Sabina Din

My now-wife and I gave Sabina a very short lead time of less than a month to plan a 2-week honeymoon in New Zealand in April 2023. Sabina exceeded our expectations, putting together a fantastic trip and working with us to make sure that we didn't go over our budget. She was very responsive to our communications both in the planning stage and also when we were on the trip. For example, when one of our domestic flights from the North Island to the South Island was slightly delayed, Sabina... read more

My now-wife and I gave Sabina a very short lead time of less than a month to plan a 2-week honeymoon in New Zealand in April 2023. Sabina exceeded our expectations, putting together a fantastic trip and working with us to make sure that we didn't go over our budget. She was very responsive to our communications both in the planning stage and also when we were on the trip. For example, when one of our domestic flights from the North Island to the South Island was slightly delayed, Sabina called us immediately and made sure that we had the updated reservation information. She also entertained numerous annoying queries from us like, "What is tipping culture like here?", "What is this marmite stuff and why does it taste so awful?", "Where can we find spicy food?" and similar questions that arose for us while we were on the trip. We enjoyed all of the activities that Sabina planned and recommended. We highly recommend Sabina to anyone traveling to New Zealand.

Kimkim (Sabina) did an excellent job in planning my 24-day self-driving tour of the South Island of New Zealand. Other than a few days of rain and wind, that resulted in me missing the Whale Watching cruise in Kaikoura and the glacier cruise at Mt. Cook, everything went as planned and exceeded my expectations!

The car was perfect for me, all of the driving instructions and maps were very valuable, and all of the booked motels were very nice and were expecting me :-)

I hiked most of the... read more

Kimkim (Sabina) did an excellent job in planning my 24-day self-driving tour of the South Island of New Zealand. Other than a few days of rain and wind, that resulted in me missing the Whale Watching cruise in Kaikoura and the glacier cruise at Mt. Cook, everything went as planned and exceeded my expectations!

The car was perfect for me, all of the driving instructions and maps were very valuable, and all of the booked motels were very nice and were expecting me :-)

I hiked most of the recommended tracks and loved them all, finding over 250 species of birds, flowers, mammals, ferns, trees, etc. that were new to me :-). I also did a bungee jump off the Kawarau Bridge and a Luge run while in Queenstown :-). The 3 guided hikes on the Routeburn, Kepler, and Milford tracks in Te Anau were fun with excellent guides, especially Geoff Barnes !

I also took two recommended detours to Blue Pools and Arrowtown, which I would recommend too :-)

The trans-alpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch was a very pleasant break from driving and I was very happy to find Steve Wilson, no relation, waiting for me in Christchurch, to shuttle me to my motel.

I have already recommended using Kimkim to others and will continue to do so. Kimkim also arranged a fabulous custom trip for me to Colombia before the pandemic :-)

Hotel Reviews

Bella Vista Christchurch

Christchurch

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Hotel Nelson

Nelson

Nice restaurant!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bella Vista Motel Blenheim

Blenheim

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bella Vista

Kaikoura

Authenticity & Character

Location

For

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mt Cook Lodge & Motels

Canterbury

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bella Vista Queenstown

Queenstown

Authenticity & Character

Location

CTR

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bella Vista Motel Te Anau

Te Anau

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bella Vista Motel Wanaka

Wanaka

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Punga Grove Motels & Suites

Franz Josef / Waiau

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Punakaiki Beachfront Motels

Punakaiki

Great food at motel restaurant :-)

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Nelson Lakes National Park

New Zealand

I visited Nelson Lakes National Park, where I went on a beautiful hike and encountered some unique wildlife, like flightless birds and stunning purple mushrooms. The park's scenery was breathtaking, and I really enjoyed my time there.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Self-drove this trip and Sabina provided an awesome scenic route for the whole trip!

Nelson/ Abel Tasman free day

New Zealand

I did a nice out-and-back trail and found some more amazing birds, plants, and mushrooms.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kaikoura

Kaikoura

About a two-hour drive to Kaikoura, the rental car company provided a GPS unit but the car had CarPlay so I just used Google Maps from my phone and you are able to get directions. I had coverage for the whole trip. Kaikoura was an interesting town.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walking tracks in and around Kaikoura

Kaikoura

I hiked various walking tracks in and around Kaikoura, taking in the stunning landscapes and coastal views.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kaikoura Whale Watching Tour

New Zealand

I was supposed to go on a Kaikoura Whale Watching Tour with a small group, but due to rough seas, it was canceled. Instead, I went on a different tour and saw hundreds of dolphins, even capturing some amazing photos and videos of them flipping and playing in the water.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Christchurch free day

Christchurch

I took a break during my drive to Christchurch and did a 4-5 mile hike at a nature preserve along a river. I discovered and reported about 170 new species of plants, animals, and fungi. In Christchurch, I went for runs along the Avon River and visited the Arboretum.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Glacier Explorers - Mount Cook

Mount Cook Village

I went to Mount Cook but never got to see it due to rainy weather. However, I completed all six trail recommended by Sabina. I enjoyed the trails and the local restaurants.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Queenstown Adventure & Wine

Queenstown (NZ)

I did a bungee jump at the bridge for my adventure day, I recommend paying for the photos and videos as they came out really well. I also took a gondola ride and participated in a fun activity similar to bobsledding. Although I didn't try the vertical wind tunnel skydiving simulation, I had an overall positive experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Te Anau and Manapouri

New Zealand

I arrived at Te Anau and hiked a part of the Kepler Track on my own, discovering many fly agaric mushrooms and beautiful forests carpeted in thick green moss. I also crossed several swinging bridges during the hike.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kepler Track Guided Heli-Hike with Trips and Tramps

Te Anau

For this hike, they take you above the alpine in a small helicopter and drop you off at a hut where you hike to the top of the mountain. At the end of the hike, you get lunch and hike down to the treeline and got to see more plants and moss. Made some permanent friends on this part of the trip, and loved being a part of the group.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Milford Track Guided Walk and Scenic Cruise with Trips and Tramps

New Zealand

I joined a group and hiked the Milford Track. We also took a two-hour boat trip from the fjord to the Tasman Sea, enjoying the green scenery and waterfalls along the way.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Routeburn Track Guided Day Walk

Te Anau

I did 3 different hikes here, beautiful forest with thick moss. It was an incredible place for photos. There were many swinging bridges that were amazing. Very safe, and cool to see. Great trails for running too! The guide was very nice and we kept the same pace which was nice. We finished the hike quickly and then went to the bird sanctuary.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Wanaka

Wānaka

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hiking in Wanaka

Wānaka

This day I explored Wanaka and hiked several trails, including Roy's Peak track, Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain, Mount Iron track, and the Outlet track. I enjoyed the beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lake Wānaka Cruise and Island Nature Walk

Wānaka

I went on a Lake Wānaka Cruise and Island Nature Walk, where I saw the rare Buff Weka, a flightless bird found only on one island in New Zealand. I also enjoyed hiking in Wanaka, where I encountered several other interesting birds and took in the stunning landscapes.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier

I visited Franz Josef Glacier, but unfortunately, it was foggy and I couldn't see the glacier clearly. However, I hiked several trails in the area, such as the Douglass Walk, Franz Josef Glacier Walk, Link One Backtrack, and more.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Paparoa National Park

Punakaiki

I explored Paparoa National Park and its famous Pancake Rocks. Although the ocean surges were not as impressive as I had hoped, I still enjoyed observing the unique rock formations and taking in the beautiful coastal scenery.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

CHCH Touring - Private Transfer Train Station to Accommodation

Christchurch

The guide Steve Wilson, was there right on the time holding a sign with my name to take me to the airport very nice guy.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My Trip Was Amazing.
Sabina understood my requirements and tailor made an itinerary. My Itinerary had some tourist stuff, some road trip, some urban hikes and all.
Overall it was a great adventure and can't wait to come back to New Zeland Again.

If I plan it again, I would consult Sabina for a tailor Made itinerary.

Regards
Venkat Abhishek Davuluri read more

My Trip Was Amazing.
Sabina understood my requirements and tailor made an itinerary. My Itinerary had some tourist stuff, some road trip, some urban hikes and all.
Overall it was a great adventure and can't wait to come back to New Zeland Again.

If I plan it again, I would consult Sabina for a tailor Made itinerary.

Regards
Venkat Abhishek Davuluri

What separates the excellent from the merely very good is how they deal with problems. Sabina came through in spades.
Cyclone Gabrielle arrived the week before our arrival and disrupted our itinerary.
She worked overtime to ensure our trip was still wonderful.
While others were struggling with reservations and ferry crossings, everything went smoothly for us.
In addition, the hotels Sabina booked were great. As we had asked, she booked at various price points from moderate to... read more

What separates the excellent from the merely very good is how they deal with problems. Sabina came through in spades.
Cyclone Gabrielle arrived the week before our arrival and disrupted our itinerary.
She worked overtime to ensure our trip was still wonderful.
While others were struggling with reservations and ferry crossings, everything went smoothly for us.
In addition, the hotels Sabina booked were great. As we had asked, she booked at various price points from moderate to luxury.
Each was unique and lovely. In no way were they cookie cutter rooms.
Finally, Sabina worked hard to include all the activities we wanted.
In conclusion we recommend Kim-Kim and Sabina very highly.

Activity Review

Hukafalls Jet

New Zealand

An adrenaline rush.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I was initially set up with a specialist who wasn't listening to my preferences and became increasingly more difficult to communicate with. Once I voiced my concerns though, I was matched with Sabina who was such a pleasure to work with! She was always quick to respond, worked with me on a good balance between budget and activities, and made my trip such an incredible experience. I'd love to work with her in the future when I go back to visit New Zealand and Australia!

This was a trip of a lifetime for my husband and I. Sabina developed the most action-packed 23 days in New Zealand's south island. We did all of the helicopter items, mountain biking, hiking, canyoning, jet boating, kayaking, and stargazing. Our cups were full by the end of the trip. In fact we didn't want to leave!

The entire trip was amazing. It was such a wonderful experience to have everything all planned out in what in my opinion is the most beautiful country in the world. The only advice I would give is to remind the guide to make sure they're getting the best deals when they purchase tickets to various experiences. We were a family of 2 adults and 2 kids and one booking was made for 4 adults and another one could have been purchased as a family package instead of 4 separate tickets, which would... read more

The entire trip was amazing. It was such a wonderful experience to have everything all planned out in what in my opinion is the most beautiful country in the world. The only advice I would give is to remind the guide to make sure they're getting the best deals when they purchase tickets to various experiences. We were a family of 2 adults and 2 kids and one booking was made for 4 adults and another one could have been purchased as a family package instead of 4 separate tickets, which would have been a few dollars less. Other than those minor details, everything was extremely well planned out so that we did not have to rush anywhere, and we moved seamlessly from city to city. I would definitely use kimkim again.

Hotel Reviews

M Social Auckland

Auckland

Great food and central location with beautiful views.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mantra Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

It was a cute and comfortable little house with all the amenities of an air bnb. It was located walking distance to the lake. My only recommendations to the staff is to update the pots and pans - they were very used and the Teflon was peeling. Also, there were no condiments, oils, or seasonings that one would normally find in a comparable an air bnb. Because we were only there for a few days, it didn't make sense to buy an entire bottle of oil or butter to cook with for example, so our use of the kitchen was limited. It was nice that it had a washer/dryer, heaters on both floors and a connected garage to keep the car warm.

Authenticity & Character

Super cute and user friendly

Location

Walking distance to the lake

Staff

There was nobody there when we checked in or out. A key was left in a locker.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was very clean. Newer pots/pans were due in our unit.

Rydges Rotorua

Rotorua

It was a clean and comfortable stay. The restaurant downstairs had a buffet but the food was not the greatest. The gift shop is only open 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours at night. It was difficult to catch it open because we had daytime activities but once we did, we were pleasantly surprised at the variety and prices of the items sold. They had 2 EV parking spaces, which was nice because parking was sometimes full and we happened to have a hybrid. I would stay again.

Authenticity & Character

Location

It's a 5 min drive to all the restaurants next to the lake

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Distinction Christchurch Hotel

Christchurch

It's very elegant and clean. The restaurant downstairs was great and everyone was welcoming and nice. There is a charge for parking but it's worth it because there is no other parking nearby. I wish we would have stayed here longer.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walking distance to great food and the theater

Staff

The front desk gave us wonderful ideas for things we could do on a rainy day.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rydges Lakeland Queenstown

Beautiful views from all the rooms. The room was clean but it had an awkward layout (I would imagine it's to ensure the beautiful views from both the bedroom and the sitting area. The walls are super thin as we could hear our neighbors having a regular conversation. There was no designated area for a coffee machine so the water pot was placed behind the TV in the sitting area but there were no cups. We went down to the lobby where they have a coffee machine, but the front desk attendant does not make coffee so we had to wait for the restaurant upstairs to open at 7am. There was a small refrigerator in the room but it would make a loud noise that wouldn't let us sleep so we had to unplug it and couldn't use it. Parking is limited and there is a fee if you are able to get a spot. However, you don't need a car as it's located walking distance from lots of great restaurants, stores and activities.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Fullers Ferry Auckland to Rangitoto Island return trip

Auckland

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Milford Sound Full-Day Adventure

Queenstown (NZ)

Our guide Andy was amazing. It was a rainy day and yet everything about the drive was great despite the time and distance. Highly recommended.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport