Kate & Darren Humphrys with Henry, Olive and Hume
Compass Odyssey
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2006)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Another great trip with Compass Odyssey
This was my second tour with Compass Odyssey and it was another memorable experience. Darren and Kate are fantastic to deal with and made sure that everything ran smoothly. We were well looked after by our guides who were very knowledgeable about the areas we were travelling through. Thank you again for a wonderful trip.
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Email Erin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A Memorable Safari Experience with Compass Odyssey
I recently returned from an incredible safari organized by Compass Odyssey; this was the second time using this company. I can confidently say it was one of the best travel experiences of my life. From start to finish, their attention to detail and commitment to providing an unforgettable adventure truly set them apart.
Booking Process: The booking process was seamless. Compass Odyssey is run by husband-and-wife team, and they are so responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in helping us create the perfect itinerary. They took the time to understand our interests and budget, recommending a tailored safari that included visits to the iconic Massai Mara in Kenya and Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest in Uganda.
Accommodations: Our accommodations were exceptional. We stayed at a mix of luxury lodges and charming partial tented camp, each providing a unique experience. The lodges featured stunning views, comfortable amenities, and delicious meals. The tented camp was cozy and intimate, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the sounds of the African wilderness. Every place we stayed felt like a home away from home.
Wildlife Experiences: The highlight of the safari was undoubtedly the wildlife encounters. Our guide, Wilson, was outstanding—his knowledge of the animals and their behaviors added depth to our experience. We were lucky enough to witness the tail end of the Great Migration, with hundreds of wildebeest and zebras traversing the plains. Each game drive brought new adventures, from spotting lions lounging in the shade to Leopard in the tree with a kill. Trekking to see the Gorillas in Bwindi National Forest was outstanding and worth it, to bee withing 6 feet of these amazing animals is truly a unique experience.
Cultural Insights: One of the standout aspects of the trip was the cultural experiences. We visited a local Maasai village, where we learned about their traditions and way of life. The warmth and hospitality of the Maasai people were heartwarming, and participating in their dances and rituals was a highlight of the trip.
Conclusion: Overall, I cannot recommend Compass Odyssey highly enough. Their professionalism, passion for wildlife conservation, and commitment to customer satisfaction made this safari an unforgettable experience. I returned home with a deeper appreciation for Africa and a longing to return. There is a reason my husband and I continue to come back to Africa; it feels like home and with compass odyssey they make sure your treated like family. If you’re considering a safari, look no further than Compass Odyssey they will exceed your expectations!
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Email Eduardo and Nancy Vazquez | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Outstanding company,well managed and highly commendable
Second time in the last 3 years doing a safari trip with Compass Odyssey,this time we had a 3 weeks or 23 days trip including stays in,Namibia,Botswana(Okavango Delta,Khwai River and Mababe area,Zimbabwe,Hwange National Park and Senalala lodge in the Klaserie private reserve area.Everything once again went as advertised,from all flights to ground transport to excellent safari guides and abundant wildlife in all places visited.At Senalala was our second time and we had a very enjoyable time there.All meals were excellent and the customer care and service was as customary beyond expectations.As stated my first time with Compass Odyssey,if you are planning on a trip the Southern part of Africa,this is the company to go with.Compass Odyssey run by Darren and his wife truly delivers.We have the pleasure and honor of meeting Darren at the end of our stay in Hoedspruit and without a doubt as I mentioned to him,I will be doing a third trip with them again.We really appreciate the integrity and expertise of Compass Odyssey putting life dream trips together so I highly recommend this company to anyone dreaming of an unforgettable trip to motherland 🙏🏻🐆🦛🦏🦓🦒🙏🏻
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Email James Loberg and Aimee Powell | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easiest trip of our life
Everything was amazing, everywhere we needed to go we knew who was going to pick us up, where they were picking us up from, and what they looked like. Every recommendation made was amazing and we had a ton of fun.
NZ
Email Jenny B | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Compass Odyssey provided a wonderful service, with easy communication and great, knowledge guides.
Having been recommended Compass Odyssey from other New Zealanders, I found communication easy and prompt. There were changes early in trip planning, including dates, and Darren took it all in his stride. Compass came up with recommendations that I could choose which option suited me best, displaying very knowledgeable details on the areas I wanted to experience. There was no detail that was left to chance, which I found re-assuring before even stepping onto Africia. The background information provided, with regards to visas/ the safari lodges / roads etc. was absolutely spot on. knowledgeable
The local guide in South Africia - Gillian was warm, great sense of humour and listened to our ideas on what we wanted to do.
Chobe National Park exceeded any expectations that I had, and the river safaris were fantastic. Our guide, Tefo really did his absolute best to give myself and my friend the best experience he could. I never thought I would get so close to big predators and elephants! The amount of wildlife, in part, due to the drought, was mind-blowing.
The guide used for two weeks in Namibia, Elvis was top notch, and I would also highly recommend. Elvis was thoughtful throughout - basically living with myself and my friend - every breakfast, lunch and dinner for the two weeks! Elvis knew his facts on the local flora/fauna and though had to repeat himself at times, because I couldn't tell the difference between antelope, was very patient with me! When requested to come up with options in local areas to view local people, Elvis knew exactly where to go.
Thank you, Compass Odyssey, for providing an efficient, safe, well-planned trip that I will never forget. Africia is an amazing destination that I would love to experience again, and I would, without hesitation use your company.
NZ
Email Sue M | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An excellent Tour Company to plan & communicate with, and no hiccups touring in Africa for 4 weeks.
I got a recommendation to travel with this company & I will now highly endorse this recommendation after touring with them for 4 weeks. Nothing was left undone. Darren's places to stay worked extremely well with my photography expectations of early morning photography because we were already staying inside a number of National Parks. Two weeks traveling, safaris, dining with the same guide was so easy with such a brilliant guide-Elvis. He was easy to develop a rapport with, understood our needs, especially stopping for photo shoots. He was extremely patient. We always knew exactly what we were going to do, need, etc. Nothing was too much for him. We both felt so comfortable & safe, including his driving, in his care. He spoke clearly and drip feed useful information. I believe he is an excellent ambassador for his country.
Also, Gillian our guide, in Cape Town was excellent, young and vibrant. We didn't really have a strict itinerary so she made sure we were informed of her suggestions and schedule. Because the All Blacks were playing South Africa, Gillian continually enquired to the best place to watch the game. Although we were beaten, sitting amongst hundreds of compassionate Africans in a superb viewing spot certainly was a highlight of those 4 days. I would not hesitate to return to Africa only under the auspice of Compass Odyssey. Sue, NZ
Detail orientated and truly respected by owners/ managers of lodges and guides.
This was my #1 bucket list trip, and have wanted to go to Africa since I was 14 years old. I’m now 68. So to find someone to make all your dreams come true, one needs to use Compass Odyssey. It was five days in Cape Town, a stunning city and the surrounding peninsula. Garth Angus was our guide and his wealth of knowledge of not only the history of South Africa but the floral and fauna made that trip a highlight. When you are in a vehicle with someone for 8- 10 hours, you want to have a rapport with that person and we got it in spades with Garth.
Next off to Namibia for 10 days and got to meet our driver and guide, Raymond. A truly spectacular country with a myriad of geography. The dunes, the coast just spectacular. Raymond was also an exceptional guide, very proud of his country and a great teacher, the only place we saw rhinos, both black and white!
Our final stop was 6 days in Botswana, 2 night in the Kansane area at Chobe River Lodge, and lucked out with one of the best guides again. Hi Tefo! He showed us some spectacular wildlife around the Kasane area of Chobe park, including lions, leopards, Cape buffalo elephants, just about anything you would be interested in seeing, his tracking ability was amazing.
Lastly we flew to the Mababe area in the Okavango Delta where our guide was the kind and gentle Antony. The Nokanyana Lodge suffered a devistating fire just a couple of weeks before our arrival. They lost the dining hall and lounge and outdoor viewing deck in the fire. The staff worked extra hard to make our stay the very best it could possibly be and always had smiles for us all the time, a shout out to Lemo and Chef Nati, only two of the wonderful staff who worked at Nokanya!
Antony knew that to see a cheetah would have been the icing on the cake for us, and he tried so hard but those elusive cheetahs were not to be spotted. Other great wildlife abounded, especially the hippos.
So as we think and dream about our return trip, we will be definitely using Compass Odyssey and the excellent services of Darren (Crusty) and Kate Humphries.
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Email Eric Zicht and family | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Darren was knowedgeable, accomodating, and responsive.
Our journey with Compass Odyssey took us on an unforgettable adventure through Southern Africa. From the vibrant streets of Cape Town to the majestic wildlife of Kruger National Park, and the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls in Zambia and Zimbabwe, every moment was a testament to the beauty of this region.
What stood out most were the lodge hosts and trackers who made our stay truly exceptional. Their warmth, knowledge, and passion for the wildlife enriched our experience beyond expectation. In Cape Town and Victoria Falls, our guides were equally remarkable, offering deep insights and ensuring we discovered hidden gems at every turn.
The highlight was undoubtedly the game drives in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, where we witnessed nature in its purest form. Each safari was a new chapter, filled with thrilling encounters and breathtaking landscapes.
Thank you, Compass Odyssey, for curating such a remarkable journey. Your attention to detail and commitment to excellence made this adventure one we will cherish forever.
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Email Preston C | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best of southern Africa in 8 days
We participated in Compass Odyssey's 8-day Kruger-Zambezi-Chobe safari in August 2024; I'm not sure there's any other tour that takes in as many highlights of southern Africa in this span of time. I can't recommend it enough.
We began our journey in Cape Town and flew to Blyde River Canyon. This was an addition to the standard itinerary, but worth the extra day as the views are stunning. The next day we transferred to Senalala Safari Lodge near Kruger, which was the highlight of the trip. It's a beautiful, uncrowded place with excellent food served on the terrace every day, plus a watering hole just outside the fence where you can watch animals come and go. The game drives were phenomenal--we saw plenty of animals, but the deep knowledge of Senalala's guides made them extra special. I've been on safaris before but have never had a guide with such extensive knowledge of the natural world.
After three days in Senalala, we flew to Victoria Falls for two days. The Compass Odyssey includes a tour of the falls, which do not disappoint. We also highly recommend a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River; you can see hippos, crocs, and elephants hanging out in the water or on the banks, and hear the roar of the falls from a half-mile away. The last couple days we spent in Botswana, in Chobe National Park, where you can do both game drives and boat safaris--we recommend doing both! This place is wonderful because of the dense elephant population; you see them practically every time you turn around.
Overall, Compass Odyssey's tour is a great way to see the highlights of southern Africa in four countries (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana), even if you have limited time. We packed in a lot, but the tour never felt rushed--the itinerary builds in lots of time for relaxing at the beautiful lodges. If you're looking to make the most of your time in southern Africa, this tour is the right choice.
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Email Kathy | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding service
Compass Odyssey was very good to work with. The communications were excellent from the initial contact to the final documents. The 2 guides that I had were extremely knowledgeable. My Cape Town guide was very good at planning the days according to what I wanted to do. Even though I was a solo traveler for the Cape Town portion of my trip I felt I got good value for my money.