Joseph Thuo

We spent a magical week of wild life safari in Kenya thanks to the extraordinary services provided by Joseph and his team at Nariku Travel Experiences. Andy, was our personal guide and jeep driver who ensured that we had no difficulties in checking in to the various lodges and kept us informed and entertained during the several game drives we went through. Andy went above and beyond to ensure that we got to see the Big 5 animals and much more!

Joseph addressed all of our questions and concerns before and during our trip very quickly to give us peace of mind. There were no surprises either in the itinerary or costs - everything was well designed and transparent.

We very highly recommend Nariku Travel and will most certainly be using their services in the future…

Hotel Reviews

Kibo Safari Camp

Amboseli

Lodging is good , food is excellent and people are the best! My spouse fell sick while we stayed here, and the Asst Manager Mr. Joseph helped us so much, I will always be grateful to him.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fair Acres Boutique Hotel

Karen, Nairobi. P. O Box 1121 – 00208 Nairobi.

Rooms are good and clean. Room service is non responsive. Breakfast menu is very limited, Restaurant service is very slow.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lake Naivasha Simba lodge

Naivasha

Good accommodations, and wonderful food! Hotel grounds are v exquisite. Hippos are shy didn’t come out of water

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lake Nakuru Lodge

Nakuru

Location and rooms are good. Food was below average, and not many vegetarian options. They let the bonfire die by 8pm, and didn’t kindle the fire even when requested

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pride Inn Mara Camp

Accommodation is excellent, and we loved the outdoor shower experience. Lots of modern amenities provided. Indian food here was the best we had on our trip, really fantastic. We celebrated my son’s birthday here, and they baked a cake for us, and had the Masai tribesmen wish him.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom shower and sink is very luxurious

Activity Reviews

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lake Naivasha Activities

Kenya

Lake Naivasha Hells Gate National Park

Kenya

Our guides Kevin and Dennis made Hells Gate very memorable for us! Their energy and enthusiasm kept the trip very interesting and fun.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Lake Nakuru National Park Game Drive

Nakuru

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara

Maasai Mara Game Drives

Masai Mara

I loved the customized trip and personal service, it made everything so easy! The excursions and accommodations were amazing. All the drivers and guides were very good, but especially our guides in Cape Town and Amboseli, who treated us like family.

Our trip to Kenya, organized by Joseph from KimKim, was nothing short of a dream come true. My partner and I, now happily engaged, wanted to witness the Great Migration and experience a hot air balloon ride over the breathtaking landscapes of the Masaai Mara. Joseph meticulously planned every detail, making this a trip we will cherish forever.

During our stay in the Masaai Mara, we were fortunate to have Thomas as our private game driver. His kindness and extensive knowledge of the area truly enhanced our safari experience. We stayed at the Matira Bush Camp, which exceeded all our expectations. The service was exceptional, and the staff went above and beyond to make our stay special. Matira played a crucial role in organizing our engagement, arranging private cocktail drinks in the bush followed by a romantic private dinner. It was an unforgettable experience.

After the excitement of the safari, we transferred to Diani Beach for some relaxation. Our stay at the Diani Beach Resort was equally incredible, with top-notch service and a beautiful setting. We even had the opportunity to snorkel with the vibrant marine life, which was a perfect way to unwind after the adventure-packed days in the Mara.

In summary, this trip was a perfect blend of adventure, romance, and relaxation. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a memorable and personalized safari holiday in Kenya. Thank you, Joseph, and everyone who made this trip so special!

Hotel Reviews

Fair Acres Boutique Hotel

Karen, Nairobi. P. O Box 1121 – 00208 Nairobi.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Matira Bush Camp

Nairobi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Diani Sea Lodge

Diani Beach

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Maasai Mara National Reserve Game Drives

Masai Mara

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

same as previous answer

Maasai Mara Game Drives & Hot Air Balloon Ride

Masai Mara

Quality of Experience

Food

Breakfast was incredible.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

David the pilot was incredible!

Transport

Was a very smooth, magical ride. We felt safe the entire time.

Diani Beach Activities

Diani Beach

Quality of Experience

Food

Deserts can be improved. And for the buffet, a lot of flies. Need some kind of solution. (Eg: Maybe citronells scent / fly strips to catch them.. something.)

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Maasai Mara National Reserve

Masai Mara

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The car made a beeping noise constantly, it was frustrating.

Our Kenyan guide George was awesome- such personality and so joyful! From the moment he picked us up at the airport, we felt comfortable and well cared for- we didn’t have to think at all about next steps, where to go, what attractions to see, where our meals were, etc. Everything was exquisitely planned.
We saw the big 5 before we left Kenya!
Our Tanzanian guide, Francis was great too and this part of the trip was also well planned without us having to think about a thing! Francis is passionate about the animals and knows so much about them. Francis found remote spots in the parks, which gave us a different perspective.
The Serengeti is HUGE! We finally saw lion cubs and a hunt!
Unfortunately, the vehicle needed some repairs and he was struggling with it stalling and having to restart along the way. Thankfully with his mechanic background he figured out how to keep it moving.
The only general feedback (for the whole trip) I would give is that the travel time on travel days was underestimated and we often arrived at the next spot later than anticipated.
The lodges and camps were all wonderful in their own ways. Not being a fan of camping I was worried about the tented camps, but they were all so comfortable and the staff so accommodating. The food was great and the wine was always pouring. My favorite lodging experience had to be the Kilimanjaro Coffee House. We were the only guests and felt so pampered!
While the kids hiked, we took a tour of the coffee farm, hiked to a waterfall nearby and enjoyed a massage. It’s a magical place.

Wow. Just Wow!
Four of us made a last minute decision to go to Kenya to revisit some places my husband and family remember as children and to create new memories now as adults and to bring their spouses to share those experiences with. Within a very short timeline Joseph at KimKim created an itinerary and plan that was nothing short of perfect. Joseph delivered this itinerary in a very short time span.

Joseph was incredibly responsive and no questions were left unanswered with great attention to detail. Throughout our trip he was quick to respond and ensured all was going
As planned. No stones were left unturned.

Our group of four were paired up with our driver and guide Eric. Eric was truly exceptional. He helped to find all the places my husband and brother-in-law wanted to visit with ease and coordinated admittance with grace and ease. Eric was patient, kind and thoughtful as the brother visited and reminisced at places of their childhood. He enjoyed looking at the pictures of their childhood and listening to the stories of their life in Kenya in the late 1960’s.

Eric introduced us to Kenyan Life as he drove us around the countryside. He was our drive during our game drives and we could not have asked for better. He wanted to ensure we saw everything there was to see. He spoke with staff at parks and with rangers to enhance our experience. No one could ask for more than he provided to us.

Some of the roads were encountered along the way were pretty rough. It was a bit disconcerting at times when the bottom of the vehicle scraped along. Eric took this all in stride. A vehicle with higher clearance would be ideal for these types of situations.

The attention paid to each and every aspect of this trip was really beyond compare.
Each hotel/accommodation was unique and varied. All were fantastic. Joseph provided us with some many new experiences and honored the old. Not a detail was missed from flights, hotels and lunch reservations.

Joseph, Eric and the team at KimKim made the whole African experience of old and new memories so incredibly special and for that we are truly grateful.

When we decided last minute to take a trip from Calgary to Kenya I had no idea where to start. With only days to to plan a deeply personal and emotional trip for our group and given our tight timeline and the complexity of our needs, (and specifically my lack of knowledge of where we were going!!!), I was initially apprehensive about the trip and how everything would come together. I sent a simple message to a website called KimKim and all my worries vanished. Joseph connected with me immediately and exceeded all expectations and delivered an extraordinary experience. Truly.

From the very beginning, Joseph demonstrated an incredible sense of urgency and responsiveness. Within hours of our initial contact, he provided a comprehensive outline of our potential itinerary, tailored perfectly to our specific desires and requirements. His quick responses to emails and phone calls ensured that every detail was addressed promptly, leaving no room for stress or uncertainty. I truly wonder when he sleeps!!! Right up until the very last day he organized us and ensured our safety from the first to the last day.

In addition to Joseph's perfection in planning, our trip driver/guide , Eric, went completely above and beyond. We went to Kenya to re-vist the places my husband and his family lived in 1967, 1968 and 1969. Eric, our guide and now our friend, was able to connect with the local people in a capacity that we never would have been able to communicate properly. He spoke so well with guards at the college where my father in law taught and lived at, enabling us the opportunity to enter the community and see the home they lived in. We visited the school where my brother in law attended, which was a truly moving experience seeing where he spent years as a young boy. The golf courses their father played and the hotels the favoured. He found and took us to places that we were unsure we would even be able to find.

Half our trip was old memories then the next half was new memories. Eric took us on a few safari's where we saw the most beautiful animals and we were able to get closer to some than we ever thought imaginable. He was relentless trying to find us a lion! He talked with the rangers with such respect and taught us so much.

The only suggestion I would have is that we wished the vehicle we had was better. Eric did an incredible job driving on very poor roads, through the safari and from location to location. The vehicle should have been raised higher. I would only suggest when using this company that you request a better vehicle for the roads.

Accuracy was another area where both Joseph and Eric were incredible. They meticulously arranged every aspect of our journey, from flights and accommodations to local tours and special activities. Despite the short timeline, there were no errors or misunderstandings; everything was exactly as promised. It was evident that they paid close attention to every detail, ensuring our trip was seamless and enjoyable.

Communication was clear, consistent, and compassionate throughout the entire planning process and during our trip. Eric took the time to understand the emotional significance of our trip and handled all arrangements with a level of care and sensitivity that made us feel valued and understood. They kept us updated at every stage, providing reassurance and support when we needed it most.

Our trip turned out to be a profoundly moving and unforgettable experience. Their ability to deliver such a well-organized and meaningful trip on a short timeline was truly impressive. I wholeheartedly recommend Joseph at Nariku Travel to anyone in need of a travel agent who is not only professional and efficient but also empathetic and dedicated to creating memorable journeys.

Thank you, Joseph & Eric, for turning our vision into reality and for making our trip so special. We will always be grateful.

Hi Joseph,
Doug Fishman and I completed this form in person and gave it to Aggrey, our fantastic guide. I have nothing but praise for his warm personality, animal knowledge, habitat and geographic expertise, and ability to light up a room with his friendly manner. All the camps and lodges were excellent with very kind hosts. Aggrey was adaptable to our needs and showed kindness to the other guides and staff by sharing our uneaten food. We saw all the animals we had hoped to see and Aggrey was skilled in using the cell phone and binoculars to get great images. Thanks to Kim Kim for arranging this once in a lifetime trip. Fred Pinkney, Takoma Park, MD USA.

Our trip climbing Kilimanjaro followed by a safari organized by Kimkim was fantastic. Our lead guide on Kili, Abu, was professional and really helpful. Our other guides, Nazoru and Lulu, were equally fantastic. On the safari to Tarangire park, Serengeti and Nagorogorno crater, or guide and driver, John, was so knowledgeable about the environs and animals. He really made the long driving days special. Thank you team!