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 Melissa Mona | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy to work with
The very first thing we did was go to a place to book excursions, felt like high pressure sales on the guide's part. We hurriedly pick a few and asked to go to check in at our accomodataions so we could freshen up from traveling. The next day we were a bit surprised to be handed an invoice for transport to and from activitites. We almost missed one activity because our guide told us to be ready at one time and the transport arrived over an hour and a half before that time. Fortunately that driver waited for us to hurry and get ready, we did almost miss the boat for the excursion, they held the boat since there were so many people from different places on the bus. May have made the actual boat ride shorter, I have no idea.
The transfers to and from countries with the guides seemed seamless. We always felt safe. transferred from Zimbabwe to Zambia and back, then to Botswana later.
the host and accomodations in Botswana, and the guides there were beyond amazing. I would do this part of the tour again in a heartbeat.
The food at all accomodations was great.
Reply from Compass Odyssey
Posted on Aug 4, 2023Hello, Melissa and thanks for the review.
We always prefer to pre-arrange our travellers' activities for their time in and around Victoria Falls so that upon your arrival, there is no need to visit the activities office and make your choices on the spot, as happened in your case because you hadn't asked us to arrange anything. We're sorry that the activities consultant made you feel pressured and we've asked our guides, Ruth and Mortimer to ensure this doesn't happen. We're also sorry that it seems that the collection time for your sunset cruise was incorrectly advised to you by the activities consultant. The activities are booked/operated by a third party. Two of the activities that your group of six travellers chose did not include transfers in the cost, so you were transferred by Ruth. We mentioned this scenario in your safari documentation and also mentioned that Mortimer and Ruth are not your full-time guides and that any extra transport or services may require payment, as happened in your case. We're glad you enjoyed the hospitality of Anja and her team at Chobe River Lodge.
Darren and Kate
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Email Anna and Marcie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The tour operator should be given kudos for hiring our tour guide, Elvis. He was the best.
I would and have described this trip as rugged. A major portion of the trip was spent in our vehicle on rough roads, which are typical for viewing the sites in Namibia. Thank goodness for Elvis, our guide who kept it entertaining and made regular stops. I'm not sure that on a couple of those days, flying in a bush plane wouldn't have been a better option. Obviously, adding to the cost. The only real complaint that I have is the vehicle which was rented for our trip. They often say, know your audience. We were 4 women, 2 in their mid-60's and 2 in their mid-70's and short. We all were challenged getting into the vehicle whose first step was sitting at least 3 feet off of the ground. Eventually, Elvis bought a stool which made it much easier to get into the vehicle. Having been on safaris in the past, I know that there are All Terrain Vehicles that have easier boarding methods. Communications with CO was great. They responded timely and thoroughly. I can't say enough great things about our guide, Elvis. And, everything ran smoothly both due to CO and Elvis. We never had to wonder what was going on. If I were to rate this tour on a scale of 10, I would rate it an 8 out of 10.
Reply from Compass Odyssey
Posted on Oct 4, 2022Thanks for your review, Anna and we're glad that Elvis was able to help make the long driving days bearable. We do mention in our detailed itineraries that the days can be long in Namibia...such is the price for travelling in this vast, open country. Elvis has kept the magic stool for future travellers who travel in that larger vehicle and my apologies that it took a few days before this simple remedy was obtained. We only use this vehicle when there are 4+ travellers. We use a 5-door SUV 4x4 for 1-3 travellers and could offer it to four travellers like yourselves but this would mean three of you sitting on the back seat together, which surely wouldn't be comfortable.
Thanks to your suggestion, we have recently received fares from a local charter airline and will offer this option to our travellers in the future...though the costs are considerably above our usual travellers' budget plus this would also mean that we wouldn't be able to offer Elvis as the sole guide because he obviously can't get between point A and Point B at the same speed as the plane.
Very well organized and interesting tour of the places to see in Cape Town
This was not a safari tour, but a first experience of all the beautiful sights Cape Town has to offer. The guest house (Parker’s Cottage) where I stayed was excellent, their breakfast offer was outstanding with various choices of cooked breakfast, fresh juices and amazing and tasty fresh fruit with granola. The local guide cum driver was knowledgeable and provided a lot of insight on South African history and politics.
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Email Caldwell | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well-planned & great communication
We had an amazing time in Chobe & the Okavango on one of Darren's trips. Our time in Pom Pom Camp was unforgettable thanks to a fantastic guide named Patros. Darren was thorough and quick to respond as we planned our trip -- which is very important when you're trying to become comfortable with logistics of a trip into the bush. The camp had a potentially significant luggage SNAFU on our way out the door, but the camp operator took care of us while we were delayed in Maun -- and Darren did what he could to assist.
Our time at Garden Lodge in Chobe was nice. The owners are fantastic, but one of the staff members left a bit of a bitter taste. I understand that person is being cycled out soon enough, so should not count against the lodging.
Overall, my feeling is that we live in an age where its become increasingly feasible to design your own worldly adventures. We picked Compass Odyssey because it lined up with our trip budget, however, after the fact, I do believe the trip was slightly over-priced. I say that even though Compass Odyssey gave us a great deal of peace of mind headed into our adventure and guided us to some great venues.
So helpful for our trip of a life time.
Lots of communication prior to our trip, all questions answered. Batonka a beautiful place to stay, great breakfast to start your day! My sisters did find the single twin beds to be quite narrow, in North America twins seem to be a thing of the past, rooms have 2 double size beds. Sam, taxi driver from Zambia to Zimbabwe boarder, very knowledgeable. Emmanuel, driver & guide in Livingstone, fun and knowledgeable. Mortimer, our guide to Victoria Falls, patient and very helpful, made excellent recommendations for excursions. Only suggestion would be to reconfirm cost of extra transfers, who remembers what is in the contract?! Letting us know a taxi might be an option to consider.
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Email Eduardo and Nancy Vazquez | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Outstanding company,well managed and highly commendable
Second time in the last 3 years doing a safari trip with Compass Odyssey,this time we had a 3 weeks or 23 days trip including stays in,Namibia,Botswana(Okavango Delta,Khwai River and Mababe area,Zimbabwe,Hwange National Park and Senalala lodge in the Klaserie private reserve area.Everything once again went as advertised,from all flights to ground transport to excellent safari guides and abundant wildlife in all places visited.At Senalala was our second time and we had a very enjoyable time there.All meals were excellent and the customer care and service was as customary beyond expectations.As stated my first time with Compass Odyssey,if you are planning on a trip the Southern part of Africa,this is the company to go with.Compass Odyssey run by Darren and his wife truly delivers.We have the pleasure and honor of meeting Darren at the end of our stay in Hoedspruit and without a doubt as I mentioned to him,I will be doing a third trip with them again.We really appreciate the integrity and expertise of Compass Odyssey putting life dream trips together so I highly recommend this company to anyone dreaming of an unforgettable trip to motherland 🙏🏻🐆🦛🦏🦓🦒🙏🏻
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Email James Loberg and Aimee Powell | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easiest trip of our life
Everything was amazing, everywhere we needed to go we knew who was going to pick us up, where they were picking us up from, and what they looked like. Every recommendation made was amazing and we had a ton of fun.
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Email Jenny B | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Compass Odyssey provided a wonderful service, with easy communication and great, knowledge guides.
Having been recommended Compass Odyssey from other New Zealanders, I found communication easy and prompt. There were changes early in trip planning, including dates, and Darren took it all in his stride. Compass came up with recommendations that I could choose which option suited me best, displaying very knowledgeable details on the areas I wanted to experience. There was no detail that was left to chance, which I found re-assuring before even stepping onto Africia. The background information provided, with regards to visas/ the safari lodges / roads etc. was absolutely spot on. knowledgeable
The local guide in South Africia - Gillian was warm, great sense of humour and listened to our ideas on what we wanted to do.
Chobe National Park exceeded any expectations that I had, and the river safaris were fantastic. Our guide, Tefo really did his absolute best to give myself and my friend the best experience he could. I never thought I would get so close to big predators and elephants! The amount of wildlife, in part, due to the drought, was mind-blowing.
The guide used for two weeks in Namibia, Elvis was top notch, and I would also highly recommend. Elvis was thoughtful throughout - basically living with myself and my friend - every breakfast, lunch and dinner for the two weeks! Elvis knew his facts on the local flora/fauna and though had to repeat himself at times, because I couldn't tell the difference between antelope, was very patient with me! When requested to come up with options in local areas to view local people, Elvis knew exactly where to go.
Thank you, Compass Odyssey, for providing an efficient, safe, well-planned trip that I will never forget. Africia is an amazing destination that I would love to experience again, and I would, without hesitation use your company.
NZ
Email Sue M | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
An excellent Tour Company to plan & communicate with, and no hiccups touring in Africa for 4 weeks.
I got a recommendation to travel with this company & I will now highly endorse this recommendation after touring with them for 4 weeks. Nothing was left undone. Darren's places to stay worked extremely well with my photography expectations of early morning photography because we were already staying inside a number of National Parks. Two weeks traveling, safaris, dining with the same guide was so easy with such a brilliant guide-Elvis. He was easy to develop a rapport with, understood our needs, especially stopping for photo shoots. He was extremely patient. We always knew exactly what we were going to do, need, etc. Nothing was too much for him. We both felt so comfortable & safe, including his driving, in his care. He spoke clearly and drip feed useful information. I believe he is an excellent ambassador for his country.
Also, Gillian our guide, in Cape Town was excellent, young and vibrant. We didn't really have a strict itinerary so she made sure we were informed of her suggestions and schedule. Because the All Blacks were playing South Africa, Gillian continually enquired to the best place to watch the game. Although we were beaten, sitting amongst hundreds of compassionate Africans in a superb viewing spot certainly was a highlight of those 4 days. I would not hesitate to return to Africa only under the auspice of Compass Odyssey. Sue, NZ
Detail orientated and truly respected by owners/ managers of lodges and guides.
This was my #1 bucket list trip, and have wanted to go to Africa since I was 14 years old. I’m now 68. So to find someone to make all your dreams come true, one needs to use Compass Odyssey. It was five days in Cape Town, a stunning city and the surrounding peninsula. Garth Angus was our guide and his wealth of knowledge of not only the history of South Africa but the floral and fauna made that trip a highlight. When you are in a vehicle with someone for 8- 10 hours, you want to have a rapport with that person and we got it in spades with Garth.
Next off to Namibia for 10 days and got to meet our driver and guide, Raymond. A truly spectacular country with a myriad of geography. The dunes, the coast just spectacular. Raymond was also an exceptional guide, very proud of his country and a great teacher, the only place we saw rhinos, both black and white!
Our final stop was 6 days in Botswana, 2 night in the Kansane area at Chobe River Lodge, and lucked out with one of the best guides again. Hi Tefo! He showed us some spectacular wildlife around the Kasane area of Chobe park, including lions, leopards, Cape buffalo elephants, just about anything you would be interested in seeing, his tracking ability was amazing.
Lastly we flew to the Mababe area in the Okavango Delta where our guide was the kind and gentle Antony. The Nokanyana Lodge suffered a devistating fire just a couple of weeks before our arrival. They lost the dining hall and lounge and outdoor viewing deck in the fire. The staff worked extra hard to make our stay the very best it could possibly be and always had smiles for us all the time, a shout out to Lemo and Chef Nati, only two of the wonderful staff who worked at Nokanya!
Antony knew that to see a cheetah would have been the icing on the cake for us, and he tried so hard but those elusive cheetahs were not to be spotted. Other great wildlife abounded, especially the hippos.
So as we think and dream about our return trip, we will be definitely using Compass Odyssey and the excellent services of Darren (Crusty) and Kate Humphries.