Experience South Africa and Zimbabwe in style.
South Africa | May 1 - May 19, 2025

M
Michael L.
Australia | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025

My partner, and my, 19 day trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe was a trip of a lifetime.
The success of the trip was in no small part due to the excellent work of Lize (Enderstein). Lize took our high level "would like to do's" and turned them into a marvellous adventure. Her communications were at all times clear, timely and responsive to our needs. The itinerary that Lize put together was detailed, with activities, providers, accommodation, transport and times all clearly spelt out. Accordingly, we felt most comfortable in embarking on the trip.
We did the three night ROVOS Rail trip from Pretoria to Cape Town, spent four nights in Cape Town and three nights in each of the Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp, Timbavati Game Reserve, and the Nkorho Bush Lodge, Sabi Sands. In addition, we spent three nights at the Victoria Falls River Lodge. All were excellent.
To call out highlights is doing the others an injustice, but I will. The ROVOS Rail was 5 star travel. The accommodation was first class, the staff super friendly and efficient, and the food delightful. Our guide, Oliver, in Cape Town made our day trips to Table Mountain and Cape Town, the Winelands, and Cape of Good Hope most enjoyable and informative. Courtene and Brett, our hosts at Thabamati, and their staff, made our stay a real luxury experience. The game drives at both Thabamati and Nkorho were something else. We were most fortunate to see an abundance of a diverse range of wildlife in their habitat. Amazing. And then there was the Victoria Falls River Lodge. We were treated like royalty, with our personal butler Reeves going far and beyond. The excursions to Victoria Falls were outstanding. Finally, in Johannesburg we did a guided tuk tuk tour of Soweto, Johannesburg, which was quite an eye opener.
Well, I haven't missed much, but it was such a great trip.
Thanks to all involved, particularly Lize.
I will use KimKim again.

Hotel Reviews
Intercontinental Johannesburg O.R Tambo Airport
Johannesburg
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rovos Rail
Foreshore
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nkorho Bush Lodge
Kruger National Park
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Manor House
Cape Town
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Thabamati Luxury Tented Camp
Kruger National Park

Luxury and service at its best

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Welcoming, friendly and service driven
Cleanliness & Comfort
Victoria Falls River Lodge

Wow, what an experience. Every need is catered for in style.

Authenticity & Character
Location
What more could you want than a treehouse on an island in the middle 'of the raging Zambezi River
Staff
Excellent in all respects. We offer our gratitude to the services provided by our butler Reeves.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Rovos Rail Pretoria to Cape Town Journey
Rovos Rail Pretoria to Cape Town Journey
Pretoria
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The disruption caused by the change in "pilots" was quizical
Transport
The change in "pilots" caused unnecessary delays.
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
Sabi Sands Game Reserve

I perceived that some of the driving to get to the wildlife locations was at times somewhat unsafe.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Johannesburg Private Historic Walking and Tuk Tuk Tour
Johannesburg Private Historic Walking and Tuk Tuk Tour
South Africa

Having approached this experience with some reluctance, our guides, particularly our tuk tuk driver, made the day one of learning in a fun environment.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our tuk tuk driver (sorry I've misplaced his name) made this a great excursion, through sharing freely his personal experiences.
Transport
Half Day Private Table Mountain and City Tour
Half Day Private Table Mountain and City Tour
Cape Town

Oliver, our guide, was tremedndous.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Oliver was attentive, informative and responsive.
Transport
Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour (including lunch)
Full Day Cape Peninsula Tour (including lunch)
South Africa

Oliver, our guide, was tremendous.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Oliver, our guide, is highly recommended. He was informative and responsive.
Transport
Timbavati Game Reserve to Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Timbavati Game Reserve to Sabi Sands Game Reserve
South Africa
Quality of Experience
The transfer was done by road. My rating is no reflection on the provider and our driver who were first class, it is a statement on the condition opf the roads.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Vic Falls River Lodge Activities
Vic Falls River Lodge Activities
Victoria Falls

Our guides made the experiences special.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
All our guides and drivers did an outstanding job.
Transport
Full Day Winelands Tour (including lunch)
Full Day Winelands Tour (including lunch)
South Africa

Oliver, our guide, made the day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Highly recommend Oliver our guide.
Transport
Afternoon Game Drive
Afternoon Game Drive
South Africa
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Days on Safari
Days on Safari
South Africa
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Timbavati Private Game Reserve Safari Day
Timbavati Private Game Reserve Safari Day
Timbavati Game Reserve
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Helicopter Flight
Helicopter Flight
Victoria Falls
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Lize Enderstein
Lize
Lize Enderstein
Local specialist in Cape Town, South Africa | Replied on Jun 15, 2025
Dear Michael, Thank you so much for your wonderful message — I am truly touched by your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure working with you to bring your dream trip to life, and I’m so happy to hear that it was such a memorable and meaningful experience for both you and Jo. From ROVOS Rail to the wildlife encounters at Thabamati and Nkorho, to the royal treatment at Victoria Falls River Lodge — it sounds like the journey unfolded exactly as hoped, and even more! Your feedback means... Read more

Dear Michael,

Thank you so much for your wonderful message — I am truly touched by your kind words!

It was an absolute pleasure working with you to bring your dream trip to life, and I’m so happy to hear that it was such a memorable and meaningful experience for both you and Jo. From ROVOS Rail to the wildlife encounters at Thabamati and Nkorho, to the royal treatment at Victoria Falls River Lodge — it sounds like the journey unfolded exactly as hoped, and even more!

Your feedback means the world to me. It’s always my goal to ensure every detail is thoughtfully planned so you can simply relax and enjoy the adventure, and I’m so glad to know you felt supported and comfortable throughout.

Thank you again for your trust in me and in KimKim. I would be thrilled to help you with another adventure when you're ready — Africa will always have more wonders to offer!

Warmest regards,
Lize