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 Amy N | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Provided our family with an organized, unique, and exceptional experience of Southern Africa.
Darren of Compass Odyssey helped created the most memorable trip for our family. Communications prior to our departure were timely, informative and extremely helpful. Darren took extensive amount of time to address all questions and concerns from our group, thoroughly. Upon arrival, the entire trip experience exceeded our expectations. Each leg of the trip was flawlessly organized and each guide was welcoming and prepared. Darren incorporated all of our "wish list" activities and locations and guided us through Southern Africa in the most efficient manner. All lodging, inter-continental travel, guides, and activities are properly researched and vetted, making our experience significantly more enjoyable and stress-free.
I would highly recommend Compass Odyssey to help you develop your trip to Africa. The attention to detail, preparation and overall experience will leave you with the most memorable experience. Thanks Darren & Compass Odyssey for everything!
Email Bill | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A great safari in Southern Africa very well organised by Compass Odyssey
We were a party of four just returned from a fantastic safari in Botswana (Okavango Delta and Chobe River) and Victoria Falls, organised by Crusty and Kate Humphrys of Compass Odyssey. From the first contact Crusty was attentive and obliging, listened to our preferences and constructed an itinerary that suited our timetable and budget very well and proved to be excellent value for money. The pre-safari information pack was comprehensive, very informative and current and proved to be invaluable - and also correct in every detail! The accommodations selected by Crusty were small, boutique style and very comfortable. This was particularly important in the Delta (Pom Pom Camp) and Chobe River (Garden Lodge) where the numbers accommodated were small and on safari drives and river cruises we were the only occupants of the vehicle or boat. This contrasted with other vehicles and boats which carried much larger groups. This allowed ample opportunity for viewing and photography - which is what a safari is all about! The guides associated with the lodges were amazing in their ability to track and find animals and their knowledge of animals and birds was extraordinary. For us it was also reassuring to see how careful they were for our safety, both in driving and approaching wildlife. We saw an amazing variety of wildlife and the Delta was full of water and absolutely beautiful. We were transported by road from Chobe (Kasane) to Victoria Falls by the Compass Odyssey agent (Mortimer) who assisted with the border crossing into Zimbabwe (and later into Zambia) and stayed with us, taking us to see the magnificent falls and also to a local village and market where we learned much about traditional life in Zimbabwe. The hotel at Victoria Falls (Batonka Guest Lodge) was new and quite luxurious, with great staff and food - in fact, the staff and food at each of the sites were excellent. The whole safari went without a hitch and Crusty tracked us via email to make sure all was going well. I highly recommend Compass Odyssey for anyone looking for a truly personalised safari that is also very good value.
Email Sandy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Don’t look further to arrange your custom African experience of a lifetime.
My experience in Africa has been uniquely special. Travelling as a group of 4, our 12 days had been planned to maximise our perspective of the landscapes, the wildlife, and meeting first class people to guide us. Each transfer at airports from Immigration to small chartered flights was seamless. There were multiple opportunities where without Darren’s attention to detail, it may have been a challenge. Particularly the border crossing at Zimbabwe and Zambia which could have taken hours longer. It’s clear Kate and Darren’s years of experience and knowledge of Africa shine through in every organised detail. Even while “on tour” Darren was in touch with us to check we were on track. He had our back all the way which took my sense of a travel service to a whole new level. Truly amazing attention at Compass Odyssey! Value = priceless!
Email Annette Kowalczyk | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Superb hardly describes the efficiency and congeniality of Compass Oddesssy
Every aspect of our African safari organised by Compass Oddessy was perfect. At all times we had communication and contact with the staff who were there to assist. The preparation for our holiday was managed expertly an professionally and with a great deal of involvement to ensure that everything was planned right down to the last detail. Accommodation chosen was fantastic, as were the drivers and guides at every stop. Thank you Crusty and team for everything.
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Email Jane and Peter Wellington | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant
From the start of our communications, via email, Darren (Crusty) was patient, responsive and thorough. This was the most exotic and distant trip we had ever planned and we had some anxieties. Darren was respectful and reassuring at every turn.
Darren arranged Compass Odyssey Guides to accompany us through all airports and all border crossings through South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. We would never have wanted to do this without them. They handled everything and we had not a moment of worry.
The trip was a custom planned experience with private guides. It delivered beyond our expectations. The safari camps were amazing and the guides all knowledgeable and took very good care of us. We saw more wildlife up close than we imagined we ever could.
We stayed in lodges with only 12 to 18 guests and were not infrequently the only guests on game drives and boat cruises.
Compass Odyssey managed every detail of our trip perfectly. They made it a dream come true.
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Email Ed | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Thorough, caring, personal
This was my first time using a tour company: I prefer to organize my trips myself, and don't really want to sit on a bus with 20 other people looking at the same things thousands of people have seen.
But this was my first visit to Africa. I had a general idea of what I wanted to see/experience, but how to get from here to there, where to stay: I filled 10 pieces of paper with dates, flights, rental car and lodge info... I couldn't coordinate everything.
I can't remember how I got to their site, but I saw that they had generally what I wanted ("8 night Kruger/Victoria Falls/Zambezi.") I got in touch, and thus began a multiweek correspondence with Darren Humphrys. Darren said that they could personalize my trip, and Zambezi became Okavango.
It was a huge load off my mind to be met at the airport, taken to the place I was staying,, taken to the airport, and met at the next place. To be handed off to the next stage of the trip was a great comfort.
Part one of the journey couldn't begin until I got myself to Cape Town International Airport. For some reason the airline called Darren to say that I hadn't checked in when in fact I had. Darren sent me an email that said that if I didn't make the flight there was another I could take. He had time of flight and how to get to the lodge I was scheduled to stay at. He even called my number in the United States, a fact I didn't learn until I returned home and turned my phone on.
Again, I'm someone who prefers an independent trip. Compass Odyssey walked that fine line between making me feel like I was taking an independent trip and the comfort of, if something went wrong, they were there to make things right. I felt like I was their only client.
Email Stacey | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dedicated, professional and friendly small company
From my very first inquiry with Darren at Compass Odyssey, it was clear that he was dedicated to providing me and my partner with a great trip that met our requirements. He quickly adjusted our original suggested itinerary and was in regular contact in the run up to and during our trip.
The pre-safari information that was provided, along with a detailed itinerary, gave me confidence that everything would go smoothly and it did. The transport provided by Mortimer and our guided tour around Victoria Falls was excellent, and Mortimer helped us arrange some additional activities at short notice while we were there. Our onward transport to Botswana went smoothly and the accommodation we were booked into by Darren, both in Vic Falls and Botswana were great.
The safari trips we did were excellent and all the staff and guides were super friendly and knowledgeable.
I honestly can't rate Compass Odyssey highly enough - they are hands down the best travel company I've ever dealt with and I would recommend them without hesitation. If I go on another trip to Africa - and I'd love to - Compass Odyssey will be my first port of call.
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Email Cindy N | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Compass Odyssey is amazing thorough; knowledgeable and responsive. Highly recommend!
Darren & Kate brought our dream of a Safari to life - and it was more incredible than we ever expected. Their communication prior to our trip was highly responsive and could not have been more thorough; that reduced a significant amount of pre-Safari jitters. The reassurance Compass Odyssey provided in terms of knowing we would be met by an English speaking guide and that all travel arrangements had been pre-arranged was a huge relief as none of us traveling together had ever experienced the unique experience of a Safari.
Once in Africa, our itinerary was executed flawlessly. Guest houses and lodges provided superb accommodations and were very welcoming. Guides spoke English impressively well and were highly knowledgeable....jeep rides (humorously called African massages) as we tracked lions and leopards are unforgettable, as were evening boat excursions on the Chobe River. We saw more wildlife than we could have imagined and have a new appreciation for the birds of Africa.
Darren & Kate made our Safari dream become a once in a lifetime experience.
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Email Marta | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond my wildest dreams Darren is awesome and extremely knowledgeable
Our trip was full of many adventures and action packed to say the least. Had always been my dream to go to Africa and this trip exceeded all my expectations. We were in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Trip was 14 days not including travel and we saw everything we wanted to see plus more. Guides were knowledgeable and had great sense of humor. Accommodations were great and I was very happy with all aspects of our time and Darren was always quick to respond and always had a smile on his face.
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Email Renee Plank | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Darren of Compass Odyssey is highly responsive, thorough and knowledgable. Great to work with.
Communications were excellent. Gave a thorough description of exactly the what, when and where of our activities. Gave much additional information such as flights, malaria, water issues and suggestions of restaurants & activities. Always encouraged our asking questions.
