Kimkim Trip Reviews

4.8
Based on 14,305 ratings
Read 14,305 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Travel Experience is Necessary. Not for Beginners.
Brazil | Jul 30 - Aug 14, 2024

WENDY
WENDY T.
France | Reviewed on Aug 23, 2024
Day 1: Arrival in Sāo Luis: The arrangements went smoothly until check-in to Hotel Luzeiros. The reservations were not paid and had to be billed to my companion's Visa until proof of payment was provided. This took longer than expected because the Hotel accounts office was closed leading to an e-mail trial and error. Not a great start. The problem was corrected eventually that evening. Day 2: Group transfer from São Luis to Barrierinhas. The transfer bus was one hour late, leading... Read more

Day 1: Arrival in Sāo Luis: The arrangements went smoothly until check-in to Hotel Luzeiros. The reservations were not paid and had to be billed to my companion's Visa until proof of payment was provided. This took longer than expected because the Hotel accounts office was closed leading to an e-mail trial and error. Not a great start. The problem was corrected eventually that evening.

Day 2: Group transfer from São Luis to Barrierinhas. The transfer bus was one hour late, leading to some anxious moments about being forgotten etc. The communication was minimal between KimKim and us, so we just had to wait and hope. When the transfer bus (about 20 passengers) finally arrived, the air conditioning broke down, leading to an unscheduled stop at the SL airport where an alternate vehicle could be arranged. About an hour delay, but the van arrived and we enjoyed a nice air conditioned ride to Barrierinhas. Wonderful couple of tour guides were patiently waiting for us to check in so they could take us to Lençoise MNP. It was an unbelievably beautiful experience - the guides knew the back dirt roads, leading to us enjoying the swimming/walking experience to ourselves. Nice guide walked us there and back, offering assistance to we elderly women. Pousada Boa Vista was lovely: clean, with one English speaking staff member who helped us immensely. We had to text KimKim Angela to give us the departure time for the tour the next day. This was an ongoing problem - we should not have always had to text for departure times. This is a standing complaint. Please always give departure times for tours. We should not have to always inquire!

Day 3 Preguicas River Tour

Absolutely disastrous. The company who is responsible for picking up passengers operates the tour boat as a transfer boat for passengers who have luggage and are heading to Atins. The boat operator was disorganized, did not bother to organize luggage to accommodate all passenger who were only there for the tour and did not take luggage.. The boat operator took a great interest in two pretty passengers, totally ignoring the rest of the passengers on the boat. We two (2) were left on the beach on the final stop without explanation from the boat operator except that he would return in an hour for us. Our reserved seats on the boat were occupied by two strangers who were picked up for the run Atins, down river. Absolutely unacceptable and this boat tour company should never be used again. Also pretty sure the boat operator took time to smoke a few reefers in between stops, but of course cannot prove that. Just felt unsafe all around.

Day 4 Barreirinhas to Parnaiba

Pousada Villa Parnaiba was probably the best accommodation that Parnaiba could offer, but the rooms were in need of a great deal of repair. The toilet shower was not operable. No restaurant was within a reasonable walking distance, so at great personal cost, food delivery was made to the hotel. The hamburger worked out to be about 120 Reals. The pool was a little dicey - very shallow with no discernible pool cleaning system observed, so no swimming was done there. The tour that was supposed to pick us up at the hotel was over an hour late. This meant that return from the river tour would be well after dark. Nothing to see when the river is dark, so there was no point in taking the tour. KimKim would not refund the cost of the tour, as they thought the tour was only 1/2 hour late. No point arguing. There was no refund given by KimKim.

Day 5 Parnaiba to Jericoacoara

The driver was wonderful but without English, it was difficult to understand the day's schedule. Long drive in the vehicle but enjoyed all the stops and runs along highway and beach. Very generous stops, and very nice lunch spot where the hammocks dip into the lake. Well organized, expert driver who ran us up sand dunes.

Day 6 Jericoacoara

The planned activity for the day was something that perhaps younger generation enjoy, but a hot dusty and bumpy buggy tour at high speeds around sand dunes was not really what either of us wanted to do. We cancelled immediately when we saw what we would be in for. We did request age appropriate activity and this did not fit the request at all. We were perfectly content to stay in Jeri for the day and sit at the beach. We were transferred the next day to another room because of a leaky toilet, without incident. We would like to give a shout out again to Leandro, our friend at the front desk for being an awesome host.

Day 8 Fortaleza

Transfer from Jeri to Fortaleza took 9 long hours. We were advised it would be a 4 hour transfer. No idea why it took so much longer, but were again treated to expert driving along beach and road. Hotel accommodation in Fortaleza was 5 star awesome. Right across from the beach. Great room and location.

Day 9 Fortaleza City Tour

We did not have the benefit of an English speaking guide, but we did hire a guide who showed us around beautiful Fortaleza; the opera house, and market. Unfortunately we cancelled the planned tour, and paid for a tour ourselves. We kept some local families happy with that double payment. Poor choice on our part, not KimKim's fault.

Day 11 Manaus City Tour

Beautiful hotel. 5 star. Unfortunately the car provided by the guide was not air conditioned and the temperature outside was 40 degrees. We did our best, but had to return to the hotel because of heat exhaustion. We missed touring the Indigenous People Museum, unfortunately.

Day 12-15 Ecopark Jungle Lodge

Grateful that we did not have to travel 3 hours up river, the Ecolodge was only an hour away via vehicle transfer and boat. Accommodation cabins were lovely. 3 meal a day food was always superb. Special presentation at the beach one night with amazing food and 5 star entertainment. It would appear that this was for the benefit of special guests at the lodge who we guessed reviewed and recommended accommodation on the Amazon. We got the benefit of ths special presentation - and enjoyed it thoroughly.

The transfer from Manous to Manous Airport did not show up at 9 a.m. or at all.
We took an Uber to the airport instead.

After the original accommodation was cancelled at Turtle Lodge, which was 3 hours further up river, the plane transfer would have been doable from EcoLodge - Manous - São Paulo. An extra night had to be spent in São Paulo because of timing with original accommodation arrangement. Unfortunate.

All in all, a well organized tour, but again, it was not acceptable that communication had to constantly be made with Angela to advise us about tour starting times every day.

Local specialist: Alfonso Ippolito

25th Anniversary Vacation
Morocco | Aug 5 - Aug 16, 2024

Patty
Patty J.
Troy, NY | Reviewed on Aug 23, 2024

Original Travel provided us with an amazing trip to Morocco! We felt that every aspect of our trip was thoughtfully and professionally organized. The tour guides were knowledgeable. The cities were full of pleasant surprises. The Sahara and Atlas mountains were breathtaking. Our driver, Samir, was great! Thank you for planning such a wonderful vacation for us, Said!

Local specialist: Saïd Nayt Addi
Saïd
Saïd Nayt Addi
Local specialist in Marrakech | Replied on Aug 24, 2024

Hi Patty,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad to hear that you had an amazing time in Morocco and that everything went smoothly. It was a pleasure planning your trip, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the experience, especially with Samir as your driver. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we’re delighted that you had such a memorable adventure. Looking forward to helping you plan your next journey!

Warm regards,
Said

What a trip!
Norway | Jul 15 - Jul 23, 2024

D
David F.
Centennial, CO | Reviewed on Aug 22, 2024
What a trip! The Kimkim group did a wonderful job planning our activities and customizing the trip for our interests. They were very responsive and highly communicative during the planning stage of the trip. We particularly enjoyed the time spent in the fjords on the Norway in a Nutshell section after we left Bergen. They were awesome! After seeing those fjords, I think the fjord boat ride from Bergen could have been skipped and spent the time enjoying Bergen. We loved the lodging in Flam!... Read more

What a trip! The Kimkim group did a wonderful job planning our activities and customizing the trip for our interests. They were very responsive and highly communicative during the planning stage of the trip. We particularly enjoyed the time spent in the fjords on the Norway in a Nutshell section after we left Bergen. They were awesome! After seeing those fjords, I think the fjord boat ride from Bergen could have been skipped and spent the time enjoying Bergen. We loved the lodging in Flam! Perfect for what we look for--quaint and with a beautiful view. We did a guided bike tour in Oslo that we arranged ourselves which I would recommend. Unfortunately, I had Covid in Oslo and spent most of 3 days in bed. Except for the initial problem with payment at the Bergen hotel that took about 1 1/2 hours or so to get straightened out (I believe that was the hotel’s mistake), all the arrangements worked very smoothly.
We’ve already recommended Kimkim to others and would use your services again for another trip in areas that you cover. Thank you

Activity Review
Norway in a Nutshell Tour
Norway in a Nutshell Tour
Norway

Absolutely loved the fjords! This was the highlight of the trip. All the transportation was planned well, the guides were knowledgeable and we were very lucky to have dry, pleasant weather.

Local specialist: Merée Ruzits

Charmed and delighted
Mexico | Aug 10 - Aug 16, 2024

S
Sara P.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Aug 22, 2024
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and the ability to relax knowing that all details were taken care of and that we would be going to lovely hotels and have interesting and fun plans each day. Our local specialist came up with many ideas for our family and continued to work with us to perfect an itinerary, and the ongoing support was helpful for daily reminders and any necessary changes. Our local guides were outstanding. I travel extensively for work and really wanted my children to be able to... Read more

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and the ability to relax knowing that all details were taken care of and that we would be going to lovely hotels and have interesting and fun plans each day. Our local specialist came up with many ideas for our family and continued to work with us to perfect an itinerary, and the ongoing support was helpful for daily reminders and any necessary changes. Our local guides were outstanding. I travel extensively for work and really wanted my children to be able to have authentic and respectful cultural experiences for their first major international trip, and they did. We were charmed and delighted by the whole trip.

Local specialist: Rene Rodarte

Incredible Trip 🤩
Finland | Aug 13 - Aug 20, 2024

Mohammed
Mohammed A.
Singapore | Reviewed on Aug 22, 2024

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to your amazing and trustworthy company, especially to the specialist who arranged our wonderful trip to Finland (Emerson). He was very kind, cooperative and patient with us, and made a great effort to arrange the most wonderful trip. We were there in great luxury and comfort, and lived beautiful moments that will not be forgotten. We will definitely organize all our upcoming trips in cooperation with you. 😍♥️

Local specialist: Emerson Siimer
Emerson
Emerson Siimer
Local specialist in Estonia | Replied on Aug 23, 2024

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! I'm really glad to hear that your trip to Finland was such a special experience. It was a pleasure working with you to make sure everything was just right. Looking forward to helping you plan more amazing journeys in the future!

South Africa and Botswana
Botswana | Jul 30 - Aug 11, 2024

Christopher
Christopher S.
Hollywood, FL | Reviewed on Aug 22, 2024
Our trip to South Africa and Botswana was excellent.
Eileen and her team put together a wonderful trip that completely met our needs.
They listened to all of our requests and after several versions, nailed the perfect trip for our family.
While in country, her team (specifically Lucy) continually checked in with us to make sure that everything was going smoothly and we were having a great time.
I never felt like we were traveling alone and always had someone local looking out for us.
Read more

Our trip to South Africa and Botswana was excellent.
Eileen and her team put together a wonderful trip that completely met our needs.
They listened to all of our requests and after several versions, nailed the perfect trip for our family.
While in country, her team (specifically Lucy) continually checked in with us to make sure that everything was going smoothly and we were having a great time.
I never felt like we were traveling alone and always had someone local looking out for us.

Hotel Reviews
The Commodore Hotel
Cape Town

Great location...clean and met our needs. The staff was friendly and accommodating. It is not the Ritz Carlton or the Four Seasons so as long as your expectations are in line, you won't be disappointed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Halls and rooms were slightly dated, but everything was clean
Machaba Safaris
Maun

We had an incredible experience at Machaba as my kids felt it was the best place we stayed in Botswana; or at least the most authentic. There are no wooden walkways and tents are not built up on stilts; they are on a concrete slab. My family loved how close we were to nature (after all, that is why we were there). We stayed at other camps and while they may have been more elaborate (glass doors, paved/wooden walkways, hardwood floors) they lacked the character of Machaba.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Everyone on the staff was amazing. Shout out to Rafa, our guide, possibly the best we had in Botswana.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Eileen De Villiers
Eileen
Eileen De Villiers
Local specialist in Johannesburg | Replied on Sep 04, 2024

Dear Chris,

Thank you so much for the lovely review, I am so happy you had a lovely time and enjoyed Machaba (our last find). It was a pleasure creating this experience for you and hope our paths will cross again in the future. May the memories will last a lifetime!

Best wishes,
Eileen

Family trip to Spain and Morocco!
Spain | Aug 10 - Aug 21, 2024

E
Elizabeth S.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 22, 2024

KimKim was a great option for planning a complicated, multi-city/country vacation for our family! We got to see the best of Spain and Morocco worry free. We had an easy to use app that helped keep the plans organized. I would highly recommend KimKim!

Local specialist: Anita Matijasevic
Anita
Anita Matijasevic
Local specialist in Madrid & Florence | Replied on Aug 26, 2024

Hi Elizabeth, thank you so so much for your trip review! I'm glad to hear you had a great time with your Family in Spain & Morocco! It was a real pleasure to be a small part of your journey. Thank you for choosing the Espíritu Travel family! Anita

No hike more beautiful than the TMB! Kimkim made it possible!
France | Jul 19 - Aug 4, 2024

Teri
Teri H.
Orlando, FL | Reviewed on Aug 22, 2024
The TMB has become a top hiker’s destination, therefore, accommodations can be difficult to arrange. When we decided we would finally make the trip, Rashi shared that the accommodations would be difficult considering our shorter “lead time”. Shortly thereafter, she reached out to offer an itinerary from a couple who canceled their trip, but would require date changes. We were delighted with the news!
Rashi and Thomas were able to make some tweaks to this itinerary to customize the trip for...
Read more

The TMB has become a top hiker’s destination, therefore, accommodations can be difficult to arrange. When we decided we would finally make the trip, Rashi shared that the accommodations would be difficult considering our shorter “lead time”. Shortly thereafter, she reached out to offer an itinerary from a couple who canceled their trip, but would require date changes. We were delighted with the news!
Rashi and Thomas were able to make some tweaks to this itinerary to customize the trip for us, e.g.; we added a couple days in Geneva on the front end, added a couple on the backend and were able to build in a break day after each 3 days of hiking. We hiked 9 days, around 100 miles overall and wouldn’t change a thing!
Rashi offered suggestions of “things to do and see” for each of our non-hiking days, which was helpful and gave us options.

We were overall pleased with our accommodations which ranged from 4/5 star rated boutique hotels to (a) shared dorm with bunkbeds and shared bathrooms. Most of the mountain huts have both dorms and select private rooms. We were pleasantly surprised to find most of our private rooms also had en suite bathroom facilities. We were expecting to share in these locations. I’m not sure if that was a special request from Rashi and Thomas on our behalf, or if we were just lucky?!

We chose the luggage service which I would HIGHLY recommend for this trek! It was worth every penny to know we didn’t have to carry everything on our backs, nor did we have to “go without” certain items.

This is the 2nd time using Kimkim for International travel with great results! They work with local experts, like Rashi and Thomas from Allibert Trekking, to handle the logistics AND there is peace of mind knowing there’s someone local to contact if in need.

Hotel Review
Ruby Claire Hotel
Geneva

This cute boutique hotel in Geneva was perfect for our pre-Tour du Mont Blanc hiking trip! They are conscientious about eco-lodging and offered us each a complimentary drink if we declined daily housekeeping which we gladly accepted! The breakfast was one of the best we experienced during this trip! The bartenders even offered specialty coffees and lattes as opposed to just pots of coffee. Everyone we encountered from check in to check out was pleasant and eager to accommodate. We highly recommend the Ruby Claire hotel!

Authenticity & Character
It was simply adorable! The custom music list was wonderful, creating a fun atmosphere.
Location
Centrally located! We were able to walk everywhere we wanted to!
Staff
Everyone we encountered from check in to check out was eager to please and very friendly!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The property was clean, the breakfast was amazing, the bed was comfy!
Local specialist: Rashi Jakhete

Perfect trip!
Fiji | Jul 29 - Aug 19, 2024

Ashley
Ashley B.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Aug 22, 2024
Perfect trip! Hopped around to a couple of the islands and had zero troubles with any of the transfers or resorts. Awesome, thanks! Read more

Perfect trip! Hopped around to a couple of the islands and had zero troubles with any of the transfers or resorts. Awesome, thanks!

Hotel Reviews
Fiji Gateway Hotel
Nadi

We stayed in 4.5 star hotels around Fiji and for some reason the Gateway just hits different! We loved our two stops here while breaking up the trip between different islands. The food was great, bed comfy, rooms cold, the chai tea was to die for and the music was awesome. My hubby and I joked we would be back and just stay and hang at the Gateway!

Authenticity & Character
Location
walking to airport
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fiji Gateway Hotel
Nadi

We stayed in 4.5 star hotels around Fiji and for some reason the Gateway just hits different! We loved our two stops here while breaking up the trip between different islands. The food was great, bed comfy, rooms cold, the chai tea was to die for and the music was awesome. My hubby and I joked we would be back and just stay and hang at the Gateway!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Matamanoa Island Resort
Mamanuca Islands, Nadi

Healthy, breath taking reef! For those new or in love with snorkeling you couldn't pick a better location. Shallow, gorgeous coral surround the island. We loved the massages and walking around the island. Rooms were amazinggggg. Only downside is no dogs on the island. Silly I know but we loved playing with the dogs on the other islands :)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Navutu Stars
Yaqeta Island

If my husband ever goes missing, I know to look for him at Navutu stars. Yes, I loved the resort too, but he said of all the places we have traveled around the world, this place just felt different. The people are authentic. Yes, they are in hospitality and you can tell but they were also just genuine and kind. I have worked in hospitality and nothing from them felt forced. Just great people. AND GREAT DOGS! If you love dogs, just stay here your entire vacation. I was about to pack Elsa in my suitcase, Dolly, Rocky and Snow White could come too. If you don't like dogs, they will leave you alone. I can say, of the 10 bures... those dogs had 9 of us fighting over them. Excursions were fun and adventurous. We hold very fond memories of this place, the people and the pups!

Authenticity & Character
What amazing people. I wish I would have went to the village to meet more of them.
Location
wow! Worth the long boat ride.
Staff
Authentic
Cleanliness & Comfort
Note, there is no air conditioning however the breeze is strong and the rooms were comfortable
Matangi Private Island Resort
Matangi Island

So much fun. Daily free snorkels and meals included. The BEST food we have had around Fiji by FAR and we stayed at many nice resorts. Everything was yummy. The ridge hike kicked our A$$ in the best way. (don't do it if you're scared of spiders, they do give you sticks). The shoreline hike was peaceful. The village singers and dancers were awesome and the little dance part after was a blast. Even the people who said they wouldn't participate were dancing and having a great time. How could you not. The massage was amazingggggggg and all the animals were awesome. Give Missy, Mary and Lucky some pats for me! I also loved that the visitors all enjoyed the friendly game of stealing the orange cat off of each others front porches. Such a friendly little sweetie! All the staff were great but we definitely enjoyed our free diving chats with bartender Jon, Dan telling us his story and about his time here in Colorado and our snorkels with the activity shack boys. The private time on the bay is a MUST for those who love snorkeling. Well done.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Jons the man!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Navutu Stars Complimentary Activities
Navutu Stars Complimentary Activities
Yasawa

Honestly everything was perfect and the dogs were great adventure buddies if you wanted them there. Hiking, kayak or laying on the beach. They would hang if you asked them to :)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Navutu Stars Charged Activities
Navutu Stars Charged Activities
Yasawa

ADVENTURE! So fun! Loved the cave but long, wet, boat rides. Snorkeling tends to not be from a beach but a boat so check with them about that if you are scared of deep water. Beautiful reef!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Taveuni
Welcome to Taveuni
Taveuni

Wow that was a small plane (but safe and fun!). The views were awesome!!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ruth Grau
Ruth
Ruth Grau
Local specialist in Adelaide, Australia, & Palm Springs, USA | Replied on Sep 01, 2024

I really enjoyed working with Ashley on this trip and I am so pleased that you loved everything! Thanks also for your great feedback! Anytime the South Pacific calls to you again I am here for you! I loved that you knew the feel of what you wanted the trip to be so I could match locations that suited you!

Switzerland Tour
Switzerland | Aug 1 - Aug 7, 2024

D
Dave Z.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Aug 22, 2024
Our thanks to Clothilde for working with us to build a memorable trip. She was responsive and timely in helping us lock in an itinerary on relatively short notice. Our thanks also to Joel for stepping in to assist Clothilde while she was unavailable. We were pleased with our main activities:
Funky Chocolate Shop - fun family activity, I don't remember our host's name but she was very good
E-Bike Tour - good outdoor activity, the Trummellbach Falls were the highlight. Pedro was an...
Read more

Our thanks to Clothilde for working with us to build a memorable trip. She was responsive and timely in helping us lock in an itinerary on relatively short notice. Our thanks also to Joel for stepping in to assist Clothilde while she was unavailable.

We were pleased with our main activities:
Funky Chocolate Shop - fun family activity, I don't remember our host's name but she was very good
E-Bike Tour - good outdoor activity, the Trummellbach Falls were the highlight. Pedro was an engaging guide and he helped us with medical attention when one of our sons took an unfortunate fall.
Trip to Jungfrauloch - maybe the highlight of the week, a unique and unforgettable experience
Riffelsee and Riffelberg Tour - Guide Herbie had the good idea to visit the mirroring lake to the Matterhorn first, before the crowds got there
Likewise, we were generally pleased with the accommodations.

A couple of items didn't meet our expectations:
After agreeing to our itinerary and paying the amount in full, we were notified that the E-Bike Tour we signed up for was not available. After some discussion, we were left with no choice but to pay an extra charge to secure the Tour we had already paid for. That still doesn't seem right to me.
For the private transfer from Zermatt to Zurich, we had instructions to meet our driver at our hotel. When he didn't appear, we had to contact him to find out that he was waiting for us in Tasch, as cars are not normally permitted in Zurich. We then had to get ourselves to the Zermatt train station and find a train to Tasch. This should have been avoided and in fact, I sent an inquiry that night prior asking for clarification on that issue.

But overall, a very enjoyable trip.

Hotel Reviews
Heart of Interlaken Apartments
INTERLAKEN
Hotel Alpenhof
Zermatt
Hotel Glärnischhof by Trinity
Zurich
Activity Reviews
Chocolate workshop in Interlaken!
Chocolate workshop in Interlaken!
Switzerland
E-Bike Adventure: Exploring Lauterbrunnen and the Enchanting Valley of 72 Waterfalls
E-Bike Adventure: Exploring Lauterbrunnen and the Enchanting Valley of 72 Waterfalls
Switzerland
Time at leisure in Interlaken!
Time at leisure in Interlaken!
Switzerland
Riffelsee and Riffelberg tour!
Riffelsee and Riffelberg tour!
Zermatt
Local specialist: Clothilde DIEMUNSCH
Clothilde
Clothilde DIEMUNSCH
Local specialist in lacenas, France | Replied on Aug 22, 2024
Hello Dave,
I hope this message finds you well! I'm really grateful for your thoughtful review of Kim Kim following your recent trip. Your insights are invaluable to us as we strive to uphold and enhance the quality of our services. Rest assured, I'll be sharing your feedback with my team and our partners. It brings me great joy to hear that you had a fantastic experience exploring our country! We will make sure to avoid as much as possible the issues you have faced: however kindly note that...
Read more

Hello Dave,
I hope this message finds you well! I'm really grateful for your thoughtful review of Kim Kim following your recent trip. Your insights are invaluable to us as we strive to uphold and enhance the quality of our services. Rest assured, I'll be sharing your feedback with my team and our partners. It brings me great joy to hear that you had a fantastic experience exploring our country! We will make sure to avoid as much as possible the issues you have faced: however kindly note that last minute bookings can bring problems of availability that we can not forsee unfortunately, especially when seats are limited.
Looking forward to maybe organizing your next trip with pleasure,
Sincerely,
Clothilde

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
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

For parents who don’t provide or read reviews. A 3 minute read (that I would read).
Norway | Aug 4 - Aug 14, 2024

Kermit
Kermit N.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024
I do not typically review experiences to be posted online. However, I received an email asking me to review our experience with kimkim and our specialist in particular. I was just trying to figure out how to do that on my own and I am happy to oblige. Our trip to Norway was a twice thwarted attempt to bring our family to Norway to see where our family had immigrated from years ago. With four busy kids, a busy family schedule and careers to manage, it didn’t look promising and I reached... Read more

I do not typically review experiences to be posted online. However, I received an email asking me to review our experience with kimkim and our specialist in particular. I was just trying to figure out how to do that on my own and I am happy to oblige.

Our trip to Norway was a twice thwarted attempt to bring our family to Norway to see where our family had immigrated from years ago. With four busy kids, a busy family schedule and careers to manage, it didn’t look promising and I reached out to a number of companies, a few of which said that I should have started months before. That was decent advice, but not helpful.

I ran across kimkim randomly online and was curious about the ability to curate our own interests into an agenda with a date range focusing on Norway. Admittedly, not everyone would want the same experiences if given the option to give their opinion, but the tool which gave me an option to select certain things as options including experiences -like a survey-was very clever and helpful. Once that was done, Kadri was assigned as our local expert. I don’t know how much time Kadri spent with us, but she was extremely patient behind the scenes as we had to maneuver a few schedule changes when our airline would not allow us to use stored miles to apply towards the trip (even though previously they indicated we could). Kadri faithfully put together a number of options for an itinerary that fit our desired agenda and had some great additional options as part of our schedule was fluid. When one part of our trip could not come together, she gave some very specific insight about an alternative that ended up being one of the highlights of our trip (spending time in Balestrand and staying at the Kviknes Hotel). In addition, she gave us practical advice which was very helpful.

I did find a friendly competitor of kimkim online and out of curiosity I submitted a similar criteria and was told that we would need months more to plan. That was all I needed to know as Kadri was at work behind the scenes.

The professionalism of the agenda, the links, the access to tickets and the detail was elegant and user friendly. Being able to share it with the family was great. Also, I had priced this trip several times and I found the overall package price of the trip to be very competitive to some long-established travel companies that I had tried to put this trip together with in the past.

We had an amazing trip and I referenced the kimkim itinerary and website several times a day. We are very grateful for Kadri as she was simply excellent not only in her work product, but patience, understanding and additional insights that I did not expect. I highly recommend her and the kimkim team for travel and I hope to use them again.

Local specialist: Kadri Talvik
Kadri
Kadri Talvik
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Aug 22, 2024

Thank you Kermit, for putting your trust in us here on Kimkim! :)

It's so wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your time in Norway with your family. It's never impossible to plan a trip last-minute, it's just needs some extra tweaking. :)

If you ever plan another journey, we'd love to welcome you back, and I will be here and more than happy to assist you!

My very best to all the family,
Kadri

KimKim saved us many hours in planning last m...
Scotland | Aug 8 - Aug 19, 2024

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Cynthia R.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024
KimKim saved us many hours in planning last minute trip to Scotland during the height of the season. Read more

KimKim saved us many hours in planning last minute trip to Scotland during the height of the season.

Hotel Reviews
One Devonshire Gardens - Hotel du Vin
Glasgow
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
No17 The Promenade Hotel
Oban
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cruachan Hotel
Fort William
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Breakfast was not good. Only instant coffee, no fresh fruit, I think there was not even yogurt.
River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals
Inverness
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Northern Sands Hotel
Thurso
Authenticity & Character
The outside curb appeal does not match the pleasant interior of the common areas or the room.
Location
Staff
Newton Lodge
Sutherland
Authenticity & Character
The hotel architecture does not match the surrounding charm of Inverness.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ac Marriott Inverness
Inverness
Authenticity & Character
The architecture of the building does not match and fit in with the charm of Inverness.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Glasgow
Cruise of Mull, Iona and Staffa Islands
Cruise of Mull, Iona and Staffa Islands
Scotland

It was cancelled by the operator due to weather but the ferries continued to run and we wish that we had been better informed of the option to take a ferry to one of the islands on our own. This was a big disappointment.

Evening cruise on Loch Linnhe
Evening cruise on Loch Linnhe
Fort William
Private guided tour with driver/guide in Skye from Fort William
Private guided tour with driver/guide in Skye from Fort William
Scotland
Private day with a driver/guide from Inverness
Private day with a driver/guide from Inverness
Scotland

Ian is a top notch, very informative guide and excellent driver who tailored our experience to our personal needs and interests. Anyone who gets him as a guide, is very lucky.

Boat Ride Around the Canal & Loch Ness including a Visit to Urquhart Castle
Boat Ride Around the Canal & Loch Ness including a Visit to Urquhart Castle
Scotland
Local specialist: Jane Davey
Jane
Jane Davey
Local specialist in United Kingdom | Replied on Aug 26, 2024
HI Cynthia Thank you for taking the time to review your 'last-minute', trip to Scotland. We were certainly firing from the hip to secure your trip in such a short space of time. Sounds like the weather threw a curved ball with the boat tour being cancelled, however, this was well recovered by our wonderful driver Ian. And how awesome to be able to tour the NC500 with such a knowledgeable, local guide too. It was an absolute pleasure to work with you both on such a wonderful trip. Thank you... Read more

HI Cynthia

Thank you for taking the time to review your 'last-minute', trip to Scotland. We were certainly firing from the hip to secure your trip in such a short space of time. Sounds like the weather threw a curved ball with the boat tour being cancelled, however, this was well recovered by our wonderful driver Ian. And how awesome to be able to tour the NC500 with such a knowledgeable, local guide too.

It was an absolute pleasure to work with you both on such a wonderful trip. Thank you for your detailed feedback and we thank you for choosing KimKim.

Look forward to working with you in the future.

All the best, Jane, Eva & The Team

Linda set up a wonderful trip for my family. ...
Norway | Aug 13 - Aug 17, 2024

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LeeAnn G.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024

Linda set up a wonderful trip for my family. We made changes- sorry- but she rolled with the changes and made it so easy. Thank you. The guides were great, accommodations were wonderful. LeeeAnn

Local specialist: Linda Veråsdal
Linda
Linda Veråsdal
Local specialist in Norway | Replied on Aug 24, 2024

Thank you so much for your review! I was really nice to plan the trip for your family with you, LeeAnn! Next time you come as well! :-) Linda

First trip to Greece
Greece | Aug 3 - Aug 10, 2024

T
Tara M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024

Eirini was so knowledgeable and responsive with ideas to create the most perfect trip for our family of 5. The experience in pairing our travel needs with Eirini’s extensive network to create a custom vacation was a great match. She understood our goals, actively level, and budget, and inserted her knowledge of climate, crowds, and seamless logistics. It was a best in class, interactive experience for us, and would highly recommend Eirini and KimKim. Thank you for sharing the best of your country and people with us!

Local specialist: Eirini Tzoka
Eirini
Eirini Tzoka
Local specialist in Athens | Replied on Aug 21, 2024

Dear Tara,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
It was truly a pleasure to work with you to create the perfect trip for you and your family. I’m delighted to hear that the experience met your expectations and that you enjoyed every aspect, from the planning process to the actual journey. Your trust in me means the world, and I’m thrilled that our network helped bring your vision to life. Your recommendation is incredibly appreciated, and I look forward to the opportunity to assist you with future adventures in Greece!
Wishing you all the best,
Eirini

A Memorable Visit!!!
Nepal | Aug 5 - Aug 10, 2024

Jennifer
Jennifer B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024
Our first city, Kathmandu, afforded us an instant and memorable view into their culture and city life! Our hotel was very nice! Staff was friendly and attentive. Our room was clean and well appointed. Their fitness room was nice! (I’m always happy when there’s a fitness room) While in contrast to Kathmandu, the Chitwan Jungle Resort was beautiful, the room was spacious and we had gorgeous views from our balcony and on the resort grounds. The staff was very friendly and accommodating!... Read more

Our first city, Kathmandu, afforded us an instant and memorable view into their culture and city life! Our hotel was very nice! Staff was friendly and attentive. Our room was clean and well appointed. Their fitness room was nice! (I’m always happy when there’s a fitness room)

While in contrast to Kathmandu, the Chitwan Jungle Resort was beautiful, the room was spacious and we had gorgeous views from our balcony and on the resort grounds. The staff was very friendly and accommodating! Likewise we had an altogether different but equally beautiful atmosphere when we stayed overnight at Matan Chhen in Panauti.

Our guide in Kathmandu was great and we had fantastic tours. Our host in Panauti, Grishma, was very helpful and charming!

If we did the trip again, I would not go to Panauti on our last day before departing Nepal. After the morning flight back from Chitwan to Kathmandu, we didn’t feel like driving another 1.5 hours only to go to a small town, with little to do or see and then just hang out in the residence the rest of the day. (We walked around the town for a little bit as Grishma was kind enough to walk with us but there was not much to do or see) And then having to drive back to Kathmandu exceptionally earlier than needed the following morning only to sit at the airport for 3 hour and 45 min ahead of our flight (and then add on another 1.5 hours for a delay). Had I known all the travel time and the lack of really anything to do in Panauti, I would have opted to stay in Kathmandu or somewhere a lot closer. That’s my only constructive feedback for the tour company. With limited time in the country anyway, the less ‘travel time’ to get to places, the better. Or at least a better call out on the planning side about total trip times.

Overall, it was a very positive experience and I would recommend Himalayan Trails to anyone! We were well taken care of!

Local specialist: Amanda Delecca

Experiencing A New Culture in India!
India | Aug 10 - Aug 15, 2024

Jennifer
Jennifer B.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024
Overall, our first trip to India was a memorable one! We love to experience new cultures on our trips and India has a unique one! Because my daughter and I are on a two-month, 12-country trip, we were only able to spend five nights in India. However, we experienced some of the best places India has to offer by visiting Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Our local guides in each city were professional and knowledgeable. We learned quite a bit from them! Our driver the entire time, Mr. Puran, was... Read more

Overall, our first trip to India was a memorable one! We love to experience new cultures on our trips and India has a unique one! Because my daughter and I are on a two-month, 12-country trip, we were only able to spend five nights in India. However, we experienced some of the best places India has to offer by visiting Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

Our local guides in each city were professional and knowledgeable. We learned quite a bit from them! Our driver the entire time, Mr. Puran, was awesome! He took care of us traveling from city to city and on all of our tours. Kudos to him for be able to navigate what we would consider ‘crazy’ traffic!

The hotels hand-picked for us in Agra and Jaipur (The Grand Imperial and the Dera Rawatsar respectively) were excellent! Highly recommend! Alternatively, in Delhi, I would likely want to stay somewhere else on a return visit. While it was clean and the staff was accommodating, the rooms were a bit tired, and some common things not provided in the rooms such as tissues and bath mats. And while the breakfast each morning was good, it was a little ‘unorganized’ if you needed/ordered something. Again, not a show-stopper, just providing some additional feedback that might be considered for clients coming from the US.

If I had to book the trip over again, I would likely not be so aggressive in trying to visit three cities that are each about 5-6 hours driving distance apart in 5 days. It was a lot of driving in such a short amount of time. It would have been helpful to know in planning the trip if this were called out so I could make a more informed decision. I may or may not have opted for something different, or even extended our stay, but at least I would have a little better idea about drive times.

Thanks to Active India for taking such good care of us while in the country and for selecting tours and sites that interested us. I would certainly recommend them to anyone traveling there!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Udman Ferns N Petals
New Delhi, Delhi

Clean rooms, accommodating staff. Rooms were not tired looking. Common hotel room items like tissue and bath mats were not provided. A little unorganized for breakfast in ordering or asking for items. But nice selection of breakfast items.

Authenticity & Character
Location
In a location were you really couldn’t walk out anywhere.
Staff
Professional and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Grand Imperial
Agra

Embodies Indian culture, very nice open spaces and very roomy accommodations. Staff professional and accommodating!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Dera Rawatsar

Beautiful rooms reflective of Indian culture! Very spacious and clean! All amenities needed! Very accommodating staff!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Taj Mahal Sunrise Visit
Taj Mahal Sunrise Visit
Agra

A MUST SEE!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bathe, Paint and Feed -  (Un-forgettable - experience with elephants!)
Bathe, Paint and Feed - (Un-forgettable - experience with elephants!)
Jaipur

Once in a lifetime opportunity to interact with these gentle giants!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ravi Tickoo
Ravi
Ravi Tickoo
Local specialist in New Delhi | Replied on Aug 24, 2024
Dear Jennifer
Thank you so much for sharing your detailed feedback about your recent trip to India! We’re thrilled to hear that you and your daughter had a memorable experience and enjoyed exploring Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
It’s wonderful to know that our local guides and our driver Mr. Puran made a positive impact on your journey. We’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to them! We appreciate your honest feedback about the accommodations. Your insights are invaluable, and we’ll take... Read more

Dear Jennifer
Thank you so much for sharing your detailed feedback about your recent trip to India! We’re thrilled to hear that you and your daughter had a memorable experience and enjoyed exploring Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

It’s wonderful to know that our local guides and our driver Mr. Puran made a positive impact on your journey. We’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to them!

We appreciate your honest feedback about the accommodations. Your insights are invaluable, and we’ll take them into account to ensure that future travelers have an even better experience. We understand that the hotel in Delhi didn’t meet your expectations, and we’ll work to improve the selection and amenities based on your comments.

We also appreciate your thoughts on the itinerary. We’re sorry to hear that the amount of driving felt a bit overwhelming. We’ll review the planning details to ensure clearer communication about travel times and help future travelers make more informed decisions.

Thank you for recommending Active India, and for your constructive feedback. We look forward to the opportunity to assist you with any future travels, and we hope your ongoing journey continues to be just as exciting and enjoyable!

Warm regards,

Ravi

Rovinj, Zagreb and Plitvice
Croatia | Aug 9 - Aug 14, 2024

DIANA
DIANA T.
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024

We had the best time!! Thanks for everything and everything so perfectly planned. Kids are exhausted but that's to be expected. We really enjoyed Rovinj and wish we had more time for the beaches. Zagreb was so charming and easy to explore. The cannon at noon scared us even though we were waiting for it. In Plitvice we had the best tour guide. She even showed us the news report of her and her friends knitting winnie warmers hahaha. Thanks for all your work on this trip!!

Local specialist: Sarah Cosic
Sarah
Sarah Cosic
Local specialist in Zagreb | Replied on Aug 21, 2024

Thanks so much for your review, Diana! And thanks for being our lovely guests :) We're so happy you enjoyed your time in Croatia!

Wonderful family trip to Spain
Spain | Jul 30 - Aug 7, 2024

D
Debbie D.
| Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024
Dalia did a great job putting together an itinerary that everyone in my family (especially my teenager) enjoyed. The boutique hotels were perfect, with great service and locations. Dalia and team were always accessible, especially when we had some travel issues. We would definitely use KimKim again. Read more

Dalia did a great job putting together an itinerary that everyone in my family (especially my teenager) enjoyed. The boutique hotels were perfect, with great service and locations. Dalia and team were always accessible, especially when we had some travel issues. We would definitely use KimKim again.

Activity Reviews
Costa Brava: Kayaking & Snorkelling experience
Costa Brava: Kayaking & Snorkelling experience
Barcelona

Really fun experience. My one complaint is that the group was a bit large.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Marbella Boat trip
Marbella Boat trip
Spain

Tom our boat captain was great. He provided a really fun experience for the whole family. One of the highlights of our trip. Amazing!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Modernist Barcelona: Gaudi's Highlights
Modernist Barcelona: Gaudi's Highlights
Barcelona

Your guide was really knowledgeable and provided tons of insight into the architecture and sites. Private tour was super nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Dalia Bouzerar
Dalia
Dalia Bouzerar
Local specialist in Spain | Replied on Aug 21, 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so happy to hear that you and your family, especially your teenager, enjoyed the itinerary. I'm also glad you like the hotel selection I made for you! I'd love to help plan your next adventure to Spain or Portugal whenever you're ready. Thanks again for choosing us!

Excellent trip planning by Eric!
Iceland | Aug 8 - Aug 14, 2024

Garth
Garth R.
Frederick, MD | Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024
Excellent communication, Eric followed our outline and provided great suggestions for optional activities. All reservations came through perfectly without a hitch. Read more

Excellent communication, Eric followed our outline and provided great suggestions for optional activities. All reservations came through perfectly without a hitch.

Activity Review
Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon
Iceland

Beautiful location, soothing clear waters. Infinity-like pook looking out to the North Atlantic Ocean. Walk up bar a nice feature as is the extra option of the mineral mask, salt scrub. I liked this venue more than the Blue Lagoon. Locker rooms well designed.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Èric D
Èric
Èric D
Local specialist in France / Iceland | Replied on Oct 11, 2024

Hi Garth!

Thank you so much for your kind words! Panning this trip together was a really pleasant and straightforward experience, and I'm glad to hear it translated into an memorable voyage for you and your family.

All the best,
Èric