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 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.
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!
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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.
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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!
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
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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!
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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!
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Email Holly Romo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I would give then 100 stars if I could!!
We actually didn't get to go in June 2020 but I needed to write this review anyway!!
In 2019, I began planning an Africa trip with Darren at Compass Odyssey for 7 people in June 2020. He was amazing from the very beginning. Always available to answer any questions we had, patient with us when we changed our minds about exactly what we wanted to do, and planning a great trip that would fit into our budget. Over the planning time, we had people drop out, people who wanted to extend their trip, concerns about what "shots" we might need and a myriad of other concerns. Through all of that, Darren was a champ. He handled every change we wanted made, answered all of our questions and allayed all of our concerns.
Then comes COVID! We had to postpone our trip, which Darren handled brilliantly. He made sure that all of our deposits would hold until June 2021 and took care of all the legwork involved in moving our trip out a year.
Here we are approaching June, 2021, and we are now having to postpone again, as some of our travelers are still uncomfortable with going. I assumed we were going to have to just cancel and try to get reimbursed by our travel insurance for nonrefundable expenses already paid.
Well, that didn't happen. Darren stepped up to the plate and all of our deposits, etc, have been extended until at least the end of 2022. So our trip of a lifetime isn't gone, just on hold!
I'm pretty positive that we will go in 2022, but I know for a fact that if we can't, Darren will make it right for us. I'm sure that, eventually, I will be back here writing another glowing review after we get back from our trip.
If you ever want to go to Africa, you could not find a better company than Compass Odyssey or a better person than Darren, to plan YOUR trip of a lifetime!!
Email Greg and Victoria | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Compass Odyssey deserves its 5/5 rating.
From the first inquiry to the end of our trip, Darren was outstanding in providing a service with the aim of ensuring we had a holiday that met all our needs and expectations, leaving nothing to chance. We were never left wondering or waiting for a response.
Darren took the time to listen and understand our brief. Senalala Lodge delivered a beautiful understated, high quality standard of accommodation, meals and safari drives that left us with wonderful memories of a beautiful country full of extraordinary wildlife and a unique landscape. The extra touches such as the managers, James and Corlia and their outstanding guides joining us for meals made the whole experience very rewarding. We learnt that their lives are much broader than the Big 5.
If you ever thought a Safari was about driving around on a set route looking at the same animals then you will be in for a real treat at Senalala Lodge. Whilst on an early morning walk, we glanced side-wards to discover the surprise of a life time – a large white Rhino. With our guide's great skill we were able to spend time observing this magnificent beauty. Our guides, Ivan and Connor, had the greatest respect for the wildlife yet ensured our safety at all times.
We have no hesitation in recommending Compass Odyssey to travellers who like adventure combined with simple luxury and every detail ticked off. To know that there is a local person on the ground with every resource at his finger-tips was very reassuring.
Email Mike and Jen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A wonderful trip backed up by meticulous planning and engaging staff.
My Wife and I have been on a number of planned trips similar to the one provided by Compass Odyssey but none have provided the detailed planning, advice, support and attention to detail that Kate & Darren provided for us on our visit to the Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Chobe NP (Botswana). We were treated to some excellent accommodation, bountiful refreshments / meals and well trained staff who were totally focussed on providing a caring and attentive service.
The trip produced for us, two significant highlights (1) to see and experience the Victoria Falls in all their glory from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides, accompanied by a knowledgeable and interesting guide and (2) three days of safaris providing us with close up views of all manner of wildlife, birds and insight into the ecosystem in which they all live.
Certainly a trip that will live long in the memory - along with the hundreds of photos taken.
