We love getting feedback from our passengers after they complete their Kiwi Experience. Feedback helps us tweak Kiwi Experience for other passengers or simply lets us know when we've done a great job.
Some of our passengers stay in touch for years to come. We love that!
Reviews
Rating Snapshot
Overall
Aurelia • 7 years ago
I loved it!
It was a spontaneous decision and I don't regret it at all
Lovisa • 7 years ago
Disappointing
Was really disappointed in this experience. The customer service was really bad, as most employees in the office were quite rude when we needed help to make changes in our booking or had questions. You also forgot to book us in on buses two times which caused us a lot of trouble. When the cyclone hit us in Kaiteriteri there was no communication at all to inform us about our buses, and the office were not helpful when we called to ask about it. I understand that things were unclear, but at least try to be understanding that we were really worried about how our travel plans were gonna be affected as we had a time limit, and don't just deflect the questions. Furthermore it really felt like you were just trying to make as much money as possible, when we stopped in places like Lake Mahinipua and River Valley. In River Valley the only activities were really expensive, so if you didn't have the money there was not much else to do and we weren't given the option to skip the stop. In Lake Mahinipua you were not given the option to cook for yourself - you had to buy the accommodation package with food, even if you actually wanted to cook by yourself. Another annoying thing was when drivers told us to be back at the bus a certain time, but were late themselves. Then they got mad at other people when they were late... Just stick to the time you said so we don't have to hurry eating or whatever just to end up waiting for 20 minutes to leave anyway. Overall I didn't think this was worth the money for what I got - bad service both from the office and some rude drivers, and having to spend money on accommodation in places I would rather have skipped altogether.
Pernille Busk • 7 years ago
Great experience
Overall, I had a great experience with Kiwi and I got to see the things I had planned to see. The drivers, especially Rob, were great, funny and they gave some good advises. However, I have to say that if you are travelling alone, wanting to get out and see stuff, and if you are not really into partying, Kiwi may not be the best solution for you. The crowd mainly consists of young people (18-22) who likes to go out pretty much all the time and be hungover the following day. Besides that, you will spend 1/3 of your time in NZ on a bus instead of actually seeing things, which I found a bit sad. But overall, my experience was great and I would recommend Kiwi.
Andy1993 • 7 years ago
Awesome Kiwi
If you are unsure or overwhemled by how amazong NZ os and what to do Kiwi lays it all our for you. Brilliant experience, one I wont forget.
Piarella • 7 years ago
Awesome experience :)
Only had two weeks and so I could only do the little tour till Taupo in the Northern Island in Febuary. But I'm happy that I went with Kiwi experience. I didn't have to plan anything and did/saw so many great things with lots of great people from all over the world.
Ceige • 7 years ago
Incredible experience!!
I booked the Kiwi Experience a few months ago and was one of the best decisions I have made for travelling so far. I can not recommend it enough. It’s by far the best way to be able to see New Zealand, however fast or slow you want to travel round the country, kiwi experience creates an itinerary just how you would like it and are so flexible to change even on the trip 2 days before you get to that destination! It allows you to be able to get the opportunity to do pretty much every/all the best activities that there are to do in New Zealand by just signing your name on a sheet of paper and they will drop you off or organise any transport if needed. As well booking hostels, by just writing your name on a sheet they hand round and what hostel you want to stay at, they organise it all for you, drop you off at the doorstep and book your nights there. The bus drivers are all such lovely people, full of energy and very helpful. They know everything about every destination you go to, so you definitely won’t lack in information about each stop. I have made the most amazing friends from the tour that I will keep in touch with forever. Every penny spent was worth it!
NatashaLouHares • 7 years ago
Sweet as!
I loved going on the kiwi bus and everything is made so easy for you with booking on the bus and most of the drivers know it inside and out. Such a social experience as well and most of the drivers are excited to get involved too! Could not recommend Kiwi experience enough. I have the most amazing memories of New Zealans thanks to Kiwi Experience
Bruno92 • 7 years ago
Amazing way to see everything
I had a great time with Kiwi experience on my tour. The staff in the office was really helpful, bus drivers were friendly and did their best to organize everything and answer any questions we had no matter how silly! I think this is a great way to experience New Zealand if it is your first visit because the Kiwi tour really covers most major places you’d want to visit and offers a bunch of activities. They can also offer you accomodation because of the arangements they have with certain hostels which guarantee you have a room if you are on the bus. Down side is that it is not always as flexible as they say, especially if you travel during peak season. This can mean that you can’t always have the exact number of nights at one place as you’d like because the buses for the next couple of days are filled meaning you either can’t extend your stay or have to extend it much longer than you intended. This can be avoided by some preparation and good planing before the trip but it’s definetly something to keep in mind. Also you are on the move almost every day which can get a bit tiring after a while but if you want to see as much as possible it is absolutely the right way to go. Dispite these smaller problems it was an amazing experience thanks to which I made a lot of new friends from all around the world and I would definetly recommend Kiwi Experience to everyone who comes to New Zealand!
flore42 • 7 years ago
Nice for my first trip
My overall experience was pretty fun! The drivers were cool and answered all my questions if I was confused. But I would say that kiwi is less hop on hop off than it advertises itself as.. and it would be nice if every bus has WiFi which would make so many people’s lives easier! But for me kiwi was sweet as :)
John • 7 years ago
I admire the Kiwi.
I admire the Kiwi. I admire the Kiwi’s ‘get up and go’, ‘if it’s busted fix it’ attitude. I now know that when you rent a campervan that they expect you to have the same attitude. Rental 41 days from the 14/2/18 Day 1. Arrive at the Britz reception at 10.00 am. In the camper and on the road by 11.30am. After about an hour the engine warning light came on. When we stopped we also found that the Sat Nav wasn’t charging. We returned to Britz 2pm. They look at the vehicle and say the warning light is fixed. Eventually they find that the Sat Nav bracket is at fault which they replace. We are back on our adventure at 3.30pm. No time to look around Christchurch so we carry on to our booking in Akaroa. The engine warning light comes back on. On the way around the winding roads to Akaroa the crockery cupboard flies open. One of the wine glasses is broken! This could lead to arguments tonight, who gets the glass of wine? The cupboard catch isn’t up to the job so we find that one of the cushions makes a perfect wedge to keep it shut. Such a clever cushion design. Anyway, after a beer and a wine (we only have one wine glass between us) all seemed calm and perfect. Day 3. It’s a lovely day so we decide to sit outside. We decide to use the table that is meant to slide into the side door. As we lift it from its position the metal strip falls off. I now understand why we have a camping table filling up the rear space. I also noticed going to bed that night, water stains on the ceiling around the roof vent. I thought, ‘I bet someone has forgotten to close this and it’s rained’. I must remember not to leave it open, we don’t want rain on us while we are asleep. Day 6. It’s raining constantly. At 9pm rain starts to come through the edge of the roof vent. It starts drip onto the bed. We phone the help line. The very helpful girl on the phone suggests that we book into a hotel. Unfortunately Timaru was completely booked up. Also it was 9pm and we were ready for a DVD and bed. Strategic placing of a poncho was our ‘if it’s busted fix it’ answer. Anyway, after a beer and a wine (we only have one wine glass between us) all seemed calm and perfect. Day 7. It’s still raining (inside and outside the van). There is now a noticeable drip from the top of the back doors, which is hitting the back panel and splashing our heads. I wonder for a minute and double check we haven’t driven into the sea. There are small leaks coming in the left side window and there is a little trail of water from under the cupboard with the water heater in it. I asked myself if the help line would mind me giving them a ring? I know they are busy. Tom answers. He tells me to take the van to Tony, the other side of Timaru. We get to Tony’s. When he’d finished fixing another van he got to ours. He put some tape over the top of the back doors. It meant we couldn’t open them, but hey, it was raining. He said the rubber seal was out of shape, probably from a bike rack having been fitted. The roof vent needed replacing, he said. Fortunately by now it had stopped dripping and the water was just soaking into the roof lining. Once we had taken our wet clothes out of the top cupboards , it was fine. I liked Tony. He was a proper ‘ if it’s busted I’ll fix it bloke’. I gave him a bottle of beer. Back on the road by 1pm. Anyway, after a beer and a wine (we only have one wine glass between us) all seemed calm and perfect. Day 11. I notice that the dashboard is indicating that the van needs a service in 500km. I wonder if that warning came on just to keep the engine warning light company. Anyway, after a beer and a wine (we only have one wine glass between us) all seemed calm and perfect. Day 14. I phoned my friend Tom at the help line, he doesn’t remember me. He organises an appointment in Queenstown for us at midday at the Britz office. The girls at Queenstown were sweetness and light. They offered a days refund ( not of the insurance)and a taxi into and from Queenstown. We had a nice day. When we got back at 4.30pm our van was repaired: The roof vent The self opening cupboard, Back door leak, The engine warning light. The van didn’t need a service. The nearside back tyre did have 3mm of tread. Kieran, the mechanic was a lovely, ‘let’s get it fixed’ bloke. He explained what he had replaced to get the warning light off. He explained that the van didn’t need a service, because the last numpty to service it didn’t zero the counter. I guess we didn’t get a refund on the insurance because they might have damaged the van in the Repair place. Back on the road by 4.30pm, we head off for Te Anau. Anyway, after a beer and a wine (we only have one wine glass between us) all seemed calm and perfect. Day 17. Full of confidence in our super repaired van we decide to try the stuff of dreams, a picture in every brochure about New Zealand camper vans, yes.....’Freedom Camping’ or ‘camping without power’ Full of confidence we rock up to the Orepuki Tavern in the afternoon. After an evening in the Tavern, and a wine glass each, we realise that ‘camping without power’ means camping without power. When we got back to the van it was as dark as the night (which was lovely). The house battery was as flat as a Possum in the road. Not a spark. Luckily a bit of the Kiwi had rubbed off on us by now. We got our torches out and eat everything in the fridge just in case it went rotten. We had had a wine and a glass each in the Tavern, so all seemed calm and perfect. Day 18. 9.30 am phoned the help line. We got through to a different department because Tom and his mates were too busy (not that he’d remember me). The charming girl said that she would send them an email and that they would phone me back. 11.45. I call the helpline. They know nothing about it because they haven’t read the email. I explain that the ‘house battery’ doesn’t seem to be showing any sign of life. The very helpful girl finds Auto Salvage in Invercargill. But their battery ( it’s Saturday) supplier closes at midday. We set off immediately. Once the Sat Nav has kicked in we realise we won’t get there by midday. We phone the help line. Beya answers. He offers to pay for 2 nights powered camping and we can go to Invercargill on Monday. We didn’t plan on a 2 night stay in Riverton but after a trip to the Aparima restaurant, and a glass of wine each, all seemed calm and perfect. Day20. Drive to Auto Salvage, Invercargill. What a great bunch of ‘let’s get it fixed ‘ people. Arrive 10.15 am on the road by 10 45am. They and the Battery man had hung around for us on Saturday they said, but no one passed on our message that we couldn’t make it by 12, and no one passed on to us that they were hanging around a bit later for us. What lovely people, I would have given them a beer but I’d drunk it all at that point. Which wasn’t a good situation to be in, Invercargill. Anyway we shared a single glass of wine , all seemed calm and perfect again.
