Kate & Darren Humphrys with Henry, Olive and Hume
Compass Odyssey
- Located 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
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Email Steven & Janice Levenson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
OUTSTANDING - Everything exactly as represented, BETTER than expected - Saw all BIG 5 plus more
The communication with Darren was unbelievable. I kept requesting changes and had questions about everything. Every question was answered and every change was discussed. Kate and Darren put a final itinerary together - I believe it was the 6th or 7th and it was amazing. All of the guides and/or drivers were where they were supposed to be, both at the airports for pick up and the lodges or camps for pickup to our next stop or airport.
We started in Cape Town for 4 days - the Parker House, a Bed and Breakfast was nice, clean and the breakfast was really good - the shower in our room was a little small though. Next a flight to Greater Kreuger - we stayed at the Bateleur Safari Camp for three days - saw all of the Big Five animals plus many more on our 5 game drives, the tent was nice, clean and secure - we actually left the key in the door on the outside when we were not there so the monkeys could not open. From there a 3 hour drive to the airport - a midway potty stop in a very clean restroom and it was actually a very nice drive. Off to Zambia where we were picked up at the airport by our driver/guide. Our lodge for the one night was very nice - our cottage was starting to show some ware and tear, but clean and nice, accept for the wasps - lots of wasps. The food was really good and we were on the riverbank where we could hear the Hippos grunting - had an afternoon river cruise - seeing Hippos and Crocs. After breakfast the next morning, we took a walking tour and saw Rhinos and other animals, then for lunch at the Elephant Café where we fed elephants and had a very nice lunch, next a boat ride on the river seeing more Hippos and Crocodiles before heading to the Zambia side of Victoria Falls for a tour - sounds like a lot, but was easy. From there to the Batonka Lodge - again really nice, in Zimbabwe - Dinner was at the Boma dinner show - lots of fun and all kinds of food. Up to a great breakfast then to a tour on the Zimbabwe side of the Falls and a free afternoon at the lodge to swim and rest. They say to bring rain clothes to the Falls - do that, you will get soaked. After breakfast mid-morning on to Botswana. Our guide/driver assisted us at the border - he did also going into Zimbabwe. Then to the Chobe River Lodge where we rested for a bit and took an afternoon river safari where we saw Elephants, Hippos and Buffaloes in the river as well as other animals on the banks. The next couple of days were on driving safaris (4) where we saw many Lions, Elephants, Hippos, Giraffes, Buffaloes and Crocodiles, along with all kinds of other animals and birds. The lodge was amazing and the food was unbelievable. Next, we were picked up for a short ride to the airport and on to Johannesburg. There we stayed at the Peech Hotel, again really nice and a short Uber/Cab ride to a shopping area with a bunch of very nice restaurants and unbelievable car dealerships - the McLaren dealership was my favorite. Unfortunately Johannesburg was not our favorite stop - not alot to for us see.
With all of the places we went and transportation we used - there was never any confusion and someone was always there for us. In addition Darren was always in contact with our drivers or guides making sure all was well. Also, he contacted us a few times to make sure we were enjoying ourselves - complete service.
We highly recommended Compass Odyssey.
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Email Paul and Janet | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Company!
Being a retired teacher, I was really impressed with the thought and detail that was put into our itinerary by Darren. The length of stay at each location was enough time that we didn’t feel rushed and Darren planned every detail down to the names and pictures of our escorts, drivers and accommodations. Our trip included travel to, and stays in, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Every place we stayed, the accommodations were excellent and the food was outstanding and plentiful. We enjoyed Safaris with local guides, scenic boat rides, as well as visits to both sides of Victoria Falls, and even a visit to a local township and school where our local drivers live. Our drivers, Ruth and Mortimer, made all of our border crossings easy and stress free. Not only did they escort us across each of the border crossings, they took us to our new accommodations and helped us check-in! The lodges chosen for us were all exceptional, and Senalala Lodge and its staff will always hold a special place with us.
We communicated directly with Darren on WhatsApp throughout our trip and he was always very prompt with his responses.
So many great experiences and memories. We will definitely use Compass Odyssey when we return to Africa.
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Email Michelle M | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Look not further! This is the operator that will exceed your expectations!
When looking for an operator to set up our safari, we got quotes from 5 different companies. Darrin and Kate really listened to our needs and budget and set up an amazing itinerary that fit our desires perfectly! They stayed in contact with us before the trip to ensure we didn't have any questions, and checked in on us during our vacation to make sure all of our needs were met. This is the 2nd safari for my husband and I, but this trip was ultimately for our mother who had never been to Africa. We let Compass know she had some mobility issues and they made sure she was taken care of from start to finish.
We took and 8 day private safari to the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and Victoria Falls. Our lodging, guides, and hosts at each location provided impeccable service. We can't thank them enough for ensuring we had the perfect trip with amazing memories.
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Email Meredith | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing service and recommendations!
Darren and Kate from Compass Odyssey were extremely helpful and thorough in helping me create the perfect itinerary for a short safari. They found a lodge that exceeded all my requests and expectations! In addition, they communicated with me every step of the way. It was a flawless trip thanks to having Darren and Kate make the arrangements. I will definitely use them again and thank them for the trip of a lifetime!!
ML
Email Mr. Radu Prisecaru | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Pure professionalism...and much more that this!
Yes, Compass Odyssey is about pure professionalism. If you love travelling, you like the adventure and love to explore new and interesting places in the southern part of Africa, Compass Odyssey may be your best choice. My experience was an unforgettable one because of this company. I've taken the 8 day's safari in Namibia and the experience went far beyond my expectations. I didn't know much about Namibia, about the opportunities I may have there and, fairly speaking, I didn't have much time to document it. But Compass gave me all I needed. Perfect planning of the trip, decent and very useful suggestions, tracking of my moves all over the period and an excellent choice of accommodations, meals and "must do destinations" on the way. Darren and Kate(the owners, whom, by the way, I've never met in person as all the details were set up on the net) are two human beings in the real sense of the word. You will feel them like two close friends, they will do their best to know you, to understand your needs and to adapt their offer to your real character and way of travelling. They understood what I really want and provided it to me. One day in this lifetime, I look forward to have a beer together and know them in person. Elvis and Alan, two of their guides were also fantastic and perfectly matched on the job they have to do. All these beautiful people offered me an experience I will never forget.
So...as a conclusion: the professionalism at its highest level! Anything else is just poetry. For me, one of the best experiences ever. If some other time I will go in the southern part of Africa (Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, etc), I know which number to call and I know I wont be disappointed. Alan, Elvis, Kate, Darren...see you soon, buddies!
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Email IG | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Compass Odyssey proved to be an excellent choice, delivering a memorable Namibia Tour
I came across Compass Odyssey on Safari Bookings, and reached out to them on the site as they had the right length and type of tour for what I had in mind. From the start the communication experience with Darren made me comfortable, there was a quick and detail approach to my questions...and at no time was it accompanies by sales pressure. The whole process was straight forward, and if there was a lag in response -- it was communicated upfront as to what they were waiting on from the hotel providers etc on their end. As to the tour itself, it minimized surprises and expectations were set right in advance. The guide, Elvis was one of the best I have traveled with, knew the area inside out, able to communicate his knowledge..with the ability to customize it to the audience at hand. Did not feel like a script, and was more spontaneous. The hotel quality was a known factor upfront given the different options available in different parts of the country. The other great fact I came to appreciate towards the end of the tour, and would not have known up front was that Darren/Compass followed the tours progress along the way, and did not feel their job ended with the final payment received. For example, in my instance once the new strain of Covid started appearing it was a surprise given was in Etosha NP with limited coverage. And though my air was separate from the arrangement with Compass, Darren went out of his way to figure out airline options should flights cancel. And the same concern from Elvis, the guide on the ground. Given my positive experience, I have recommended them to family, and look forward to doing another trip with Compass in the future.
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Email Erik & Barbie Elfrink | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Through our Covid driven reschedules-Compass Odyssey became like family en route to a perfect safari
We started planning this trip with Compass Odyssey in December 2019. After four Covid-driven reschedules and some itinerary tweaks, we finally were able to visit South Africa, Zambia and Botswana with (most) of our original itinerary in tact!
We usually plan our entire travel adventures 100% on our own, so we were hesitant to rely on someone else to help us craft this experience. However, Compass Odyssey closely listened to our input and helped tailor the experience to our interests and budget.
Not only did Compass Odyssey help us schedule and reschedule the trip multiple times, they put together an unforgettable itinerary with an outstanding mix of safari experiences (South Africa / Botswana) and adventure travel (Zambia). They were also with us every step of the way, from the unexpected cancelled flights to the border closings, ensuring that we were taken care of from start to finish. Traveling during a pandemic is always challenging, but Compass Odyssey made it as seamless as possible, while ensuring we got to truly experience Southern Africa along the way. By the end of the trip, with the great communication and planning, we felt like they were essentially family!
CH
Email Adam and family | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic from start to finish, if I could give six stars I would!
I cannot say enough about how wonderful our experience with Compass (Darren and Kate) was. Between finding the right trip, canceling and rebooking due to covid multiple times, and finally rebooking the whole trip with 2 days notice they were absolutely unbelievable. Further, the communication during the trip was also above and beyond. I highly, highly recommend Compass and I look forward to more trips planned and managed by them in the future
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Email Dave R | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience, highly recommend!
Our trip included South Africa (Kruger), Zambia (Victoria Falls), Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls, Livingstone Preserve), and Botswana (Chobe) and we couldn't have been more pleased with every aspect of our trip. The lodging and safari guides at each stop along the way were top notch. My biggest concern was the coordination of all the transfers, including required COVID testing prior to each border crossing, but Compass Odyssey had the logistics of each planned out perfectly. We never had to wait for our transportation at any border crossing, nor did we ever have to worry about when and where our COVID tests were to take place - having those things scheduled in advance and taking place in a timely fashion really took a lot of stress out of the trip. Overall our time in Southern Africa was one of the most memorable and enduring adventures we've ever experienced and we look forward to returning one day. Big thanks to Darren and Kate and their family for helping us put together a terrific safari!
CA
Email Eliana and Laura (mother and daughter duo) | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Compass Odyssey is a very professional, knowledgeable, reliable and honest tour operator.
This was the second time Laura and I used the services of Compass Odyssey ("CO") for our safari vacation (pre and post COVID); and, once again, Darren and Kate did not disappoint!
Traveling during a pandemic was not an easy decision to make. I asked never-ending questions and expressed all my concerns, and Darren always patiently, professionally and objectively provided ALL the answers I needed to make an informed decision.
CO put together a SAFE, fabulous and exciting itinerary for us. The camps, luxury safari tents, jeeps, game drives, boat safaris, sleep-out-decks, bush walks (one with a Bushman guide!) etc. were all high-end, comfortable and super entertaining. Each camp (3 in all) was diverse and had something different to offer.The quality of the food and the service were beyond reproach. The staff was hospitable, happy, personable and always ready to please! The guides were extremely knowledgeable and pleasant, and we felt safe at all times. COVID protocols were followed judiciously.
We saw every animal imaginable, only because the guides always went to great lengths to find them. I have trouble finding my own car in a parking lot. I do not understand how these guys spot the smallest camouflaged creature hidden in the bush so far away!
The wildlife, the scenery, the landscapes and the sunsets were breathtakingly beautiful, and our sunset drinks always a treat.
Darren and Kate followed us from a distance, to make sure all was going well, and remained available to assist us 24/7 if need be.
In fact, one of our return flights was cancelled; and, although CO did not organize our international flights, Darren immediately took over and offered to take care of this logistical nightmare, so we could continue to enjoy our safari, worry-free.
CO guided us through the sometimes complex arrival and departure procedures and all the COVID requirements (testing; filling out forms; etc.), and everything went off without a hitch.
We were also greeted at every single port of entry, as promised, by lovely people who were on time, happy to see us and who immediately took us under their wings.
I could go on and on about this wonderful and memorable experience and the 5-star quality of CO's services, but I need to get back to work.
I do want to add, however, how kind and pleasant Kate and Darren are. If you want to be pampered and taken care of, always with the utmost professionalism, integrity and respect, choose Compass Odyssey for your next unforgettable journey to paradise!!!