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 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 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.
CA
Email Diamond | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great!!!
Everything was very good from start to finish.
Lots of detail, information and answers in the planning stages followed by a great tour once we arrived in South Africa.
Communication was excellent before, during and after.
The tours, guides and accommodations were perfect for our family.
Crusty and Kate could not have been helpful and they arranged a first class trip
The trip more than lived up to our expectations.
Compass Odyssey arranged everything for us and what we received was first class at an affordable price.
The providers that they used for accommodation and safari's were excellent and certainly knew their stuff.
They were readily available and most helpful.
In summing up a great holiday that was stress free from ours as a customer point of view.