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Reviews for Truly Swahili
5.0
5 Reviews

Truly Swahili

At the core of Truly Swahili is a commitment to the traveler. We specialize in connecting travelers with exceptional local experiences, bridging the gap between global travel desires and the rich offerings of local cultures. Our focus is on curating journeys that go beyond the ordinary, transforming trips into treasured, lifelong memories. We believe in travel as an enlightening journey, a chance to immerse in the unique tapestry of local stories, cultures, and landscapes, offering more than just a visit, but a gateway to extraordinary, personalized travel experiences.

Truly Swahili is part of the following groups: Kenya Travel Agents, Rwanda Travel Agents, Tanzania Travel Agents

Featured trips & expertise

Top itineraries and travel advice
Tanzania Safari Highlights: Ngorongoro & Serengeti - 5 Days
Perfect as an addition to a longer Tanzania trip, this five-day itinerary gives you enough time to enjoy safari adventures in not one but two iconic parks. There's no time to...
Relaxed Tanzania & Kenya Adventure: Culture, Wildlife & Beaches- 10 Days
This East African adventure combines Tanzanian culture and wildlife with a relaxed break on the idyllic Kenyan island of Lamu. Jump right into the action in Arusha with a hike...
Kenya & Tanzania Safari, Culture & Beach Adventure - 14 Days
Delve into the heart of East Africa's diverse cultures, abundant wildlife, and coastal wonders on this 14-day trip across Kenya and Tanzania. Interact with giraffes in Nairobi...

Recent Trip Reviews for Truly Swahili

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
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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.

Read all Tanzania reviews

Friendly travel service that treats you like family and creates unforgettable experiences
Kenya | Aug 19 - Aug 30, 2024

Scott
Scott S.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Sep 01, 2024
This was the second epic trip that we booked through KimKim and could not speak higher of the knowledge, professionalism and dedicated support we received once again on this two week trip through Kenya. Both Melvin and Stephen took care of every detail of accommodations, tours, side trips and dedicated drivers. They really listened to what our goals were for the trip - both adventure and budget wise - and customized a trip that we could never have put yigether on our own. The safaris were... Read more

This was the second epic trip that we booked through KimKim and could not speak higher of the knowledge, professionalism and dedicated support we received once again on this two week trip through Kenya. Both Melvin and Stephen took care of every detail of accommodations, tours, side trips and dedicated drivers. They really listened to what our goals were for the trip - both adventure and budget wise - and customized a trip that we could never have put yigether on our own.

The safaris were all memorable as were the hotels and provided meals. They were also wonderful to work with in terms of answering questions and really picking our brains to find things to see that were attuned to our ideals of fun stuff to do.

Most impressive was their availability while on the trip. Whenever we had a question or perhaps hit a small snag, they were immediately available to right any wrong or perhaps instant ways to make quick changes to the itinerary. When we wanted to add a visit to a museum that wasn’t on the original plan, they immediately made it happen.

It was also clutch to have our own driver, Peter, for the entirety of the trip who was friendly and always open to our whims of stopping at a roadside attraction or taking us to a specific spot for lunch. He was so nice and so pleasant to let us just wallow in the beauty of the countryside without always feeling the need to create conversation.

Can’t speak highly enough about KimKim’s partners that they chose to work with. They take the headache out of travel and let you just sit back and enjoy the wonders of your trek.

Can’t wait for our next adventure and working with another top notch team!

Hotel Reviews
Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa
Mombasa

Beautiful property right on the white sand beaches of the Indian Ocean. Super friendly staff and an endlessly diverse buffet makes this a jewel. Ask for a room with an ocean view. The swim up pool bar is also a joy.

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

A charming retreat hotel conveniently located in Aberdare between several national parks. The staff is wonderfully friendly and the food was above average with a nice variety of selections. The individual cottages differ in size and style. If you don’t want to be too earthy, then stay away from the tent cabins as they are just that…tents. The problem with all the different rooms is none have heat. So if the weather is chilly, the rooms are a cold bummer. The WiFi is also really weak throughout the property and especially in the rooms. There is also no tv in the rooms, so know what you’re getting here. If more of a rustic feel without the modern benefits if what you want, this is the place. Oh, and the piped in muzak into the dining and bar area was terrible covers of American pop standards played over and over again. How about some local, Swahili stylings or something to put the guest in the mood of being in central Africa. Big miss.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Heat in rooms
Local specialist: Melvin Mapetla
Melvin
Melvin Mapetla
Local specialist in East Africa | Replied on Sep 02, 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure to work with you and to help create a memorable trip through Kenya. Stephen, Peter, and I are thrilled that you enjoyed the safaris, accommodations, and personalized touches. We’re so glad we could make your experience seamless and enjoyable. Looking forward to planning your next adventure!

Read all Kenya reviews

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!

Read all Tanzania reviews

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
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Staff
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Ngorongoro Farm House
Arusha
Authenticity & Character
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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!

Read all Tanzania reviews