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 Janet & Steve Wilson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a Lifetime
Trip of a Lifetime (Proposed Review):
Our entire experience working with Compass Odyssey (Darren Humphreys) to create a trip of a lifetime to southern Africa was truly fantastic! With our son and his family living and working in Cape Town, we wanted to visit South Africa and take the opportunity to add in some adventure! We looked for safari packages that included experiences from our bucket list and found on-line Compass Odyssey’s “5-Day Zambezi-Chobe Safari & Victoria Falls” to include a taste of the Falls, guided game drives and tours, comfortable accommodations and safe transfers from place to place. We were seeking to “personalize” our itinerary!
We were happy to find that Compass Odyssey (Darren) focused on merging his 5-Day Safari package with the visit to our family. When we arranged a 2-day cruise on the Chobe Princess III at the end of the Odyssey safari, Darren collaboratively coordinated the transfers to and from the jetty.
Communication: Without exception, Darren wanted to know and understand what we were hoping to experience. He eagerly and promptly responded to our questions and concerns. He provided a wealth of background information and suggestions to assist our planning. Once our trip started, we switched to using WhatsApp that offered “real time” chats to keep us connected. He was only a text away for assistance should we need it. .
Safety: From our arrival at Johannesburg airport to our departure at the end of the trip, we were met, guided and accompanied through all transfers from place to place (passports, customs, accommodations, vehicles, boats and planes).
Accommodations: Each accommodation manager met us upon arrival because Darren had personally checked in with them to insure their readiness. Each accommodation was well suited to our needs, in close proximity to our activities, and was clean and comfortable. The Safari Club was just what we needed after a 16 hour flight from the US. It was close to the airport, offered a delicious meal, and provided a secure and comfortable room to rest before our next morning’s flight to Victoria Falls. The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was marvelous. Beautiful setting, excellent breakfast, comfortable room and close proximity to the Falls. The Chobe River Lodge was an excellent location for rest and relaxation between four exciting game drives within the Chobe National Park. Each accommodation had friendly staff who were always close by to provide any assistance needed. Even after we left the safari to join our family in Cape Town, Darren continued to be a resource to our stay in South Africa. Without reservation, I enthusiastically recommend Darren Humphreys and Compass Odyssey as a Five Star tour company for anyone wishing to have their trip of a lifetime personalized to their needs! Every aspect of our 18 day journey went from Best to Best to Best!
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Email Abby | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Personalized, fun, and educational
I went on a tour with Compass Odyssey to Namibia for 12 days (with a two day extension in Cape Town). The guides were fantastic and knew everyone and everywhere, and answered our myriad of questions about animals, cuisine, politics, history, landscape, everything. I learned so much and was fascinated by everything we did and saw. I would 100% go to Namibia with Compass Odyssey again! I'd just spend more than two days in Cape Town next time.
Email Richard and Hayden | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic from start to finish
As experienced travellers and always designing and booking our holidays, putting that trust into someone else to curate a memorable “once in a life time trip” is a big thing! After ALOT of research, we eventually landed on Compass Odyssey to book our safari. Darren and Kate did not disappoint!! Communication, attention to detail and the personalised service was simply outstanding and nothing was ever a problem.
Our 8-day itinerary consisted of Victoria Falls – Hwange NP – Chobe NP. Right from Victoria Falls airport pickup to saying our goodbyes in Botswana, local guides Ruth and Mortimer were fantastic and all transfers, activities and border crossings went to plan. Ruth was kind enough to take care of our dinner reservation at the Lookout Café and was more than happy to drop us off and pick us up (there is a small extra fee for this, which was outlined in the itinerary from Darren).
The Hide in Hwange NP and the Chobe River Lodge in Botswana were both amazing properties, with great staff, guides and wildlife viewing, and delicious food!
Thankyou again Darren and Kate, for the amazing trip and personalised service, we hope to see you again for another African adventure!
US
Email Chris and Abby | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding pre- and post-trip customer service together with best trip guide EVER!
Compass Odyssey is THE tour operator to work with for your dream vacation. Knowledgeable, reliable, prompt, and thoughtful service from Darren makes you feel as though you are the only person he is helping. He will advise, recommend, and listen while planning your trip. Ever cheerful with a remarkable sense of humor, he is so efficient that he makes what can be the most stressful experience (planning a trip) smooth and hassle-free. My daughter and I were so relieved to have Compass Odyssey take care of everything from the moment we stepped off the plane until we returned to the airport 2 weeks later. I felt we were always on the radar, so it became such a relaxing time. Our guide in Namibia - Elvis - was a man of wondrous wit and wisdom, and his presence enhanced our experience exponentially. We left Namibia with the sense of having seen the best of the best landscapes, having the closest encounters with its magnificent wildlife, and learning of its multitude of cultures. I can give this experience, from planning through execution, an unqualified "two thumbs up."
Email Ian, Teresa and Adam Bailey | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Compass Odyssey did a great job arranging a tour for us in Namibia
I chose Compass Odyssey to arrange our 12 day tour of Namibia and they did not disappoint at all. The early communication with Darren and Kate was very good, and they clearly understood our requirements and interests. Once we engaged them, they were very prompt and clear with communications and offered good advice when we needed to adjust the agreed programme because of an issue with the departure flight (which was caused by me, not them). The more off-the-beaten track places where they suggested we stay (Valley of 1,000 Hills and Doro Nawas in Damaraland) were among the main highlights of the tour. Their pre-tour information package was very comprehensive and informative.
Our guide, Elvis, was very good. He ably dealt with a problem on day 1 when our son missed his connection in Johannesburg on his way out to join us. Elvis is an expert on animals and birdlife and we learnt a lot from him. I am sure that we saw a lot more wildlife and birds than people without guides would have been able to.
Email Kate | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent communication, extremely knowledgeable and impressive attention to detail
From the moment I first contacted Darren and Kate early in the planning, referred from a previous happy customer of theirs, the communication was detailed and helpful. I wasn’t sure where I wanted to visit exactly and Darren was extremely patient with his suggestions.
Our trip was fantastic from beginning to end, our family of four all had the most amazing experience due to Darren’s local knowledge and understanding of what would work for us. He really listened to what we were saying, and worked hard to put together a trip that was seamless and so well organised all we had to do was relax and enjoy.
Cannot speak highly enough of Compass Odyssey and would use them again without hesitation!
US
Email Ray Khan and family | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Incredible support and attention to detail!
I can only say that Darren & Kate (Compass Odyssey) arranged the experience of our lifetime! We had up to 23 people that were coming into different airports, different countries, different dates but also were interested in different safari regions and different experiences. Overall the logistics of covering 5 countries (including the Okavango Delta) in ~2 weeks was an incredible challenge - Darren & Kate were just unbelievable ... they knew exactly what we needed to do and helped us script out the detailed itinerary (believe me, we challenged them to fit a LOT in a little time). However, they built in the appropriate amount of time to relax and build additional memories. Every single one of their recommendations was spot on - we are already cherishing every single minute of the adventure! Most importantly, we are ready to go back!
NZ
Email Sue Horsley and Leanne Killalea | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
This company is amazing,attention to detail,care,fantastic bespoke itinerary.
I will never be able to recommend this company enough, they did a phenomenal job sorting our bespoke itinerary …and were definitely 100% mindful and aware of every day that-we were away. By no means in a weird intrusive way, they just ensured that all the dots were connected.
Truly I've travelled heaps over many years, and am a few years older than when I started travelling, but these guys listen to what you want…for me trying to put together a great time pre/post a bike ride in Namibia.
Outstanding doesn't come close, all 4 of us walked away saying Compass created a stunning, oh so special experience.
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Email Joy Schlecht | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Darren is a chram and knows what he's doing! I will more than likely use Comopass odyssey again!
What a wonderful experience it was using Compass Odyssey.. Darren knows his stuff and organized everything with perfection.. Our guide in Cape town "Glen" was delightful. All of the lodgings Darren booked for us were superb. (Victoria Falls, Chobe River, Botswana) And Cape Town! We pointed him in the direction we wanted to visit and he did it! Was a lovely lovely trip..
HK
Email Zoe Chang | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect
Regarding to the initial planning of the safari trip, we were all very appreciative about Darren’s effort in assisting us in booking the safari, accommodations and transportation. Before the trip, the company sent us the pre-safari information which is very useful and thus we could know more about the culture and things to aware before arriving Africa. During the planning process, Darren listened to our opinions and gave us suitable recommendations. Also, Darren even assisted us the airport transportation that was not supposed be arranged by him. During the trip, everything was smooth. We particularly enjoyed the accommodations Compass Odyssey offered to us which were all very comfortable especially 528 Victoria Fall which was just like “home”. Though it was quite hot without air-conditioner in Camp Nkwazi. Also, we like the arrangement that we were the only one in the boat safari and safari drive during ur stay in Chobe River Lodge. During the trip, Ruth was good and always listened to our opinions and offered us suitable recommendations.
