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active 15 hours ago

Stephanie Louw

I am an adventurous traveler with an insatiable wanderlust, wholeheartedly embracing every journey with boundless curiosity. My thirst for exploration takes me to diverse cultures and landscapes. Adding an exciting dimension to my travels, I am a passionate surfer, seeking out the perfect wave locally. The ocean's vastness mirrors my free spirit, making each surfing experience deeply fulfilling.

Beyond my individual pursuits, I am also a parent, sharing the wonders of travel with my children. Together, we create cherished memories and instill in them a sense of wonder for the world's beauty.

As I explore the world, I inspire others to embrace the beauty of our planet, protect its treasures, and create a positive impact on the places I visit. My adventurous spirit, love for surfing, and commitment to fostering connections make me a compassionate travel consultant.

How did you get involved in travel?

"I worked in media and got an opportunity to get to know the travel industry and immediately fell in love!"

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Embarking on a unique travel experience in Botswana, I immersed myself in the untamed wilderness, embracing the beauty of the Okavango Delta through a mokoro trip and walking safari. Drifting along the tranquil waters in a traditional dugout canoe, I savored the serenity of the Delta, surrounded by the sights and sounds of diverse wildlife.

The mokoro trip offered an intimate encounter with the region's rich biodiversity, as our skilled local guide navigated through winding channels and lush lagoons. Hippos was spotted, while graceful elephants and vibrant birdlife enchanted your senses.

Continuing my adventure, we ventured on a walking safari, venturing into the heart of the Delta's untouched terrain. On foot, you connected intimately with the natural rhythms of the land, tracking footprints and spotting elusive creatures with heightened awareness.

Throughout my journey, we marveled at the unspoiled beauty of Botswana, feeling a profound connection to nature and its inhabitants. This immersive experience left an indelible mark, instilling in me a deep appreciation for the delicate balance of life in the wild and reaffirming your passion for eco-conscious travel."

Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Stephanie

My hat is off to both Nadia and Stephanie! T...
Kenya | Sep 9 - Oct 6, 2024

J
Judie B.
Buffalo, NY | Reviewed on Nov 27, 2024
My hat is off to both Nadia and Stephanie! This almost 4 week trip to Africa was spectacular. Everything went off without a hitch except for one incident in Tanzania which Stephanie handled professionally and without incident. The incident in question was not KIMKIM's fault or the guides but that of the guide's office in Arusha. My son and I were very well taken care of and every request along the way was handled timely and efficiently. The guides were extremely accomodating for all my... Read more

My hat is off to both Nadia and Stephanie! This almost 4 week trip to Africa was spectacular. Everything went off without a hitch except for one incident in Tanzania which Stephanie handled professionally and without incident. The incident in question was not KIMKIM's fault or the guides but that of the guide's office in Arusha. My son and I were very well taken care of and every request along the way was handled timely and efficiently. The guides were extremely accomodating for all my son's requested related to getting the photography he wanted. We have traveled extensively as my son is a professional photographer so we are well experienced. This is the second time I have used KIMKIM and I will do it again probably for Norway and Patagonia in the near future. Again Thank you to Nadia and Stephanie for a great African tour.
Judie and Chris Behrend

Local specialist: Stephanie Louw

Amazing Africa ...
South Africa | Oct 18 - Oct 27, 2024

Kolla
Kolla S.
India | Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024
We three couples from India had a great time in South Africa and Victoria falls thanks to KimKim and Steph our trip planner..This is our third trip with Kim Kim.Perfectly planned and coordinated by Steph,who needs a special mention.She was very patient and catered to all my wishes and suggestions.Especially celebrating my wife s birthday in Kruger shalati train on the bridge.A memorable celebration.Mark our guide in Capetown was exceptional and took proper care of us,very punctual and... Read more

We three couples from India had a great time in South Africa and Victoria falls thanks to KimKim and Steph our trip planner..This is our third trip with Kim Kim.Perfectly planned and coordinated by Steph,who needs a special mention.She was very patient and catered to all my wishes and suggestions.Especially celebrating my wife s birthday in Kruger shalati train on the bridge.A memorable celebration.Mark our guide in Capetown was exceptional and took proper care of us,very punctual and friendly.In Victoria falls we had little problem in coordinating with the guides and pick ups.Kruger Shalati was again an awsome experience
Now the negatives in our trip though very few need to mention it here,
1)The sunset cruise we were given in all the itineraries was Sunset cruise luxury signature deck experience by Pure Africa,but we were taken to a small cheap boat with basic drinks and hot sun with no shade and hard wooden benches to sit..After a very hot day we were just looking to relax and unwind on the luxury cruise with artisanal premium drinks and canapes and watch the famous African sunset.A very bad experience.Especially with the signature deck cruise sailing next to us all the while.Stephs explanation that small boats reach better places wasnt very convincing.Didnt know why KimKim has compromised on this.This happened for the first time in my three trips.
2)They were few mix ups in flight bookings that made our hearts to beat lil faster with stress in the airport ,but were immediately resolved by Steph.Thanks once again Steph.
3)We were told we will be given visa on arrival for Zambia.The Bushtracks driver who took us to devils pool,stopped at Zambia immigration ,went inside and came back saying sorry you cant go to Zambia today as Indians need prior visa to enter.Then again he goes in and comes back saying if you pay a little extra(bribe) they will give you visa in 10 mins otherwise it will take one day as the visa has to come from Lusaka.So we had no option to shell out that extra bribe along with 50usd visa fee(which also am not sure that it ll be so much for a day tripper)Just informing you this so that this will not be repeated with your future clients.
Apart from these incidents,the trip had gone well with amazing experiences like Penguins,Devils pool,shark cage experience,shalati stay n safari,thanks once again Steph and Kimkim from six of us for curating an amazing trip

Hotel Review
Kruger Shalati Train on the bridge
Kruger National Park, Skukuza

A great stay on the train on the bridge.enjoyed every moment of our stay.An experience of a lifetime ,courteous staff,knowledgeble safari guides,ours was Elvis ,with lot of patience showed us the Big five.The views from the room of the sabie river and the game that come to drink water too good!The pool with an infinity view and bar was a high light

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Elvis the safari guide,Remember the guy in the restaurant need special mention.And also all the singers and dancers at the evng dinner who wished my wife on her birthday
Cleanliness & Comfort
The bed and the pool
Activity Reviews
Table Mountain Tour
Table Mountain Tour
Cape Town

Sadly missed the cable car tour because oh high winds,but Mark our guide made it up by taking us on a city tour

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day touring Boulders Beach and Kirstenbosch Gardens
Full day touring Boulders Beach and Kirstenbosch Gardens
Cape Town

Mark was an amazing guide and took us for local sight seeing to areas like Bo-kaap and other areas of caoetown which was not there in the itinerary.African penguins are cute at Boulders then went to Kirstenbosch gardens which was also lovely

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The guide cum driver Mark
Full Day Boutique Winelands Tour
Full Day Boutique Winelands Tour
South Africa

We missed the tour and participated in Capetown marathon

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Stephanie Louw

Steph did an amazing job. Coordinating our f...
South Africa | Sep 13 - Sep 30, 2024

Paul
Paul K.
Brinnon, WA | Reviewed on Oct 07, 2024
Steph did an amazing job. Coordinating our flights and ground transportation to the safari camps was flawless. Cape Town was fun. Skip Karibu restaurant. Plenty of much better places nearby Cape of Good Hope is a must do. Book a private tour. Our 'small group' tour had 23 people on a 23 seat bus. Several were ill and they passed it along. 24 hours of down time. The foodie tour was unimpressive. Our hike up Table Mountain was fantastic. Justin Hawthorne is an amazing guide. ... Read more

Steph did an amazing job. Coordinating our flights and ground transportation to the safari camps was flawless.

Cape Town was fun. Skip Karibu restaurant. Plenty of much better places nearby

Cape of Good Hope is a must do. Book a private tour. Our 'small group' tour had 23 people on a 23 seat bus. Several were ill and they passed it along. 24 hours of down time.

The foodie tour was unimpressive.

Our hike up Table Mountain was fantastic. Justin Hawthorne is an amazing guide. 10/10.

The Safari camps were great.

We liked Umlani camp in Timbavati: it had the best animal viewing of the trip. The camp itself is just great.

Rhino Post Lodge is amazing. Just a beautiful place and excellent service. Our Guide Wesley was great.

The Vic Falls tour was more crowded than we would have preferred. Batonka Guest Lodge was just great. We would avoid the Boma dinner: very touristy with crowds of people taking selfies. No thanks. Highly recommend the helicopter flight over the falls. We also enjoyed the river cruise upstream of the falls.

Hwange Bush Camp tied with Mana Pools as our favorite places. The Bush Camp is beautifully set overlooking a huge savannah. Sophie and Anthony are great hosts. Our guide Darmesh, was great. We also spent two nights at fly camp. We were the only guests and were treated like royalty. Spent 3 days tracking Black Rhino with two trackers and Darmesh. Walked 25 miles and never found them. Nevertheless an amazing experience out in the bush.

John's Camp/Croton Camp is great. Set near the shore of the Zambezi River, you overlook the flood plane with the mountains of Zambia in the background. Breathtaking. Milo is a wonderful host. We spent one night in the treehouse. What a unique experience.

Overall very happy with the trip.

Hotel Reviews
Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel
Cape Town

Nice location. Roof bar and breakfast are nice. We stayed in a basement room.

Hwange Bush Camp - Fly camp
Hwange

highly recommended

Garden Court O. R Tambo
Johannesburg

this is an old hotel a 15 min drive from the airport.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
no shampoo
Umlani Bushcamp
Greater Kruger National Park

quite nice.

Johns Camp
Mana Pools
Local specialist: Stephanie Louw
Stephanie
Stephanie Louw
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Oct 07, 2024
Hi Paul and Rena, Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! I am so happy to hear that your trip was a success and that the coordination for flights and transfers ran smoothly. It’s great to know that you had such memorable experiences at the safari camps, especially at Umlani and Rhino Post Lodge. We truly appreciate your feedback about the tours and restaurants as well. It’s always helpful to hear insights, and we’ll definitely keep them in mind for future recommendations.... Read more

Hi Paul and Rena,

Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! I am so happy to hear that your trip was a success and that the coordination for flights and transfers ran smoothly. It’s great to know that you had such memorable experiences at the safari camps, especially at Umlani and Rhino Post Lodge.

We truly appreciate your feedback about the tours and restaurants as well. It’s always helpful to hear insights, and we’ll definitely keep them in mind for future recommendations. I'll also make sure to pass along your kind words to Justin, Wesley, Darmesh, and the amazing hosts who made your journey special.

It sounds like your time in Hwange Bush Camp and Mana Pools was unforgettable, and I am so glad you got to experience such unique adventures, even if those elusive rhinos kept their distance! Your descriptions of the camps and the incredible scenery are just breathtaking.

Thank you for choosing us to help plan your adventure—I am so happy to hear that you were pleased with the overall experience. We look forward to welcoming you back on your next journey!

Warm regards,
Steph

August 2024 South Africa Vacation
South Africa | Aug 4 - Aug 15, 2024

Glicelda
Glicelda B.
Saint Matthews, KY | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2024
Without a doubt, one of my most favorite vacations despite missing four days due to flight disruptions. The first part of our trip, we spent three nights in Cape Town and stayed at the La Splendida Hotel with an ocean view and minutes away from the waterfront. Bridget Wilcox was our tour guide in Cape Town to a Penguin Safari, a drive along the coast to Cape Point, Hirschenbosch Botanical Gardens and wine tasting. Bridget was friendly, informative, funny, and knowledgeable. We enjoyed... Read more

Without a doubt, one of my most favorite vacations despite missing four days due to flight disruptions. The first part of our trip, we spent three nights in Cape Town and stayed at the La Splendida Hotel with an ocean view and minutes away from the waterfront. Bridget Wilcox was our tour guide in Cape Town to a Penguin Safari, a drive along the coast to Cape Point, Hirschenbosch Botanical Gardens and wine tasting. Bridget was friendly, informative, funny, and knowledgeable. We enjoyed having Bridget as our tour guide while in Cape Town. I appreciated, Laurel, a representative from Capi Tours, meeting my husband and I at the airport while we waited for our ride to the hotel given the chaotic start we had. From Cape Town, we flew to Kruger National park - Shalati. The 3 day safari was the highlight and best part of our adventure. Shalati did not disappoint from the staff, accommodations, food, surroundings/atmosphere and overall experience. Definitely exceeded all of my expectations. Benedict from what I observed ran the place well, professional, helpful and made it a point guests were taken care of. Shout out to Subisiso and Lurrecia, both waited on us the majority of our stay and super friendly and helpful. The game drives were quite an experience like no other. We were able to see 4 of the Big Five and in complete awe of seeing them in their nature habitat. The last leg of our vacation, we flew to Zimbabwe. We saw Victoria Falls (no dead pool swimming) but pretty neat regardless and then a Bomba dinner that evening. Our last night, we had lunch at Dusty Road and a sunset cruise. It was such a pleasant evening on the cruise and surprisingly had a great time.

My biggest complaint: La Splendida Hotel and theft. We had a few items laundered with a next day return. I picked up my clothes at the front desk from Lucille (manager) the morning of our last day in Cape Town. I took the clothes to my room and left for our all day wine tasting tour. When we returned, I noticed 4 of our laundered items were missing. I immediately notified the front desk and was told to talk to the manager in the morning, which was the morning we were flying to Kruger National Park. Lucille tried to deflect that it was a possible mix up with another guest's request, plausible but very unlikely. Someone with a key entered our room while we were away and stole our clothes!! We had laundry service at Shalati and Pioneer and had no issues or experienced theft of any kind. Apparently, others have also reported theft at La Splendida (something we found out later after the fact). With a service such as Kim Kim, it is their responsibility to vet hotels, tour guides, etc. and ensure they are reputable before recommending to their guests. I paid for and relied on Kim Kim's expertise to do that on my behalf. In this regard, they failed in my opinion. Stephanie did work with the hotel to recover the stolen clothes. It's been almost 6 weeks since we've been back and I have yet to receive them, if ever.

Hotel Reviews
La Splendida
Mouille Point, Cape Town

Theft! Need to hire trustworthy employees. Online pics were so misleading because our room was no where near what was shown in the pics!

Kruger Shalati Bridge House Suites

From the moment we arrived to departure, service was top notch. Everyone was friendly, welcoming and helpful. Wonderful experience and highly recommend!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Being able to see elephants, hippos, baboons from our room was incredible!
Staff
Shout out to Subisisco and Lurrecia!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pioneers Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls

Loved the quaintness and coziness of Pioneers!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Arrival at Kruger National Park
Arrival at Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset Cruise - Signature Deck
Sunset Cruise - Signature Deck
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kruger Shalati Train on a bridge
Kruger Shalati Train on a bridge
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boma Dinner and Drum Show
Boma Dinner and Drum Show
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour Victoria Falls
Tour Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day penguin safari - Cape Peninsula
Full day penguin safari - Cape Peninsula
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dusty Road Lunch Experience
Dusty Road Lunch Experience
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Stephanie Louw
Stephanie
Stephanie Louw
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Oct 07, 2024
Dear Glicelda and Steve, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback on your recent adventure! I’m thrilled to hear that despite the unfortunate disruptions with your international flights prior to arrival, it turned out to be one of your favorite vacations. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed your time in Cape Town and that Bridget made such a positive impression—she really is one of our gems. I’m glad that the highlights, from the penguins to Cape Point and... Read more

Dear Glicelda and Steve,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback on your recent adventure! I’m thrilled to hear that despite the unfortunate disruptions with your international flights prior to arrival, it turned out to be one of your favorite vacations. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed your time in Cape Town and that Bridget made such a positive impression—she really is one of our gems. I’m glad that the highlights, from the penguins to Cape Point and wine tastings, made lasting memories.

Shalati sounds like it was everything you hoped for and more! I’ll be sure to pass on your lovely compliments to Benedict, Subisiso, and Lurrecia, who will be delighted to hear how much they contributed to your unforgettable safari experience. And it sounds like your time in Zimbabwe was equally magical—Victoria Falls, the sunset cruise, and Bomba dinner are always such unique and enriching experiences!

However, I was truly sorry to hear about the unfortunate incident at La Splendida. Please know that I completely understand your frustration and disappointment. Situations like these are not only upsetting but also a breach of the trust you had placed in us. I assure you that this feedback is being taken very seriously. I have been in regular contact with the manager of the hotel and continue to follow up on your missing items. I will make sure to keep you updated on any progress and work towards a resolution.

Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we will be reviewing this hotel to ensure that future guests do not experience a similar issue. Thank you again for your patience, and I will continue to do everything I can to assist in recovering your items. Your loyalty and trust are important to me, and I deeply regret that this incident has marred an otherwise wonderful experience.

Warmest regards,
Stephanie Louw

Our trip to Cape Town and the Kruger National...
South Africa | Aug 4 - Aug 10, 2024

Catie S.
Catie S. C.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Aug 11, 2024
Our trip to Cape Town and the Kruger National Park area was amazing!!! We first started in Cape Town and our transport driver, Leon Witz, was so cool. He took us wine tasting, to the Cape of Good Hope, to see the penguins, and lastly to go whale watching. Leon is super knowledgeable about the area, and since this was our first time in Cape Town, it was amazing to have a guide that knew so much about the local area. This was also my (now) fiancée’s and I engagement trip, and it was really fun... Read more

Our trip to Cape Town and the Kruger National Park area was amazing!!! We first started in Cape Town and our transport driver, Leon Witz, was so cool. He took us wine tasting, to the Cape of Good Hope, to see the penguins, and lastly to go whale watching. Leon is super knowledgeable about the area, and since this was our first time in Cape Town, it was amazing to have a guide that knew so much about the local area. This was also my (now) fiancée’s and I engagement trip, and it was really fun to celebrate with Leon afterwards! He got us a bottle of champagne to celebrate! 🍾 🥂🎉

After Cape Town, we flew up to the Kruger National Park area to stay at Tangala Camp. The employees and managers at Tangala, particularly, Reason and Louis, were awesome! The managers, Johan and Madeleine, were also super nice and very accommodating. We saw a bunch of wild animals (painted wolves, hyena, leopard, lions, etc), and the driver/spotters knew everything about the animals and answered everyone’s questions. The camp is small with <20 people staying there, so we made friends with the other visitors in our car. The houses are really neat; they’re thatch roof style cabins that were fun to stay in. There are also various antelope that wander through the camp, which was fun to see.

Overall, we had an amazing experience with KimKim, and will definitely be booking again with them in the future. For other trips, we have generally always booked everything ourselves, but KimKim trips are a great combo of independent travel that is still flexible while also helping with the booking and coordinating logistics. Finally, we also had a very positive experience with the local agent, Steph, who did a great job planning everything and picking out activities for us. I appreciated her attention to details and organization of the trip. Thanks all again!

Hotel Review
Tangala Safari Camp

After Cape Town, we flew up to the Kruger National Park area to stay at Tangala Camp. The employees and managers at Tangala, particularly, Reason and Louis, were awesome! The managers, Johan and Madeleine, were also super nice and very accommodating. We saw a bunch of wild animals (painted wolves, hyena, leopard, lions, etc), and the driver/spotters knew everything about the animals and answered everyone’s questions. The camp is small with <20 people staying there, so we made friends with the other visitors in our car. The houses are really neat; they’re thatch roof style cabins that were fun to stay in. There are also various antelope that wander through the camp, which was fun to see.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Louis and Reason were amazing on the drives!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Tangala Safari
Tangala Safari
Thornybush Game Reserve

After Cape Town, we flew up to the Kruger National Park area to stay at Tangala Camp. The employees and managers at Tangala, particularly, Reason and Louis, were awesome! The managers, Johan and Madeleine, were also super nice and very accommodating. We saw a bunch of wild animals (painted wolves, hyena, leopard, lions, etc), and the driver/spotters knew everything about the animals and answered everyone’s questions. The camp is small with <20 people staying there, so we made friends with the other visitors in our car. The houses are really neat; they’re thatch roof style cabins that were fun to stay in. There are also various antelope that wander through the camp, which was fun to see. This was my (now) fiancé’s and I’s engagement trip and also our first big trip that either of us have taken out of the U.S., and it was perfect!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Stephanie Louw
Stephanie
Stephanie Louw
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Aug 14, 2024
Hi Catie and Matthew,
Thank you so much for your glowing review! I'm thrilled to hear that you had such an incredible time in Cape Town and the Kruger National Park area. It sounds like Leon made your Cape Town experience extra special, especially with your engagement celebration—what a memorable moment! 🥂
I'm also glad that Tangala Camp exceeded your expectations and that you had the chance to see such a diverse array of wildlife. It's wonderful to know that Reason, Louis, Johan, and... Read more

Hi Catie and Matthew,
Thank you so much for your glowing review! I'm thrilled to hear that you had such an incredible time in Cape Town and the Kruger National Park area. It sounds like Leon made your Cape Town experience extra special, especially with your engagement celebration—what a memorable moment! 🥂

I'm also glad that Tangala Camp exceeded your expectations and that you had the chance to see such a diverse array of wildlife. It's wonderful to know that Reason, Louis, Johan, and Madeleine contributed to making your stay unforgettable.

Thank you for choosing us for such a significant trip, and I’m delighted that I could help make it seamless and enjoyable. I can't wait to welcome you back in the future!
Steph

Lovely accommodations and exciting excursions.
South Africa | Jun 20 - Jul 2, 2024

Shaun
Shaun L.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2024
We used KimKim for this trip after a fabulous experience in Japan last year. We appreciated the ability to rely on local expertise in the first instance given a language barrier and this time given safety concerns and the opportunity to learn about more family-friendly opportunities and excursions. This trip definitely met expectations in the first regard. 1) The places that Stephanie booked were safe, clean, conveniently located, and had excellent staff and breakfasts. It seems that there... Read more

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

Local specialist: Stephanie Louw
Stephanie
Stephanie Louw
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Jul 22, 2024
Hi Shaun,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review. I'm delighted to hear that your experience with us in South Africa met your expectations in many regards, just as it did in Japan. It's wonderful to know that the accommodations I booked were up to par and that you enjoyed the company of our local guides in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Emmanuel's and Hennrick's tours sound like they truly made your trip special with their personalized and engaging approach.
I sincerely... Read more

Hi Shaun,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review. I'm delighted to hear that your experience with us in South Africa met your expectations in many regards, just as it did in Japan. It's wonderful to know that the accommodations I booked were up to par and that you enjoyed the company of our local guides in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Emmanuel's and Hennrick's tours sound like they truly made your trip special with their personalized and engaging approach.

I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you experienced with accessing your updated itinerary. I understand how crucial it is to have all the necessary details at your fingertips, especially when traveling. I'm glad that I were able to provide the needed flight information via WhatsApp, but I will certainly look into improving the system to ensure this doesn't happen in the future.

Thank you for acknowledging my swift adjustment of the 8-hour tour to help you settle in better. I appreciate your feedback as it helps us improve our services. I look forward to planning more memorable trips for you and your family in the future.

Stephanie

South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe
South Africa | Apr 24 - May 14, 2024

Sherry
Sherry B.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on May 24, 2024
Planning our trip to South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe with Steph at Salty Travel went very smoothly. She accommodated our requests and suggestions and adjusted the proposed itinerary accordingly. All of the flight arrangements and transfers went smoothly without any surprises. The hotels were all extremely comfortable and spacious and activities were very informative, fun, and beautiful. Our guide in Johannesburg, Tableto, was knowledgeable and friendly. We really enjoyed the day we... Read more

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

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

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

Local specialist: Stephanie Louw
Stephanie
Stephanie Louw
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on May 27, 2024
Hi Sherry, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I am thrilled to hear that your trip to South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe was such a memorable experience. I am delighted to know that the planning process was smooth and that all your requests and suggestions were accommodated to your satisfaction. It’s fantastic that you enjoyed the informative and fun activities, comfortable hotels, and seamless travel arrangements. I'm also pleased to hear that Tableto, Lebo, and Ben contributed... Read more

Hi Sherry,

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I am thrilled to hear that your trip to South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe was such a memorable experience. I am delighted to know that the planning process was smooth and that all your requests and suggestions were accommodated to your satisfaction.

It’s fantastic that you enjoyed the informative and fun activities, comfortable hotels, and seamless travel arrangements. I'm also pleased to hear that Tableto, Lebo, and Ben contributed to making your journey special and I will definitely share your positive feedback with them. They each strive to provide unique and enriching experiences, and it sounds like they succeeded in making your trip unforgettable.

Your kind words about the beauty of the region and the spontaneous adventures with Ben truly warm our hearts. I am grateful for the opportunity to help create such wonderful memories for you.

I look forward to planning your next adventure!

Warm regards,
Stephanie

Kimkim review
South Africa | Jan 29 - Feb 7, 2024

D
Denise O.
Keller, TX | Reviewed on Feb 08, 2024
Positive thoughts regarding using Kimkim would be the ability to review the itinerary prior to booking.
Things needed for improvement: Utilizing travel agents with experience agents who will be knowledgeable and clear concise with the ability to take initiative in providing the client needs. For instance, if you have three travel destinations with plane changes then take the initiative to find out the appropriate luggage allowance and make suggestion on packing for trip. If the hotels...
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Positive thoughts regarding using Kimkim would be the ability to review the itinerary prior to booking.
Things needed for improvement: Utilizing travel agents with experience agents who will be knowledgeable and clear concise with the ability to take initiative in providing the client needs. For instance, if you have three travel destinations with plane changes then take the initiative to find out the appropriate luggage allowance and make suggestion on packing for trip. If the hotels are booked by the agency asking the hotel what toiletries do you provide to reduce the amount of items being brought. The agency taking the initiative to assure whatever tour company they choose to work with are on the same page as what was explained to the client. Our tours were amazing once started but there were confusion with both Cape town tour company and Zimbabwe tour company. With a great travel agency taking that extra little time to assure everything runs smoothly gives the clients an ease and the ability to enjoy their expensive vacation. Thanks.

Hotel Reviews
South Beach Camps Bay Boutique Hotel
Cape Town
Authenticity & Character
Location
O
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nkosi Guest Lodge
Victoria Falls
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Chobe Princess Small Luxury Houseboat
Kasane, Botswana
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Arrival Day aboard the Chobe Princess
Arrival Day aboard the Chobe Princess
Chobe River - Namibia Side
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset Cruise - Signature Deck
Sunset Cruise - Signature Deck
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cape Peninsula Tour
Cape Peninsula Tour
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day two on Chobe Princess
Day two on Chobe Princess
Chobe River - Namibia Side
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day City Tour, Robben Island & Table Mountain
Full Day City Tour, Robben Island & Table Mountain
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boma Dinner and Drum Show
Boma Dinner and Drum Show
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Through the eye of an elephant
Through the eye of an elephant
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour Victoria Falls
Tour Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Stephanie Louw
Stephanie
Stephanie Louw
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Feb 12, 2024

Hi Denise and Gloria,

I believe you had an amazing trip.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the confusion with luggage allowances and late pick-up for one of your day tours. Rest assured, we do send detailed packing lists and flight luggage allowance information beforehand.

We understand the importance of experienced travel agents and proactive communication with tour companies, I hope the partial compensation makes up for the late pick up on your day tour.

I hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for a seamless journey in the future.

Warm regards,
Steph

Overall very good arrangement by Kim Kim.
South Africa | Nov 26 - Dec 10, 2023

S
Supriya M.
Cheektowaga, NY | Reviewed on Dec 11, 2023
Overall wonderful arrangement by Kim Kim. . We had a great trip. Cape Town hotel and sightseeing was excellent. The Safari experience at Tambamati reserve was outstanding, Khaya Ndhvu was very good, and Rhinopost was OK.
All Vooma Transfers and drivers were outstanding.
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Overall wonderful arrangement by Kim Kim. . We had a great trip. Cape Town hotel and sightseeing was excellent. The Safari experience at Tambamati reserve was outstanding, Khaya Ndhvu was very good, and Rhinopost was OK.
All Vooma Transfers and drivers were outstanding.

Hotel Reviews
Southern Sun The Cullinan
Cape Town
Authenticity & Character
Location
Near convention center
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp
Kruger National Park

Outstanding facility. Warm hospitality and Great game viewing really up close.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rhino Post Safari Lodge

Facility Not well maintained. Staff was very average Rangers was good Food was great Overall experience- just Ok. Would not recommend to friends

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cabins need major update and maintenance
Khaya Ndlovu Manor House
Hoedspruit

The facility is an interesting lodge, combining traditional features with modern touches. The rooms were somewhat faded and earned in my opinion 3 stars, not 4 stars. A standout was the food which was excellent.

Authenticity & Character
The food
Location
Staff
Very accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The infrastructure needs updating and in some cases repairs.
Activity Reviews
Full Day Panorama Tour
Full Day Panorama Tour
South Africa

Guide and Tracker were very good.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset Game Drive in Kruger National Park
Sunset Game Drive in Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park

Andrew and Marika were good. But not going into the bush diminishes the overall game viewing experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Game Drives at Rhino Post
Game Drives at Rhino Post
Kruger National Park

Andrew and Marika were good.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cape Peninsula Tour
Cape Peninsula Tour
Cape Town

Guide and Driver Hendricks was excellent.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Thabamati Luxury Safari Camp Safari Days
Thabamati Luxury Safari Camp Safari Days
Timbavati Game Reserve

Excellent in every respect. ranger Charlie and Tracker Oscar were outstanding and a delight and a wealth of information and knowledge.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fly from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg
Fly from Hoedspruit to Johannesburg
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day City Tour, Robben Island & Table Mountain
Full Day City Tour, Robben Island & Table Mountain
South Africa

Excellent driver and tour guide, Henryk.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Henryk
Transport
Local specialist: Stephanie Louw
Stephanie
Stephanie Louw
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Dec 17, 2023

Hi Supriya,
I'm so happy that you had a great time! Can't wait to welcome you back in South-Africa,
Steph

Fantastic!!! Fulfilled the dreams I had of go...
Zambia | Nov 22 - Nov 30, 2023

C
Carol K.
Canada | Reviewed on Dec 02, 2023
Fantastic!!! Fulfilled the dreams I had of going back to Africa. All of the staff at Flatdogs Camp were kind, friendly and helpful, including sweeping bugs off your back. My guide Chris was outstanding! Extremely knowledgeable ! You could see his passion and excitement about the wildlife in South Luangwa and he was always checking to make sure his guests were good. He worked to give me chances to see the species I was hoping to, including Wild Dogs and a whole lot more. The park is teaming... Read more

Fantastic!!! Fulfilled the dreams I had of going back to Africa. All of the staff at Flatdogs Camp were kind, friendly and helpful, including sweeping bugs off your back. My guide Chris was outstanding! Extremely knowledgeable ! You could see his passion and excitement about the wildlife in South Luangwa and he was always checking to make sure his guests were good. He worked to give me chances to see the species I was hoping to, including Wild Dogs and a whole lot more. The park is teaming with wildlife and truly the eden I had heard about!

Hotel Reviews
Latitude 15 Degrees Lusaka
Lusaka
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Flatdogs Camp
Mfuwe
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Night Game Drive
Night Game Drive
South Luangwa National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Exploring South Luangwa National Park Central
Exploring South Luangwa National Park Central
South Luangwa National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Safari
Morning Safari
South Luangwa National Park
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Stephanie Louw
Stephanie
Stephanie Louw
Local specialist in Cape Town | Replied on Dec 04, 2023

Hi Carol,

I'm so happy to hear your Wild Dog dreams came true.

We value your feedback and would appreciate it if you could spare a moment to review us on Google or Facebook. Your reviews help others discover the unforgettable experiences we offer.
Google review - https://g.page/r/CaWlSTjpj6GREBM/review
Facebook review - https://www.facebook.com/saltytravelcpt

I look forward to welcoming you back in future, 

Steph