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
US
Email Jeff Harris | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Compass Odyssey exceeded all of my expectations
To start, with the complexities of traveling from the USA due to Covid, and correspondingly, with firming up plans, I found Darren and Kate at Compass to be the most patient, informative, and accommodating. They answered every single question I had ( probably more than once) and remained extremely patient. I new almost out of the gate that I was going with Compass Odyssey as out of all of the many operators I connected with they were THE most responsive and informative. I trusted them out of the gate and they lived up to my expectations.
The trip was amazing. Again, due to COVID, and the constant need for PCR tests, I was a little nervous. No need, Darren and team had this completely arranged for me, everything always went smoothly crossing borders and having the required testing completed.
Compass's travel partners and lodges were the best. Truly top notch service and experience. My mind was blown all along the way. Again, all of my expectations were exceeded. Mortimer my guide in Zimbabwe was fantastic and went above and beyond to make me feel safe and cared for as I was traveling by myself.
This was a trip of a lifetime, or so I thought...as I am going back. I will most definitely be using Compass Odyssey again!
US
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!
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
US
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!
US
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.
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!
US
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.
US
Email Heather | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Meticulous planning and execution
Compass Odyssey did an excellent job with both planning and then implementing a wonderful, individualized trip for us.
In the planning stage, they used their extensive knowledge and experience to offer us an initial draft itinerary. Most importantly, they then listened to us about additional places we wanted to go and changes we wanted to make. They were able to give us feedback about logistics and timing. They also did research on our behalf about going to an area that was newer for them, finding the best guides and lodging possible. All-in-all, both the communication and the resulting itinerary were great.
The trip itself was amazing. The guides Compass Odyssey arranged for us were all helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, and flexible. They seamlessly took care of logistics in a way that made the trip so much easier than it would have been had we tried to do this on our own. We were met and assisted at every airport, driven to and timely collected from our lodging every day, taken to sights, helped with border crossings, and educated about the areas’ environment and history. Because they also listened to our interests and were flexible, the trip was able to be even further tailored specifically for us at the implementation phase.
Compass Odyssey also used their knowledge and experience to select outstanding lodging for us and to take care of all the internal airline bookings. The combination of everything that they did for us made this a trip of a lifetime for us. I would would definitely highly recommend Compass Odyssey and will go to them again for any future travel in Southern Africa.
MX
Email Balbina | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Beyond Expectation!!!!
Our friend introduced us to Compass and Darren back in 2019. We have planned originally our anniversary trip to South Africa in 2020. Compass and Darren‘s help was crucial during covid pandemic since there was change of plans and lot of cancelations.
2 years and a newborn later we finally got the chance to go to Africa. It was truly an amazing experience. We felt assisted every step of the way. Local guides and acomodations were first class.
We visited three different countries and Darren’s help allow us to enjoy our travelings without any stress.
We are very thankful with him and his team. He definately made our first trip to Africa a lifetime experience!
kudos compass odyssey
darren and his wife did a magnificent job of setting up our safari trip....every detail was thoroughly presented in a written record to guide us on our travels.....the camps that we used were top notch....this was our 2nd trip back....even though we covered the same areas we felt like it was a completely different experience..for a one of a kind trip let darren and his wife set up a custom trip through compass odyssey....