Kimkim Trip Reviews for Tanzania

4.9
Based on 32 ratings
Read 32 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Tanzania on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Fabulous experience in Tanzania in spite of local specialist's lack of assistance
Tanzania | Jun 17 - Jun 27, 2025

P
Pamela W.
Leander, TX | Reviewed on Jul 05, 2025
My son already wrote you about our disappointment regarding our trip planning experience with Peter. He also told you about changes with respect to some of our lodgings without our knowledge. NOTE: Someone from kimkim personally reached out to and spoke with my son. This was my 3rd trip arranged through kimkim and the first, and hopefully last one, to have a negative experience with the planning part of the trip.
However, on the flip side, we were so very blessed to have Eli as our full...
Read more

My son already wrote you about our disappointment regarding our trip planning experience with Peter. He also told you about changes with respect to some of our lodgings without our knowledge. NOTE: Someone from kimkim personally reached out to and spoke with my son. This was my 3rd trip arranged through kimkim and the first, and hopefully last one, to have a negative experience with the planning part of the trip.
However, on the flip side, we were so very blessed to have Eli as our full time guide and driver!!! He has 15 years experience and willingly shared so many wonderful facts about his country, the animals, birds, etc. Anyone who has Eli as their personal guide is truly blessed. He is a gem!!!! We were able to see the "big 5" and had so many closeup opportunities with numerous species of wildlife. My son shot over 2,000 photos and 75 videos.
Our lodgings were very nice and the food was quite tasty. We were surprised that almost all of the food served was geared to American tastes. The Tanzanian people are very welcoming and always had lovely smiles.

Local specialist: Peter Mwanja

A life time Aftrican Safari-Kenya & Tanzania
Tanzania | Jun 11 - Jun 25, 2025

Marur Dev
Marur Dev D.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2025
We had used Kim Kim lin 2024 for the tour of Brazil so we used KimKim again in June 2025 to experience the incredible diversity of African wildlife in their natural habitats in Kenya and Tanzania. The itinerary included visit to Amboseli National park with Majestic snow capped Mount kilamanjaro in the background and Maasai Mara reserve, Nakuru Reserve and Lake Naivasha in Kenya and world famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Caldera in Tanzania. To rest and recharge, we stayed at... Read more

We had used Kim Kim lin 2024 for the tour of Brazil so we used KimKim again in June 2025 to experience the incredible diversity of African wildlife in their natural habitats in Kenya and Tanzania. The itinerary included visit to Amboseli National park with Majestic snow capped Mount kilamanjaro in the background and Maasai Mara reserve, Nakuru Reserve and Lake Naivasha in Kenya and world famous Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Caldera in Tanzania. To rest and recharge, we stayed at beautiful lake Victoria in Tanzania. Jospeh worked very well with us to complete the itinerary to our satisfaction.

This is a truly an unforgettable trip of lifetime. June weather was perfect with cool breeze, and partly cloudy conditions helped us throughout our tour. Our Tanzanian guides Festo and Godbless and Kenyan guides George and Sano ( Stanley)
were so special that they made the entire trip an informative and fun. The places to see picked were unique and gave greater insight first hand to life of many beautiful animals in their natural habits to find food and survive in the wildlife . Kudos to KimKim for making the itinerary so that we could see lions, lionesses , and their cubs, cheetahs, leopard, elephants, Buffaloes , giraffes, Rhinos, Hoppos, gazelles, impalas, Zeebras, wothhogs . Despite the change in the rain patterns, we did see a part of Wildebeests migration in Serengeti . Hot Balloon ride over Masai Mara Reserve was awesome.

The sound smells, and the side of African bush will stay with us forever, along with amazing people with the warm and open hearts. Spending a night at the Maji Moto Maasai Cultural camp (Kenya), on traditional leafy beds under the stars in sleeping bags (provided), with the protection of warriors throughout the night is a once in a life time experience.

The range of emotions that we experienced in Safari has always been refreshing for me and to witness as well as share the emotions that are being exhibited by others in the safari vehicle is satisfying to me. Being out in nature for hours, watching raw African wildlife as it unfold in front of our eyes, unedited unscripted unplanned can never be replicated anywhere else. A place where mother nature plays for her role in every outcome.

Only blemish we experiennced in the tour was no hotwater in Serengeti Heritage Luxury Tented Camp. It was challenging to navigate two nights without running hot water or flushable toilets. KimKim should work with Heritage Camp to resolve these issues so that the future traverls will not have challening experiences.

Thank you KimKim for our making dream come through. We are using Kim Kim for our next tour of New Zealand.

Marur Dev,

Hotel Reviews
Fair Acres Boutique Hotel
Karen, Nairobi. P. O Box 1121 – 00208 Nairobi.
Authenticity & Character
Location
Isolation and Tranquility
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kibo Safari Camp
Amboseli

It is simply stunning Logde nestled in wooded lot located near the entrance to Amboseli National Park with majstic snow capped mount Kilamnanjoro in the view. Tented accommdation is excellent and staff os fanstatic. Chief Chef was marvelous. Food varies (both vegeratian and non vegetarian) were amazing and were delicious

Authenticity & Character
Location
Conveniently located near the entrance to Amboseli National Park and ambiance, restuarant and bar settings have a lot of charm
Staff
Staff is very professional, polite, kind and attentive. Staff provided reserved dinining table for two days and remembered our group after the first meeting. Surprise birthday celebrations to one of our tour member was electric.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Speke Bay Lodge
Bariadi

The lodge is simply a beautiful with spacious living room and a bathroom and a loft on the 2nd floor. The staff were friendly and attentive. Phenominal service and food.

Authenticity & Character
All lodges are round shaped with a thached roof which gives an authenticity to the setting, like rusting appears inside the forest.
Location
The Speke Bay Lodge is situated at the bank of Lake victoria with a stunning view of the water and sunn setting. The location is amazing and view from the room is stunning.
Staff
Simply exceptional! Everyone similing all the time and ready to help. Chef cooked amazing vegeration food for our group. Hats off to manager Mr. Noel.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Exteremly clean and amzingly comfortable.
Ashnil Mara Camp
Maasai Mara

This camp is located inside Maasai Mara National Reserve. The lodge nestled inside a dense forest with a picturesque setting and wildlife proximity. The entire lodge site is fenced in and no danger of wild animals entering the property. The wood firepit in the lounge area provided a rustic experience under the cool night air. The close proximity to wildlife, we were able to see many wild animals in one and half days of stay there.

Authenticity & Character
Lodges were built with tent materials with masonry foundation walls that are coverec by tent material. Interior was spacious and authentically decorated. Even the bathroom coutertops and frame around the mirrorw were natural wood. Pavers for the walkways blend with the surrounding vegetation. Bar and firepit are located pefectly to enhance the romantic experience.
Location
The lodge is situated on the bank of Mara River with a majestic view of the flowing water from the lounge. Roaming hippos in the water and sun bathing crocs on the bank were visible from the lounge area which is a unique experience
Staff
Friendly, helpful and awesome
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tumbili Lodge
Olasiti, Arusha

A well designed lodge by passionate owners, with wife being a horticulturist and husband being a chef. The entire lodge is nesteled inside amzing gardens and a cool pool area. Each lodge has beautiful archituctural details with well decorated rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Tranquil and relaxing oasis.
Location
Tranquil and gated and coveniently located near Arusha and Ngorongoro Conservation area. .
Staff
All area helpfull and professional.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp
Maji Moto

The camp as good as it was advertised to depict the true nature of Maasai tribes. The hotwater system to the comminity shower from a natural hotwater springs is simply authentic, hence the name Maji (water) Moto (hot), hot water in Swahili laungu. The lodge its self built with natural material such mud wall and thatched roof and an open porch in the front is authentic as it can be.

Authenticity & Character
A visit to hot springs, to widow village with local traditional life with bead making and manyatta homes, and to a comminuty school provided us a window to the authencity of the Maasai Culture and tradition. A trek on the mountain slope to a forest bush campsite, spending evening with Maasai warriors around the bonfires and sleeping on maasai built leaves bed with sleeping bags and blanket under the night stars and watchfull eyes of Maasai guard is truly an authetic experience. Enjoyed the songs, stories and blessings by the Warriors and elders around the campfire was an eyeopener. Locally brewed Maasai beer with alacia roots, honey and herbs was as good as it can be. .
Location
The camp is beautifully situated inside a 200 acre of forested Maasai land /mountains to experience the Maasai Culture in an authentic setting.
Staff
Friendly, humble and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sarova Lion Hill Hotel
Nairobi

Fabulous hotel nestled inside the Nakuru National Park. A well designed place near the Lake Nakura. Ambiance in and around the property is fantastic. Friendly staff and wide range of food options. Room were clean . Although it was not an issue for us, it may be challening for some people to climb up the numerous steps to reach rooms from the dining area or reception. Directional signs could be placed at thes stragetic locations and could be well illuminated

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy access to game drives and provided ample opportunity see Rhinos at close proximity. Drive around the Lake Nakuru provided glimses to numerous birds livnig in the lake.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Embalakai Authentic Ngorongoro Camp
Karatu

The tent strucctures of the Camp were set up nicely on the slope of a mountain valley with an imperssive view of the sun setting over the valley. Although I loved walking up and down hill from the reception/dining strucure to the our tent, it may be challening to others to walk up the hill. Since the staff was quick to move our luggage from the safari vehicles to and from the tents, we found it very helpful. The product quality was consistently outstanding and exceeded our expectations.

Authenticity & Character
The entire setting fits the geogrphy of Ngorongoro Conservation area with numerous girafes roaming the forest around the tents and we were able to hear the Hynea calls in the night.
Location
The view of the mountail valley with lush green coverage from the porch of each tent is amazing.
Staff
The staff was professional and very helpful. Many of the employees are from Maasai Tribes who have compteletly imperssed us with their professionalism and cutomer service. Many of them walk 30 kilometers to go back to their homes during the holid ays and return to workplace . They are highly dedicated , hardworking and impressive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Serengeti Heritage Luxury Tented Camp

As I indicated in my intitial review of KImKim, one of the biggest disspointments of this place was the lack hot water shower and flushable toilets which did not work properly during our stay. Staff was not helpful in resolving the hot water issues and flusable toilets . One of the reasons for lack of hot water is a single solar powdered water tank supplying hot water to two tents. With occupants in one tent used the water first, the occupants in the second tent will have no hot water. In addition, cloudy days excesbrated the sitution as the solar panel was not able to heat the water to higher temperature. Also, there seems to an issue to pump system due to lack of vacuum breaker in the water supply lines. Water flow apepars to stop whenever vacuum is created in the water supply pipes. You will need a qualified plumber to resolve these issues.

Authenticity & Character
The location is truly authentic where we we would awakened by hyneas calls or roaring of lions in the early mornings as they pass by our tents. We felt completely safe as we were escorted by a Maasai warriors to and from the tent to the Lounge / dining hall in the night. The presence of Maasai warriors was unique experience to us.
Location
Location is magnificient with all tents built inside the Serengetti park with no fence. The camp is situated in a stunning parot of Serengti and tent settling allows Giraffes walking right next to the tents and monkeys play around the tents.
Staff
Staff was excellent and supportive (except for hot water issue)
Cleanliness & Comfort
See comments on hot water shower and flusable toilets.
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Jul 05, 2025
Dear Marur Dev, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed and heartfelt feedback on your June 2025 safari through Kenya and Tanzania. We are truly honored that you chose KimKim again after your Brazil trip, and thrilled to hear how unforgettable this experience was for you. Your vivid description — from the breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the spectacular wildlife sightings in the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro, to the special night at Maji Moto Maasai... Read more

Dear Marur Dev,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed and heartfelt feedback on your June 2025 safari through Kenya and Tanzania. We are truly honored that you chose KimKim again after your Brazil trip, and thrilled to hear how unforgettable this experience was for you.

Your vivid description — from the breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the spectacular wildlife sightings in the Maasai Mara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro, to the special night at Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp — is exactly what we hope our travelers will carry with them. We are delighted that Festo, Godbless, George, and Stanley made such a positive impression and enriched your journey with their knowledge and warmth.

It is wonderful to know the weather, the carefully chosen locations, and the authentic wildlife encounters met and exceeded your expectations, including witnessing a portion of the wildebeest migration and enjoying the unforgettable balloon ride over the Mara.

We do, however, sincerely regret the inconvenience you faced with the hot water and toilet facilities at Serengeti Heritage Luxury Tented Camp. Your feedback is invaluable, and we will work closely with our partners at Heritage Camp to address these issues, ensuring future guests have a more comfortable experience.

Thank you again for trusting us to help make your dream safari a reality. We are excited to assist you with planning your next adventure to New Zealand, and we look forward to helping create more lifelong memories for you.

Warm regards,
Joseph

Excellent Trip to Tanzania, but issues with booking agent
Tanzania | Jun 17 - Jun 27, 2025

Andrew
Andrew W.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025
We had a wonderful time on safari in Tanzania. Our guide Ely was an extremely knowledgable, courteous and safe driver. He has over 15 years experience providing safaris in Tanzania's national parks, and was an encyclopedia of knowledge about every animal and tree we encountered. He was also a good conversationalist which is important when you are spending 10 days together in a car! The experience booking the trip with Peter was less positive and was below the standard of other agents we've... Read more

We had a wonderful time on safari in Tanzania. Our guide Ely was an extremely knowledgable, courteous and safe driver. He has over 15 years experience providing safaris in Tanzania's national parks, and was an encyclopedia of knowledge about every animal and tree we encountered. He was also a good conversationalist which is important when you are spending 10 days together in a car!

The experience booking the trip with Peter was less positive and was below the standard of other agents we've used on KimKim:

- Two of the hotels selected were a 1.5 hour drive away from the parks, which meant longer trips in the car and less time spent in the parks. This seemed unnecessary since we had booked 6 months in advance of our trip and there were acceptable accommodations closer to the activity.
- A few of the hotels we had agreed to were changed without our knowledge. The substitutions were acceptable, but it would have been nice to know this in advance.
- Written communication was at times unclear making it difficult to understand the context behind why decisions were made and to assess whether everything was booked as requested.
- We were never reminded or given any guidance about the Visa application process.
- We twice setup a phone call and twice Peter did not show up for the call. Eventually we were able to connect.

Hotel Review
Arusha Coffee Lodge

Beautiful property, excellent service and food, and amazing coffee. Good starting location for your safari if you are arriving in JRO.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Masai boma experience
Masai boma experience
Serengeti National Park

Would not recommend this activity. Received a brief tour of the tribes home and culture, and then were guided to a large area of crafts made by their tribe. We felt obligated and pressured to buy something. No price was listed, and when we asked how much the items we selected would cost we were provided very high numbers (as compared to anywhere else). When we said we were not interested in purchasing, they several times pushed the items back into our hands and told us to negotiate. Also Google the Maasai people and learn about their treatment of women. Patriarchal society that treats women as property and performs female genital mutilation.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Peter Mwanja

Kenya and Tanzania tour
Tanzania | Jun 11 - Jun 25, 2025

T
Thimmaiah T.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 26, 2025

We had a excellent experience. Thank you for planning our itinerary. Day we transferred from Tanzania to Kenya could have been coordinated and communicated better. Overall it is a great experience. Accomodations and food was excellent all along our tour. Guides were very caring, educative. They took care of us like their own family. Thank you.

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Jun 26, 2025
Hi Thimmaiah, Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful feedback. We're truly delighted to hear that you had an excellent experience and enjoyed the accommodations, food, and the care provided by our guides—it means a lot to us that you felt well looked after throughout your journey. We also appreciate your comments regarding the transfer day from Tanzania to Kenya. We’re sorry for any confusion or inconvenience and will certainly review this with our team to ensure better... Read more

Hi Thimmaiah,

Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful feedback. We're truly delighted to hear that you had an excellent experience and enjoyed the accommodations, food, and the care provided by our guides—it means a lot to us that you felt well looked after throughout your journey.

We also appreciate your comments regarding the transfer day from Tanzania to Kenya. We’re sorry for any confusion or inconvenience and will certainly review this with our team to ensure better coordination and communication in the future.

Thank you again for choosing to travel with us, we hope to welcome you back again someday for other experiences.

Thanks,
Joseph

Trip of a lifetime!
Tanzania | Apr 24 - May 8, 2025

P
Peter R.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on May 18, 2025
My wife and I consider it great fortune to have found Stephan and the rest of the Truly Swahili team. Our trip to Uganda and Tanzania went off without a hitch, and offered memories that will last a lifetime. Stephan patiently explained all details of the trip in advance, and his choice of accommodations were absolutely perfect! Our guide Fred and driver Steven in Uganda are now considered friends, and the same can be said for our tour coordinator Irene in Tanzania, as well as our guide Kaka... Read more

My wife and I consider it great fortune to have found Stephan and the rest of the Truly Swahili team. Our trip to Uganda and Tanzania went off without a hitch, and offered memories that will last a lifetime. Stephan patiently explained all details of the trip in advance, and his choice of accommodations were absolutely perfect! Our guide Fred and driver Steven in Uganda are now considered friends, and the same can be said for our tour coordinator Irene in Tanzania, as well as our guide Kaka and driver Jambo. Our trip was not only fascinating, but it also was just plain fun! I had the privilege of trekking to get up close with gorillas in Uganda, and we then had the opportunity to see every creature Africa had to offer, ranging from giraffes and zebras to elephants, lions and rhinos. This is probably one of the last places on the planet where you can still see these beautiful creatures in their natural element, and contacting Stephan is the first step in planning the trip of your life!

Local specialist: Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Stephan
Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Local specialist in Kenya | Replied on May 20, 2025

Jambo Pete,

Thank you so much for your generous and heartfelt review. It was truly an honor to plan this journey for you, and we’re thrilled to hear how memorable and meaningful the experience was for you and Derilynn. Knowing the trip brought so much joy and discovery, and that it all went smoothly, is the greatest reward for our team. We’re incredibly grateful for your trust and kind words, and we’d be delighted to welcome you back to East Africa anytime.

Great trip! Great Guides. Wondeful experience.
Tanzania | Feb 9 - Feb 14, 2025

Lisa
Lisa M.
Florence-Graham, CA | Reviewed on Feb 21, 2025
Great trip!
Kaka kept us amused and informed during the days of game drives. He was simply fantastic.
The lodge was staffed with friendly people and stellar food.
In retrospect, we could have done one fewer days of game drives and one more day in Zanzibar, but no complaints.
Read more

Great trip!
Kaka kept us amused and informed during the days of game drives. He was simply fantastic.
The lodge was staffed with friendly people and stellar food.
In retrospect, we could have done one fewer days of game drives and one more day in Zanzibar, but no complaints.

Hotel Reviews
Nyota Luxury Camp

Fantastic! Friendly staff Courteous and attentive. Stunning pool! Comfortable bed. Lovely shower (indoor and out!) Delicious and copious food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Gita!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa

The horseback riding was a delight. The room was fine. The food was only meh.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kitela Lodge
Karatu

By the time we got here, we were tired and cranky. Nice room, good food. Internet was iffy at best.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Hot Air Balloon Safari at Serengeti
Hot Air Balloon Safari at Serengeti
Tanzania

So much fun!!! Enjoyed it so much, we inquired about doing it the next day, but given the price point decided against it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Stephan
Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Local specialist in Kenya | Replied on Feb 22, 2025

Hi Lisa,

Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great trip. It’s also wonderful to know you enjoyed the lodges, the warm hospitality, and the amazing food.

Also, the photos are absolutely stunning. They truly capture the magic of your journey. Thank you for sharing them with us!

We truly appreciate you traveling with us and sharing your experience. Wishing you many more unforgettable adventures ahead.

Great service - before, during and after.
Tanzania | Jan 25 - Feb 1, 2025

A
Andrew John H.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Feb 08, 2025

We had a lovely time. The service before departure was great - listening to what we wanted, lots of clear and regular communication and the Kim Kim and local team also helped us with some refund issues after we’d left.

The team on the ground were lovely. Good fun and great guides.

Local specialist: Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Stephan
Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Local specialist in Kenya | Replied on Feb 08, 2025

Jambo Andrew and András!

I’m thrilled to hear you had a lovely time on your trip and were delighted with the service provided by our team. It’s wonderful that everything went smoothly and that you felt well taken care of throughout your journey.

Asante for choosing us for your adventure. Karibu tena, we look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back for another memorable experience!

Wonderful safari
Tanzania | Oct 27 - Nov 7, 2024

M
Michelle F.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Nov 09, 2024
I had a wonderful safari with Kaka and Jambo! I saw many, many animals including the big 5. The following beach trip to zanzibar was also lovely! It was a great vacation! Read more

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

Hotel Reviews
Kitela Lodge
Karatu

Beautiful room and grounds, wish I had more time here

Authenticity & Character
Location
Just outside ngorogoro crater
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa Zanzibar
Zanzibar

Lovely grounds, the rooms are a bit spread out over the area. The beach is very nice, the pools are great. The food is good, esp the a la carte restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Stephan
Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Local specialist in Kenya | Replied on Nov 09, 2024

Jambo Michelle!

I’m absolutely delighted to hear you had such a fantastic safari with Kaka and Jambo, and that you got to see the Big 5, what an unforgettable experience! Knowing that Zanzibar was the perfect follow-up to your adventure makes us so happy. You truly enjoyed the ideal balance of excitement and relaxation.

Thank you for traveling with us and allowing us to be part of planning this journey for you. Karibu tena, you’re always welcome back!

Trip of a lifetime in Kenya and Tanzania!
Tanzania | Oct 7 - Oct 18, 2024

Susan
Susan D.
Lakewood, CO | Reviewed on Oct 25, 2024
Wow and Incredible
We had an amazing experience in Kenya and Tanzania. Stephan pulled together an adventure that was perfect for us! We saw everything on our Must-See list and more. The guides and lodging were all great. The transportation was safe and convenient. The welcome booklet from Stephan was so valuable. Because of it we had everything taken care of and had no problems in either country.
Kenya:
Stephan and our Guide/Driver Norman from Truly Swahili were at the airport to...
Read more

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

Hotel Reviews
Skynest Residences by CityBlue
Nairobi

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Karatu Simba Lodge

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was a good balance between getting to the Ngorongoro crater and having out day in teh village of Mto Wa Mbu.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sopa Lodge Nakuru
Nairobi

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

Authenticity & Character
Very 'classic' safari lodge. It was everything you woud expect .
Location
It is in the National Park so Safari is just out side the lodge.
Staff
Maggie anfd Mary - AWESOME. Everyone was friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was large and comfortable. The Lodge its self was beautiful
Sanna Boutique Hotel
Arusha

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Godfry - He was awesome.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Acacia Central Serengeti Camp

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

Authenticity & Character
another classic safari -tent lodge. It was amazing
Location
I mean we are IN the Serengeti. The location can not be any better!
Staff
everyone so friendly. Mariska was a special person.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
 Sunrise Boat Cruise  on Lake Nakuru
Sunrise Boat Cruise on Lake Nakuru
Nakuru

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

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Milka and Suleman
Transport
Evening  Game Drive at Lake Nakuru National Park
Evening Game Drive at Lake Nakuru National Park
Nakuru

Norman was a amazing guide. Lake Nakuru is beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Safari Experience at Serengeti National Park
Full Day Safari Experience at Serengeti National Park
Tanzania

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

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
JAMBO AND KAKA!!!!! YES!
Transport
Full Day Safari Experience at Ngorongoro
Full Day Safari Experience at Ngorongoro
Tanzania

What an amazing place. there is SOOOOOO much to see

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Stephan
Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Local specialist in Kenya | Replied on Oct 25, 2024
Thank you so much, Susan and Carlos, for this incredible and thoughtful review! I’m beyond thrilled to hear that your journey through Kenya and Tanzania was everything you had hoped for, and more. It was a true pleasure creating this adventure for you both, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of these unforgettable moments. From Norman’s expert guidance in Kenya to the dynamic duo of Kaka and Jambo in Tanzania, and of course, Irene’s warm welcome and personal care, I’m... Read more

Thank you so much, Susan and Carlos, for this incredible and thoughtful review! I’m beyond thrilled to hear that your journey through Kenya and Tanzania was everything you had hoped for, and more. It was a true pleasure creating this adventure for you both, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of these unforgettable moments. From Norman’s expert guidance in Kenya to the dynamic duo of Kaka and Jambo in Tanzania, and of course, Irene’s warm welcome and personal care, I’m delighted that every detail and personal connection made your trip so special. I look forward to welcoming you back to East Africa for another amazing experience in the future! Thank you again for your trust and kind words!

Great choices, perfect communication
Tanzania | Oct 15 - Oct 19, 2024

T
Theofanis O.
Greece | Reviewed on Oct 20, 2024
Everything went according to schedule. Communication was excellent and all arrangements were according to our expectations. Great selection of accommodation choices and the best guide to drive us to the national parks and explain everything about Tanzanian wildlife. Read more

Everything went according to schedule. Communication was excellent and all arrangements were according to our expectations. Great selection of accommodation choices and the best guide to drive us to the national parks and explain everything about Tanzanian wildlife.

Hotel Review
Arusha Planet Lodge
Arusha
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
 Ngorongoro Conservancy & Crater Tour
Ngorongoro Conservancy & Crater Tour
Ngorongoro
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park Game Drives
Serengeti National Park Game Drives
Serengeti National Park
Local specialist: Nicholas Mwangi
Nicholas
Nicholas Mwangi
Local specialist in Nairobi | Replied on Oct 20, 2024

Many thanks Theofanis for your review.
We enjoyed hosting you for an amazing safari trip to Tanzania.
Hope to work with you again in near future.

Tanzania Trip of a Lifetime!
Tanzania | Aug 30 - Sep 10, 2024

Terence
Terence J.
Chantilly, VA | Reviewed on Sep 15, 2024
We worked with Stephan to book our Tanzania safari and Zanzibar trip this summer. Kimkim arranged our travels with Truly Swahili. We were traveling with another couple and Stephan smoothly coordinated all of our input. We originally told Stephan what we wanted, he then put together a wonderful itinerary that included all of our wishes. We then fine tuned the itinerary and conveyed this to Stephan. He made the adjustments quickly and expertly. We were very happy with the process and our... Read more

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hotel Review
Ngorongoro Farm House
Arusha

The food, rooms, and staff were amazing. The farm fresh produce used in the meals each day was superb. We would visit this lodge/hotel again in a heartbeat.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The grounds were absolutely stunning. The flora and fauna made a beautiful landscape.
Staff
Everyone was so friendly and authentically warm and caring.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Stephan
Stephan Meyer-Buenau
Local specialist in Kenya | Replied on Sep 16, 2024

Hello Terence, Mary, Patti, and Manuel,

I'm so thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic time with us and that we were able to showcase the beauty of our land. It was a true pleasure working with you to create an itinerary that matched your wishes, and I'm delighted your vacation was amazing.

Thank you again for choosing us for your adventure. We hope to welcome you back someday for another unforgettable experience. Until then, karibu tena!

An Amazing Tanzania Adventure
Tanzania | Aug 10 - Aug 20, 2024

G
Greg P.
Canada | Reviewed on Sep 08, 2024
Our recent family trip to Tanzania with kimkim was amazing! From the moment we began to inquire about the adventure to the shaping of the schedule—and questions along the way, we found Melvin and his team to be incredibly responsive and diligent. Upon arrival in Kilimanjaro, we were greeted warmly by Irene and her team, and always felt confident that we were in good hands. Tanzania opened our eyes to just how much the country has to offer—from hiking the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro to... Read more

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

Hotel Reviews
Skynest Residences by CityBlue
Nairobi

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

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arusha Serena Hotel
Arusha

Amazing hotel, very beautiful building and great staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Neptune Pwani Beach Resort & Spa Zanzibar
Zanzibar
Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp
Arusha, Tanzania
Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
Karatu
Activity Reviews
Sunset Dhow Cruise in Zanzibar
Sunset Dhow Cruise in Zanzibar
Tanzania

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

Encounters with Giants: A Day at the Nairobi Giraffe Centre
Encounters with Giants: A Day at the Nairobi Giraffe Centre
Nairobi
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - Elephant Orphanage Visit
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust - Elephant Orphanage Visit
Nairobi
Canoeing in Arusha
Canoeing in Arusha
Tanzania

We didn't do this because of scheduling issues.

Day Hike on Mountain Kilimanjaro
Day Hike on Mountain Kilimanjaro
Tanzania
Local specialist: Melvin Mapetla
Melvin
Melvin Mapetla
Local specialist in East Africa | Replied on Sep 08, 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! It was an absolute pleasure working with you and your family to plan this unforgettable journey through Tanzania. I'm thrilled to hear that the trip exceeded your expectations and that you felt well taken care of by our team, from the planning stages right through to your adventure with Irene, Kaka, and Jambo. Tanzania truly is a remarkable destination, and it's wonderful to know that the natural beauty, wildlife, and rich... Read more

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! It was an absolute pleasure working with you and your family to plan this unforgettable journey through Tanzania. I'm thrilled to hear that the trip exceeded your expectations and that you felt well taken care of by our team, from the planning stages right through to your adventure with Irene, Kaka, and Jambo.

Tanzania truly is a remarkable destination, and it's wonderful to know that the natural beauty, wildlife, and rich culture left such a lasting impression on you and family. Your kind words about us mean a lot, as we are passionate about creating memorable experiences and sharing the wonders of our region.

We certainly hope this won’t be your last adventure with us, and we would love to help you explore more of what East Africa—and beyond—has to offer in the future.

Brilliant trip to Uganda and Tanzania!
Tanzania | Jun 16 - Jun 26, 2024

Simone
Simone B.
Brooklyn, NY | Reviewed on Jul 07, 2024
Brilliant trip to Uganda and Tanzania! Melvin and Irene did a wonderful job organizing everything for us in both countries and personally greeted us which we appreciated. Melvin was our point of contact in the lead up and was always very responsive and helpful. We were very pleased with the final itinerary and how easy it was to get this trip planned. Fantastic guides and drivers in both countries. They were very informative, organized, got us where we needed to be safely, and were a lot of... Read more

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

Local specialist: Melvin Mapetla
Melvin
Melvin Mapetla
Local specialist in East Africa | Replied on Jul 07, 2024

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a pleasure planning and hosting your trip to Uganda and Tanzania. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the itinerary, the guides, drivers, and the accommodations. The team will be delighted to hear your kind words. We look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure with Truly Swahili. Memories like these are what we strive to create!

Family trip to Tanzania wilderness and city life
Tanzania | Mar 24 - Apr 1, 2024

Jamshid
Jamshid K.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2024
This was our family's first trip to Africa. Were naturally unfamiliar with the territory and a bit apprehensive about planning a trip. We spent five days wildlife viewing in Serengeti and Ngorongoro, and two days in the city of Arusha. Our local travel organizer Melvin M. and our local safari guide Walter O. were both extremely helpful and kind beyond our expectations. Melvin was professional and very responsive. Walter and assistant guide Kaka M. were very well informed about Tanzania's... Read more

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

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

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

Hotel Reviews
Gold Crest Hotel - Arusha
Arusha

The hotel is well located and has a nice building. However the rooms are not very well maintained. We found a handful of things broken or not well cleaned.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ngorongoro Farm House
Arusha
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Serengeti Serena Lodge
Serengeti
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Melvin Mapetla
Melvin
Melvin Mapetla
Local specialist in East Africa | Replied on Apr 08, 2024

We're truly delighted to hear that your journey with us was a memorable one! As this is always what we aim for. It was our absolute pleasure to meticulously plan and execute every aspect of your trip, ensuring it was as seamless and enjoyable as possible. The anticipation of welcoming you back for another adventure fills us with great excitement. Asante for your trust and Karibu once more into the fold of unforgettable experiences we're eager to offer!

Northern Tanzania Safari--Fred and Doug Feb 2024
Tanzania | Feb 13 - Feb 22, 2024

F
Fred P.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Feb 29, 2024
Hi Joseph,
Doug Fishman and I completed this form in person and gave it to Aggrey, our fantastic guide. I have nothing but praise for his warm personality, animal knowledge, habitat and geographic expertise, and ability to light up a room with his friendly manner. All the camps and lodges were excellent with very kind hosts. Aggrey was adaptable to our needs and showed kindness to the other guides and staff by sharing our uneaten food. We saw all the animals we had hoped to see and...
Read more

Hi Joseph,
Doug Fishman and I completed this form in person and gave it to Aggrey, our fantastic guide. I have nothing but praise for his warm personality, animal knowledge, habitat and geographic expertise, and ability to light up a room with his friendly manner. All the camps and lodges were excellent with very kind hosts. Aggrey was adaptable to our needs and showed kindness to the other guides and staff by sharing our uneaten food. We saw all the animals we had hoped to see and Aggrey was skilled in using the cell phone and binoculars to get great images. Thanks to Kim Kim for arranging this once in a lifetime trip. Fred Pinkney, Takoma Park, MD USA.

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Mar 02, 2024

Hi Fred,
Thank you so much for the kind feedback! I'm happy to hear you and Doug had such a good experience in Tanzania. We’ll pass along your high praises for Aggrey, a cherished part of our team. It was such a pleasure to work on you trip and appreciate for trusting us with your trip plan. We hope to see you again in the near future with more trips to East Africa (Kenya, Uganda or Rwanda) or any other part of the world.
Best wishes for your future travel journeys.
Many Thanks
Joseph

Tanzania Journey
Tanzania | Feb 1 - Feb 17, 2024

J
Jay W.
Madison, CT | Reviewed on Feb 18, 2024

Our trip climbing Kilimanjaro followed by a safari organized by Kimkim was fantastic. Our lead guide on Kili, Abu, was professional and really helpful. Our other guides, Nazoru and Lulu, were equally fantastic. On the safari to Tarangire park, Serengeti and Nagorogorno crater, or guide and driver, John, was so knowledgeable about the environs and animals. He really made the long driving days special. Thank you team!

Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Feb 27, 2024

Hi Jay,
Thank you very much for taking your time to leave a review regarding our services! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the Kili trek and Safari, we will pass along your kind words for our guides and drivers. Many thanks as well for your patience and kindness throughout, you have been so great during the whole planning process, and it was such a pleasure to work with you.
Wishing you all the best and safe future travels!
Kind regards,
Joseph

Trip of a Lifetime!
Tanzania | Feb 1 - Feb 7, 2024

C
Cassie C.
Millsboro, DE | Reviewed on Feb 10, 2024
Fantastic trip. Our guide Aggrey was superb. He was so kind, knowledgeable and has 10 years of experience in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Our local contact Ali was attentive and smoothed the way for travel changes. Read more

Fantastic trip. Our guide Aggrey was superb. He was so kind, knowledgeable and has 10 years of experience in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Our local contact Ali was attentive and smoothed the way for travel changes.

Hotel Reviews
Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp
Arusha
Authenticity & Character
The tent was so comfortable we did not want to get up each morning.
Location
The surroundings along the crater rim had a magical quality. We enjoyed the cooler evenings.
Staff
Staff were, kind, thorough, accommodating and attentive.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds were so comfortable and warm on cool evenings.
Arumeru Lodge

This lodge was nothing special. It's a dated and worn. The staff weren't nearly as friendly or well trained as other places we stayed. Nothing special about the food it was adequate.

Authenticity & Character
lodge and rooms were dated and worn.
Location
The pool area and animals on property were a plus.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
furniture and bedding was dated and worn.
The Escarpment Luxury Lodge Manyara

This lodge had a beautiful view. The lodge was small, the rooms were large with comfortable beds. None of the 3 of us in our party enjoyed the food there. We were glad we only had one night here.

Authenticity & Character
This lodge was well cared for but older. Rooms were large.
Location
A good location to start long trip to Serengeti.
Staff
Staff was not well trained in hospitality.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean rooms and comfortable bed.
Lemala Ewanjan Tented Camp
Arusha P.O. Box 14529, Arusha. Tanzania.
Authenticity & Character
The furniture in the lounge was dated and worn and the area was not screened in. After dark you got bit by bugs while using the wifi.
Location
In the heart of the Serengeti! Fantastic sunsets
Staff
Staff was the best part of this experience. They were friendly, kind and supper helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room and beds were comfortable and relaxing.
Local specialist: Joseph Thuo
Joseph
Joseph Thuo
Local specialist in Nairobi, Kenya | Replied on Feb 12, 2024

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your travel experience with us, I’m happy to hear you enjoyed your safari, we will pass along your kind words for our drivers Aggrey and Ali. We have also taken note of your feedback regarding some of the accommodations and assure you that your concerns will be looked at into details.

Best wishes for your future travel journeys, with thanks,
Joseph

Well organized trip with helpful staff
Tanzania | Dec 23 - Jan 1, 2024

B
Blaz F.
Austria | Reviewed on Jan 06, 2024
The communication with Agnes was good from the beginning. The trip was organized well. The hotels they've booked for us were on the expected level, the safari was organized professionally, the driver spoke English well and was always trying to find the best compromise between our wishes and what was realistically possible in the given timeframe. All ground transfers were there on time and got us to where we needed to be on time. We felt very safe with all the guides and drivers we've been in... Read more

The communication with Agnes was good from the beginning. The trip was organized well. The hotels they've booked for us were on the expected level, the safari was organized professionally, the driver spoke English well and was always trying to find the best compromise between our wishes and what was realistically possible in the given timeframe. All ground transfers were there on time and got us to where we needed to be on time. We felt very safe with all the guides and drivers we've been in contact with, we never had a feeling that they are doing anything that is not in the guest's best interest. The team was very responsive and eager to help all the time, so they really deserve compliments for this.

There were some minor details regarding the activities in Zanzibar that were not scheduled in a way that we requested when planning the trip. However, this was quickly solved after contacting the team, so we could see and do everything we've planned prior to the trip. And the plane transfer from mainland Tanzania to Zanzibar was organized a bit "the local way", but in the end we got to Zanzibar safely and on time.

Local specialist: Agnes Mirembe

We had an incredible trip to Northern Tanzani...
Tanzania | Dec 13 - Dec 25, 2023

Joseph
Joseph R.
City of Milford (balance), CT | Reviewed on Dec 31, 2023
We had an incredible trip to Northern Tanzania that exceeded all of our expectations - thank you Nadia! Our trip started with a 3-day hike to summit Mount Meru, led by Ungi Tours. The guide and porters were wonderful, offering not only good companionship but also were very knowledgeable about the environment through which we were hiking and instruction on how to successfully summit despite the altitude and other challenges. After Meru, we had 5 days of safari through Tarangire and Serengeti... Read more

We had an incredible trip to Northern Tanzania that exceeded all of our expectations - thank you Nadia! Our trip started with a 3-day hike to summit Mount Meru, led by Ungi Tours. The guide and porters were wonderful, offering not only good companionship but also were very knowledgeable about the environment through which we were hiking and instruction on how to successfully summit despite the altitude and other challenges. After Meru, we had 5 days of safari through Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater, led by Classic Journeys Africa safari tours. Our guide was excellent and patient, spending countless hours riding around the parks, watching the wildlife, and answering our questions. And the accommodations for these days were each spectacular in their own way - Maramboi Tented Lodge, Nyikani Migration Camp, and Ngorongoro Farm House - allowing us to sleep right inside of (or very near) the actual parks, with wildlife walking through the camps! Finally, we ended with 3 days in Zanzibar, which included a half-day of snorkeling and a full day of walking the streets of Stone Town and learning the history of the East African slave trade. Again, our driver and the guides were fantastic! And all throughout, whenever we needed assistance (unexpected flight changes, etc.), the local specialist we used through kimkim was incredibly helpful. Thank you!

Hotel Reviews
Gold Crest Hotel

A perfectly reasonable hotel that met our needs to have a home base when in Arusha! All of the staff were incredibly helpful and friendly and the morning breakfast was excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maramboi Tented Lodge
Minjingu

Amazing experience to be sleeping within Lake Manyara. Food and service were excellent and the location was beautiful. Loved the experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nyikani Migration Camp

Amazing experience to be sleeping within Ngorongoro Conservation Area, right next to the Serengeti. Food and service were excellent and the location was beautiful. Loved the experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ngorongoro Farm House

An amazing farm and garden - the entire place was spectacular, although we didn't love the pre-dinner 'music' from members of a local Maasai tribe, which felt forced. That aside, the food and service were excellent and the location was beautiful. Loved the experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Zanzibar Beach Resort

This hotel grew on us as we spent more time there because the staff were so friendly, but the accommodations were in disrepair. You could appreciate the "specatularness" of the resort when it first opened (20-30 years ago), but during our stay, the wifi didn't work for 3 of the 4 days, the food was very average (and sometimes not good), and several of the lights and electrical outlets in our room did not work. And the place had more of a feel of a 'conference center' than a resort. That said, the rooms were spacious and the staff friendly. We were originally torn between staying in the center of Stone Town or at a beach resort on the eastern coast and settled on this place as a compromise, and it worked for those reasons, but at the very least it would have been far more pleasing if the food had been better.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Miriakamba Hut

A great place to stay on our hike up Mount Meru!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Saddle Hut

A great place to stay on our hike up Mount Meru!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Mount Meru
Mount Meru
Mount Meru

An amazing experience led by Ungi tours. Incredibly challenging physically, especially the summit on day 3 followed by a full descent in one day. But the experience of reaching the summit and watching the sunrise over Kilimanjaro was spectacular.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park

An amazing experience led by Classic Journeys Africa safari tours.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Stone Town, Spice Farm and Prison Island
Stone Town, Spice Farm and Prison Island
Zanzibar

Overall, an amazing experience and a full day. The Spice Farm was fascinating - our family loved learning about how so many spices we use day to day are grown. And we had a fantastic tour guide for the walking tour of Stone Town and Prison Island. Obviously, learning about the East African slave trade was quite sobering and we were surprised by the giant tortoise on Prison Island. But all in all, a very important and meaningful part of any trip to Zanzibar.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arusha
Arusha
Arusha

We had a few unstructured hours in Arusha on different days at various times during our trip. We enjoyed walking around the market and especially appreciated our visit to the Arusha Cultural Heritage Centre. We had a great dinner at Spices and Herbs Ethiopian Restaurant and a terrific lunch at Chowpatty for Indian food!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lake National Manyara
Lake National Manyara
Tarangire National Park

An amazing experience led by Classic Journeys Africa safari tours.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling in Mnemba Atoll
Snorkeling in Mnemba Atoll
Zanzibar

Spectacular! The fish and coral were extraordinary - unlike anything we've ever seen before. And our guides provided an incredible picnic of fruit to keep us refreshed and hydrated as we swam.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset Dhow Cruise
Sunset Dhow Cruise
Zanzibar

An incredibly beautiful experience. We were surprised to be joined by two musicians who played traditional music while we sailed. Was such a nice respite, with gorgeous views, at the end of a busy day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Nadia A Albertus
Nadia A
Nadia A Albertus
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Jan 08, 2024

Hi Joseph

Thank you so much for your amazing review and feedback. We truly appreciate your feedback, your opinion matters to us, and it will help us make improvements based on your valuable insights. I must say that working with you to plan your vacation has been an absolute pleasure! I hope to welcome you and your family back to Southern Africa in the future

Kind regards
Nadia

Agnes was very responsive & designed a fab trip
Tanzania | Sep 1 - Sep 10, 2023

Heather
Heather V.
Millboro, VA | Reviewed on Oct 11, 2023
Agnes was very responsive and great with communication. We had reached out to several Kim Kim specialists in Africa, and Egypt. We went with Agnes, because of her response time and willingness to find the best adventures. She made a mistake, not a big one, but still a mistake, and reimbursed us for the confusion. She owned up and communicated perfectly. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. We don't like the traditional tours but crave outdoor adventure. She met every expectation... Read more

Agnes was very responsive and great with communication. We had reached out to several Kim Kim specialists in Africa, and Egypt. We went with Agnes, because of her response time and willingness to find the best adventures. She made a mistake, not a big one, but still a mistake, and reimbursed us for the confusion. She owned up and communicated perfectly. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. We don't like the traditional tours but crave outdoor adventure. She met every expectation along with her crew, who we fell in love with! Faith, Hika, and Junior escorted us on our adventures in Tanzania. Kilifaith Adventures and Twiga Adventures were wonderful host. We started with Mt. Kilimanjaro, then did the Tarangire Safari, the Serengeti Safari, Maasai Tribe, and ended with Lake Manayara. We then went to Zanzibar from there. We wanted to make some changes during our trip, and they always went over and beyond to make sure they could accommodate and make us happy. We still talk to them today, as they were amazing people and now good friends. When you spend so much time with a guide, you want to make sure you have fun, and get a long well. They always made us feel comfortable and like we weren't high maintenance, even though I'm sure we were.

Local specialist: Agnes Mirembe
Agnes
Agnes Mirembe
Local specialist in Uganda | Replied on Oct 11, 2023

Thank you so much for this great review Heather 🙏🏿🙏🏿

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.