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
Very knowledgeable and easy-going guide!
We enjoyed the experience of having Darren from Compass Odyssey as our guide on a 5 day trip to the Cape area, a very well informed and educated person who helped turn our visit into an unforgettable part of our South African tour. Thankyou very much, Darren!
Email Daniella Arbuckle | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantasic Family Safari Experience
Our Southern African holiday was initiated by my father-In-law who thought it would be a great experience for our 2 children. He came upon Darren and Compass Odyssey from mutual friends in Perth. All arrangements were made via e-mail. Darren suggested several itineraries that would suit our family, including my Father in law and 2 young children 7 and 5. Our final arrangements included Cape Town, Kruger NP, Victoria Falls and Chobe NP.
All our accommodation was superb. From a beach House in Kommetjie, Cape Town to the quirky rondavels in Kruger NP. All accommodation was arranged to be self catering so we had flexibility when it came to feeding the kids.
African Safari's with young children can be challenging as many operators do not allow children as young as 5. Darren had arranged and drove our own private mini van which meant our youngest could be a part of the experience.
There were several internal flight between Kruger and Zambia as well as Botswana to Johannesburg airport not to mention less than straight forward border crossings between Zambia and Zimbabwe. These all went of smoothly.
As our group consisted only of us and Darren as our guide ( for the entirety of the trip) the days and scheduled events were very flexible. As a parent himself to 3 young children, Darren had a good sense of how much to fit into one day, never did we feel rushed and plenty of rest stops were catered for on the longer drives.
Darren's passion for South Africa is evident through his extensive knowledge from politics and history to the bird life and wild life which he is more than willing to share.
Our holiday was one that will not be soon forgotten. From the initial contact to the final goodbye everything went smoothly and without any hassle. I couldn't recommend Compass Odyssey and Darren
highly enough. Especially to those thinking about travelling with a younger family.
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!
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.
Email Stephen Slavin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experiences of a Lifetime!
We had travelled extensively around the world for 25 years before we took two Compass Odyssey tours because we had never experienced Africa. Their client profile fitted us as we like to engage with cultures wherever we travel and go off the beaten track away from tourist "packs" to have special encounters. We had a fantastic time and still cherish the amazing insight into South Africa that Darren and Kate gave us. We met real people and had experiences that will remain with us forever. Their ability to give us the information we needed to enjoy the moment without bombarding us with facts, and subtly creating moments around exquisite food, views, places or people was remarkable.
I can't recommend Compass Odyssey highly enough for the quality of product and price that we enjoyed in South Africa.
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
An amazing experience with fantastic tour guides.
Crusty (Darren) and lovely partner Kate were wonderful people and extremely knowledgeable guides. We visited amazing places and experienced being around the African wildlife which was a dream come true. The food was amazing and accommodation was very comfortable. Don't think about...just do it!
Email Ian | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A great trip north to south with diverse landscape and animals
Not knowing what to expect on this trip, I found it a great experience . The tour covered Kruger nation park in the north through Swaziland, the battlefields of the Zulu wars and the Drakensberg mountains. A great wealth of animals during the tour was a highlight. The overall tour was made enjoyable by tour leader Darren and his driver/cook. we always knew what was happening and what was going to happen.
I would recommend a short stay in Cape Town to end the tour
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic, amazing, well organised
Second tour with Compass Odyssey, first one was fantastic, this one was brilliant. Prior to the travel we were kept updated and informed constantly as to what we could expect and what was required. The itinerary showed us some of the very best of Southern Africa. Chobe and Vic Falls were incredible, and our second visit to the Kruger National Park was just as stunning as the first. The Okavango Delta was the most amazing highlight which included a very exciting 30 minute stand off with lions on a game walk. The whole trip was extremely well organised not a glitch in sight. We will travel with Compass Odyssey again, the knowledge and passion of our tour guide Darren Humphrys was key to the enjoyment of this trip.
Email Judith Croft | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
This tour was a very informative, low cost, but comfortable & enjoyable experience.
A good choice of scenic areas, including Drakensburgh mtns, & Kruger N.Pk., where animals were prolific.
The tour operator Darren Humphries, is an excellent guide, with a wealth of knowledge of Africa.
Meals prepared by the crew were plentiful & tasty. Accomodation was clean & comfortable, a mix of cottages & resort/lodges. Every effort was made to ensure the passengers were kept safe, & enjoying their adventure in a friendly atmosphere.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A totally enjoyable trip around South Africa
The fact that only 4 of us were travelling around South Africa with Crusty (our tour leader) made it a very special experience as we all became firm friends by the end of it. We saw a lot of what South Africa has to offer with Kruger national park being the highlight for me , the wildlife we saw there was just amazing. All the accommodation was of a high standard and the vehicle we travelled in always clean and comfortable. It truly got Africa into my blood and I couldn't wait to visit again. I totally recommend Compass Odyssey to anyone interested in a very personal and enjoyable African safari. The service was memorable and Crusty always managed to keep everyone happy.