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
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.
US
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.
US
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 🙏🏻🐆🦛🦏🦓🦒🙏🏻
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful time
I was apprehensive about travelling to South Africa but I was confident that my husband would not get us into danger and Compass Odyssey advertised that safety was a priority. We had a fantastic trip and saw so many animals it was stunning, and at no time did I feel unsafe. Kate and Darren's care of us as travellers was impressive even when we had our "own time" they recommended ideas specifically suited to our individual needs. I have so many wonderful memories and photos of our time in South Africa and hope to return soon to see more of Africa...only with Compass Odyssey.
PE
Email Caterina Butera and Juan Boria | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent Trip!
We are Juan and Caterina from Perú. We have been planning this trip to South Africa since April. And we made all the coordinations with Darren by e-mail. When we arrived in Cape Town, everything was perfect, all the coordinations, the timing, the hotels, the tours, everything! We had a lovely time there and we are dreaming about coming back with our daughters! We loved the Safari in NKaya Lodge, it was great! The service and guiding was excellent! We also went to Johannesburg and we find that city very interesting! Also Durban, that was our last destination was really nice! We are very grateful for the days we enjoyed in SA and for the excelent work of Darren as a coordinator and also as a host!
US
Email Leonard and Belinda Kaiser | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely first-class, an outstanding experience!
From the very first correspondence, we knew we were with the right company! We were so pleasantly surprised at the consistent, professional and friendly communications prior to our arrival, and from the moment we were greeted at the airport, our expectations were all exceeded. For the next several days we were treated to a local's view of all the best places to see, dine and experience, and it was like we were spending time with an old friend! We could have never found all the quaint, interesting and delightful places on our own. Darren went above and beyond everyday to make sure our time in South Africa was truly exceptional! Highly, highly recommend Compass Odyssey!
US
Email Carol C | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our Safari Experience was All We Hoped for and More
Working with Darren and Kate, the operators of Compass Odyssey was a joy. They were quick to respond to any questions we had regarding our trip and were able to put together an outstanding itinerary, which made for a most memorable trip. I was impressed with the detailed itinerary of our days in Africa sent to us, which was followed by an easy to follow abridged itinerary as our departure date drew near.
From the moment we were met by Darren at the airport on arrival, until we left Africa thirteen days later, out trip went smoothly. The lodgings for the safaris were more than adequate, and we were impressed with both the facilities and the excellent staff. Our safari guides were exceptional, and we were able to see wide life that took our breaths away.
I have already passed on to my friends, who have expressed a desire to visit Africa, Compass Odyssey's name. If I were to book another trip to this wonderful continent, I would choose Compass Odyssey again!
US
Email Philip and Delia | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Awesome,Wonderful,Unforgettable Place
My husband and I have travelled to many corners of the world including Europe,the Meditteranean,Southeast Asia,Carribean,Canada and of course the different states of USA which we've been living in the past more than 40 years,but recently our first travel to South Africa is considered awesome,wonderful and unforgettable.Cape Town offers a unique beauty of landscapes and beautiful mountains,wine country has breathtaking views in the hillside and well kept vineyards.Trip to Cape Point is a delight offering a breathtaking view of the seaside landscapes.Mandela's place of prison in Robben Island regards the place historical for it represents the hardships and struggles of citizens who is against the government and strives to achieve equality of treatments to their people. Penguin Island is truly a lovely place to see.The Safari trip to Klaserie Nature Reserve where various kinds of wild animals live is a wonderful experience for us because we love,love,love animals and see their habitats.
Johannesburg with the full bloomed jacaranda flowers is stunning.The apertheid museum sums up the history and struggles of equality of people living in the country.We have gone to Soweto to witness ourselves the kind of living in the neighborhood.Sidetrip to Pretoria is enriching.Seeing the modern buildings of Union Square is exhilarating.Our thanks to you all, for letting us see your beautiful country and hope that our friends and relatives will also come and visit you in the near future.It is a definite place for us to see again.
Our special thanks to these exceptional people we met:
1)Darren Humphrys-extremely efficient in organizing trips,highly recommended to tourists.
2)Keith Sinclair-our tour guide to Cape Town is outstanding.
3)The Senalala extraordinary staff namely:James,Corlia,HJ,Darryn,Lisa and all of their staff are all superb and wonderful people who we highly recommend to tourists.
4)Rutland House B&B -Delia Ferguson good host.
5)Peter Mashaba-nice and trustworthy guy who picked us up in the airport
6)Les Masaka-admirable,impressive tour guide we highly recommend to tourists.
See you all again,
Philip and Delia Pajela
US
Email Ed B | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolute Organized and Dependable Safari Tour Company
We are sexagenarians and 2 married couples from New York City that traveled to South Africa and thanks to Darren Humphrys, the owner of Compass Odyssey, who made all the arrangements of our 10-day safari tour. His arrangements were so well organized that no time was wasted for us in totally enjoying this vacation trip. His network of service providers from intercity air and ground transportation to and from the airport, B&Bs we stayed in, the luxury safari camp @ the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, tour guides in Capetown and Joburg and the tours within the cities were all friendly, knowledgeable, courteous, prompt and professional that really made our totally interesting and enjoyable, so much so that we decided to return to South Africa or its neighboring countries in the future and see the other places and adventures that we were not able to experience during this trip. And without a shadow of the doubt, we will ask Darren to assist and organize that trip again! I unequivocally and highly recommend Compass Odyssey to arrange your trip to South Africa.
CA
Email Jill and Don Stuart | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Superb Safari experience!
We had nothing but 10 star.....yes we double it!....service from Compass Odyssey. Darren Humphrys was amazing to deal with as from the outset of ensuring that we had a trip exactly suited to our needs. He kept in constant communication with us, through the deciding stage, right through to while on safari and after we got home. There were no questions left unanswered--competent and thorough he was. He arranged for a wonderful first-time experience in superb accommodations and with reliable, personable guides. We felt we could have had no better experience in Chobe, Victoria Falls and Sabi Sands/Kruger. Initially we were a bit reluctant to have private drives as we wanted to meet other travellers, which we did at the lodges at meal times. After seeing jeeps crammed with other travellers, we were definitely pleased we had game drives on our own. Compass Odyssey's representative, Mortimer was a definite help to get us easily and smoothly through the border crossings into Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and later to the airport in Livingston for our flight to Kruger area. We were thrilled with the Tyndon Safari Camp and even more pleased that we were at Sabi Sands rather than Kruger. We did spend a day in Kruger, but we preferred the quiet splendour of Sabi Sands to the more 'crowded' Kruger. Thank you Darren for organizing such a fantastic, memorable trip!!! We heartily recommend Compass Odyssey. We will be coming back.....and hopefully soon!!