Kimkim Trip Reviews for South Africa

It was so helpful to us never having visited South Africa to have Janneke's local expertise. She took the time to get to know us and planned an experience that went beyond a checklist of attractions to connecting us with local people and providing us deeper insights into the country. Our highlight was time in Kruger National Park where we went on 6 game drives in just a few days. We saw the big 5 game animals, but we saw so much more and learned about the ecology of the bush and the history of the region. It was an unforgettable experience.

Hotel Reviews

58 On Hume

Randburg

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bambuu Lakeside Lodge

Hazyview

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ivory Wilderness River Rock Lodge

Hoedspruit

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The whole team knew our names, details about us, and what game we'd like to see within minutes. The food was amazing.

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Cotte Farm

Franschhoek

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lion's Head Sunrise Hike

Cape Town

I had an amazing morning hike up Lion's Head with Jodie from SLOW. I learned so much about the area and the ecology. And she prepared snacks for my birthday. Just a fabulous experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bo-Kaap Walking Tour

Cape Town

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The hotels were excellent. Fantastic guides Brian and Debbie. Wonderful opportunities to explore and see penguins, ostriches, baboons and meerkats. Beautiful country and people.

Hotel Reviews

Pezula Magic

Cozy Air BNB

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pezula Nature Retreat

Knysna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hlangana Lodge

Oudtshoorn

Gardens were lovely Rooms were ok

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near busy road

Staff

Staff were very friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Abalone Guest Lodge

Hermanus

Beautifully decorated Lovely scenery and views

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Winchester Hotel

Western Cape

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Victoria & Alfred Hotel

Cape Town

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Safari Ostrich Farm Tour

South Africa

it was fun to learn about the different types of ostriches and feed them. We also had lunch there. It was delicious.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Brian our guide and driver was fantastic!

Featherbed Eco Experience including Lunch

South Africa

The food was wonderful. But the trip was over booked. We had middle seats at the front of the bus. We couldn't see or hear the guide and smelled diesel. The Featherbed staff paid better attention to the visitors who had tour guides with them. We couldn't hike because of rain.

Quality of Experience

Food

food was delicious

Guides, Drivers and Staff

guides at Featherbed - looked after those with tour guides

Transport

bus too many people

Full day touring Boulders Beach and Kirstenbosch Gardens

Cape Town

Loved seeing the Penguins. We also visited Table Mountain that day so didn't get to Gardens

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day City Tour, Robben Island & Table Mountain

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Debbie was driver. Guides and drivers on Island all personal connection

Transport

We recently took a 9-day trip to South Africa, which was arranged by Kimkim Travel Agency and tailored to our specific needs. We visited multiple places (cities and safaris) by car and plane. The agent named Nokuthula meticulously planned each day, with every detail in mind, and ensured the accommodation met our standards and that each connection was seamless and timely, such as airport pick-up and drop-off. During the trip, Nokuthula would text us with updates each day, making us feel more secure and safe in a completely unfamiliar environment. Whenever we had a question, her response was always within a few minutes. We are very impressed with her work ethic and dedication.

We would highly recommend Kimkim and Nokuthula to our friends who are interested in visiting South Africa. No one will be disappointed if they choose Kimkim to be their travel agent.

★★★★★

This was one of the best trips we have ever taken. The itinerary was thoughtfully designed and offered a wonderful variety of experiences, from Cape Town and Victoria Falls to multiple safari camps across Botswana and South Africa. Each destination and camp had its own unique character, making every part of the journey memorable.

Bianca was highly professional throughout the planning process. She understood exactly what we were looking for and created an itinerary that matched our interests and travel style perfectly.

What impressed us most was how smoothly everything was organized. With multiple flights, transfers, camps, and activities involved, every transition felt seamless and stress-free. The logistics were exceptionally well coordinated, allowing us to focus entirely on enjoying the experience.

The accommodations, safari experiences, guides, and overall trip pacing exceeded our expectations. Everything worked exactly as planned, and we returned home with incredible memories and photographs.

We are 100% satisfied with this trip and would highly recommend this experience to anyone planning an African adventure.

Bianca was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. She organized our entire trip across South Africa with incredible attention to detail, making everything feel seamless and stress-free. From perfectly timed pick-ups to thoughtfully selected hotels and unforgettable extra tours, every element was handled with professionalism and care.
What really stood out was her ability to tailor the experience to us—nothing felt generic. She was always responsive, proactive, and clearly passionate about creating memorable journeys. Thanks to Bianca, we were able to fully relax and enjoy the beauty of South Africa without worrying about logistics.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone planning a trip—she truly goes above and beyond.

Activity Reviews

Table Mountain Hike and Cable Car

Cape Town

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cape Town Hop on and Hop off bus - own arrangements

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Final Morning Game Drive

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Klaserie Game Drive

Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morning Game Drive

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Game Drive

South Africa

Fantastic experience

Quality of Experience

Everything

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Via Ferrata Drakensberg

Drakensberg

Great fun

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Safe and fun

Transport

Everything

Our African adventure was truly unforgettable, and we enjoyed every moment of the journey. A huge thank you to Bianca for planning and organizing such an incredible itinerary — everything was seamless and thoughtfully arranged from start to finish.
During the trip, we were fortunate to see an amazing variety of wildlife, including leopards, lions, African wild dogs, elephants, and many more incredible animals. Every safari drive brought new surprises and unforgettable memories. Cape Town was absolutely beautiful, and Victoria Falls was simply breathtaking.
We especially appreciate Bianca’s quick response and flexibility when the Blue Train was unexpectedly cancelled. She managed to arrange our stay at Misava Safari Camp in the Klaserie Private Reserve on very short notice, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip.
Thank you again for all your hard work and attention to detail. This was a truly memorable experience, and we would happily recommend Bianca to anyone planning an African adventure.
Angela

Hotel Reviews

Camp Xakanaxa

Maun

Our stay at Camp Xakanaxa was absolutely incredible and one of the most memorable parts of our Botswana safari adventure. Located deep inside the Moremi Game Reserve, the camp offered an authentic wilderness experience while still being very comfortable and beautifully maintained. The atmosphere at the camp was peaceful and immersive, surrounded by stunning scenery and wildlife everywhere. We loved hearing the sounds of nature at night and waking up each morning feeling completely connected to the African bush. The game drives were exceptional, and we were incredibly lucky with wildlife sightings. During our stay, we saw lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, wild dogs, and so many other amazing animals. Every drive felt exciting and different, and the guides were knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate about wildlife. Their tracking skills and understanding of animal behavior made the experience even more special. A big thank you to all the staff for their warm hospitality, excellent service, and attention to detail throughout our stay. Everyone made us feel so welcome and well cared for.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Camp Okavango

Okavango Delta

Our stay at Camp Okavango was an unforgettable experience and truly one of the highlights of our Botswana safari adventure. From the moment we arrived by boat in the heart of the Okavango Delta, we felt completely immersed in the beauty and tranquility of the wilderness. The camp itself was beautifully designed, blending perfectly into the natural surroundings while still offering comfort and luxury. The rooms were spacious and comfortable, and it was incredible to wake up each morning surrounded by nature, with birdsong and wildlife all around us. What made the experience especially memorable were the amazing guides and staff. Everyone was warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the Delta. The game drives, mokoro excursions, and boat safaris were all fantastic, giving us the opportunity to see elephants, hippos, crocodiles, antelope, and so many beautiful birds up close. One of the things we loved most was the peaceful atmosphere of the Okavango Delta itself. Watching the sunset over the waterways while listening to the sounds of the bush was simply magical. Thank you to everyone at Camp Okavango for such a wonderful stay and for creating memories we will treasure forever. We would highly recommend Camp Okavango to anyone looking for an authentic and luxurious safari experience in Botswana.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Victoria Falls River Lodge

Our stay at Victoria Falls River Lodge was absolutely wonderful and truly unforgettable. The location along the Zambezi River was stunning, with breathtaking views and wildlife all around us. Waking up to the sounds of birds and watching animals near the river made the experience feel so special and immersive. The lodge itself was beautiful, comfortable, and very well designed, blending luxury with the natural surroundings perfectly. The staff were warm, friendly, and attentive throughout our stay, always making us feel welcome and well taken care of. We especially enjoyed the river activities and game drives, where we saw elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and many other incredible animals up close. Of course, visiting Victoria Falls was also a major highlight — truly one of the most spectacular places we have ever seen. Thank you to everyone at Victoria Falls River Lodge for such an amazing experience. We left with wonderful memories and would highly recommend this lodge to anyone visiting Victoria Falls and looking for a luxury safari experience.

Authenticity & Character

Authenticity & Character

Location

Location

Staff

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Moremi Game Reserve

Moremi

The game drives were exceptional, and we were incredibly lucky with wildlife sightings. During our stay, we saw lions, leopards, elephants, hippos, wild dogs, and so many other amazing animals. Every drive felt exciting and different, and the guides were knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate about wildlife. Their tracking skills and understanding of animal behavior made the experience even more special.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nadia did a great job organizing our adventure. She was always responsive and helpful.
We traveled from Cape Town along the Garden Route to George.
Our drivers were Debbie, Sibo and Brian. They were all great drivers, extremely knowledgeable and very congenial.
Our accommodations were always lovely with excellent service and cuisine.
It felt like a very personalized experience which was what we wanted.

This trip was more amazing than I could ever imagine! Every facet of this trip was well thought out and carried out in a highly professional manner. Every interaction with staff, drivers, security was pleasurable and in some way rewarding. Our contact at Kim Kim, Anna-marie', was able to give us information on the fly whenever we reached out to her. SO MUCH behind the scenes work was done in order to make this trip a smooth vacation of a lifetime!

Fantastic trip! All accommodations were outstanding. Clean, very friendly and organized with excellent food. Our Kimkim representative Nadia was always available and flexible with any concerns. All of my expectations were met and exceeded.

Hotel Reviews

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Victoria Falls

A little confusing to get around and a tremendous number of stairs

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shiduli Private Game Lodge

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

All staff were excellent but the safari tour guides were exceptional. They were very knowledgeable and friendly. Enjoyed having our tour guide join us for dinner on some evenings

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ocean View House

Cape Town

Beautiful facility with outstanding breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Victoria Falls Township Tour

Victoria Falls

Quality of Experience

P

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

On Safari

South Africa

Incredible experience finding and observing animals in their natural setting

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Outstanding!!!

Transport

Panorama Highlights + Boat Cruise Tour

Kruger National Park

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Activities at Shiduli

South Africa

Received excellent message. Great pressure and very relaxing in very calm environment

Quality of Experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Boutique Winelands Tour

South Africa

Guide did not appear to know what was expected

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day penguin safari - Cape Peninsula

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day City Tour, Robben Island & Table Mountain

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was outstanding. Tremendous amount of information and knowledge about the area. Went above and beyond to provide us with an excellent experience

Transport

WOW WOW WOW.. a trip to remember for sure. As my wife said this was the best vaction ever and will be hard to beat. Seeing different areas and aspects of S. Africa, Zimbabwie and Bostwana was so facinating in many different ways its hard to answer what our best part of the trip was. Seeing everything from Penguins to Lions and interacting with local people made everything so special. I can not thank our local specialist Anna-marie enough, from the very start of our trip planning process all the way to the end of our journey. She was always availble before and during our trip to answer quick questions and made sure that we were completely taken care of during our journey and often followed up to check in. Her contribution was far more than a travel agent, she made us feel like family and we never thought of ourself as customers. The Garden route was fabulous as well as our other activites in S Africa. Elton and his staff at the Tree House lodge in Cape Town were absolutely fabulous in welcoming us and making sure everything was in order. Pinky and her staff at One Marine Drive Boutique Hotel in Hermanus was absolutely a riot. They all started dancing and singing in the lobby for us , just because... That was a cool surprise. Our first Safari in Kruger was very nice and Abigail and her team at Umkumbe Bush lodge treated us like royalty and at the same time being friendly and smiling all the time. Our final Safari in drive at the Muchenje Safari Lodge in Botswana was a epic finish to the trip. Maria and her staff were top notch and our guide Tip was fabulous in making sure that all our needs were met. His attention to us and our needs was top notch and our interaction was alway in a fun and happy manor. And last but not least our first guide Rochelle traveled with us for 7 days to start out our trip in S Africa can not say enough she was fabulous. During our time together we grew to be like family and she was absolutely fantastic. I could keep going but i think you get the point. Already starting to think of our next trip with KimKim. Job well done!!!!!

Thanks
Larry & Julie Romero

We really cannot say enough good things about our experience in South Africa and Zimbabwe. It was an incredible trip. Cape Town was awesome thanks to Debbie, our local guide, and the staff at the Ocean View were so friendly and so attentive. Shiduli was amazing in every way. The food, service and guides were excellent. We saw the big 5 and much more. German went above and beyond to ensure we saw hard to find animals. He was eager to teach and we were eager to learn. Zimbabwe did not disappoint. The township tour was particularly interesting. Throughout our entire trip Nadia was on top of things and very responsive whenever I contacted her. Excellent service!

Our family of four spent a week in South Africa, including time in Cape Town as well as a few days on Safari. Anna-Marie listened to all of what we hoped to do, see, and experience on our trip and made it ALL happen. I could have never done this type of planning on my own. Our guide Mark was fantastic and gave us a great overview of the Cape Town area and went the extra step to take photos of us while we were at Boulders Beach with the penguins. Blackheath Lodge and their staff are top notch, our whole family loved our time there. For the second half of our trip we were At Timbavati Nature Reserve staying at Shindzela. It was so peaceful and well staffed. The lodge was small and gave us an opportunity to relax in between game drives. Kobus our guide was excellent and made the entire experience so amazing. I highly recommend Kimkim, their work made our trip what it was

Hotel Reviews

Shindzela Lodge

Timbavati Game Reserve

The lodge is intimate which made it possible for the staff to get to know the guests during the stay. The game drives were exceptional!

Authenticity & Character

The staff was so knowledgeable and more than happy to answer our questions and share their experiences.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The area was pristine!

Blackheath Lodge

Cape Town

Our stay was delightful at Blackheath. Every staff member went the extra mile to make sure we had an amazing experience. The location was perfect for the things we wanted to do in Cape Town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

We were within walking distance to restaurants and quick Ubers from the waterfront and other sights we were interested in.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A Day in the Kruger Bush with Two Game Drives

South Africa

Everyday here was great! They always were around to get is a drink, answer our questions, and in general check in.

Quality of Experience

Food

The staff worked so hard and asked for our requests and cooked so well. We really enjoyed every meal.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They communicate so well with all of us and the other car to ensure we all get to see the best of what is around us.

Transport

Arrive at Your Lodge in Kruger & First Game Drive

South Africa

Transport was straightforward. We got to the lodge in time to un pack, enjoy lunch and then head our first evening drive.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Community Development Projects (highly recommended)

Cape Town

The reality of wealth disparity is real and we were very thankful to see some of the amazing community work that was going on. We were able to visit a school that was built using reclaimed materials, a community garden, and a senior center with a youth choir performing for us. It was amazing!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dinner at GOLD Restaurant

Cape Town

So much fun! We were in the drumming area and that was our very favorite part. There was always something going on and it was a little of fun.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food was served family style and was a great opportunity to try some traditional foods.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Robben Island

Cape Town

This is an important and interesting visit. We really liked that a portion of the tour is guided by former political prisoners. That was really impactful!

Quality of Experience

Transport

It takes a while to get to the island. Patience is key.

Kayak with Penguins

South Africa

It was fun to get in the water and get active on our trip. The kayaks were easy to maneuver and we were able to see starfish, seals, and penguins during our trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cape Peninsula & Penguins

South Africa

Mark was our guide and he was amazing. It was a fun filled day and really started our trip off with a bang! The views were incredible!

Quality of Experience

lol

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mark is amazing! He helped us take pictures at the beach and really went the extra mile!

Transport

Liz and Esther planned an amazing, once in a lifetime trip for me. I worked with them for many months to perfect the itinerary and they were very accommodating to my requests. Throughout the entire trip, the ladies were in contact with me via Whatsapp groupchat, whether it was a check in or to resolve any minor issues. I appreciated the constant communciation as I am female solo traveler. Angelique was also very helpful in making sure my South Africa portion of the trip ran smoothly with reservations and coordinating driver pick up/drop off. All in all, I had an unforgettable trip that exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend booking with these ladies for any future African destinations in East/Southern Africa.

The trip, our vacation and the celebration of my birthday, was planned together with Nokuthula and Lucy from KimKim. It started in Cape Town by the harbour. Very good accommodation and of course cake and bubbles from our SA specialist. We visited Robin Islands and Cape of Good Hope. We moved a lot and stayed at several hotels during our 15 days stay in SA. All the hotels were very good and several of them excellence. From Cape Town we drove south and stayed in Hermanus for two nights. Hermanus seemed very British and we liked it. Nice and quiet and a beautiful sunset. We went on whale safari, which was wonderful. We spent New Year’s Eve in Cape Town at a vineyard with long table setting. Nice people and beautiful surroundings. We connected with our local specialists via WhatsApp and received all relevant information prior to pick-ups, check-ins, etc. The second week we moved to the northern part of SA. During our stay in White River, we went sightseeing through beautiful landscape and scenic route. We had the joy of experiencing really bad weather during our first night with thunder and lightning like we have never experienced before. Then we went on safari for three days. We had heard that December was not the best time to go safari, but that is not true. The Savanah was green and beautiful. Birds were singing and all the animals had calf’s og young. It was beautiful. We saw all of them, from the small turtle, to Pumba and the lion. So many elephants, zebras and giraffes, they were all there, together on the Savanah. We ended our trip with sightseeing in Johannesburg, the New York of Africa. Beautiful and complicated. We visited Soweto and Mandela's house. And we met our local specialist, whom we now call our friend in SA, Nokuthula. She came to the airport when we arrived. Very nice gesture and it did something to our otherwise online communication. We will always remember you.
South Africa is a beautiful country. Very friendly people and very good food. We felt safe and secure all the time, even if we know SA has challenges. This is a country worth visiting and please use our local specialists in SA, Nokuthula and Lucy, they will give you a trip to remember.
Maria, Denmark

Thanks to excellent planning from Nokuthula and Lucy we were able to enjoy a very active and enjoyable trip to South Africa. We met countless animals- both in Cape Point, Hermanus and in Kruger national park, and learned a lot about the country. The Graskop Lift was one of the highlights.

Nadia was extremely responsive to our personal interests. She checked in with us every day during our visit and helped us figure out some logistical problems we encountered. I cannot recommend her strongly enough. She is also very warm and friendly.

Hotel Reviews

Brenton Haven Beachfront Resort

Knysna

Located on a secluded very beautiful beach.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

aha Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites

Cape Town

Convenient for visiting Cape Town but in a quiet location.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Amakhala Safari Lodge

Amakhala Game Reserve, N2 Paterson

This lodge is a bit pricey but well worth it. Beautiful site. Very friendly and helpful staff. Great food. The best part is the safari guides.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

aha Gateway Hotel

Umhlanga, KwaZulu Natal

Location

Convenient to the Durban airport but in a very busy shopping mall.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Amakhala Game Reserve Activities

South Africa

Pricey but well managed review . Your visit help game conservation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our family trip to South Africa, booked through Kimkim, was extremely well organised from start to finish. The itinerary was well balanced, flexible and perfectly suited for travelling with children. Accommodation and activities were well chosen, and communication with the local organisers Anna-Marie and Deb was warm, clear and responsive. Thanks to Kimkim, we could fully enjoy the trip without any stress.

This South Africa trip was truly exceptional from start to finish. Every detail was thoughtfully planned and executed with care making the entire experience feel seamless grounded and deeply meaningful for our group.

Working with Stephanie our local expert was a pleasure. Communication was clear timely and supportive throughout the planning process and while on the ground. She anticipated needs handled adjustments smoothly and ensured that every transition felt effortless. It allowed me to focus on the experience itself knowing logistics were fully handled.

Our guides were outstanding across every leg of the journey. They were knowledgeable engaging and deeply connected to the places we visited. Several travelers shared that the guide at Leopard Mountain was a highlight of the entire trip. His storytelling wildlife knowledge humor and presence elevated every game drive and created moments that felt both educational and magical. The broader staff at Leopard Mountain also deserve special recognition. Their warmth attentiveness and professionalism made the stay feel luxurious yet personal.

The accommodations throughout the trip were phenomenal with Leopard Mountain standing out as especially memorable. The rooms were stunning the views were breathtaking and the overall atmosphere felt peaceful and intentional. It was the kind of place where you immediately felt held by the land and the experience.

Transportation throughout the trip was reliable comfortable and well coordinated. Transfers flights and longer drives were handled smoothly which is no small feat with a multi city itinerary. Everything ran on time and without stress which made a huge difference for group travel.

The food was another highlight. Meals were consistently delicious fresh and nourishing. The food at Big Skies in particular stood out for its flavor quality and care. Healthy balanced and thoughtfully prepared it complemented the tone of the trip perfectly.

Overall this was one of the most well organized and impactful trips I have experienced. From the guides and accommodations to transportation meals and local support everything worked together beautifully. It was clear that intention expertise and care went into every aspect of the journey. I would absolutely work with this team again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a deeply enriching travel experience in South Africa.

Hotel Reviews

Gugs, Maputoland

Manguzi

Gugs Eco Lodge offered a meaningful eco lodge experience rooted in nature community and adventure. The accommodations were simple and functional, consistent with the eco focused nature of the lodge. While the rooms themselves were just okay in terms of comfort and amenities, they served their purpose for a rustic and intentional stay. The food at Gugs was a true highlight. Meals were consistently delicious fresh and nourishing, and our group genuinely looked forward to every meal. The quality and care put into the food stood out and added a lot to the overall experience. Our guide MP was excellent and played a big role in making this portion of the trip memorable. He was knowledgeable engaging and attentive, and the group really enjoyed learning from him throughout our excursions. The lodge manager was also very communicative and responsive, helping ensure things ran smoothly and that we felt supported during our stay. The excursions were a major highlight for our group. We were able to witness turtles laying eggs on the beach at night, which was an incredibly special and moving experience. We also enjoyed snorkeling and a boat ride, both of which were well organized and very well received by the group. These experiences brought the destination to life and were among the most talked about moments of this leg of the trip. Overall, Gugs delivered a strong eco lodge experience with outstanding food, meaningful excursions, and solid on the ground support. It is a great option for travelers who value nature based experiences and unique moments over luxury accommodations.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

aha Kopanong Hotel & Conference Centre

Benoni

aha Kopanong Hotel was a comfortable and reliable starting point for our South Africa journey. The location worked well for our Johannesburg itinerary and transfers, and the check in process was smooth and efficient for a group arrival. Rooms were clean spacious and well appointed, providing a restful place to land after international travel. The staff were welcoming and professional, especially helpful with group coordination and early departures. Breakfast service was consistent and convenient, offering a solid variety to start the day. Overall this hotel served as a dependable base that supported the flow of the trip without stress, which is exactly what is needed at the beginning of a multi stop itinerary.

Authenticity & Character

Location

This was not very accessible to anything without transportation.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Gugs Experiences

Manguzi

Our first day with Gugs Experiences was a highlight for the group. The excursions were well organized engaging and deeply connected to the local environment. Seeing turtles laying eggs on the beach at night was an unforgettable and moving experience that many travelers described as a once in a lifetime moment. Our guide MP was excellent. He was knowledgeable engaging and attentive, helping bring the experience to life while ensuring everyone felt safe and informed. The combination of nature education and hands on experience made the day both meaningful and memorable. The second day with Gugs Experiences continued to impress. Activities like snorkeling and the boat ride were very well received by the group and offered a fun relaxed way to experience the area. Everything was thoughtfully paced and coordinated, allowing travelers to enjoy the day without feeling rushed. Again, MP’s guidance stood out. His familiarity with the region and ability to engage the group added value to each activity. These experiences complemented our stay beautifully and gave our group a deeper appreciation for the local landscape and culture.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Apartheid Museum

Johannesburg

The Apartheid Museum was a profoundly impactful experience and an essential part of our time in South Africa. The exhibits are immersive thoughtful and emotionally resonant, guiding visitors through the country’s history with honesty and care. Our group appreciated the way the museum balances education reflection and storytelling. It prompted deep conversations and offered important context that enriched everything we experienced afterward. While intense at times, it was incredibly well curated and meaningful. A must visit experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sanctuary Mandela

Johannesburg

Our visit to Sanctuary Mandela was primarily a dinner experience. It was nice to be in the space, and the food and service were both good. The atmosphere was pleasant and the staff were attentive, making for an enjoyable evening meal. That said, the experience felt more like a solid dinner stop than a must do activity. While we appreciated having gone and enjoyed the meal, it is not something I would necessarily repeat on a future itinerary. It worked well as a gentle introduction to Johannesburg, but did not stand out as a highlight compared to other experiences on the trip.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I had done a trip through KimKim before and had a good experience, so I decided to use them again for traveling to South Africa and Zimbabwe with my daughter. As it turned out, and this was last minute, my daughter couldn't go, so my son went instead. Steph did a nice job of not only organizing our activities and the awesome places we got to stay but she was really good about taking care of my last-minute change. It was also nice that she was available to talk to me live even though it was late in the evening for her.

All of the people helping us spoke excellent English and we never had to worry about missing a flight, etc, being picked up to go from one place to another. In Cape Town we also used Uber which was incredibly easy. In Cape Town and Hermanus, Debbie took care of us and did a great job. She has a nice sense of humor and we got along really well. What stuck out for us especially was the Simbavati Waterside Lodge we stayed at for three days. Very luxurious and everyone did a great job in taking care of us.

In Zimbabwe (we also wanted to see Victoria Falls), we stayed three nights at the Victoria Falls River Lodge, in their Malachite Lodge section. Another luxurious place for us to stay and we were even able to arrange for someone to drive us into town to attend church on New Year's Day.

We always felt safe and everyone seemed so accommodating and wanting to make sure we were having a good time. In Cape Town, make sure to take the Cable Car to the top of Table Mountain. If it's a popular day you probably wat to get a Fast Track pass because they are worth it. You skip the 3-hour long line going up and the one-hour line coming back down. In Victoria Falls take the 25 min Angels Flight. This is the longest flight option and well worth it. You make several passes over the falls, which is a stunning view, and you also take a look at elephant herds.

Can't believe all we did, but we also had a lot of time to relax. Great job, Steph! Hope to use you again soon. :-)

Cape Town was great and our guide Marc was knowledgeable about the history of south africa and kind and went the extra mile, always. We enjoyed the hike Tablemountain. We did not need a guide, it was quite well marked. It was intereting t have her there to educat us on the various plant and what to touch and not to touch ! There ar3e several hikes if you want to spend more time being active. The penguins were cute but it was quite a drive to see something small and very touristic. The drive was beautiful. We stopped at a local coffee shop, we also stopped at Cape of Hope for a picture and stopped at a winery on the way back. Full day!

A highlight of the trip was the visit on Robben Island. Advice for people planning, I would recommend the private visit. We had a very large group and it was difficult to ask question. I would return and spend more time in a private group. I think it would have been worth the money. The guides are ex-prisonner, making the experience even more moving and real.

We then headed to Namibia which was wonderful. The team at Salt Travel in Namibia (Andrea met us at the begining of the trip at our hotel, gave us a map with the highlighted routes to take, the time to travel, the type of road, the must do stops, etc.) was phenomenal. The came to our hotel to give us our rental vehicle and they picked it up at our last hotel (final destination).

Sandboarding in the dunes was fantastic, small group locals guys, we had a blast. The 4-wheeler in the dunes was super fun if you want to see the vast desert. However Desert Explorer is a big company with many employees and the guides are not very engaging, not invested int he experience for the customer as much. District hotel in Swakopmund was perfect, safe, small boutique hotel, good food, excellent staff.

The glamping in the desert when visiting Big Daddy was a great experience. It was quite warm! The poool was refreshing. We loved learning about Namibia.

Spheperd's lodge Safari was amazing. The facility are 5 stars and the staff very attentive. This is not roughing it ! The beds were comfortable, we enjoyed the outdor shower and the soaking tub. The guide was not as interactive as we would have wish. However, he was knowledgeable. The game ride were gr4eat and the animal got very close to us. Lots of rhinos, we saw elephants, giraffes, and various type of antiloop. We did not have the luck to see a lion, but we were there only for one evening and 1 days (3 game rides) and it was abnormally cold. I loved that experience. If we were to go back, I would want to organize a hike with a guide for 3-4h. I wish we could be more physically engaged. We truly enjoyed the safari in Pilansberg, great alternative if you want to go in a Malaria free zone. I couldn't take the regular anti-malaria drugs because of pregnancy, so Stephanie found us that alternative which was great and allowed us to also experience Johannesburg. Now, the Apartheid museum take a good 6 hours. We only had 1.5h. We had a museuum guide to help us get through it and hitting hte key points. It was moving. I wish we had spent more time there. Visiting Mandela house was interesting, this was quite quick, you don't need much time. I wonder if it would have been safe to just walk around Sowento for a bit.