Kimkim Trip Reviews for South Africa

Outstanding Travel Agent for South Africa Adventure
We recently returned from an unforgettable trip to South Africa, meticulously planned by Esther and Lucy. From start to finish, our experience was nothing short of exceptional, and we owe it all to the expertise and dedication of our travel agent.

Personalized Itinerary and Seamless Planning

From the moment we reached out to Esther, Eco travel -Boutique, we knew we were in good hands. They took the time to understand our preferences, interests, and budget, crafting a personalized itinerary that included everything we hoped for and more. Their in-depth knowledge of South Africa was evident in the carefully selected destinations and activities.

Our safari experience was the highlight of our trip. Esther arranged for us to stay at Mhondoro Lodge, which provided luxurious accommodations and unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities. The safari guide was incredibly knowledgeable, ensuring we saw four out of the Big Five and many other incredible animals. Every game drive was a new adventure, and we felt safe and well-cared for throughout our stay.

Exploring the Wine Regions

The tour of South Africa's wine vineyards was another highlight. Our travel agent arranged a tour of Stellenbosch. Wine yard/ resort Babylon Toren was charming and perfectly situated, with many interesting activities on the Wine Yard including a Water buffalo tour.

Captivating Cape Town

Our time in Cape Town was equally impressive, Esther recommended and booked Tinswalo Atlantic with stunning views of Table Mountain . They also organized guided tours of the city, including visits to Robben Island, the Cape of Good Hope, and Boulders Beach to see the penguins. Each excursion was well-planned and provided deep insights into the history and beauty of Cape Town.

Exceptional Customer Service

Throughout our journey, Eco Travel -Boutique remained attentive and responsive. They provided us with detailed travel documents, including a comprehensive itinerary, contact information for local guides, and emergency contacts. When we had questions or needed assistance, they were just a phone call away, ensuring our trip went smoothly.

Final Thoughts

Our South Africa adventure was truly a trip of a lifetime, thanks to the exceptional planning and service provided by Esther. Their attention to detail, local expertise, and commitment to creating a memorable experience were evident in every aspect of our journey. We highly recommend Esther and Lucy, Eco Travel -Boutique to anyone looking to explore South Africa. They exceeded our expectations and made our dream vacation a reality.

Thank you, Esther and Lucy, for an unforgettable adventure!

Hotel Reviews

Tintswalo Atlantic

Cape Town

Review: Tintswalo Atlantic – An Unforgettable Experience Stunning Suites with Spectacular Views The suites at Tintswalo Atlantic are simply breathtaking. Each room is individually decorated with a unique theme inspired by various islands around the world, adding a touch of exotic elegance to the luxurious accommodations. Our suite featured panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, allowing us to wake up to the sight and sound of waves crashing against the shore. The room was spacious, impeccably clean, and equipped with all the amenities we could need, including a private deck where we enjoyed our morning coffee while soaking in the stunning scenery. Exceptional Service The staff at Tintswalo Atlantic went above and beyond to ensure our stay was perfect. From the warm welcome we received upon arrival to the personalized service throughout our stay, every interaction was marked by genuine hospitality and attention to detail. The team was incredibly attentive and helpful, always ready to assist with any request, whether it was arranging transportation, recommending local attractions, or accommodating dietary preferences. Their commitment to making us feel special truly enhanced our experience. Memorable Dining Experience The dining experience at Tintswalo Atlantic was a highlight of our stay. Each meal was a culinary delight, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients and expertly crafted dishes. The breakfast spread was extensive and delicious, and the dinner was nothing short of gourmet. Dining on the deck with the ocean as our backdrop made every meal even more special. Little surprises, such as complimentary snacks and drinks, added to the overall sense of luxury and care. Conclusion Our stay at Tintswalo Atlantic was an extraordinary experience that exceeded all our expectations. The combination of luxurious accommodations, stunning natural beauty, exceptional service, and attention to detail made it a truly unforgettable getaway. Thank you, Tintswalo Atlantic, for an incredible stay!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Babylonstoren Wine Estate

Our recent stay at Babylonstoren was an incredible experience that exceeded all our expectations. Nestled in the heart of the Cape Winelands, this exquisite farm offers the perfect blend of luxury, nature, and gastronomy. Here are some highlights from our memorable visit: Outstanding Accommodation The accommodations at Babylonstoren are truly remarkable. We stayed in one of the beautifully designed farm cottages, which offered a perfect mix of rustic charm and modern luxury. The rooms were spacious, impeccably clean, and equipped with all the amenities one could need. Waking up to the serene views of the gardens and vineyards was a delight. Exceptional Food and Wine Babylonstoren is a paradise for food and wine enthusiasts. The food was simply outstanding, with every meal showcasing fresh, locally sourced ingredients, many of which are grown right on the farm. The breakfast spread was extensive and delicious, and the dinners at the farm's restaurant, Babel, were a culinary highlight. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The wine was equally impressive, with a fantastic selection of Babylonstoren's own wines to enjoy. Wine Tasting Experience The wine tasting at Babylonstoren was one of the best we’ve ever experienced. The knowledgeable staff guided us through a selection of their finest wines, providing insights into the winemaking process and the unique characteristics of each wine. The tasting room itself is gorgeous, with stunning views of the vineyards, making the experience even more enjoyable. It's also a great place to purchase some excellent wines to take home. Water Buffalo Tour One of the unique highlights of our stay was the water buffalo tour. This fascinating tour allowed us to learn about the farm's water buffalo herd and the process of making buffalo mozzarella. The tour was informative and fun, and we even got to sample some delicious mozzarella at the end. We highly recommend trying a "buffalocino" – a cappuccino made with buffalo milk – it’s a delightful twist on a classic drink! So Much to Do There is no shortage of activities at Babylonstoren. From exploring the extensive gardens and orchards to hiking in the surrounding mountains, there’s something for everyone. We also enjoyed relaxing at the farm’s spa and walking around. The farm shop is a great place to buy unique gifts, fresh produce, and, of course, excellent wine. Conclusion Our stay at Babylonstoren was a perfect blend of relaxation, luxury, and adventure. The exceptional accommodation, fantastic food and wine, unique activities, and beautiful surroundings made it an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a food and wine lover, nature enthusiast, or simply looking for a luxurious escape, Babylonstoren has something special to offer. Thank you, Babylonstoren, for an amazing stay!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mhondoro Lodge

From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable. Jakes (our guide) was exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly, providing us with fascinating insights into the wildlife and ensuring we had amazing sightings. The accommodation was luxurious and comfortable, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Every detail was thoughtfully considered, making our stay both relaxing and memorable. The food was a highlight in itself. Each meal was a culinary delight, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared by skilled chefs. The variety and quality were outstanding, catering to all tastes and dietary requirements. Overall, this resort lodge exceeded all our expectations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

City Lodge Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport

Convenient location, convenient rooms, and nice service

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Verde

Convient location, friendly service

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Activities at Babylonstoren

Paarl

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope & Penguins with the City Sightseeing Bus

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Allen was an great guide, very knowledgable with lots of experience

Transport

Comfortable car

Welcome to South Africa!

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Restaurant at City Lodge O.R. Tambo

Johannesburg

Quality of Experience

Visit Table Mountain by Cable Car

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Robben Island

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

African Dinner Show & Drumming Experience

Cape Town

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I found kimkim by chance as I planned a trip to South Africa with my nephew. I am so glad I did — I cannot recommend kimkim enough and our local expert, Esther, was amazing. This was my first trip to Africa and though I have traveled widely in Europe and Asia, I needed a lens into South Africa and what was possible. The itinerary that Kagiso started and Esther perfected made for a the trip of a lifetime, and though that's a cliche, it's meant sincerely. Throughout the planning, the kimkim team was responsive and so helpful as we kept refining our itinerary. My nephew is going into the Air Force and we kept having to trim back on time to accommodate boot camp, and there was never any pushback. Just "here's how we can fix that." And though my hoped-for visit to Robben Island was canceled due to bad weather, Esther tried so hard to make that happen! On the trip, we got check-ins from Esther and our concierge Lucy and help each step of the way as things came up. And even after our trip ended, Esther indulged us by letting us send her photos while we were still over the moon about what we had just experienced. Specifically, I want to call out the itinerary which we could never have crafted on our own. Umkumbe Bush Lodge was a gem...small and perfect for us. And though I initially thought "Four days of safari! What!" that was the right amount of time. I would never have booked that correctly on my own or found Umkumbe. We started our trip in Cape Town and Esther wisely suggested we stay in Camps Bay...a perfect spot to launch our tours of the city. We then went to Umkumbe which was a safari oasis. And yes, we saw the famous Sabi Sands leopards. And Johannesburg was also magic. Esther sent us to the Mandela Foundation and the bike ride we took in Soweto was an unparalleled window into history. We are in awe of what we did and saw and that's truly a credit to kimkim and Esther.

We used KimKim for this trip after a fabulous experience in Japan last year. We appreciated the ability to rely on local expertise in the first instance given a language barrier and this time given safety concerns and the opportunity to learn about more family-friendly opportunities and excursions. This trip definitely met expectations in the first regard. 1) The places that Stephanie booked were safe, clean, conveniently located, and had excellent staff and breakfasts. It seems that there was a misunderstanding and we had a mismatch in our accommodations in one location. 2) Our local guides in Joberg and Cape Town were fantastic. Capey Tours was the company we interfaced with and Emmanuel's personalized tour of Soweto and Hennrick's quirky tours of Cape Town were accessible, informative, and fun. 3) Unfortunately, we did have trouble accessing necessary details as our itinerary never updated on "my trip" or "my itinerary" so we were messaged the most up to date itinerary via PDF in KimKim's messaging system which unfortunately didn't allow us to click for important information like domestic flight information or detailed descriptions of excursions which may have allowed us to better set expectations. Thankfully, Stephanie's team was able to share the flight information via Whatsapp in time to accommodate. 4) Some details of our trip changed right before we were set to travel to accommodate local closures (restaurants and sites that were closed Sunday and Monday had to be moved to different days). Of course we understand this though we were surprised that this wasn't anticipated sooner given we'd messaged back and forth about specific days and orders before that. Unfortunately, this meant that some of the things we'd requested on specific dates (like a birthday dinner for our daughter) were scrambled. This also meant that some days were super packed. We're happy that in one instance, Stephanie could accommodate this feedback quickly and move an 8 hr tour from our first day in country to the next day so we had time to settle and adjust to jetlag.

The trip was spectacular in every way! From our arrival in Capetown, every driver was ready and waiting (and we had a lot of internal flights which all went smoothly!). The Queen Victoria Hotel was lovely and the staff was so gracious. Our guide for two days in Capetown, Rochelle, was FABULOUS! She managed to satisfy the wants and needs of everyone in our group of six and did so with grace and humor! We loved our tour of the peninsula and the penguins are the CUTEST! Lunch at Crofter's Kitchen was a highlight of the trip...simply delicious food and amazing home and views. Nikki was entertaining and a talented chef...we also loved the tour of her gardens. Do not skip Table Mountain as the views are simply awesome. We went to three different wineries on the second day that Rochelle suggested and they were each unique and amazing in their own ways. The scenery in wine country is beautiful too.

Next up was Monwana Lodge which we all agreed was BEYOND FABULOUS! If you are considering a safari, you MUST go to Monwana! There simply aren't enough superlatives to describe the experience we had there from the accommodations, the food, the staff, the spa, the game drives and wildlife! Our guide (Colin) and tracker (Bennie) were the absolute BEST and made each and every game drive an incredible experience. From there we went to Johannesburg for a night and went to the Marabi Jazz Club which we loved!! Great food and music! Next up was the adventure of a lifetime with Beagle Expeditions in the Okavenga Delta of Botswana. Do not let the glamping fool you...this adventure was exciting! My family loved the 9 mile walk from camp to camp (we spent four nights total and 2 in each camp). The wildlife was plentiful and the water hole at the second camp was a parade of elephant families, baboons, wart hogs and others. It's honestly impossible to describe all of the incredible moments we had on both safaris. You just have to experience it and I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

We ended our adventure in Victoria Falls which was beautiful. We stayed at the Palm River Hotel on the bank of the Zambezi River. The hotel was wonderful and we especially enjoyed the Ra-Ikane Sunset Cruise and riverside dinner. I had no idea the Zambezi was so awesome and my only regret was that we didn't do the white water rafting while we were there. The Victoria Falls National Park was a great way to view the falls and we went early the day we left so almost had each viewing spot to ourselves. Dusty Road for dinner the first night was also fun and interesting!!

We will be forever grateful to Deb and her team at Elgin Africa (as well as Corlia, Anna Marie, Wildr.Africa and I hope I am not forgetting anyone) for helping us plan a bucket list trip of a lifetime. We spent months planning it and Deb and Co were patient and helpful throughout and planned the PERFECT adventure for our group of six (My husband, me and our three sons in their 20s and one girlfriend). I chose this company because I really wanted an authentic, "insider" type of experience for this trip and I have worked with KimKim to plan several trips now and find that they are great at connecting us with fantastic travel planners in the countries we want to visit who help us achieve our travel dreams. I highly recommend working with Deb and her team to plan your next adventure!!

Hotel Reviews

Queen Victoria Hotel

Cape Town

Lovely hotel. Friendly and helpful staff, great food, spacious comfortable rooms and beds, nice location!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Views of Table Mountain, walking distance to lots of things

Staff

So friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds were so comfortable, bath products were lovely, spacious and beautiful

Monwana

Hoedspruit

I could go on and on and on about this Lodge. It may be my favorite place that I have every stayed. It will forever be near and dear to my heart and I would love to go back.

Authenticity & Character

Built in harmony with nature and sustainability, this lodge was a total dream.

Location

Wildlife viewing was simply spectacular.

Staff

Robbie and the entire staff was simply the BEST OF THE BEST!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were beautiful and the beds so comfortable! I loved the deck, plunge pool and outdoor shower. Our views of the water hole provided endless amazing wildlife sightings. I loved the notes left on our mirror from the wonderful housekeeper!

Beagle Expeditions

Maun

Authenticity & Character

You can't get much more authentic as far as safaris go...we helicoptered in and out so were completely off the beaten path. The wildlife was truly WILD and amazing. A unique, exciting and incredible experience!

Location

This location was in the Okavenga Delta and the wildlife viewing was awesome. Although the Delta had not yet made it to the camps we stayed in, our guide Ace drove us to see the water the first day. Very cool.

Staff

With no electricity or running water it was simply astounding that the food and accommodations were so amazing. The staff worked so hard to ensure all our needs were met!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bedding was so incredible cozy and kept us warm despite the chilly nights and early mornings.

The Palm River Hotel

Victoria Falls

Great location, peaceful and serene. We loved being on the Zambezi River.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

VOCO Hotel Rosebank

This hotel was in a pretty busy location and it was a bit loud when we arrived. Overall it worked out well for a quick one night stay. It was clean and comfortable and the breakfast was great!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Cape Peninsula & Penguins

South Africa

Our guide, Rochelle was amazing! Penguins are the cutest things and it's so much fun to watch them. Beautiful scenery!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rochelle was so nice, helpful, knowledgeable and fun!

Transport

It was so nice not to worry about self-driving and just leave it to the experts!

Lunch at Crofter's Kitchen

Cape Town

We loved this special experience. Nikki was an amazing chef and the food was soooo delicious! We loved the tour of her gardens and all the knowledge about the plants that she shared. She was entertaining and fun and her home was beautiful with lovely views!

Quality of Experience

Food

All of it!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Wine Tour

South Africa

We went to Table Mountain first thing and it was not to be missed. It was a clear day and we got there before it was crowded so the line for the funicular was very short. AMAZING views from the top. We loved all three wineries we toured. The scenery was fabulous and so was the wine! We stopped in Stellenbosch for some shopping which was also wonderful.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rochelle was our guide for the second straight day and her expertise and wonderful personality made both days so enjoyable!

Transport

Arrive at Your Lodge in Kruger & First Game Drive

South Africa

The staff at Monwana was waiting for us upon our arrival and greeted us with incredible warmth. Our first game drive was full of spectacular sightings and set the stage for our incredible four day stay at this heavenly lodge. There are too many amazing things to write about so you just have to BOOK YOUR STAY NOW and experience it! We would return to this place again in a heartbeat!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Everything was so delicious. Each meal was prepared with fresh, tasty food and made with pride and love.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Warm, friendly, passionate about their work, dedicated to excellence every step of the way!

Transport

The safari vehicles had no middle seat so everyone had a "front row" view to spectacular wildlife sightings.

A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Private Game Drives

South Africa

Every single ride with Bennie and Colin was beyond belief. We learned so much and loved hearing the stories about the animals...especially the Black Dams (Dams?) and the leopards! The snack stops were so awesome....there is nothing like an African sunset although we enjoyed the sunrises so much too. I worried that my family wouldn't want to get up so early every day but Colin and Bennie drew us into the story of the African bush and we didn't want to miss a single second!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Final morning game drive & next stop

South Africa

There are not enough enthusiastic words or phrases to describe every game drive at Monwana! As my sons put it, we "completely vibed" with Colin our guide and Bennie, our tracker. We loved everyone on the staff led by Robbie. The accomodations were simply stunning and the food was superb! It is worth the long flight to travel back to this lodge, truly one of my top life's experiences!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Beagle Expeditions

Okavango Delta

We didn't fully understand the true adventure we signed up for but it was awesome! The wildlife viewing was astounding. The water hole was fascinating. We loved the nine mile walk from camp to camp. The food was delish and everyone worked so hard behind the scenes to make this experience spectacular and one of a kind from start to finish. It was wonderful to be completely disconnected in such a remote and special environment. Even though we were in tents, the bedding and comfort was incredible and I loved the hot shower (made with water heated over a fire) at the end of each day.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Flight of the Angels over Vic Falls

Victoria Falls

This was fun but I actually loved the views from Victoria Falls National Park even better than those from the helicopter.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dusty Road Township Lunch or Dinner Experience **highly recommended by our team

Victoria Falls

The staff and owner were so nice and seems like they are doing such important work in their community. It was fun to try local food and drinks. Great atmosphere!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They were so attentive and explained things so nicely.

Transport

The Beagle Food Experience

Okavango Delta

I don't know how the Chef prepared such incredible meals over fires! Amazing!

Quality of Experience

Food

Delicious meals and snacks every day. It was fun coming together and talking with Ace and Jacob around the fire. Truly special experience.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Jacob, OT and the rest of the staff were so warm, welcoming and attentive. Service with big hearts and big smiles!

Transport

Beagle Expedition Continued

Okavango Delta

The 9 mile walk from camp to camp was one of our favorite days. Taking a long break for lunch, naps, reading and wildlife viewing in the middle of the day in "Paradise" was awesome.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Beagle Expeditions Camping Experience

Okavango Delta

The tents, bedding and bathroom exceeded our expectations. Everything was so comfortable and spacious. Even though there was no running water the staff made sure to help you feel like all your needs were met. It was incredible to be so close to the water hole and see the steady stream of animals come by. The elephant families were plentiful and entertaining. Very exciting to be immersed in nature like this.

Quality of Experience

Amazing down bedding kept us cozy during the chilly nights. The tents were clean and super comfortable.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sunset Cruise & Riverside Dinner

Victoria Falls

This was our favorite experience during our stay in Victoria Falls. We had a beautiful sunset and the crocodiles, hippos and birds were amazing to see. The drinks and snacks were delicious too. We ended up having a private Riverside Dinner and show. So much fun!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My wife and I recently returned from amazing tour. We were 3 days on the Zambezi Queen riverboat on the Chobe where elephants were most memorable, coming to the water in large family groups, swimming, and playing, family group after family group. We saw so many water birds, crocs, water and blue skies, and so beautiful sunsets, and the people we met so friendly. Then 3 days in the Okavango delta to a tented camp a bush plane ride away from civilization. Most memorable, following a wild dog hunt that cornered a warthog in a shallow hole, and a miraculous escape of the plucky and fast hog. Also, a lion family feeding for days on an unfortunate water buck kill, and a beautiful sunset mocoro canoe ride among the water lilies and malachite kingfishers. Then the Victoria falls, first viewed from the air, and then up close with rainbow after rainbow after rainbow. And, to a magical island on the Zambezi river for two nights and finally the Kruger for 3 nights. Most memorable, watching for extended time a leopard at a kill, and fascinating game walks with armed tracker and knowledgeable guide. I have 1000's of photos and powerful memories for a lifetime.
The tour was well-organized by Lucy, who was courteous and patient, worked hard to keep costs within budget, was accessible during the tour and helpful in arranging a minor itinerary change while the tour was in progress.

We had a wonderful time at Mhondoro in South Africa. The place was outstanding and Esther was fantastic to work with. Will definitely be doing more safaris in the near future!

We just came back from an amazing trip to South Africa. From planning to execution, the trip was a great success. Esther took care of every detail and she understood our particularities quickly and incorporated our special requests without issue (food allergies, private guide). An amazing travel specialist.
Mhondoro lodge lived up to the 5 stars. It was a quiet, personal place. Our guide on Safari, Hein, made our trip. He was knowledgeable, interesting and energetic.
We really have only positive things to say about our trip. Well done and thank you!!

Liz was an absolute pleasure to work with and had some great recommendations for places to stay and see, and took into account everything that we wanted as well. Everything was perfectly planned and executed. Our personal favorite thing was going to Sabi Sands, which was a personal recommendation by Liz. This trip was truly the trip of a lifetime. Have We 100% plan on coming back to South Africa in the next couple of years and hope that Liz is still there to guide us in our next adventure.

Esther, our local specialist, designed our trip perfectly and according to our tastes. She found the perfect lounge in a private reserve for the Safari of our dreams next to the Kruger National park. Umkumbe bush lodge was amazing. We had the honeymoon suite and our guide, Ezaan, was great. We saw 4 of the Big 5 (lions, elephants, rhinos, and cape buffalo) with her and many other animals. We were lucky enough to see and take very nice pictures of a leopard (one of the Big 5) on our way from the airport to Umkumbe Bush Lodge. Also, Elzaan entertained us by showing wild herbs, exotic birds, chameleon... Then our stay in Cape Town was very nice. We stayed at the Lawhill Luxury Apartments (very nice and well located in the V&A Waterfront. We enjoyed the African Dinner Show and Drum experience at the Gold restaurant. The next day we enjoyed the Hop on Hop off around Cape Town and the Table mountain by cable car. On our last day, we had a full day private tour around the Cape peninsula. There was a misunderstanding with Esther for the time of the pickup that morning. She scheduled the pickup at 9am while we had 8am in our trip plan. I recommend to always confirm the next day activities with your local specialist at the end of the day before. We managed to have our pickup at 9:30am. Our driver, Abdoul, was great and explained very well all the landmarks along the drive. He managed the time and schedule perfectly before driving us to the airport for our return flight at the end of the day. We drove the scenic shore line, went to Cape of Good Hope, saw the African penguins, and we had a great lunch in a very nice restaurants next to the ocean. Overall, our trip to South Africa was amazing and so memorable.

Using Kimkim was an outstanding experience. Our local specialist, Esther Ruempol, was exceptional, guiding us from start to finish. She assisted in planning our trip and offered excellent suggestions, advice, and alternatives when needed. She was always available to answer our questions and address our concerns, providing significant support. Throughout the trip, she kept in touch, ensuring everything was going smoothly and that we had everything we needed. The trip summary was detailed and well-presented, making it easy to follow. It’s clear that Esther has extensive experience and loves her job. The trip itself was too good to be true. Everything from the pick-ups, transfers, guides and accommodations were amazing.

We cannot say enough positive things about our experience with KimKim and our trip to Africa. Our specialist was able to recommend an itinerary that perfectly suited the travel interests of both myself and my husband with only a paragraph or two of input from us. As we got closer to the trip, they continued to add and update details with our itinerary, which became a wonderful reference as we moved from one place to another once our journey began. And we have run out of compliments about the locations that they chose for us...... the accommodations in every city were amazing, as was the service. I would especially like to recognize Kruger Shalati for their amazing property, food, game drives and overall service, and to Unembezza (and our specialist) for surprising us with an amazing suite and birthday goodies to celebrate my milestone. All of our drivers were early for our pickups, and all transportation was entirely smooth throughout the trip (and we moved quite a bit!). We had an amazing time in Victoria Falls and South Africa and will forever cherish the memories.

Thank you to Esther and Lucy at KimKim for organizing our unforgettable delayed honeymoon to South Africa! From the top-notch restaurants to the incredible activities, every detail was perfect. They were so detailed in every aspect from the very beginning when we expressed interest, to planning it and even during the trip!’ It truly was a once in a lifetime experience. We can't wait to plan our next adventure with you! Thank you both so so much for allowing us to create memories of a lifetime! You two are the best

Activity Reviews

Full Day Panorama Route & Blyde River Canyon

South Africa

Quality of Experience

O

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike up Table Mountain - Kasteelpoort Route

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morning Game Drive in Kruger

Kruger National Park

This was the most AMAZING AMAZING experience to be right In front of all the animals. Our tour guide sippoh became our family!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Game Drive in Kruger

Kruger National Park

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope & Penguins

South Africa

The tour guides were all so incredible!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Tour of the Cape Winelands

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner Transfers

Cape Town

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Fly Back Home from Kruger

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I cannot thank the Wildr.Africa team enough for the trip of a lifetime. South Africa was exquisite! Beautiful topography, animals, interiors (!!), fabulous food and wine.

I am thankful I found kimkim who connected me to a great team on the ground in my destination. There is literally no reason to pay a US front company when all the expertise comes from the local team.

Anne Marie and her team were excellent communicators both via the app and via what’s app despite the time difference. They kept the planning process moving and helped me make decisions without overwhelm.

They understood my priorities for the trip and worked within those parameters to create the perfect trip for us.

All drivers, guides, and accommodations were seamless, and they helped us work through any challenges that arose. We are so grateful!

Many fabulous people to mention:
Walkers beach: maya, jane
Robberg hike
Monkeyland
Peninsula tour
Earthstompers: Rachelle
Babylonstoren
La Cotte farm
Pearl valley golf and spa
Walkers plain: James, roan, Clarence, zoli
… and of course Debra, Anne- marie and Cornelia without whom none of this would have happened.

Anna-marie and her colleagues provided a fabulous trip of South Africa to us on 3 weeks notice. It is a long story, but our world cruise was diverted from traversing the Red Sea, and the excursions offered by the cruise line were in about 8 ports averaging 6-7 hours with 22 sea days around Africa. We decided to take vacation from the cruise!

She helped us plan the trip and made reservations at very good to great hotels, camp and resort. She arranged all driving, land excursions, and provided great advice on restaurants and activities.

Our trip to South Africa was pretty much flawless. Anna-marie kept in close contact with us and quickly addressed all questions and concerns. One of our concerns was how my husband could go on a safari with his major back surgeries and his needing a cane to walk. She found a safari camp bordering Krueger National Park where they did accommodate him by not traversing the more typical rough roads. Our guide/driver, who was phenomenal in tracking wildlife, did go off road but was careful to avoid substantial jolting. We saw a lot more than the Big 5 in 3 days, and our driver took us to places where we could sit and watch elephants, lions and other wildlife interact. It was amazing!

When we were to reboard our cruise, there was a Category 9 storm with high wind gusts in Capetown. After the ship tried to dock twice unsuccessfully, I reached out to Anna-marie, and she said that she would help us get hotels and transportation to the next port in Namibia if needed. Thankfully the ship docked on the 3rd try.

The cost of the trip was very reasonable. We felt safe at all times in a country, which unfortunately has a high crime rate. We are very grateful to Anne-marie and her team for providing us with a trip of a lifetime. I have traveled extensively throughout the world, and I can say without hesitation, she is the best travel agent with whom I have ever dealt.

Planning our trip to South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe with Steph at Salty Travel went very smoothly. She accommodated our requests and suggestions and adjusted the proposed itinerary accordingly. All of the flight arrangements and transfers went smoothly without any surprises. The hotels were all extremely comfortable and spacious and activities were very informative, fun, and beautiful.

Our guide in Johannesburg, Tableto, was knowledgeable and friendly. We really enjoyed the day we spent with him touring the Apartheid Museum and Soweto. At Elephant Valley Lodge, our guide, Lebo, was masterful at spotting wildlife in Chobe, and he told numerous stories and shared facts about the animals. We spent 11 days on a garden route roadtrip with Ben as our guide. He was warm and friendly and knew all the insider restaurants and things to do. He's spontaneous, as are we, and the three of us enjoyed starting out each day with minimal plans and taking routes as the mood struck.

This trip was one of the best we've ever taken. The beauty was overwhelming. Thank you, Steph, Tableto, Lebo, and Ben.

We began our planning with Debra months prior to our trip and she was always helpful with information and flexible for our requests about the area and what was the most important places for us to visit.
Our hotel, Queen Victoria, was gorgeous and right next to the waterfront. The transportation from our ship to our hotel and to our different destinations was impeccable. We did have one problem with a lost credit card and they took care of that. Our guide to the cape and to the wine country, Christine was fabulous! We had a rainy day at the cape and honestly it made it more fun. The vineyards chosen for us to visit were first class. No one should miss Table Top Mountain. What a fantastic view. From there we went to Umkumbe Safari Camp and had a fabulous five days full of game drives where we saw all the big five. Again transportation was right on point. The staff at the camp were fun. The luxury tent accommodations were nice. All in all, you expect a great experience when you go that far and that is what we had!! First class.

Hotel Reviews

Queen Victoria Hotel

Cape Town

Amazing hotel in a perfect location next to the waterfront dining and shopping center. Daily breakfast was more than you could ask for and gorgeous. But what made it was the staff. They were so friendly, helpful and professional. Loved this hotel and would recommend it to anyone.

Authenticity & Character

History and decor

Location

Next to the waterfront

Staff

All the reception and dining staff.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Umkumbe Bush Lodge

Sabie Park

The staff here are what make it. The game drives with Charne and our trackers were great and we saw all the big five! The food staff, reception staff and the food were also terrific. Abagail and Sharon were particularly wonderful. If it weren’t for the staff I would rate the accommodations at a four, as we had a toilet that ran even after they tried to fix it. Lighting in the tent was poor and we never could regulate the shower temperature. However, the beds were very comfortable, linens first rate and we even got hot water bottles in the bed at night!!

Authenticity & Character

Very authentic. Sundowner game drives and drinks as well as coffe in the bush perfect!

Location

Right next to Kruger National Park

Staff

They were all amazing!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Beds were very comfortable and linens great.

Activity Reviews

Dinner at GOLD Restaurant

Cape Town

This is obviously for tourists but so amazing we were blown away! The entertainment fabulous and the sixteen different food items were simply delicious! The decor beautiful and the staff terrific!

Quality of Experience

Just the whole very unique experience!

Food

Authentic and delicious!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver was totally mixed up but Kim Kim kept in touch with us to get us there and back.

Transport

Driver needs to know where he is going.

Cape Peninsula & Penguins

South Africa

It was windy and pouring rain that day but we still had a fabulous time. Christine was great and the scenery perfect. Loved the funicular.

Quality of Experience

The scenery is beautiful.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Christine was knowledgeable and flexible- also picked out a great place for lunch.

Transport

Nice van

Full-Day Wine Tour

South Africa

Napa Valley move over because the vineyards in Africa were fabulous. Our favorite was the Babylonstroen, but we liked the two others for professional knowledge of wine, staff and different wines paired with chocolates as well as the views. A day that should not be missed!

Quality of Experience

Variety of experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Helpful and fun

Transport

Nice van

Arrive at Your Lodge in Kruger & First Game Drive

South Africa

Lovely arrival and we were greeted by a drink and warm staff. We jumped right on the safari jeep and took off for gorgeous and peaceful scenery. Luckily we saw lots of animals and then had our sundowner drinks in a perfect setting.

Quality of Experience

Saw lots of animals. So different to see them in their environment.

Food

Loved the evening snacks and drinks.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Good ranger. Charnae.

Transport

Lots these land rover safari jeeps. Blankets and panchos in case you need them and you can see perfectly from each seat.

A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Private Game Drives

South Africa

Fabulous game drives. We ended up seeing all the big five and the elusive Cheetah and Leopard. The animals were often within ten feet of us. Each day was different but you had the same ranger. Chantae was very interesting and a great ranger. She knew exactly where animals would pop out. The scenery was beautiful. It did rain on one drive but we still saw animals. Ponchos were provided.

Quality of Experience

Lots of animals and so close!!

Food

Coffee and pancakes in the bush.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great tracking

Transport

Loved the fact every seat was great.

Another Day in the Kruger with 2 private game drives

South Africa

Another awesome day viewing lots of animals!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Final morning game drive & next stop

South Africa

We had not yet seen lions and hoped to see them on our last drive and voila - we did.

Quality of Experience

Best last drive.

Food

Lovely pancake breakfast on this morning.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Found the Lions. Knew right where they would emerge from the bush.

Transport

We were thrilled with all aspects of the trip, including all planning contact with Ann-Marie and team.

Special shout out to the Bushtracks team, especially Mbusi. He is an absolute gem - kind, informative, made everything easy and fun.

Finally, Shongwe Lookoit was fantastic - clean, comfortable and the nicest staff.

We can’t say enough good things!

Hotel Review

Shongwe Lookout

Victoria Falls

Amazing above and beyond service, beautiful and comfortable hotel!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Quiet!

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Victoria Premium River Safari Sunset Cruise

Victoria Falls

This was so far above and beyond expectations! The boat was stunning, the staff treated us like family, the drinks delicious and the food - wow! So much and so delicious. Not to mention the gorgeous scenery, hippos and mist from the falls. Such a fun evening!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Chobe Day Trip

Victoria Falls

Everything was taken care of for us, we had a nice drive to the border, then our hands were held for the immigration process to enter Botswana. The guides on the Botswana side were great, as was Mbusi in Zimbabwe. The morning game drive was great - we saw so much! Lunch delicious at a gorgeous locale, then the afternoon on the water surprised us with even closer views of the animals. Great experience!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Vic Falls

Victoria Falls

Mbusi made sure we did this at the best time of the day, and gave us a ton of history and information about the falls. It was a beautiful walk with so many viewpoints- we were all in awe!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a fabulous time the accommodations were vastly diffferent but it made it an even more of an experience. We loved it.. we will use KImkim again..

Wonderful trip to South Africa, gorgeous country, we were able to accomplish so much in one week thanks to Lucy's planning. Our guide in Capetown, Ben, was terrific about being flexible and optimizing our time there.

Esther did an amazing job of coming up with a great itinerary and location. Very easy to work with and she knows what is best for the customer.