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 Grace Chen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Two Thumbs Up!!! 120 percent Satisfaction!
We booked the six-day Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park package from Compass Odyssey as part of our trip to Southern Africa this summer. The commutation with Darren was excellent from beginning to finish. He is very responsive, knowledgeable, and super friendly. Very easy to work with. During the planning stage, he was not only giving us detailed information regarding the tour we booked from him, but also went beyond and gave us information and recommendations on the other parts of our trip. Really appreciate his help and ideas.
After we booked the tour, he sent out to us a very detailed safari detailed information package, which includes the detailed itinerary, the detailed descriptions of the accommodations, the detailed descriptions of the places we are to visit, general details regarding visas, Safaris, the detailed activities we can do in Victoria Falls, and many more.
The tour itself was a wonderful experience. The two lodges he picked at Victoria Falls and Chobe are both beautiful and very comfortable. Our local guide Mortimer at Victoria Falls was very professional, experienced, and friendly. He and his wife even invited us for dinner at their house. We really enjoyed the traditional meal they prepared for us and the two-hour long chatting by the camp fire that Mortimer made for us in his front yard. Darren also emailed us during our tour to make sure that everything is on track and satisfied.
Victoria Falls is just so beautiful and powerful. In Chobe National Park, the Safari game drives and boat trips were private. We were so lucky to run into a lot of wildlife.
Thank you Darren again for all your help and the very memorable and amazing experience in Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park!
CA
Email Robert C and Family | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great trip well organized, perfect itinerary
I was very impressed by Odyssey. We left it to them to come up with an itinerary based on what we wanted to accomplish in the time frame and our price range. We were a family of 5 with three teenaged kids. They did a great job and ticked all the boxes on what we wanted to see. Their pre trip and during trip communication was excellent. They had great advice on everything from accomodations to what to bring and even how to tip.
I believe the best form of flattery is would we use them again and I would without a doubt. In fact I have already communicated with them on our next family Africa trip we want to take.
The documentation provided on our trip, what to expect, the accommodation and type was great. In all cases the arrangements and accomodations met or exceeded our expectations. The guides they used were professional and easy to deal with. We saw all we wanted to see and get both the wild animal and cultural experience we wanted.
Well done Odyssey.
CA
Email Curtis Petersen & Leila Barss | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very helpful, great reccomendations and great customer service.
Communications with Compass Odyssey was great and very quick response times. The entire booking of hotels, transportation and transfers was seamless and easy. All of the accommodations and activities were of great quality. We highly recommend them and we look forward to using their services for our next African adventure.
Email Graeme & Jane Hall | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Highly Recommended
Thank You Crusty (Darren) for a truly memorable experience. Smooth sailing from the minute we first contacted you, and (despite me perpetually changing the dates) you managed to produce an itinerary that provided excellent accomodation and activities throughout our trip to Cape Town, Kruger & Chobe NP and Victoria Falls. Maybe one day wasted in transit from Kruger to Chobe but this was necessitated by our change of dates - the fewer border crossings you have to make - the better!! Especially liked the attention to detail with our own driver/boatman in Chobe and the superb services of James and Corlia at Senalala. Saw more of Cape Town region with your guides than would have been possible on our own. We have rarely used organised tours before but this experience has shown me what I have been missing!! Many thanks again for a wonderful holiday!!
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Email Maxine Tate | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
FABULOUS TRIP PLANNED EXPERTLY BY A FABULOUS TOUR COMPANY---COMPASS ODYSSEY IS THE BEST!!!!
I have been on many tours around the world and have never experienced working with any like tour company like Compass Odyssey..Darren is so efficient about every detail...from the correspondence in emails that were answered immediately and all the questions answered quickly and I had a bunch!!! It took a while to tweak the trip where it was exactly what I wanted and Darren did such a wonderful job...in the end it was definitely a trip of a lifetime!!! The lodges where Darren booked us was top-notch and only the best!!! Our rooms were beautiful as were the whole camps which had views of animals or water or both!!! The food was fabulous and the presentation wonderful at all the lodges ..the staff was very friendly and accommodating. The safaris were fabulous ....We saw so many animals and it was so much fun trying to spot them...we were so close to the animals you could almost touch them!!!! What a wonderful experience we had and we love Afica...I hope to go back one day and would use no tour company except the wonderful COMPASS ODYSSEY!! Thanks so much Darren and Kate!!!
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Email Barry & Lisa | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Communication and attention to detail were excellent!
This was our first trip to Africa and our first safari. We had so many questions as we planned our itinerary and details of our trip. Darren was very helpful and provided us with excellent, detailed information on various options. He worked closely with us to plan a wonderful trip that included everything we wanted with excellent accommodations, professional and knowledgeable guides and no stress on our end.
We hope to be able to return to Africa and will happily let Compass Odyssey plan our next adventure.
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Email Jared Poole & Stephanie Poole | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
TRIP OF A LIFETIME
This was an amazing trip. Compass does an amazing and such a thorough job. We were able to cover so much ground in such a short amount of time and all of the experiences were top notch. Although our trip encountered no hiccups I certainly got the feeling that Darren would be available at any time and able to resolve any issues. Highly recommend booking a trip with these guys.
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!!!
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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!!
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Email Colleen and Phil Mewett | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Compass Odyssey is an excellent Company to work with and plan a safari - highly recommended.
After reading all the 5 star reviews about Compass Odyssey, I decided to write them an email saying that they are the company I would like to deal with regarding an African Safari for my wife and I. Choosing this company was the best thing I could have done!! We have just returned from the trip of a lifetime to Africa thanks to the expert travel planning skills of Darren and Kate. We spent 12 days in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
My first email to Compass Odyssey was back in June 2021 during the height of Covid and travel was almost impossible. I indicated that we would like to visit Kruger/Zambezi River/Victoria Falls/Chobe NP/Okavango Delta in September/October 2022 for between 10-14 days, hopefully Covid restrictions would be over by then. From this limited information Darren and Kate put together a wonderful trip for us which we will always remember.
Our safari started and ended in Johannesburg, with 3 days in Kruger National Park, 3 days in Victoria Falls, 3 days in Chobe National Park and 3 days in the Okavango Delta, before flying back to Johannesburg. The whole trip went like clockwork and every place we stayed was perfect for us. (We also spent 2 days on either side of our safari in Johannesburg to ensure some relaxation time on either end of our safari, and ensure that missed or late flights from the US were not a problem).
Our email communications with Darren and Kate during the 15 months leading up to our trip was absolutely first class – all my emails were answered promptly, usually within 24 hours, and I never felt any pressure at all to commit to anything during those long 15 months. The attention to detail in our pre-trip agenda was fantastic, from what travel documents were required, current Covid requirements and restrictions in the different countries, flight details, pickup times, meeting places, transfer names and times, Victoria Falls activities, etc, etc.
As for the safari itself...there were so many highlights. We saw the Big Five while we were at Kruger but the three that top my list were:
1. Being about 30 feet from watching 8 lions feasting on a recent cape buffalo kill...apparently there were 18 lions gorging themselves at this kill and some were just hiding and relaxing in the grass after having their fill This was at Chobe NP.
2. Again, being up close and personal watching 3 lionesses nursing 10 baby lions about 2 months old. Once they'd had their fill they just rolled over on their backs and chilled, taking no notice of their viewing audience. This was at Okavango Delta.
3. Following a leopard walking through some grass and climbing a dead tree where it continued to pose for us as we closed in and took pictures of this magnificent animal. This was also at Okavango Delta.
Add to these seeing wild dogs, hyenas and jackals at Kruger, rhinos with babies on the Rhino Walk, the magnificence of Victoria Falls, being up close and personal with crocodiles, elephants and hippos, unbelievable sunsets like you see in National Geographic, and so many other highlights. I have almost 2,500 photos from this trip.
All of the people we met on our trip were great, extremely friendly, and could not do enough for us.
I cannot emphasize how much we enjoyed this trip that Darren and Kate planned for us – it was wonderful and I highly recommend Compass Odyssey for anyone thinking about booking a safari.
