Kimkim Trip Reviews

Judy and her team did an awesome job working with my sister and me. Kimkim took the budget and time schedule my sister and I had and was able to put together a memorable trip that took us from Tokyo to Hakone to Kyoto.

The tour guide who took us from Tokyo to Hakone was very knowledgeable in history and gave us a rundown of the history of Japan from the warring states period (and the moving of the capital from Kyoto to Tokyo) up to the end of the Meiji restoration. I enjoy learning about history; listening to his explanations was a fun way to fill the silence during our travel time between Tokyo and Hakone.

While our tour in Hakone was mainly riding vehicles (we took a car, a cable car, and later a boat), our trip in Kyoto was a lot more walking (especially uphill). Our tour guide in Kyoto I felt was very considerate on maintaining a pace that wasn't too strenuous with all the inclines. She would make sure to suggest a short break if anyone seemed winded, which I appreciated. The last place she took us to was the 1000 torii gate shrine, which we arrived around 4PM (I'll explain why I included this later). We all walked up probably about 20% up the mountain, past most of the notable gates and the shrine that sells charms/personal sized gates. By this point, the tour guide mentioned that the rest of the mountain is pretty much just more stairs and gates and not much more to see. She asked if we wanted to keep going or if we had seen enough and wanted to turn back around. My sister asked to go a little farther, and the tour guide took us another 5 minutes before my sister and I agreed that we were good with turning back and ending our tour. While we were walking back to the car, I asked our tour guide how long it takes to get to the top and if any groups ever ask her to go all the way to the top with them. She replied that it takes about 2 hours round trip and that earlier this year she had gone to the top with 2 separate groups. I honestly feel like if my sister and I wanted to climb all the way to the top, our guide would have accompanied us, which I appreciate because she never mentioned anything about the time and how it would be at least 6PM if we did the whole mountain. (Side note: the guide told us that the shrine doesn't have a closing time and my sister and I could come back later in the evening if we really wanted to get to the summit. We did.)

Overall, I really enjoyed our trip to Japan and would like to thank Judy and her team once again for the wonderful time they planned for me and my sister. Besides the wonderful guides I mentioned above, the logistics behind the trip were equally well thought out. The hotels they picked for us were fantastic and the transportation between each city were seamless.

Thank you again Kimkim for an awesome trip!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Keihan Tsukiji Ginza Grande

Tokyo

The hotel is very clean and provide complimentary toiletries at the front desk. The staff were very friendly. The breakfast (which I'm not sure if is normally included or was paid through our tour guide) was always well laid out with a good selection to choose from.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka

Hakone-machi

The hotel is very clean and provide complimentary pajamas you can wear during your stay. They also give you the option to borrow yukatas (free of charge) if you want instead of using their pajamas. The staff were very friendly (although our server during dinner did seem very stressed). The highlight of this hotel/inn is that you can try out their onsen.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo

Kyoto

The hotel is very clean. The staff were very friendly. The breakfast (which I'm not sure if is normally included or was paid through our tour guide) was always well laid out with a good selection to choose from. The location of the hotel is very good. Once you leave the main entrance, if you go one way, you're a minute walk from the main street with lots of different stores/restaurants to choose from. (There's also a great currency exchange place at the corner of the street for foreigners.) If you go the other way, you're 5 minutes walk away from the metro station. There's also a river you can walk alongside, giving you an alternate path if you don't want to have to walk next to noisy streets.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Half Day Bamboo Grove and Monkey Park Tour

Kyoto

The monkeys were very cute. I can tell the staff there really care about the wellbeing of the monkeys because they make sure to sell only 1 bag of snacks to feed the monkeys per group (to ensure no overfeeding).

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full Day Mt. Fuji and Lake Ashi Tour

Hakone

My sister and I were very lucky to be able to see the top of Mt Fuji. Our tour guide said normally (unless you go during the winter) the mountain is often hidden behind clouds/fog. Going to the top of Mt. Hakone using the cable car and getting to see the Hakone shrine at the summit of the mountain was very cool. Although it wasn't as flashy as some other shrines we saw later in the trip, it was the most memorable shrine for me since it was the first one on our trip/my first Shinto shrine I've been to. The lake tour was nice, but without our tour guide pointing out the historical checkpoint between Kyoto/Tokyo and explaining the significance of it, I would have probably missed it. Did enjoy sailing past the floating torii gate and seeing the many couples trying to take a picture (apparently if you take a picture with your partner at that gate it will bring good luck to your relationship).

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for a couple things that happened on the trip, but I won't mention them here.
My husband and I were in Morocco for 14 days. We had one driver for the entire time. Youssef was there for us day and night. He got to know us and we truly enjoyed him. He always made sure we went to clean bathrooms, stopped for good food along the way, and was very knowledgeable about the places we visited.
Most of the guides and experiences were wonderful. The highlight was the desert camp and riding the camels to see the sunset.

Hotel Reviews

Barceló Anfa Casablanca

Casablanca

We only stayed for two nights. The hotel was clean and comfortable. The only strange thing was that the bathroom sink was in the bedroom. So if you needed to use it in the middle of the night, there was no way not to disturb your partner.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Amani

Fès

This was a beautiful true Riad. All the rooms opened to a beautiful garden area.

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Desert Luxury Camp Erg Chebbi

Merzouga

The highlight of my Moroccan trip was the desert camp. The tent was comfortable with air conditioning. The surroundings were incredibly beautiful with the endless sand dunes. The food was good. The people were friendly and welcoming. The evening music under the stars was wonderful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

Even though the room was very small, it was cozy. The shower had hot water. The bed was comfortable. The breakfast was delicious. We also ate dinner there. The food was good. The people were very friendly and attentive.

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Maison Arabe

Marrakech

This hotel was the perfect place to end our trip. It was beautiful. The breakfast was served in a beautiful garden area. There were people preparing fresh bread, and eggs. The room was very comfortable.

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Explore Chefchaouen with your local guide

Chefchaouen

Our guide Hasim was the nicest and very knowledgeable. He knew everyone and showed us all the authentic places. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the city.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes: Exploring the Imperial City

Fes

We liked walking around the city. Tasting the food. It's so colorful. Everyone was very friendly. We ate a delicious meal at a family's home. They were so kind and hospitable.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to Merzouga via Erfoud, Saharan Camel Ride

Morocco

This was definitely the highlight of the trip. We stayed at a luxury desert tent. Gorgeous views. We experienced a nomad village. Rode camels to watch the sunset. Lifetime memories!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Camel trek to your luxury camp

Merzouga

Architectural Elegance: A Journey through the Hassan II Mosque

Morocco

Half-Day Private Sightseeing Tour in Rabat

Rabat

Beautiful architecture.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Explore the Blue City

Chefchaouen

Dinner with a Local Family and Henna Party

Fes

We had a delicious meal with a wonderful family. I had fun getting the henna.

Quality of Experience

Food

What a great adventure! Lucie planned the perfect Bavaria road trip. We experienced Eagles Nest, Zugspitze and a couple castles. The hotels were clean and comfortable. The documents center at Eagles Nest was very interesting way to learn the history.
We toured the Porsche factory and museum, this was probably my favorite part of the trip.
It took a minute to understand the app but once I figured it out I was pleasantly surprised how well organized it made the trip.

Kimkim arranged our two week itinerary from Marseille north to Dijon. They arranged our rental car, and we visited many lovely towns and cities through Provence and Burgundy. Kimkim set up private or group tours for us in several places, and Liz gave us good ideas for driving and stopping to visit memorable sites we might have missed. We had visited most of the towns on this itinerary many years ago, but the suggestions that Liz made for tours were not what we had done before. Kimkim made our hotel reservations in each destination. During the planning stage, we looked at the hotels suggested and they took our feedback and made modifications based on location and price. With only couple of exceptions, the hotels were unique, in a great location, and very comfortable. The tours were outstanding. We loved visiting and swimming in the Calanques National Park. We had a beautiful day with a gregarious and knowledgeable guide in the wine region of Bandol and Cassis. Our tour guide in Aix-en-Provence was lovely and smart. We spent a day visiting the extraordinary Roman ruins of Nimes, Orange, and Pont du Gard with a terrific guide. Kimkim arranged several tasty culinary and wine tasting experiences in Avignon, Lyon, and Dijon. In sum, we were very satisfied with our experience with kimkim's planning advisor, Liz, and those who make all of their arrangements, particularly Kate. We have to add one extra thank you. We were originally scheduled to travel in June, but my husband's brother died. Kimkim kindly and quickly took all of their arrangements and rescheduled our trip for September.

Majo was extremely responsive and provided excellent advice while planning our Mother-in-Law/ Daughters-in-Law trip for 4. She revised the itinerary until we had exactly what we wanted and to fit within our budget. A few highlights to note/share: El Barranco hotel was wonderful, couldn't recommend enough, will stay there when I return. Great location right by the pier near tons of shops and restaurants, wonderful staff, great food and drinks too! North Seymour Island on the Finch Bay yacht was probably my favorite day. The yacht was gorgeous, our guide was great, we saw so much wildlife and it welcomed us with a wow day for sure! The morning bay tour was pretty good, less fancy, but still a wonderful day, and it allowed us to splurge a few other days/times. The walk down to Las Grietas was on lava rocks so comfortable shoes are necessary. Trapiche and Garrapatero Beach with kayak was another awesome day. Our guide for the day, Erickita, was my favorite guide of the trip. She was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Trapiche was a cool stop and the owner of the farm, Adriano, was kind and funny! Garrapatero Beach was beautiful and we kayaked a bit there. The snorkel experience in Punta Cormorant/ Champions Islet on Floreana was amazing. A sea lion was swimming in circles around and with us. This wasn't as fancy of a yacht but I was told only certain boats/yachts had permits for specific places. It was fine, just not as luxurious. It was a rough 2.5 hour ride there then also back. My party did fine with it but numerous others on the boat did get sea sick so while the destination was definitely worth it for our group, don't add it if someone in your group easily gets sea sick. The best place to sit is the middle of the boat so you can get some fresh air and don't smell the bathrooms or kitchen but also so you're not in the back baking in the sun getting sprayed by water. We spent our final day doing the Santa Cruz Highlands, an artisan woodworking visit, and a cooking class. Our family always adds some kind of art/craft and also some kind of cooking class on our trips so I'm glad they were added but the cooking class did go rather long (numerous hours) and the craft class wasn't really a full class and I don't think they're setup to accommodate that. Majo did deliver on all of our requests and planned a wonderful farewell dinner at Eloise, a cool waterfront restaurant you take a brief water taxi to and see lots of little white tip Galapagos sharks at the dock and along the journey. A few of my favorite restaurants were Bahia Mar, Midori, and Art Coffee. Darwin + Wolf was my favorite shop. We went to the Darwin Research Station on our own and I suggest doing the same because they have their own tour guides anyway. The wildlife was amazing and the animals get so close to you because they're protected so nobody bothers them and they aren't scared of us. It was beyond crazy how much we saw and how common it was. I'll definitely go back when my son is old enough to snorkel because he would love the wildlife. We also visited Siluet Derm Spa on our own and if you like massages, you should definitely fit that into your Santa Cruz visit! Our guides were all wonderful. The communication was immediate. Thoughtful extras were included like assistance in airports, etc. HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU BOOK THIS!

We spent a truly memorable week recently in Portugal. Portugal is a country that we have wanted to visit for quite some time ever since we were unable to do so on a trip we made to Spain approximately 10 years ago. The 10 year wait was rewarded because Portugal is a beautiful country with amazing scenery and very friendly people. Perhaps the highlight of our trip which involved stops in Porto, Lisbon and the Douro Valley was the time we spent at the port winery and surrounding area in the Douro Valley. This part of Portugal reminded me of Tuscany in Italy with its beautifully landscape and terraced vineyards in a micro climate that is truly unique on the Earth. Our trip organizer João was amazing in his desire and ability to craft many activities and tours that we enjoyed immensely. Our driver Eduardo was full of good and useful information about his beloved country and made our time traveling around Portugal, enjoyable and informative. The lunch that we had at the Quinta de Pacheca winery was truly a highlight, and the 20 year old Port wine that we were served was exceptional. All in all, this was a trip that we thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the efforts that so wow and Kim Kim went to make it the success that it was.

I had a fabulous 6 day road trip in Kenya, starting in Nairobi and traveling to Lake Nukuru and the Maasai Mara with a friend and our guide Dan. Lake Nukuru was absolutely beautiful - so many areas and scenes we saw looked like something right out of Lion King - zebras with giraffes, water buffaloes and impalas all together. We even saw flamingoes! On our way to the Maasai Mara we stopped and spent an overnight at a Maasai Cultural camp called Maji Moto. Hosted by a Maasai warrior (Stanley) , we got a rich immersion in the Maasai cuture, including their schools, their homes, and learning about their guiding philosophies, which really helped us also appreciate the Mara once we arrived at the park. The balloon safari was also amazing - it really gave you a sense for how vast the savannah really is.

Hotel Reviews

Acacia Tree Lodge

We arrived very late and the night manager had a hot meal waiting for us. The room was well stocked and the shower was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge

The Lodge is in the national park and the views are absolutely amazing. The food is served buffet style, there is a wide variety and very tasty. My friend celebrated her birthday during our stay and they celebrated her with a beautiful cake and a birthday song. It was great!

Authenticity & Character

The views of the park, the rooms

Location

In the national park - amazing views of the lake

Staff

Huangalu, who checked us in was wonderful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

One thing to perhaps add - consider included ample access to water as part of the base package.

Maji Moto Maasai Cultural Camp

Maji Moto

Maji Moto was a highlight of my trip in Kenya. The Camp itself was lovely - modern amenities in the bush, including coffee for our early morning and a beautiful bathroom that was open to the stars.

Authenticity & Character

A modern twist on the traditional Maasai home

Location

Located on a conservation land, it connects to Maasai land

Staff

Our host, Stanley was incredible, along with 5-10 additional Maasai that we interacted with

Cleanliness & Comfort

Royal Zebra River Safari Lodge.

Narok County

The Royal Zebra River Safari Lodge was the perfect place to wind up a 3 week trip in Africa. The staff were all incredibly friendly, and the food was wonderful. Our room was spacious and welcoming, giving us room to relax and rest up before starting our trek home. The complementary massages were also amazing.

Authenticity & Character

very easy to relax

Location

Located across from the Maasai Mara National park - you can view animals from your room

Staff

Everyone was attentive, friendly and curious

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Balloon safari in Masai Mara

Masai Mara

This balloon ride was magical - the captain was very knowledgeable and communicated everything clearly, starting with the safety brief, sharing insights of the Mara as we were in the air, and also ensuring that our group was taken care of at the breakfast after the flight. The balloon ride itself was really cool - gave us a totally different view of the Mara after being on jeep game drives for a day and a half prior. The breakfast was also lovely - we watched Zebras migrating back to the Serengeti as a backdrop to our meal.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rodrigo (our captain) was incredibley knowledgeable.

Transport

Iltalala Community Visit & overnight

Maji Moto

The illtalala Community visit was incredible and a highlight of our time in Kenya. Our host, Stanley (a Maasai warrior), along with several more warriors welcomed us with a traditional greeting and song and presented us with our very own Shuka (a traditional wrap worn by the Maasai). We had a wonderful lunch in the bush and then visited the local school, learning about the progress the children are making and opportunities to continue strengthening their opportunities. We also visitied a Maasai homestead, learning how they live and support their families, as well as how the Maasai Tribe functions. We ended the day with a Nature Walk and dinner in the bush, meeting many Maasai along the way. It was a wonderful experience and gave me an opportunity to quickly immerse in the elements that are the Maasai people

Quality of Experience

Everything about our visit was authentic, not staged.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

our host, Stanley was wonderful - he answered any question we had and loves his tribe.

Transport

I must say that Ecuador has been one of my most memorable experiences in my travels. Kimkim taylored the trip in such a way that it exceeded my expectations. In working with Ariel on the specifics of my desire have cultural experiences was the beginning of my amazing journey. My tour guide Jeannin made it the most safe and enlightening glimpse of Ecuador. I am physically challenged and did my 1st solo trip with KimKim. The country was breathtaking, the indigenous communities in Quito, San Antonio, Otavalo, Cuenca and their free expression of their artistic expressions through murals, music, hat making, wood carving, weaving traditions of wool and alpaca created masterpieces were just a few of my awesome experiences. As an African American, it was important for me spending a day of having lunch with a successful Afro Ecuadorian female artist and goat farmer from the Afro Ecuadorian community in Mascarilla. I learned how they live as African descendants in the area using the fruit of the land, goats farming and artistic creativity to create carve out a living in the middle of the mountains. I went to Mindi, the mountains in the clouds, and I fed hummingbirds and butterflies! I learn about the Amazon! Kimkim heard my heart and delivered a safe and unforgettably rich week in Ecuador from the moment I landed until my departure. Jeannin, thank you! I will be back. Ecuador- One of the most beautiful places in the world!

Hotel Reviews

Ikala Quito Hotel

Quito

This hotel was so very clean, warm, cozy and hospitable in every way. From the security to the front desk. I loved my time in this place tucked away in the city of Quito.

Authenticity & Character

The decor is very authentic and each room has its own personality.

Location

It’s in the heart of the city. You have access to the city amenities and there is a fantastic restaurant right next door!

Staff

The staff are very accommodating and thoughtful in servicing your needs without you having to ask for assistance. As a physically challenged person, I appreciated that more than anything.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and cozy room and sitting areas!

Hotel Otavalo

Otavalo

This hotel is stunning!!!! The hidden paradise in plan view is how I can best describe it. The wall art and statue pieces along with interesting relics will have you awestruck if you love art and museums. The music and onsite very exquisite atmosphere along with the hotel restaurant will leave you feeling the taste of luxury intended.

Authenticity & Character

From the service to the architectural design inside out, this hotel has character and is indeed very authentic. It’s like a hidden treasure tucked away in a vibrant community with tons of personality!

Location

I have never experienced something like this before and I travel luxury on vacation. This place is an experience!

Staff

The staff is amazing from the front desk to the restaurant waiters. Everyone is committed to giving guests a superb experience.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The place is immaculate!

Activity Reviews

Visit an Indigenous Comunity and a Traditional Botanical Garden

Ecuador

I learned so very much and loved the tour! She was wonderful and well informed. John was great also assisting Jeanin who was also well informed on botanical garden items introduced.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour Cultural Afro Mascarilla

Ecuador

Quality of Experience

Food

Oatmeal soup! Never experienced that before. I loved sitting in Betty’s kitchen eating what she prepared for us. It was an honor.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Quito City Tour

Ecuador

Quality of Experience

The huge statue of Mary with wings stood out to me and the Spanish’s reasoning for creating the statue in that location at that magnitude overlooking the 4 corners of Quito.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Leaning was well informed and taught me a great deal about Equador, it’s history and the driving factors behind the eye witness of its beauty and progress.

Transport

Jeanin was great company and ever teaching about what was before me.

What an amazing way to experience Africa! I spent 2 weeks with my daughter, niece and friend in Zambia traveling between 4 different Green Safari properties in Kafue, South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi & Livingstone and had a wonderful time in each - game drives, sundowners and special touches that celebrated the uniqueness of each location: Ile Safari Lodge set the tone with a tremendous staff that made us feel right at home & we were very sad to leave. Our guide, Allie was phenomenal - knowledgeable, funny and so personable. - soo many animals, and great night drives. Shawa Bush Camp welcomed us with a song & kept celebrating for our entire visit, including an amazing dinner of local food/singing. Sebastian got us up close and personal to lions, giraffes and so many Ellies! Walking safari was incredible. Potato Bush Camp was incredibly beautiful, and their events celebrating the river & the bush were top notch. Finishing up at Tongabezi was a wonderful way to end our adventure - Koffi helped us see Victoria Falls from all vantage points (Zimbabwe, zambia, and Devils Pool), some White Rhinos, and do a bit of shopping all in one day and still have some time to relax and enjoy the beautiful property.

Hotel Reviews

Ila Safari Lodge

Kafue

Ila was my favorite lodge on this trip. The entire staff made us feel welcome and looked after from the moment we stepped off the plane. Located right on the Kafue River, the Lodge is integrated into the landscape and allows you to experience the bush intimately: From waking to Hippos "singing", to sighting an elephant or bushback near our cabin, I was at ease the entire visit. The staff was tremendous - always anticipating any need we may have, and genuienlty curious about getting to know us and sharing themselves as well. The chef was tremendous!

Authenticity & Character

Fit in with the environment, including a fabulous infinity pool and awesome food.

Location

On the river, lots of wildlife nearby

Staff

Every person took the time to meet us and ask how we were doing. They were kind and helpful. I was sad to leave them.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shawa Luangwa Camp

Lusaka

Shawa Luangwa Camp delivered the most amazing hospitality on our trip, starting with the staff greeting us with a celebratory song. The manager, Kufa was incredible - friendly, caring and aware of the little details that made our stay wonderful. Our valet, Amos was also wonderful - he always had a smile on his face and very quickly got to know us. The rooms have an amazing view, and we loved the "easy breeze" cooling that provided a comfortable nights sleep on the hotter days of our visit. They also hosted a communal dinner that shared the local food and customs with us one night and it was great.

Authenticity & Character

The level of hospitality provided and felt here was top notch.

Location

Located right on the river, so many animals to see & hear

Staff

Friendly, personable and genuinely engaged - they all clearly love what they do and show up as a family.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Potato Bush Camp

Lower Zambezi

Potato Bush has an absolutely beautiful setting to leverage - located on a small channel off the Lower Zambezi River, we had breakfast every morning with Hippos waking up right in front of us and Elephants crossing the river to snack on grasses at a nearby island. Game drives took on a different "tone" here - celebrating the river a bit more with boat cruises. The water lunch (lunch on a sandbar) was out of this world, as was the bush dinner.

Authenticity & Character

Built right on the river, you get to experience all of the wildlife around you

Location

Lower Zambezi is breathtaking - the prettiest location we stayed

Staff

The Chef was very personable - one member of our party was having stomach issues and he made her food that settled her stomach and kept checking in on her.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tongabezi Lodge

Livingstone

Tongabezi Lodge was a wonderful way to end our 12 day trip in Zambia, partifularly after spending 9 days in the bush. This is really a resort, and the amenities are top notch - we even splurged on airconditioning. The food was fantastic and the houses we stayed in were luxurious - several of us took a bath out on the very private veranda, while others enjoyed the plunge pool. We stayed 2 nights, but honestly I could've stayed on more day and just hung out at the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Morning and Afternoon Game Drives in South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park

The Game Drives in South Luangwa were incredible. Over the 2 days, we saw sooo many hippos, elephants, giraffes, water buffalo, lions, wild dogs and so much more. Our guide, Sebastian knew the park incredibly well and got us up close and personal with a pride of lions (spectacular), as well as a tower of giraffes.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sebastian clearly knew the park well and cued in quickly that we preferred to be a bit more remote when on a drive.

Transport

Electric jeeps let us get very close to many animals without disturbing them

Guided Walks in South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park

The walking safari was a highlight for South Luangwa. Our Ranger, Nyundo, was amazing - we learned a lot about the local landscape, but also about the role the Park Rangers play in preventing poaching and contributing to the conservation of the parks and their animals. After being on multiple game drives in the jeep, seeing the park from the ground gave a totally different perspective - we got close to giraffes snacking on a nearby tree and saw a large herd of elephants cross the river for the night.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Nyongo, the ranger added another dimension to the drive. Sebastian, our guide was very knowledgeable.

Transport

A day in Kafue with Two Safari Activities

Kafue

Our guide, Allie was tremendous - over the 2 1/2 days we spent in Kafue, we saw over 20 different types of animals, including two leopards, a civet, a Serval, and a pride of 17 lions. We also got up close and personal with several elephants and saw over 25+ different types of birds. We quickly shifted into watching the animals behaviors as well, with the highlight being watching a pride of lions on a kill for at least 30 minutes.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Allie was an amazing tracker & guide - his ability to spot animals, particularly at night was tremendous.

Transport

Morning and Afternoon Safari Activity

Lower Zambezi National Park

Highlight of Lower Zambezi was the Water Lunch. The set up was incredible - full tent and tables on a sand bar. We had the good fortune to witness 2 elephants cross the river to a nearby island and then walk right behind us while we were eating. It was very special.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A day at Tongabezi Lodge

Livingstone

As we only had one full day at Tonabezi, we had a list of things we wanted to do and our guide Koffi helped us accomplish all of them. We started out seeing Victoria Falls from the Zambezi side, then headed to Devlls Pool, which was a highlight of the trip for me and my group. The staff at Livingstone Island was top notch - all four of us swam out to the pool, even though originally only 2 of us wanted to go. It was fabulous. We followed up with a trip to view White Rhino and also the Zambia side of Victoria Falls and then some local shopping for fabrics. Every step of the day was smooth and unhurried. We got back to the lodge with plenty of time to enjoy our houses and relax before dinner.

Quality of Experience

Fit many things in one day without feeling rushed

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Koffi never made us feel rushed.

Transport

Loved the airconditioned van

As this was our first trip with Kimkim we were not sure what to expect in terms of service and quality of experiences and accommodations. After completing our two-week trip to Morocco though, we were in large part exceptionally pleased with the entire trip experience, although a couple of the accommodations might have been less than advertised. However, this was Africa, so our expectations were mostly commensurate with our locale. From the very beginning of the planning and all through the time we were in-country, our local specialist Majid was always available and checked in with us almost every day to make sure we were enjoying our trip and to offer advice and assistance whenever needed. We made a few on-the-spot changes to our schedule, and he was always accommodating. While we actually never met with Majid in-person, we spent considerable time every day with our driver Yosef. As it turned out, Yosef was probably the most impressive aspect of the entire trip insofar as he made everything run seamless, all the while being a perfect host, ambassador and overall delightful! He truly made us feel as though we were long-time friends, and his warmth and hospitality shone through as bright as the Saharan desert sun! We give him 6 stars for his effort and strongly recommend you request him if you have the opportunity.
We did have one problem that arose regarding a hike Kimkim arranged in Dades that was labelled an "easy" walk. It was anything but, with treacherous rocky and slippery terrain at every step. One of us suffered a serious fall and incurred an unfortunate injury as a result. The lesson here was to be more informed about such outings, and also for Kimkim to be more accurate about the level of a walk they arrange for their senior citizen customers. Aside from this unfortunate accident though, the rest of the trip was fantastic, and we will not hesitate in using Kimkim for our future travels.

We had a great experiencing planning this trip to Italy and felt really grateful for Eric, our specialist, and the rest of the kimkim team, for their expertise and their willingness to really tailor the itinerary to us. We were able to make a few adaptations until we found the right schedule for us. The team was super responsive both during the planning period and during the trip itself. All of the hotels were incredible with fantastic locations. We loved the view of the Mediterranean from our hotel in Sorrento and cool history of Rome hotel. There was excellent customer service at all three hotels (our Florence hotel was incredibly helpful when my luggage took a couple of days to arrive!). The activities were generally great. We especially loved the "culinary walk" in Florence, the Vatican Tour in Rome, and the boat tour of the Amalfi Coast. Most guides were excellent-- funny, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. We overbooked our activities slightly and would have (in retrospect) cut the golf cart tour in Rome and the culture tour in Sorrento-- neither were bad, but were our least favorites.

We had a varied and busy 10 days. Our favorite hotel was the Ace hotel in Kyoto. We loved the Sumo wrestling academy, a highlight was dinner and spending the evening with the Maiko in Kyoto, and feeding the deer in Nara. I would recommend the “Happy Cow” app to find vegetarian restaurants. We had good guides although I feel we scheduled too many excursions and had more time driving than ideal. One guide Yasuko Nagai was really a gem. She was so knowledgeable and flexible about our itinerary. I like the personalized approach that we get with KimKim. Thank you for your service Ada. The had a great trip.

Overall the trip was wonderful. The cities that were selected for our journey through Ireland by Aleksandra were a diverse mix of Irish old and new. Dublin, Waterford, Cork, and Galway were incredible. The history of the Viking conquest and settlements, the ancient castles that we visited, the uniqueness of each city was unforgettable. The guides in each city were genuine and so open to explain whatever we asked.
Our accommodations in each city were right where we had asked then to be, near or in the central part of town. They are different from American hotels but the were comfortable and provided what we needed. Overall, the hotel breakfasts were good, especially at the Dooley in Waterford.
Tha transportation that was provided was good. Most drivers were in contact with us the day before and got us to our destinations on time.
Overall a great first overseas trop for us. The only negative I have and it's a small but important one is that when there is a need for us to make our own transport to a location that was booked for us, that it be stated in the itinerary not left as a surprise.
Thanks again for the experience and we will be using your services again.

Liam,, of Kimkim was outstanding-always got back to us immediately answering all our questions.
The support team also came thru when Liam wasn't available. When there was a deleted excursion or a change to our rental car the credit was done immediately without any needed paperwork or stall tactics.
Tables Guest House in Skye was our favorite on our 14 day trip.

Hotel Reviews

Raasay House

Raasay

Getting close to ending the season and you could feel it in less food selection and employees ready to go home

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Tables Guest House

Dunvegan

Owners, Stuart & Janet were great hosts-favorite place in our 2 week trip.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

No 26 by the Sea

Oban

Big Room Honesty bar Great location overlooking harbor

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Harbour View B&B

Tobermory

Pon, manager was terrible as she forgot her job was to help us rather than us accommodate her. Breakfast had to be at 8:00 and when we asked for earlier one to catch our ferry she refused...wouldn't even provide us orange juice! So we paid for a breakfast we never got! B&B relying solely on it's excellent location

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

mold on ceiling in shower

Activity Reviews

The Magical Island of Raasay

Scotland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Wildlife Adventures with Sealife mull from Tobermory

Isle of Mull

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

What an absolutely wonderful trip! All thru the planning stage to the very last day...we had excellent care from Pedro and his team! The choice of itinerary...to the hotels chosen for us were exceptional!
The schedule of events was well planned out and gave us a diverse agenda to truly enjoy what Portugal has to offer. The personalized service with private transfers and drivers made every step of the journey stress free and enjoyable (especially Pepe!)
The local tour guides were also very knowledgeable and gave us an in-depth history of each town we explored.
We loved our cooking class (Pastel de Nata), our gastronomic tour and the art of tile making workshop.
Although it's hard to pinpoint what our favorite experience was...the Douro Valley for us was a highlight for sure! The vineyards throughout the valley were outstanding and the lunch at the vineyard was very delicious!

Kudos to Pedro and his team for providing a very memorable trip for us! We will definitely be recommending KimKim to friends/family!

Ian & Margie Burman

We couldn't have been happier with the travel plans laid out by Maria Belen and supported by Ana Maria. Every aspect of our journey was expertly handled, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in our vacation without any logistics stress.

• Seamless Execution: The accommodations selected for us were absolutely excellent. Behind the scenes, the coordination was completely seamless—our guides always met us right on time, and every single transfer went perfectly.

• Enriching Experiences: Our guided tour of Quito was a massive highlight. It was incredibly interesting and educational, giving us a deep appreciation for the vibrant culture and the fascinating historical transformation of Ecuador.

• Phenomenal Support: What truly blew us away was their responsiveness. When we had an urgent request to arrange an air taxi transfer service, Maria Belen and Ana Maria jumped right on it and handled the logistics flawlessly.

💡 A Quick Tip for Fellow Travelers:
While completely out of KimKim's control—as Mother Nature always has the final say—the public speedboat and taxi transfers between the islands can be VERY choppy and a highly unpleasant experience if you are prone to motion sickness. We highly suggest considering the airplane taxi transfers instead. Not only is it a smoother ride, but it also provides a stunning, unique aerial perspective of the islands' geological makeup!

Overall, we cannot say enough how much we enjoyed this experience and appreciated their expert guidance. We highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a perfectly tailored, stress-free adventure!

We loved our trip to Switzerland! The country is beautiful and the people are very welcoming. We visited Lucerne, Grindlewald, Zermatt, Zurich and Interlaken. Our travel was completely by public transportation, trains, boats and busses. The Swiss Travel Pass worked perfectly! We loved not having to stress about making a train at a certain time. My KimKim app worked perfectly also. We had every detail of our trip right at our fingertips and could send messages to our KimKim representative if we ran into a snag. Mathilde, our KimKim rep was a wonderful help in planning a perfect dream trip! Thank you Mathilde. One of our favorite things during the trip was the E-bike ride!! So fun and absolutely beautiful. Our guide, George from Czechoslovakia, was GREAT! This is our second KimKim trip and were planning another one for next year.

Hotel Reviews

Ameron Luzern Hotel Flora

Luzern

Beautiful room. Very convenient to everything. Very walkable to most attractions and close the bridge.

Authenticity & Character

Felt like a vintage find!

Location

Close to the river and bridge

Staff

Only thing was the restaurant staff were not the best.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel Grindelwald

Grindelwald

Beautiful location. Great view of the mountains from the large room. Loved the patio. It was really expensive tho, the restaurant was sooo expensive and not that good honestly. The fondue was not something I would redo.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Really close to the train station and has a beautiful view.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nice bed, shower and patio

Hotel National

Zermatt

Beautiful historic hotel. The room was big and had nice furnishings. Really close to the amenities.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

They accidentally damaged one of our luggage pieces and came forward about it. The actually paid us for a new one! Amazing manager staff. The bartender, from Portugal, was very good.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Glockenhof

Zürich

Weird room. Had a shower with glass walls that looked into the bedroom. Kinda like being on TV display for anyone in the bedroom or other parts of the room. The air conditioning did not work well. Nice to have coffee and tea available in the room. Had a nice area with a desk. It was quite a walk from the train station. We took a hotel van to the airport to avoid that walk again. We were not told the hotel "shuttle" would cost us $80, and were surprised to find that out at the airport by the driver who asked us to pay him.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Far walk from the train station. Nice for other things, like the lake and shopping/dining.

Staff

Pretty cold staff at the front desk.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was clean and the bed was okay

Activity Reviews

E-bike tour Lauterbrunnen & Valley of 72 Waterfalls

Switzerland

Absolutely loved this adventure. It was perfect. Beautiful, fun and engaging. Our guide, George, was perfect.

Quality of Experience

Food

The Swiss picnic was perfect. Fresh cheeses, sausage and tomatoes.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

George was very helpful, knowledgeable and fun.

Transport

Summer Kayak Tour Lake Brienz

Switzerland

This was a great tour! We really enjoyed the beautiful lake. The guides were fun and engaging. We were provided wetsuits to wear over our shorts. The water was COLD! It was September and perfect weather, but the water is fed from a glacier so.... At first I had no intention of getting in the water, but I am sooo glad I did. I mean, when are you giong to be able to do this again!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gornergrat panoramic train (return day-ticket & Priority boarding)

Switzerland

This was a beautiful train ride. The train car was comfortable and we could see everything well. We were happy to have the priority boarding tickets as there were lots of people clamoring to get the best seats. The train stopped along the way so you could get off and check things out then continue.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Swiss Travel Pass

Switzerland

This is a MUST HAVE! Worked perfectly. We were able to get on any train, bus or boat with this pass. We only had to show our pass a few times. We took trains in Italy and had to be on time for the train we paid for. Very stressful. This Swiss Pass allowed for you to take whatever train fit your schedule. So if you missed one train, simply wait for the next one. It was GREAT to have the pass in our KimKim app. So convenient and easy. The trains are very punctual. We had one train that needed to have some kind of repair and we had to change trains only one time.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fondue Gondola (To book in advance & to pay on-site)

Switzerland

This was neat, but not a must-do. The little gondola was super cute and it was fun to be out there all by ourselves in the little thing. The fondue was just okay. Staff was slow to provide service.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (Round-trip Tickets)

Zermatt

Wow! What a view and to be INSIDE a glacier was amazing!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Night Watchman Walk in Lucerne (private tour)

Lucerne

Super fun experience. We loved being the only ones on the tour. The guide was great and very knowledgeable local.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Just completed a smooth 6-day journey across Lorraine planned with the help of Nathalie/kimkim, visiting small villages where our 19th-century family ancestors once lived. Hotels in Nancy, Zweibrücken and Strasbourg were well-chosen and reflected local histories rather than international hotel chain homogeneity. Local drivers Olivier and Pauline were charming, wonderfully knowledgeable and flexible, enabling our group of 6 travelers to stop, look and make unplanned visits to local museums or sites as we discovered them in real time (cemeteries, farms tucked away on winding lanes, tiny glass-making museums). The two wine caves we visited along the Alsatian wine road were also great fun, enabling us to talk with the owners and wine-makers and not just hired staff. This trip allowed us to sample the countryside (rather than the large cities), an experience we could not have arranged on our own.

Hotel Review

Romantik Hotel Landschloss Fasanerie

Zweibrucken

Handsomely appointed hotel in a restored 18th-century baroque estate with gardens, pool and sauna and two splendid restaurants, one formal, one rustic, located several km from the center of Zweibrücken. Generously sized rooms, exquisite service.

Authenticity & Character

Location

In the countryside

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Alsace wine route tour - from Strasbourg

Strasbourg

For me, the Alsatian Wine Tour was a delight. I knew very little about Alsatian wines, and left the area with a new appreciation of their variety. The hosts at our two vineyards were informative and eager to answer all our questions. Both afternoons were a highlight for our entire group, which ranged from wine snobs to those who know what they like but have little background in wine culture. We all learned from and loved this experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

In the footsteps of our ancestors around Moselle (France) and Germany

Zweibrücken

Great fun driving through the countryside, trying to find traces of ancestors who lived in these villages more than 200 years ago. First organized by Napoleon, the civil registration records for births, marriages and deaths, now scanned and available at websites of the regional archives, offered just enough breadcrumbs to follow our ancestors as they grew their families and struggled to make a living in 19th-century France. Talk to a genealogist to get started.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Working with Melanie to plan our trip was effortless and all went smoothly. She was very accommodating when we requested changes prior to and during the trip. Our concierge, Lorenzo, was also very helpful during the trip and kept us informed by sending us a message every evening with the itinerary details for the next day. We always received timely responses when we had questions.

Hotel Reviews

Central Wellness Hotel Sorrento

Sorrento

This place was fantastic! Very clean. Awesome buffet breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful modern rooms!

Location

Location is very good with a short walk to downtown amidst a lot of traffic and little sidewalk at times which is just due to the area.

Staff

Staff was very friendly and welcoming.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The room was spotless!

Terrazza Core Amalfitano

Amalfi

Beautiful and spacious suite!

Authenticity & Character

Location

The location itself is close to everything including busses and ferries so expect it to be busy which we didn't mind. Two notable things: the entrance is in a traffic tunnel and is poorly marked and pretty impossible to find initially. There is no actual porch/entryway so the moment you step out of the place you are literally in traffic with the exception of a tiny shoulder/path that doesn't seem to be meant for passengers. Secondly, there is a beautiful terrace facing the water but you will share it with two other guest rooms. The areas are sectioned off but there really isn't privacy on the terrace.

Staff

They were very kind and came to find us when we couldn't find the place. However, there was a bit of confusion because they were calling out a name that was not ours and also did not match that of our travel company. They said they were not given our name when reservations were made. We were also told that breakfast was provided at nearby restaurant with the exception of the first day we were there and breakfast would be provided at our accommodation. Unfortunately, the lady that gave us this info got the days reversed so we were left without breakfast the first day as the restaurant was closed. We did mention it to the staff the next day, but they acted like it must have been our misunderstanding. Not a huge deal.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The suite was spotless!

Dimore di Brando

Polignano a Mare

This is a very nice place to stay. The location was perfect and pretty much everything was within walking distance.

Authenticity & Character

Location

The location is perfect but a little difficult to find initially. The location of our room was different than the office. Travelers should know that they cannot be dropped off or picked up where this place is located as no vehicles can get to it so expect to haul your luggage a bit.

Staff

The staff was attentive and cordial.

Cleanliness & Comfort

There was mold/mildew in multiple places in the bathroom.

Activity Reviews

Full day driver to visit Alberobello and Ostuni + stop for lunch in a typical estate

Italy

We are glad we got to see Alberobello and Ostuni. Our driver, Salvatore, was excellent and even called a restaurant to let them know we were coming for lunch. We loved the restaurant he recommended.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ebike tour from Polignano with picnic

Italy

We loved this experience! Our guide, Davide, was awesome and very knowledgeable about the area. We were happy we got to see Monopoli on this tour. We stopped at a farm for lunch where they make mozzarella. It was fantastic!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Davide was very personable and watched out for us in traffic. He also gave us the best recommendation on where to get gelato.

Transport

I do think a change here may be warranted to avoid riding in traffic so much.

Private transfer full day: Pompeii & lunch

Italy

We absolutely loved this day and highly recommend it! I am not a history buff, but was just amazed with Pompeii. The grounds at the winery were stunning and the staff couldn't have been better.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide at Pompeii couldn't have been better and the same goes for the person at the winery that gave us the tour via golf cart.

Transport

Our driver, Andrea, was very sweet, accommodating, and helpful.

So fortunate to have found this travel company!! Handed off to “say hueque” regional experts for final plans and execution. Everything was so smooth, complete, and perfect. Every guide so hospitable and knowledgeable. Hiking Iguazú , cooking class and tastings at vineyards in Mendoza, bucket list Machu Picchu, culture immersion in Sacred valley and Lake Titicaca just to name a few all add up to one Epic adventure!!! Thanks so much for one of our favorite travels!!

Hotel Reviews

L'Hôtel Palermo

Buenos Aires

Great location, clean, hospitable staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Jardin De Iguazu

Puerto Iguazú

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Power goes out frequently so got a bit warm

La Masía Hotel Boutique

Chacras de Coria

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The sweet lady who served us there was the BEST! So kind. Made me tea to take with me when I wasn’t feeling well.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Union Hotel Cusco

Cusco

Authenticity & Character

Loved Kiki the alpaca rescue who lives in the courtyard.

Location

Staff

The breakfast staff was especially hospitable. Great smiles, humor and service!!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Andina Standard Puno

Puno

The only thing that wasn’t up to par was the restaurant. Service was majorly slow and the food one we got it was not good.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Half-Day Buenos Aires City Tour

Buenos Aires

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Iguazú Falls Argentine side

Puerto Iguazú

Can’t even describe the power of the falls. Incredible experience!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Bruno was excellent!

Transport

Full-Day Wineries

Chacras de Coria

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day Cooking Class & Lunch at Lamadrid Winery (Lujan de Cuyo)

Chacras de Coria

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Leo and Julian were so much fun. Excelllent chef and teacher.

Transport

Full-Day Sacred Valley

Cusco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Full-Day tour to Machu Picchu

Cusco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

So knowledgeable. Loves his heritage and it’s evident when he is guiding.

Transport

Full-Day Uros Islands & Taquile with Speed Boat, semi-private service with English-speaking guide

Puno

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-Day City Tour

Cusco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tango Show & Dinner, shared service with private transfers at La Ventana

Buenos Aires

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Train Ticket: PeruRail Titicaca Train | Cusco – Puno

Cusco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half Day Brazilian Falls tour

Argentina

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport