When we decided last minute to take a trip from Calgary to Kenya I had no idea where to start. With only days to to plan a deeply personal and emotional trip for our group and given our tight timeline and the complexity of our needs, (and specifically my lack of knowledge of where we were going!!!), I was initially apprehensive about the trip and how everything would come together. I sent a simple message to a website called KimKim and all my worries vanished. Joseph connected with me immediately and exceeded all expectations and delivered an extraordinary experience. Truly.
From the very beginning, Joseph demonstrated an incredible sense of urgency and responsiveness. Within hours of our initial contact, he provided a comprehensive outline of our potential itinerary, tailored perfectly to our specific desires and requirements. His quick responses to emails and phone calls ensured that every detail was addressed promptly, leaving no room for stress or uncertainty. I truly wonder when he sleeps!!! Right up until the very last day he organized us and ensured our safety from the first to the last day.
In addition to Joseph's perfection in planning, our trip driver/guide , Eric, went completely above and beyond. We went to Kenya to re-vist the places my husband and his family lived in 1967, 1968 and 1969. Eric, our guide and now our friend, was able to connect with the local people in a capacity that we never would have been able to communicate properly. He spoke so well with guards at the college where my father in law taught and lived at, enabling us the opportunity to enter the community and see the home they lived in. We visited the school where my brother in law attended, which was a truly moving experience seeing where he spent years as a young boy. The golf courses their father played and the hotels the favoured. He found and took us to places that we were unsure we would even be able to find.
Half our trip was old memories then the next half was new memories. Eric took us on a few safari's where we saw the most beautiful animals and we were able to get closer to some than we ever thought imaginable. He was relentless trying to find us a lion! He talked with the rangers with such respect and taught us so much.
The only suggestion I would have is that we wished the vehicle we had was better. Eric did an incredible job driving on very poor roads, through the safari and from location to location. The vehicle should have been raised higher. I would only suggest when using this company that you request a better vehicle for the roads.
Accuracy was another area where both Joseph and Eric were incredible. They meticulously arranged every aspect of our journey, from flights and accommodations to local tours and special activities. Despite the short timeline, there were no errors or misunderstandings; everything was exactly as promised. It was evident that they paid close attention to every detail, ensuring our trip was seamless and enjoyable.
Communication was clear, consistent, and compassionate throughout the entire planning process and during our trip. Eric took the time to understand the emotional significance of our trip and handled all arrangements with a level of care and sensitivity that made us feel valued and understood. They kept us updated at every stage, providing reassurance and support when we needed it most.
Our trip turned out to be a profoundly moving and unforgettable experience. Their ability to deliver such a well-organized and meaningful trip on a short timeline was truly impressive. I wholeheartedly recommend Joseph at Nariku Travel to anyone in need of a travel agent who is not only professional and efficient but also empathetic and dedicated to creating memorable journeys.
Thank you, Joseph & Eric, for turning our vision into reality and for making our trip so special. We will always be grateful.
Hotel Reviews
Mutara Camp
P. O. Box 57104 -00200 Nairobi,Kenya.
The safari portion of our trip we had the absolute pleasure of staying at Mutara Camp. This property exceeded our expectations. The staff were waiting for us on arrival with warm cloths and personal guides to take us to our tents. They walked us through our tent, giving instructions for each part of our visit. Ensuring our safety and protocol for evening animals and security walking to and from dinner.
The meals and service were simply outstanding. We had the please of Sakina being our server for each and every meal. She was attentive, kind and efficient creating a personal experience every time. She ensured we had great seats with a great view. She adjusted our table and chairs when the hot sun was on us. We really appreciated all she did.
Galgano (I hope I spell that correctly) was our tent care keeper and he brought down the mosquito net everynight and put hot water bottles in our bed. Simply amazing. Our room was always perfect thanks to him.
Our only issue was that we wished we had stayed longer.
Staff
Sakina and Galgano.
On a trip to Nyeri we arranged to stay at Le Pristine Hotel. A very beautiful spot with an incredible view. The rooms were clean and comfortable with an beautiful traditional Kenya feel and set away from the main hotel. The hotel has a few different dining rooms. We were placed in a private dining room the first evening of our trip which was really nice to enjoy after a long day of travel.
LeBaun (unsure of spelling) was the main employee we saw. Our understanding is that he was the manager. He appeared to have a hand in every aspect of the hotel. He brought us and our luggage to our rooms, he took our orders, served our meals, came to ensure a repair that was needed - we saw him for everything so we joked and gave him a new name every day. The man was definitely over-worked. I do hope they get more help for him.
We met the owners and they were very kind and welcoming. A very personal hotel.
The only critique would be the amount of time it took to get our meals. I am unsure why (unless LeBaun was having to cook them too !!), it was a downside after long days of touring to wait for meals. Also, signage to the hotel could be updated. It was hard for our driver to find.
Authenticity & Character
Very authentic and Kenyan. Lots of wood and character.
Staff
Le Baun went above and beyond every single day.
