SALTY.TRAVEL

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

Hotel Reviews

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Victoria Falls

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

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shiduli Private Game Lodge

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

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

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ocean View House

Cape Town

Beautiful facility with outstanding breakfast

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Victoria Falls Township Tour

Victoria Falls

Quality of Experience

P

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

On Safari

South Africa

Incredible experience finding and observing animals in their natural setting

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Outstanding!!!

Transport

Panorama Highlights + Boat Cruise Tour

Kruger National Park

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Activities at Shiduli

South Africa

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

Quality of Experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Boutique Winelands Tour

South Africa

Guide did not appear to know what was expected

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full day penguin safari - Cape Peninsula

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day City Tour, Robben Island & Table Mountain

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

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

Transport

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hotel Reviews

Gugs, Maputoland

Manguzi

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

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

aha Kopanong Hotel & Conference Centre

Benoni

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

Authenticity & Character

Location

This was not very accessible to anything without transportation.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Gugs Experiences

Manguzi

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

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Apartheid Museum

Johannesburg

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

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sanctuary Mandela

Johannesburg

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

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

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

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

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

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

Lucy was fantastic in planning our trip. We had a great travel experience. All our tour guides were excellent. Special shout out to Desmond Oliver in Capetown! Highly recommend using KimKim!

Hotel Reviews

Antrim House

Cape Town

Room just ok and was next to lobby/ kitchen. Early morning noise from kitchen staff. Location a bit out of the way. Would not recommend this place.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nkosi Guest Lodge

Victoria Falls

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chobe Safari Lodge

Kasane

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Drumstruck Experience

Cape Town

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bo Kaap Tour including Traditional Cape Malay Lunch

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day City Tour, Robben Island & Table Mountain

South Africa

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Mark did a wonderful job showing us around the Cape Town area. He was extremely knowledgeable of the area. Every place he recommended to eat was great food and reasonably priced.
Eddie was our guide at DeHoop Nature Preserve. We had a great time seeing all of the animals in the area. We had never seen so many zebras before. The chef made some amazing meals. Everythi ng tasted great.

We had a great time working with Lucy and her team. Lucy listened to what works for our family and took that into account when she was planning our trip. Our trip was multi-generational and had a lot of activities and a lot of moving around. Everything was well organized. All we had to do was show up! Lucy booked a lot of really special meals and activities for our family. We were all looking forward to the safari, but our trip was so much more than that. We had a great time and are still talking about our trip!

Guides, drivers, staffs, food & accommodations went beyond expectations. We traveled the Garden Route and then 2 lodges for safari. Even the animals cooperated with stunning appearances. Thru our travel experts, Salty Travel we were totally surprised by several locations providing kosher meat. Couldn't be better.

Hotel Reviews

Simbavati River Lodge

Kruger National Park

Could imagine staying in a more beautiful place with great warm friendly accommodating staff

Authenticity & Character

This is the place to experience safari, our guide Marc was brilliant

Location

In the middle of the resetve open to Kruger

Staff

Very very accommodating to your needs. Class act

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lodge was very clean

Pumba Private Game Reserve

Grahamstown, Eastern Cape

Beautiful location, superb accommodation and dining arra.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Guides to animals were excellent.

Cleanliness & Comfort

5 star for sure

Head over Hills

Knysna

Doesn't get any better than this.

Authenticity & Character

So special. From the owner to the manager to the staff, so hospitable

Location

Spectacular views of the ocean

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were beautiful. Ocean views

Abalone Guest Lodge

Hermanus

Beautiful lodge on the ocean. Great staff and breakfasts.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Ainsley the manager.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Suerb view from the room

Queen Victoria Hotel

Cape Town

Great location, accommodations and staff. Superb

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day City Tour, Robben Island & Table Mountain

South Africa

The visit to Robben Island was incredibly meaningful. It offered a poignant look into history and was one of the standout experiences of our trip to Cape Town. It set a somber yet enlightening tone which we appreciated.

Knysna Elephant Park

Knysna

The Knysna Elephant Park was a lovely experience. The chance to see these majestic creatures up close was a highlight of the trip. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

Marine Big 5 Boat Tour

South Africa

The Marine Big 5 Boat Tour did not quite live up to my expectations. Having been on whale watches before, I found it less engaging and the payoff was minimal compared to the effort required. It wasn't as thrilling as other marine experiences I've had.