This turned out to be one of the most memorable days of our trip. This one we went into not really knowing what to expect. Teresa from The Cultural Tourism Programme in Mto Wa Mbu was an excellent guide. We learned more details about the different tribes and their cultures and skills. We have the opportunity to purchase art from small local artists. We had a traditional Tanzanian lunch prepared for us in a Banana Plantation. YUM! Biking through the village was an interesting ground view of the area. We enjoyed the day! Now I think we will always add a cultural day to any trip! Had I known more about the day I would have brought more cash with me. We encountered so many different people all who are so proud of what they do! I wanted to bring home a little of everything they made.
Irene met us again before we headed to the airport. How wonderful to have a personal touch to be sure the trip not only met our expectations but exceeded them. Stephan took this time to call us and check in before the long trip home as well. 5 Stars!!! Will Recommend!

Hotel Reviews

Skynest Residences by CityBlue

Nairobi

This was an apartment/hotel which I really appreciated. We stayed here twice as we were going in and out of Kenya. The unit had clothes washing machine which was helpful. We did not have to pack for the whole time we were away. The people were all very friendly, the unit was clean and comfortable. The view from the roof of the building was wild. Nairobi is HUGE!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Karatu Simba Lodge

We enjoyed this lodge a lot. It was also clean and friendly and safe. The rooms were very comfortable. Sitting on the deck looking over the hills and farms was beautiful! The meals were buffet style so there was lots of variety and all of it was very tasty!

Authenticity & Character

Location

It was a good balance between getting to the Ngorongoro crater and having out day in teh village of Mto Wa Mbu.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sopa Lodge Nakuru

Nairobi

This is a beautiful lodge above Lake Nakuru. The views are incredible. The location is in the park, so our safari began when we woke up with Zebras just nearby. The room was clean and comfortable. Maggie and Mary in the restaurant took amazing care of us!!! They were so friendly! We felt welcome and safe the whole time

Authenticity & Character

Very 'classic' safari lodge. It was everything you woud expect .

Location

It is in the National Park so Safari is just out side the lodge.

Staff

Maggie anfd Mary - AWESOME. Everyone was friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was large and comfortable. The Lodge its self was beautiful

Sanna Boutique Hotel

Arusha

It had an amazing rooftop view, and we were just at the base of Mt. Meru. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Gofrery in the restaurant talked birds with us and made sure we were always ok! It was a good stay before the long drive to the Serengeti.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Godfry - He was awesome.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Acacia Central Serengeti Camp

We ended us staying at another Acacia lodge in the Serengeti ..... The Acacia Seronera Luxury Camp was amazing. It was the iconic staying in a tent-cabin in the Serengeti. What fun. We heard lions from our bed the 1st night. That is not something that happens in the USA! The rooms were clean and comfortable. There were plenty of people to escort us to our room in the dark. So, we always felt safe! Mariska took care of us in the restaurant, and she was great! The lodge is doing a big update and from what we saw it will be even more luxury than it was for us!

Authenticity & Character

another classic safari -tent lodge. It was amazing

Location

I mean we are IN the Serengeti. The location can not be any better!

Staff

everyone so friendly. Mariska was a special person.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Sunrise Boat Cruise on Lake Nakuru

Nakuru

Cliff Lodge Sunrise Boat Safari. This was fun. We were treated to a boat cruise on Lake Nakuru. We were able to cruise the shoreline to find all sorts of different birds, and 100’s of Pelicans and Flamingos. It is an early start, so a delicious breakfast is provided. Milka really knew her birds and what we could expect to see. And the Milka/Suleman team were great together spotting everything!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Milka and Suleman

Transport

Evening Game Drive at Lake Nakuru National Park

Nakuru

Norman was a amazing guide. Lake Nakuru is beautiful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Safari Experience at Serengeti National Park

Tanzania

WOW The Serengeti is Amazing. But we had the BEST gukdes Kaka and Jambo! They made more amazing than it was going to be anyway!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

JAMBO AND KAKA!!!!! YES!

Transport

Full Day Safari Experience at Ngorongoro

Tanzania

What an amazing place. there is SOOOOOO much to see

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We worked with Stephan to book our Tanzania safari and Zanzibar trip this summer. Kimkim arranged our travels with Truly Swahili. We were traveling with another couple and Stephan smoothly coordinated all of our input. We originally told Stephan what we wanted, he then put together a wonderful itinerary that included all of our wishes. We then fine tuned the itinerary and conveyed this to Stephan. He made the adjustments quickly and expertly. We were very happy with the process and our trip. We had an amazing vacation!

Our local ground team in the mainland (from Truly Swahili) included Irene, the trip coordinator, Kaka our guide, and Simba our driver. Kaka and Simba were an amazing team (we think they are brothers). Every day when they picked us up at the lodge, Kaka would ask each of us our goals and animals we wanted to see for that day. Simba always knew where to go to achieve that goal. Together they always made sure we were in a position to get the best photos and experiences. Kaka would teach us at least three Swahili words or phrases for the day. He always had an energetic smile and wonderful stories about the animals. Simba, the (quieter brother) had an extensive knowledge of the animals and their behaviors. Together they made sure we stayed safe and happy.

Our mainland itinerary included a Rufiji river cruise and a safari in Nyerere, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. We achieved our goals of seeing the "Big 5." We did this in one day in the Ngorongoro Crater. Each park we visited had it's own unique personality, terrain, and variety of animals. We are very happy we did each one of them.

After the safari's, we spent the last couple of days in Zanzibar where we could relax and enjoy the exquisite beauty of the resort. Our Zanzibar guide, Khamis, was an encyclopedia of knowledge of the island in it's culture and history.

All together, we can not recommend Truly Swahili enough! Irene and her team's choices of resorts, lodges, and experiences were amazing! The guides, accommodations and food were always top notch!

Thank you so much Stephan, Irene, Kaka, Simba, and Khamis for making this vacation a trip of a lifetime!

Our recent family trip to Tanzania with kimkim was amazing! From the moment we began to inquire about the adventure to the shaping of the schedule—and questions along the way, we found Melvin and his team to be incredibly responsive and diligent. Upon arrival in Kilimanjaro, we were greeted warmly by Irene and her team, and always felt confident that we were in good hands. Tanzania opened our eyes to just how much the country has to offer—from hiking the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to discovering giraffes, hippos and lions as we moved through Serengeti national park, and learning about a culture which differs so much from Canada. What made the trip especially fun were our guides—Kaka and Jambo, who were very friendly, knowledgeable, competent, organized and had a wonderful sense of humor. Hoping this is not our last adventure to Tanzania!

Hotel Reviews

Skynest Residences by CityBlue

Nairobi

The hotel feels very institutional and the food (breakfast) was terrible. Thank goodness we didn't stay there too long.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arusha Serena Hotel

Arusha

Amazing hotel, very beautiful building and great staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa Zanzibar

Zanzibar

Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp

Arusha, Tanzania

Lake Manyara Serena Lodge

Karatu

Activity Reviews

Sunset Dhow Cruise in Zanzibar

Tanzania

Would skip this in the future. The crew wasn't that competent and the harbor was not a pretty spot to boat.

Encounters with Giants: A Day at the Nairobi Giraffe Centre

Nairobi

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - Elephant Orphanage Visit

Nairobi

Canoeing in Arusha

Tanzania

We didn't do this because of scheduling issues.

Day Hike on Mountain Kilimanjaro

Tanzania

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brilliant trip to Uganda and Tanzania! Melvin and Irene did a wonderful job organizing everything for us in both countries and personally greeted us which we appreciated. Melvin was our point of contact in the lead up and was always very responsive and helpful. We were very pleased with the final itinerary and how easy it was to get this trip planned. Fantastic guides and drivers in both countries. They were very informative, organized, got us where we needed to be safely, and were a lot of fun! Beautiful accommodation in every location. Will organize future trips with Truly Swahili and can't recommend them enough. Memories to last a life time!

This was our family's first trip to Africa. Were naturally unfamiliar with the territory and a bit apprehensive about planning a trip. We spent five days wildlife viewing in Serengeti and Ngorongoro, and two days in the city of Arusha.

Our local travel organizer Melvin M. and our local safari guide Walter O. were both extremely helpful and kind beyond our expectations. Melvin was professional and very responsive. Walter and assistant guide Kaka M. were very well informed about Tanzania's natural world and helped us get the most of our time, putting in extraordinary effort to help us experience the best of this wonderful part of the world.

As parents were were protective traveling with our teenage kids. The team made us feel safe and welcome both in the city and in the wild. We will remember their kindness and good company for a long time to come.