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 Nedra Howard | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Best Trip Ever!
We couldn't be happier with the communications, services, and experiences our safari tour provided. Darren responded immediately EVERY TIME to our e-mails. Our trip was fabulous. We saw and did everything we wanted and more. Our accomodations were wonderful. The staff at each place was marvelous. The food and dinner experiences were great. Our tour guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and worked to make sure we had the best experiences. If I could give more stars to this review I would. There wasn't a single thing that I would have changed!
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Email Kimberlee Jenne | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Compass Odyssey did an exellent job creating an itinerary that fit our requests.
I would highly recommend Compass Odyssey, they created an itinerary that went way beyond my expectations. They listened to our group and kept in constant communication. For example we had one night planned in Johannesburg, unfortunately their were riots due to an election. They were concerned about our safety and were willing to help. The accomadatons we chose were in a safe area and so our trip was very safe. The places we stayed were gracious and friendly. The food was delicious. Above all the guides were friendly and excellent educators and we were able to view so many animals, birds and plants. I would definitely use this company again!
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Email Mala and Ramesh | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding Trip!
This was our first trip to Africa. We traveled to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe and Zambia), Chobe, and Okavango Delta in Botswana.
Throughout our journey of planning, communicating, providing detailed information, and the various trip options, Compass Odyssey was with us all the way.
Traveling from the US, we had no clue on what to expect and was expected of us - medical, social, travel reservations, lodging, insurance, etc. Darren and Kate guided us with all these aspects. No question was too silly for them to answer, and we received responses within 24 hours.
Our baggage got delayed and did not arrive in Victoria Falls. Mortimer, Ruth, and Collin helped us shop for basic necessities. They were patient, friendly, and also gave us good vegetarian food options. Collin was our guide and he gave us lot of interesting info about the Falls. We also had a wonderful time in Chobe and Okavango Delta. The lodging facilities reserved by Compass Odyssey were excellent.
We would definitely go with Compass Odyssey on our next trip to Africa, and highly recommend them to others. Thank you Darren and Kate!
SE
Email Maria & Peter | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Attentive, knowledgeable and really great!
We contacted Compass Odyssey about a trip we wanted to make in just a few weeks. The experience emailing with Darren and Kate was really great as they helped us put together an itinerary that matched our budget and timeline but exceeded our expectations. We were not very knowledgeable about our options but Darren navigated us through several choices and we ended up with a great itinerary.
Once in Africa we felt very well taken care of by both Compass Odyssey's local guide in Victoria Falls Mortimer as well as all the accommodations that Compass Odyssey had booked us on. Had any situation arisen we are sure that Darren and Kate would have easily solved it but the trip went perfect. We can highly recommend their services!
MT
Email Alan Bonnici | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A fabulous experience of a lifetime
For me, Compass Odyssey means meticulousness and diligence, reliable and highly professional. It's from quotation and initial booking stages that CO gave a glimpse of their dependability. Darren was extremely fast in answering all our queries, and his response was always well detailed. He strived and managed to tailor-made our South African tour to our preferences and liking.
The tour is extremely well organized, with excellent local guides, and extremely well selected accommodations. Garth, Mortimer and Chic were remarkable. Besides their professionalism, they have always managed to adjust the program according to our liking, and have always made us feel welcome. I have particularly appreciated Garth’s initiative to include a bird watching activity which was out of schedule. Chic was really informative and was always willing to suggest dining options. Mortimer, together with his wife and son, did a great job in coordinating our tours and cross border arrangements. I must say that we have greatly treasured the ‘Tour of the Township’ with Mortimer’s wife, and would have really wished to visit the local school which were told that was closed (being part of the excursion we have brought several dictionaries and English literature books for the kids and it was rather disappointing that no one advised us beforehand that the school was going to be closed). Notwithstanding this, we have managed to fulfill this time with another equally amazing activity, feeding the vultures.
Our tour was an excellent mix of culture, history, tradition and wildlife experience. We have gone through several distinct ecosystems – the wine lands in Stellenbosch area, safari destinations of Kruger & Chobe national parks, the waterfall wonder at Victoria Falls, to the dramatic cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg.
We went foe this tour in search of Africa’s rich tradition, diverse wildlife and beautiful scenery, however thanks to Compass Odyssey we left with a collection of new experiences, expanded horizons and a fresh perspective of life.
Reply from Compass Odyssey
Posted on Sep 25, 201822 AUGUST Hello Alan and Andreana and greetings again from Africa.
Thanks so much for the very generous review. We're however very sorry that the school was closed during your Township Tour in Victoria Falls. We were also not aware that the children were on school holidays, and we have requested Mortimer to let us know in advance of these dates so that none of our future travelers experience the same disappointment. We have also asked him to take a picture when he hands over the books to the school, just so that you can have confidence that your kind gift is appreciated.
UPDATE 25 SEPTEMBER Thank you again, Alan and Andreana for your very generous donation for the school in Victoria Falls. Ruth handed the books to the school the other day and Mortimer was kind enough to send me a picture to pass onto you both, which I have just done by email.
NZ
Email Charlotte | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing experience, well organised!
Wow! We can not thank Darren enough for organising the perfect honeymoon for us. I’ve lost count of the number of emails I’ve sent to Darren, the number of questions I asked and every time Darren would reply in a timely manner, answering all of my questions. We picked a tour from the list and modified it with Darren’s help that we made our own tour which was amazing, we went to a variety of places over two weeks and everything was organised from accomodation to transfers. Darren kept in contact during our time in Africa to check everything was ok, which was excellent he was there if we needed him. We were sent very informative, thorough information to help us pack and plan.
Every accomodation Darren booked was amazing, every safari we went on was enjoyable and an experience of a lifetime. If you’re not sure where to start send Darren an email and you won’t be disappointed. You will get personalised, friendly, professional and extremely well organised advice and support from the booking process right through to when you are travelling.
Thank you so much Darren!
Email Bill | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A great safari in Southern Africa very well organised by Compass Odyssey
We were a party of four just returned from a fantastic safari in Botswana (Okavango Delta and Chobe River) and Victoria Falls, organised by Crusty and Kate Humphrys of Compass Odyssey. From the first contact Crusty was attentive and obliging, listened to our preferences and constructed an itinerary that suited our timetable and budget very well and proved to be excellent value for money. The pre-safari information pack was comprehensive, very informative and current and proved to be invaluable - and also correct in every detail! The accommodations selected by Crusty were small, boutique style and very comfortable. This was particularly important in the Delta (Pom Pom Camp) and Chobe River (Garden Lodge) where the numbers accommodated were small and on safari drives and river cruises we were the only occupants of the vehicle or boat. This contrasted with other vehicles and boats which carried much larger groups. This allowed ample opportunity for viewing and photography - which is what a safari is all about! The guides associated with the lodges were amazing in their ability to track and find animals and their knowledge of animals and birds was extraordinary. For us it was also reassuring to see how careful they were for our safety, both in driving and approaching wildlife. We saw an amazing variety of wildlife and the Delta was full of water and absolutely beautiful. We were transported by road from Chobe (Kasane) to Victoria Falls by the Compass Odyssey agent (Mortimer) who assisted with the border crossing into Zimbabwe (and later into Zambia) and stayed with us, taking us to see the magnificent falls and also to a local village and market where we learned much about traditional life in Zimbabwe. The hotel at Victoria Falls (Batonka Guest Lodge) was new and quite luxurious, with great staff and food - in fact, the staff and food at each of the sites were excellent. The whole safari went without a hitch and Crusty tracked us via email to make sure all was going well. I highly recommend Compass Odyssey for anyone looking for a truly personalised safari that is also very good value.
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Email Jane and Peter Wellington | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Brilliant
From the start of our communications, via email, Darren (Crusty) was patient, responsive and thorough. This was the most exotic and distant trip we had ever planned and we had some anxieties. Darren was respectful and reassuring at every turn.
Darren arranged Compass Odyssey Guides to accompany us through all airports and all border crossings through South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. We would never have wanted to do this without them. They handled everything and we had not a moment of worry.
The trip was a custom planned experience with private guides. It delivered beyond our expectations. The safari camps were amazing and the guides all knowledgeable and took very good care of us. We saw more wildlife up close than we imagined we ever could.
We stayed in lodges with only 12 to 18 guests and were not infrequently the only guests on game drives and boat cruises.
Compass Odyssey managed every detail of our trip perfectly. They made it a dream come true.
DE
Email Ed | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The passion of experienced travellers, shared to enable an inspirational, relaxed and exciting trip
Kate and Darren's effusive advice and guidance made for a truly exceptional safari, where questions were promptly answered and arrangements were perfectly smooth and trouble-free.
Early ambiguity concerning internal flights was clarified and the experience from then on is to be wholeheartedly recommended. The abundance of information prior to the holiday meant we arrived well informed and free to soak up all the trip had to offer. All guides and pick ups worked as planned and effortlessly negotiated round some minor inconveniences with the weather. The itinerary itself was perfectly assembled to give an authentic picture of the huge variety of culture and wildlife in Southern Africa.
Emails were responded to seemingly immediately, with detail and comfort-providing clarity.
Kate and Darren's passion for travel and for Africa, their attention to detail and faultless communication, means that we are delighted to recommend them and their company and to offer the highest rating possible.
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Email Allyson | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Travel with confidence and comfort
Our family of three started out requesting information for a short few day excursion from Johannesburg to Botswana. We sent inquiries to many tour operators and got a variety of responses. By far, the most detailed and informative response was from Compass Odyssey. Our trip then morphed into a trip for four people, then six people, then it was to Victoria Falls and Chobe, then it was ten days, and Hwange too. Suffice it to say, our trip went through multiple adaptations before we settled on our final itinerary (and I didn't even mention we were traveling with a seven (7) year old and a ninety (90) year old) but Kate and Darren were so easy to deal with; they sent prompt replies; answered all questions; and sent the most detailed information of any tour operator I have ever dealt with before. It was because of their professional yet friendly and accessible nature that we had no doubt that when we finally arrived things would be in good order and they were. The drivers were all prompt, the accomodations were fantastic, and everything exceeded our expectations. They even arranged for a birthday party for my father-in-law who celebrated his 91st while on safari. The entire trip was truly extraordinary, no doubt because of the comfort and confidence we had in Compass Odyssey to take care of all the details (and there were many); we just luxuriated.