Experience the best of both islands on this epic 14-day road trip from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South. Travelling in a small group of no more than 18 in a custom-outfitted Mercedes sprinter, we take in geothermal wonderlands, glowworm caves, film sets and glacier country at a relaxed, personal pace.
We dig our own pool at Hot Water Beach, explore the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal wonderland, walk onto the Hobbiton movie set and crawl through the glowworm caves at Waitomo. Then we head south for the world's largest Dark Sky Reserve at Tekapo, three nights in Queenstown, a Milford Sound cruise and the icy formations of Franz Josef.
Days
- 14 days, 13 nights
Group size
- Max 21
Start / finish
- Auckland / Christchurch
- Christchurch, mid-afternoon on day 14
Return
- Christchurch, mid-afternoon on day 14
Accommodation
- 13 nights in flashpacker dorm accommodation — one at Hahei on the Coromandel, two in Rotorua, two in Taupō, one in Raglan, one in Christchurch, one at Lake Tekapo, three in Queenstown and two at Franz Josef.
Transport
- A Mercedes Sprinter with your guide, the flight from Auckland to Christchurch on day 7, and a cruise boat at Milford Sound.
Meals
- No meals are named as included in the itinerary.
Route
Included experiences
- Milford Sound — a fiord cruise past waterfalls, ancient forest and leaping dolphins
- Hobbiton — the movie set on the road to Taupō
- Waitomo — crawling, abseiling and rafting through caves lit only by glowworms
- Cathedral Cove — the gateway to Narnia, with kayaking or a swim at Hahei
- Hot Water Beach — the sunset hot pools you dig yourself
- Franz Josef — a free day for a glacier hike, a helicopter flight, quad biking or kayaking
- Lake Tekapo — the Church of the Good Shepherd, lakeside hot springs and the Dark Sky Reserve
- Queenstown — three nights and a free day for skydiving, luging or jet boating
- Wai-O-Tapu — the most colourful geothermal features in the country
- Rotorua — luging, zorbing and rafting, or an optional Mitai Māori Village hāngī
- Huka Falls — the walking loop above the thundering water
- Taupō — a free day for the Tongariro Crossing, jetboating or a skydive
- Raglan — the black sand beach and a few waves before flying south
- Wanaka and Haast Pass on the drive up to glacier country
- Arthur's Pass — the crossing back through the snow-capped Southern Alps
Pictures / Videos
Reviews
4.9
Based on 76 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.
AI summary of 76 reviews
Travellers consistently praise the guides' local knowledge, friendliness and organisational skills, alongside the range of activities available across both islands, the comfortable transport and included breakfasts, and the opportunity to form lasting friendships with fellow group members. What stands out most often is how the tour allows visitors to see a substantial amount of New Zealand in a short timeframe without the stress of solo driving, with particular highlights including adventure activities such as white-water rafting and skydiving, natural attractions like Milford Sound and the glowworm caves, and cultural experiences including Māori villages and Hobbiton. The most common caveat is that the hostel accommodation, while generally adequate and clean, varies in quality between locations and can feel basic for the price, with some reviewers noting thin walls and limited amenities, though this rarely significantly detracted from their overall experience.
How we collect and publish reviews
Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour.
Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.
Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.
This reviewer enjoyed his first week in the North Island and the group he travelled with, though felt the first guide could have engaged more at breakfast and shared more information about New Zealand's history and nature. The second half in the South Island improved things considerably with guide Tom, who was always at breakfast, joined in group activities like cricket, and pointed the group towards good food and drink deals — even recommending where to hire gear for the Ben Lomond trek in Queenstown. Overall he enjoyed seeing both islands and would recommend the trip.
This reviewer had a great time on the NZ Explorer two-week tour, calling it a perfect way to see plenty of beautiful sights and fit in lots of fun activities. Guides Telli and Tom were fantastic, keeping the group well looked after and entertained throughout. She also praised the range of activity options and comfortable accommodation.
This reviewer did the NZ Explorer tour and had the best time, recommending Wild Kiwi to anyone wanting to properly explore and learn about New Zealand. Guides Vendula and Ben were knowledgeable, friendly and always willing to help with the group's requests. She rated both the tour and the people a full 10 out of 10.
“Amazing”
This reviewer did the NZ Explorer tour and loved it, with two guides — Vendula on the North Island and Ben on the South — who were kind, funny and knowledgeable. She appreciated having someone drive the group around and handle all the activity bookings in advance, calling it unforgettable and great value for money.
“The Perfect Way to Explore New Zealand. Highly Recommend!”
This reviewer completed Wild Kiwi's 14 Day Explorer Tour and couldn't recommend it highly enough, praising the well-organised balance of adventure, sightseeing and downtime. Her South Island guide, Telli, was a huge highlight — energetic, knowledgeable and genuinely caring, going above and beyond to make sure everyone felt included and got the most from each day. His local insights and recommendations added a lot of value, and she'd highly recommend the tour, especially with Telli as guide.
“The best 2 weeks of my life on the Explorer tour!”
Chloe called her two weeks on the Explorer tour the best of her life, praising the mix of activities, exploration and group time as a first-time solo traveller. Guides Ben and Siobhan were knowledgeable about every stop, and despite an intense pace she formed close bonds with the group and didn't want the trip to end.
“Unforgettable North & South Island with Wild Kiwi Tours…”
This reviewer's two-week Explorer trip across both islands was, in their words, the best travel experience of their life. South Island highlights included Lake Tekapo and Pukaki, Queenstown's gondola, luge and Nevis swing, Milford Sound, and a heli-hike on Fox Glacier, while the North Island brought kayaking to Cathedral Cove, Wai-O-Tapu, ziplining in Rotorua, Hobbiton, Huka Falls, and a jet boat ride, plus a memorable Kiwi Christmas. They singled out North Island guide Claud for going above and beyond to share hidden gems and connect with everyone in the group. They'd highly recommend the trip to anyone wanting the best of New Zealand.
Despite being wary of group travel, this first-timer loved the two-week NZ Explorer trip from the start. Guide Ben brought the group together with humour in week one, while Siobhan kept things fun in week two, right down to arranging a limo for the final night. Highlights included white-water rafting, glowworm caving, hang gliding, a Māori cultural experience and a stunning Aurora Australis display over Queenstown, with only a minor gripe about weak air conditioning on the North Island bus.
This reviewer did the NZ Explorer tour in an international group of 18, and found it a great way to see the country. Guides Ben and Siobhan were amazing and well organised, keeping everyone informed about each location and the activities on offer. Recommended for anyone wanting an adventurous way to see New Zealand's beauty and culture.
Liesl described the New Zealand Explorer tour as simply amazing, with a packed itinerary and two guides who each added a lot to the experience. Ben, guiding the North Island leg, was knowledgeable and fun, while Siobhan, new to guiding on the South Island leg, was flexible and went out of her way to organise a memorable birthday celebration for someone in the group, complete with a limousine pickup and karaoke. It was Liesl's first group tour and the stress-free experience has her keen to do another. A trip she highly, highly recommends.
The reviewer travelled on the New Zealand Explorer tour, with Clauds guiding the South Island leg. She was praised for great food and activity recommendations, plus a knack for helping the group capture memories along the way. Her stories and care left a lasting impression, making it an emotional trip to look back on.
Deepta had a wonderful, immersive experience with Wild Kiwi, with both guides — Tom and Clauds — well organised and knowledgeable about the areas and culture. The tour had a great mix of active, adrenaline-filled activities, earning a high recommendation for anyone wanting to explore New Zealand.
Daiva loved touring with Wild Kiwi, calling guides Ben and Tom wonderful. The trip was flexible, the group was friendly, and the accommodations held up well, all adding up to an amazing time.
Went on the NZ Explorer tour covering both islands and found it well structured, with free time to explore each stop after the day's plan. Guide Claudia led the South Island leg with energy and local history, while Telli brought humour and flexibility to the North Island section. Both guides let the group choose their own activities without any pressure, turning strangers into friends by the end.
Did the Explorer tour and found it well worth visiting both the South and North Islands, as each has its own charm. Activities were well organised with the freedom to opt in or out, and guide Teli was a particular highlight who made the trip very enjoyable.
This reviewer recently completed the 14-day NZ Explorer tour, covering the main highlights of both the North and South Islands with plenty of choice in activities at each stop. Guides Teagan, Robbie and Claudia were praised as knowledgeable and professional, and the group mixed ages and nationalities well. Their only gripe was that the website was a little unclear about exactly what was included in the price, though they felt the hostels, bus and included breakfasts offered good value.
This reviewer had an incredible two weeks on the NZ Explorer trip with guides Telli and Daisy, enjoying stunning scenery, plenty of activities and a great group. They'd particularly recommend it to solo travellers wanting to see a lot of New Zealand in a short space of time.
Lana had an amazing trip and made lasting friends within her tour group. Guides Ben (North Island) and Claudia (South Island) impressed with their deep local knowledge of the culture, plants, and wildlife, and were generous with advice on activities, food, and daily prep. She was glad she paid extra for a private room for some personal time, but notes that at most hostels a private room still means a shared bathroom.
“Perfect tour for solo traveller to NZ”
A first solo trip made easy by Wild Kiwi's NZ Explorer tour, which the reviewer says is about far more than sorted logistics -- the new friends made along the way and the guides' local knowledge were what made it memorable. North Island guide Big Ben is praised as funny and well organised, while South Island guide Claudia is described as knowledgeable and sweet. One practical tip: travellers who upgrade to a private room shouldn't expect a private bathroom at most hostels. Overall a 10/10 experience.
“The most amazing way to experience New Zealand as a solo…”
One of the best experiences of the reviewer's life, fulfilling a long-held dream of visiting New Zealand. They took the NZ Explorer route and got to experience the country's scenery, culture and adventure activities while making close friends along the way. Special thanks go to guides Daisy, Claudia and Robbie for their energy, humour and knowledge.
Lindale found the logistics smooth and the group setting a great way to bond with people from around the world. Hostel quality varied a little, but everywhere was clean and had the essentials covered.
This reviewer completed the two-week NZ Explorer tour, split between guide Telli in the North Island and guide Tom in the South Island, and praised both for their character and deep local knowledge. They noted there's a lot of time spent on the bus and that most of the bigger bucket-list activities cost extra and can add up, though pricing was always clearly marked. Hostel accommodation varied in quality with thin walls in places, but overall they called it a fantastic, fast-paced way to see the country and would recommend the trip.
Did the 14 Day New Zealand Explorer and loved having two great guides. Up north, Telli was funny and showed off some off-the-beaten-path spots. Down south, Tegan went above and beyond, caring for the group and organising a birthday celebration for a fellow traveller. Both guides were fantastic.
“NZ EXPLORER”
This reviewer had an amazing two-week Explorer tour with guide Robbie, who stayed calm and collected even through a near-missed flight and shared plenty of stories and local knowledge. They praised the range of adventure and cultural activities, the scenery along the drives, and the chance to make lasting friends.
Just finished the 2 Week New Zealand Explorer, split into a North Island week and a South Island week with different guides and groups for each - which worked really well, like two holidays in one. Guide Telli kept the North Island week full of laughs and highly recommended the Rotorua white-water rafting. Guide Tegan made the South Island week special with her knowledge and energy, keeping spirits high even on the long bus rides.
Did the South Island leg of the Explorer Tour with Tegan, who was fantastic from start to finish. The weather wasn't always great, but she worked hard to get everyone booked on their activities anyway. A brilliant group of people and an experience of a lifetime - would happily do it again.
Loved every minute of the two-week New Zealand Explorer tour, blessed with great weather throughout and a packed choice of activities. Tegan guided the North Island week with real energy and knowledge of Maori culture, while Ben brought his own laid-back, knowledgeable style to the South Island week. Both guides went above and beyond - highly recommend.
“Excellent NZ Explorer Trip”
A solo traveller who joined at just 18 shares a glowing account of the two-week NZ Explorer tour from Auckland. Guide Tegan led an engaging first week through the North Island, with white-water rafting in Rotorua and the Waitomo glowworm caves among the highlights, before a well-organised handover to guide Daisy in Christchurch for the South Island leg. Wine tasting in Queenstown and the Milford Sound cruise stood out, and although a planned skydive was rained off, Daisy worked hard to find another slot. The reviewer praises the comfortable Mercedes Sprinter, good food and accommodation throughout, and says the trip was a fantastic way to make friends as a young solo traveller.
This reviewer took the 14-day NZ Explorer Tour and found it thrilling, with guides Tom and Ben keeping the group entertained and the mood upbeat throughout. They noted plenty of time is spent driving between stops, though it's worth it for the scenery, and that accommodation was decent but could be nicer for the price. A daily breakfast box was provided, and Queenstown offered no end of paid activities. Overall they had two amazing weeks and would highly recommend the tour.
A solo female traveller from the UK says the 14-day NZ Explorer Tour was the perfect choice, with guides Daisy and Tom keeping everything running smoothly from start to finish. She strongly encourages anyone considering the tour to just book it.
This reviewer had a wonderful time on the NZ Explorer with guides Tom and Daisy, describing them as fun, knowledgeable and smooth operators. Her tour group, mostly in their 20s and 30s, got on well together, and she felt the tour let her see a lot of New Zealand in a memorable way.
Having just finished the 2-week NZ Explorer tour, this reviewer says it was well organised and a great experience overall. They give a special shout-out to Daisy, their South Island guide, for going above and beyond to bring the group together.
This reviewer had an amazing two weeks on the Wild Kiwi Explorer tour, calling the guides excellent and the logistics seamless. They liked that the tour let them see a lot of New Zealand without hours of solo driving, and thank guide Daisy for her many talents.
This reviewer was delighted to have completed the NZ Explorer tour and enjoyed having Deanne as guide throughout the two weeks, calling every day a unique experience.
On her first solo trip abroad in over a decade, this reviewer found the NZ Explorer tour safe yet exhilarating, crediting guide Dee's local knowledge and honest, supportive advice on activities. Dee made an effort to get to know everyone across both weeks of the group (roughly 10 people in week one, 15 in week two), and the reviewer got to try skydiving, white-water rafting, canyoning, caving and zorbing along the way. They call it a life-changing experience and would highly recommend the tour.
This reviewer just finished the NZ Explorer tour and had an amazing time, with guides Dee and Tom keeping things fun and sharing plenty of knowledge along the way. The group bonded like old friends, the scenery was beautiful, and they highly recommend the tour to anyone wanting to see both islands of New Zealand.
“Unforgettable experience - nature, culture, adrenaline, good…”
Wild Kiwi delivers if you want to pack a lot into a short time -- the reviewer calls it packed with activities, beautiful scenery and unforgettable memories. The NZ Explorer tour gives a taste of both islands, and guides Ben and Claudia are praised as excellent, fun, kind and knowledgeable.
This traveller completed the NZ Explorer tour and called it an unforgettable experience. The beautiful scenery was matched by the people on the trip, and guides Ben and Deanne were praised for making sure everyone had a great time.
“The best two weeks”
One of the best holidays of the reviewer's life on the 14-day NZ Explorer tour, thanks to guides Ben, Robbie and Dee who are described as funny, informative and helpful. Activities booked along the way included a skydive, a bungy jump and a visit to Hobbiton, with guides happy to rearrange plans around bad weather. Travelling solo wasn't an issue, as the group became close friends, though some of the hostels were on the small side. They'd book with Wild Kiwi again without hesitation.
This reviewer completed the NZ Explorer trip and had an incredible time with fellow travellers, giving a big shout-out to guides Claudia and D for keeping everyone safe and cared for. They especially enjoyed the cultural aspects of the North Island leg and said the small group size made the trip feel like a mini family.
Travelling solo, this reviewer did the NZ Explorer tour with Telli on the North Island and Dee on the South Island, both knowledgeable and helpful. They liked the free wifi and charging ports on the buses, the guides' help booking excursions, and the good breakfast spread, saying it was a great experience even in winter.
This reviewer and their partner completed the NZ Explorer tour, with Deanne guiding on the South Island and Claudia on the North Island. Both guides were knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and the reviewer would definitely recommend Wild Kiwi to others considering the trip.
“A trip of a lifetime!”
An extensive, glowing account of the NZ Explorer tour with guides Claudia and Tom, covering highlights across both islands. In the South Island, standouts included stargazing at dark-sky Lake Tekapo, exploring Queenstown (with an add-on Lord of the Rings tour to Glenorchy), a dry-weather Milford Sound cruise complete with dolphins and a rainbow, and kayaking near the Franz Josef glacier. On the North Island, the reviewer loved the geothermal activity at Rotorua, a full day at Hobbiton followed by the Mitai Maori cultural experience and hangi, sailing and jet-boating around Taupo, the glowworm caves at Waitomo, and a relaxed final stop surfing and eating out at Raglan. They call it a trip of a lifetime, worth every penny, with the guides making all the arrangements so travel felt completely stress-free.
This reviewer thanked guides Claudia and Tom for an unforgettable NZ Explorer tour, saying they were blown away by New Zealand's natural beauty and culture. They found the transport and accommodation comfortable, modern and safe, with the guides handling all activity bookings for a stress-free trip.
This reviewer said booking the NZ Explorer tour was the best decision for their holiday travels, with Ben and Claudia guiding the North Island and Tom guiding the South Island. They enjoyed the destinations, the range of activities on offer, and would definitely recommend travelling with Wild Kiwi.
Geetha did both the North and South Island tours back to back over two weeks. Big Ben guided the North Island leg and kept spirits up as the group bonded despite a lot of rain, while Tom guided the South Island and was nurturing, informative, and made time to hang out with the group outside activities. She calls choosing Wild Kiwi the best decision of her New Zealand trip and would do it again in a heartbeat.
This reviewer called their two weeks on the NZ Explorer tour the most amazing experience, praising the guides, accommodation and lasting memories. Tom was chill and full of banter guiding the North Island, while Claudia was fun and passionate about New Zealand life and nature on the South Island.
“14days of adventure”
A highlight of the reviewer's gap year, doing the NZ Explorer tour with their girlfriend. The guides were excellent, and the way the tour is structured meant they learned about and saw a huge amount over the two stress-free weeks.
Wanting to see both islands in just a couple of weeks, this reviewer chose the NZ Explorer tour and said it was absolutely worth it, fitting in plenty without feeling rushed. They liked being able to choose which activities to join, and gave a shout-out to guides Tom and Claudia for their enthusiasm and love of the country.
“Wild Kiwi-Wild time!”
The best two weeks in New Zealand on the 14-day explorer tour, visiting the major tourist spots plus some equally great off-the-beaten-path stops. Guides Ben and Tom were friendly, kind and knowledgeable, and joined in on activities and meals with the group. The reviewer also liked that group numbers are kept small, which helped everyone gel, and would fully recommend the company.
“The best tour group I've been on!”
A jam-packed, thoroughly enjoyable 14-day NZ Explorer tour covering the best of both islands, with plenty of optional adrenaline activities and scenic photo stops along the way. The Mercedes vans had WiFi for a group Spotify playlist, and comfortable small dorm rooms with clean facilities. Guides Tom (North) and Ben (South) get a big shout-out for their local knowledge, Maori culture stories and effortless activity bookings. As a solo female traveller the reviewer was nervous beforehand but found it a safe, easy way to see the country and made lifelong friends along the way.
Paul found both weeks excellent, with guides who brought plenty of humour along with solid knowledge of the country and the places visited. Accommodation was basic but fair for the price.
“NZ Explorer - An Amazing Experience I’ll Never Forget”
The NZ Explorer tour packed a great showcase of New Zealand into two weeks, blending scenic and adventure activities to suit everyone. Highlights included a Maori cultural experience, caving, a heli-hike and a canyon swing, plus plenty of chances to bond with other travellers over dinners and drinks. Guides Ben and Telli were informative, organised and fun, and the smaller group size meant everyone got to know each other. The reviewer's only quibble was some inconsistency in the hostels, but otherwise rates it among the best holidays they've been on.
This reviewer called the NZ Explorer trip the best trip they've ever been on, with Ben guiding a fun, informative North Island leg that included Hobbiton and other activities before weather forced a few changes. Robbie then guided the South Island, organising a barbecue on the last night and activities including a heli-hike to Fox Glacier, Milford Sound and canyoning; the reviewer highly recommends booking.
“Wet and Wild Kiwi - incredible experience”
A detailed account of the NZ Explorer tour, starting with the Southern Voyager leg of the South Island in Franz Josef, where the reviewer did a heli-hike up the glacier, before enjoying Queenstown and Milford Sound as major highlights under guide Mark, who cooked for the group and shared plenty of local knowledge. The switch to the North Island was disrupted by severe flooding around Auckland, but Wild Kiwi handled it well -- rebooking flights and covering a free night's stay -- and guides Robbie, Tom and later Ben kept spirits up despite the disruption, with standout moments including a Lake Taupo boat trip, zorbing and a hangi at the Mitai Maori village. A last-minute cancellation of white-water rafting in Rotorua was disappointing, but overall the reviewer had a fantastic trip and hopes to return for the Southern Loop.
David had a great time on both islands for different reasons. On the South Island, guide Mark managed logistics well, shared plenty of local knowledge, and helped keep morale high through highlights like heli-hiking at Franz Josef, Milford Sound, skydiving, jet boating, and partying in Queenstown, continuing on to Lake Tekapu. The North Island leg was good too, though bad weather (outside Wild Kiwi's control) curtailed some activities; guides Tom and then Ben still steered the group through it well, and the group still enjoyed Taupo, Rotorua, Hobbiton, Hot Water Beach, and Cathedral Cove. He was welcomed warmly even joining a bit late due to the weather, and highly recommends the trip.
“Best tour I’ve ever done!”
A sensational 14-day NZ Explorer tour covering both islands, with guide Tom leading the North Island leg and Claudia the South. The reviewer found the group easy to travel with thanks to shared interests in adventure and hiking, and is already considering doing the Southern Ski Tour next.
Tandi and her husband did the 14-day NZ Explorer across both islands in December 2022 and had an overall wonderful trip, with well-planned routes and memorable activities like the Haggas Honking Hole. Claudia guided the South Island leg with infectious energy, while Robbie guided the North, though he seemed worn out from a long season of touring. Their one real complaint was a mix-up over the private accommodation they'd paid extra for, which wasn't sorted until the day before the tour started, adding some unwanted stress.
Manon did the 14-day NZ Explorer tour and had an amazing experience, with guides Tom and Robbie both knowledgeable about New Zealand and very helpful and friendly. She'd recommend it to anyone wanting to discover the country in a small, good-vibes group.
Hannah highly recommends Wild Kiwi after an amazing experience, with guide Mark always finding something to do when weather affected plans. She felt the trip offered great value with breakfast, accommodation, and travel included, plus a good balance of planned activities and free time, and hopes to book another trip with them.
ChloeCamsell had such a great time exploring both islands that she's hoping to book with Wild Kiwi again next year. Guide Mark had a fun, easygoing personality and made the long bus journeys — inevitable given NZ's geography — much more enjoyable by breaking them up with stops at interesting towns, short hikes, and viewpoints, some of which became trip highlights in their own right.
Cynthia went on the NZ Explorer tour covering both the North and South Islands and had an amazing time, enjoying all the activities on offer. Guide Robbie was excellent, and she appreciated that time on the bus was kept reasonable, leaving plenty of room to relax and do her own thing.
Danie calls this one of the most incredible experiences of her life, with guide Robbie creating a memorable trip for the whole group. She felt she really got to experience New Zealand's highlights, from beautiful scenery to adventurous activities, and enjoyed bonding with the rest of the tour group.
Lena completed the 14-day NZ Explorer with guide Robbie over June/July and found it a perfect fit for anyone wanting to actively explore the country. The smaller group of 14 made it easy to get to know everyone, and Robbie was knowledgeable and well known by locals across the country. Most days included a hike or walk, breakfast was included daily, and while accommodation is mostly hostel-style dorms, single rooms are available for those who want them.
Andres, travelling solo for the first time, made friends from the first minute on the bus and found New Zealand — especially the South Island — beautiful throughout. Drivers Ben and Hendrick were friendly, professional, and clearly enjoyed the job. He held back a star because he felt the price was steep for the level of accommodation and breakfast, and thinks Wild Kiwi could negotiate better rates on activities, since prices matched what you'd pay booking them independently.
The guide was knowledgeable, friendly and fun - everything the reviewer could ask for.
“Nz Explorer 14 days. 21st Sep to 4th Oct 19”
One of the best tours in a long time - the 14-day NZ Explorer covers both islands and their main attractions in a way that wouldn't have been possible solo. Guides Tolan and Hendrik on each island were friendly and knowledgeable, the accommodation throughout was excellent, and the smaller group size made for a far better experience than bigger tour groups.
“14 Day NZ Explorer Tour”
On her first-ever group tour, this reviewer spent two amazing weeks exploring New Zealand and quickly made friends with the mostly solo travellers in her group. She packed in skydiving, jet boating, a glacier heli-hike, surfing, the glow-worm caves, quad biking, the Rotorua luge and a Maori village visit, among other activities. Guides Mark and Tolan were knowledgeable, professional and fun, and she couldn't recommend the trip highly enough.
Guide Ben was knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly, sharing interesting facts and history during the long drives and clearly passionate about his job. He made everyone feel welcome while still running things efficiently. As a first-time visitor to New Zealand travelling solo, the reviewer had been worried about missing out, but booking with Wild Kiwi and getting Ben as their guide for the final two weeks turned out to be the best decision - a perfect trip.
A fantastic 14-day NZ Explorer tour. The North Island leg was incredible with lots of unique activities, and guide Robbie kept everyone organised and on track, with days full right through to the evenings - surfing, black water rafting and Hobbiton were standouts. On the South Island, guide Big Ben brought plenty of New Zealand history and stories; there was more driving that week, but the scenery was stunning, with the Franz Josef heli hike and Queenstown as highlights. Recommended to anyone, with a great group that made it sad to see the tour end.
An amazing time exploring the North Island, with guide Tolan being knowledgeable and fantastic beyond words. The North Island had plenty to offer, though the tight schedule meant constantly packing up and moving on rather than lingering in favourite towns. The South Island felt more about mountains and long drives between far-apart towns, better suited to those who enjoy exercise and exploring.
Having done plenty of group tours before, I can say this was hands down the best. Our guide Jed knew New Zealand inside out and always went the extra mile to make sure we had a great time, and the small group size made it easy to make friends. I'll definitely be back, and highly recommend Wild Kiwi.
The tour was amazing and really memorable -- I had a blast with the group and the places we visited were fantastic. My only regret is not staying a night at Lake Tekapo, which looked incredible; I feel like I missed out there.
The trip was exactly as described and matched my expectations perfectly. Both of our guides were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, and there was always something to do -- whether paid activities or free alternatives like walks and hikes through beautiful scenery. The accommodation was great, and the bus itself was comfortable with wifi and USB ports, making it easy to chat with the group. Would definitely recommend.
