Come As Guests, Leave As Family.
Odyssey Safaris
- Located In:
-
United States
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2002)
- Member Of:
- APTA, ATA & KPSGA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $400 to $600 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Linda | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
5 Star Experience from Start to End
My husband and I were introduced to Odyssey Safaris (OS) through Groupon (which we decided not to use--keep reading). We contacted OS and received an immediate response. We were impressed that a real person, Mark Cahill, made himself available to speak to us. He proposed a safari in Kenya that was comparable in pricing to Groupon but in keeping with our availability. Prior to paying for our package, there was a political incident in Kenya that compelled us to ask for a change in destination. In short order, Mark prepared an alternative package in Tanzania--visiting 4 natonal parks within close proximity, at nearly the same price. He suggested that we consider doing a stopover in Amsterdam on our way back to the US, which was rewarding and gave us a break from a very long flight back to the West Coast. He also accommodated our request to pay for the airline (KLM) fare directly.
We had never done a safari and were a little apprehensive. Even though they provide a detailed itinerary and responses to FAQs, I sent Odyssey a few emails about logistics. They responded almost immediately with helpful information (even though some had been answered in their brochure materials).
Now, about the trip itself. We were amazed beyond belief. The entire experience was flawless. We were met at the Kilimanjaro Airport by Mweta, who was a very experienced guide. (He said he's almost ready to retire but he had plenty of energy for us!) He stayed with us for the entire trip being guide, educator, and driver. I don't understand how a person can manage to avoid the major pits of the road, identify birds in flight, and see a giraffe in distance, all while answering our questions about the culture, the weather, the politics, etc. Every single day was unique: we saw dozens of animals on our very first day (Tarangire). But every subsequent day we saw new animals as well as coming across those we'd seen in different habitats and different situations. The quality of the guide will shape your experience and ours was exceptional.
We appreciated the sequence of the National Parks, spending approximately one day at each. We started with Tarangire (which is sometimes skipped in shorter safaris of fewer than 7 days: what a shame!); then Lake Manyara--not to be missed; then Ngorongoro Crater; finally Serengeti for 2 full days. By the 8th day (our first day was just for landing, dining, and sleep), we were ready to go home, satiated on a feast of mammals, birds, some reptiles, panoramic scenery, and a few experiences with the Maasai.
Let's move on to lodgings and meals. We were again, delighted with our accommodations. We had no idea that they would be as luxurious as they were. Even the "tents" were completely furnished with beds with firm comfortable mattresses, mosquito netting, bedside tables, sitting areas, and complete bathrooms including hot showers and flush toilets! Several of the tent sites used solar power, which made sense. Every lodging was unique, e.g. the tents on boulders overlooking a lake; the tents in the middle of a plain, set in a circle; the lodging on the top of a large hill, with a bathroom suite that would rival any 5 star hotel in Europe or the US. The safari-lodgings we stayed in were run by a French company but, thankfully, the staff were all Tanzanian. They were, without exception, gracious and accommodating. The meals were (to us) tasty and healthy. The breakfasts catered to Westerners, i.e. fruits, croissants, toast, eggs, bacon. We wished they offered an occasional choice of local cuisine...Maybe next time. Important to note that neither of us became even slightly ill during the entire trip.
In addition to being able to observe wildlife and take in breathtaking scenery, we were able to take a walk with a few Maasai men across the plains as they talked about their everyday life; and visit a village to see a welcome dance, go inside one of the dwellings, and visit a kindergarten. These were just glimpses but will leave lingering memories.
We could say so much more but it would take many pages. Suffice it to say, we would use Odyssey Safaris to plan other trips in the future.
For those of you who are new to safaris (as we were): you'll experience much jostling in the vehicle as you dodge thousands of ruts (our guide was a genius in his ability to maneuver around them but you'll stlill be jostled); dust in capital letters, and the noise of the vehicle can be noticeable. But these are details if you want to see animals in the wild, sometimes within feet of your vehicle; if you want to see panoramic scenery and skies like you've never seen before, stretch before you; and appreciate the friendly waving of children by the road as they herd their goats and cattle.
Don't miss this experience: it will bring a new meaning to the word awe.
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Email Ariela | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Trip of a lifetime
I loved my trip with Odyssey Safaris. Our guide Erastus, was so wonderful! From the moment we met him, he had a big warm smile on his face. He was friendly, extremely knowledgeable, funny and patient with all of my millions of questions. I can't say enough good things about him. He was great at spotting the animals & knew so much about them. He was just so great! The safari's themselves were amazing. My photos don't do it justice. It's something I recommend everyone to see once in their life. The staff at Odyssey- Beatrice, Lucy & Mark, were so great and helpful. They would respond to my emails quickly & were also patient with all of my questions. Highly recommended. I can't say enough good things about this company. Really hoping to go back to Kenya again, and will definitely use Odyssey Safaris again!
KR
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An exciting safari trip that really allowed us to embrace the African culture and wildlife!
My husband and I booked a safari through Odyssey Safaris for his 40th birthday and we were very happy with the trip! Not only did the company cater our travels around our personal requests and interests, but they also added some great recommendations. We had a very memorable time and would definitely recommend Odyssey Safaris to others!
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Email Patricia and Jerry Gold | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect safari and deep sea fishing
Odyssey safaris provided a life time experience for my wife and I. It began with 2 1/2 perfect days at the Hemmingway resort in Watamu, Kenya. We each caught several species of fish on our day of deep sea fishing, including several sailfish over 100lbs. Wife had the largest of course.
Accommodations in Nairobi were first class at the Safari Park Hotel. Our safari guide provided a good understanding to our group of four of what to expect for the next several days. We were amazed at his knowledge of all aspects of what we saw, not only the animals, but the trees and flowers. His knowledge animal habits allowed him to position our vehicle for the perfect picture.
Kenya is a very safe and friendly country for tourists. The local police, military at the Tanzania border and safari camp guards all provide a comfortable and safe environment.
Communication was very professional and accurate from Odyssey safaris. There were no surprises other than our trip exceeded our expectations. All accommodations were great. Food was prepared by highly trained chefs and we each gained several pounds.
We highly recommend them and we will to all our friends. We will return? Yes
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Email Snow | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing. Life-altering. The most beautiful place in the world.
Booking the safari was easy, Mark was knowledgeable about Kenya and all of the places I'd be going. He even gave advice about extra events I was considering attending --very well thought out. Communication was swift and simple. All of my questions were answered from the moment I booked the trip to the day when I hopped on the plane.
James was my guide. He was excellent in every way. Courteous, knowledgeable, kind, helpful... anything we wanted, he made it happen. His estimates on travel time were eerily precise. He was jovial and always made us laugh. I could not have asked for a better guide.
The accommodations were outstanding as were all of the hosts. It was truly a fantastic experience all the way around...
And the animals. The animals. We saw the big 5... the big six if you count the Maasai. Kenya is the most beautiful place on earth. I say this having spent almost 2 years in Antarctica (my former #1 most beautiful place), and having traveled extensively in: New Zealand, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Mexico, Canada, Western Europe and Ireland. Of all of these amazing places, Kenya now holds the key to my heart.
The people, the land, the animals... it's all so very powerful. For me, it completely altered my life. I not only came back to the states feeling very hakuna matata, but also have reevaluated my life, my values and how I want to continue being on this great planet. After 5 weeks, I am still completely hakuna matata. It's a beautiful thing.
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Email Scott | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Truely Amazing!
Odyssey Safaris provided us with an unforgettable safari experience. The level of customer care we received in the US prior to the trip and on the actual safari was unmatched. The accommodations, food, staff and our vehicle all met or exceeded our expectations. The people of Kenya are very friendly. The scenery is amazing and the wildlife that we experienced was off the chart. The hot air balloon ride is an extra excursion that everyone should consider. We also enjoyed a romantic bush dinner, lion tracking and boat tour on Lake Naivasha. We can't wait to go back!
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Email Kim S | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Trip of a Lifetime!!
I cannot say enough about our experience with Odyssey and our amazing journey to Kenya. From the initial booking with Mark in CT, to the pre-trip emails with Beatrice/Joy and the great service on Emirates, getting to Kenya was smooth sailing. The hotels were absolutely wonderful, great service and food, we wanted for nothing. We fell asleep to the sounds of birds, woke to the "hippo" alarm clock and watched giraffes/wart hogs walk by our windows. But the best part were the amazing game drives and Erastus, our driver. We cannot say enough about Erastus. He was so knowledgeable about the animals and the areas we visited; he is a master at his job. Every drive surpassed the one just hours before!! He was in constant contact with other drivers to find us the best views and animals. We saw the big 5 and every animal in between (elephants en masse, dancing giraffes, zebras and buffalo as far as the eye could see). From the tiny dik-dik (my favorite) to the majestic lions to the enormous hippos, we were overwhelmed at the beauty and humbled by the vast plains. I cannot put into words just how amazing this trip was and how unbelievable Odyssey was from beginning to end. Worth every cent and all 38 hours of travel from Kenya to home!!! Thank you, Odyssey!!!!
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Email Jose Maria and Sean | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent safari experience with Odyssey Safaris!
We just returned from a 8 day "Highlights of Kenya" safari and we could not be happier with service provided by Odyssey and the overall experience. The accommodations were just wonderful, particularly the Ashnil Samburu and Ashnil Mara lodges. Truly beautiful lodges in comfort and understated luxury. The food in all places was excellent and plentiful. The game drives were spectacular. I did not expect to see as many animals as we saw and of all kinds! Our guide, Simon, was a gem. Very knowledgeable about the wildlife and local culture. There was a lot of driving involved but we did not mind that as it allowed us to see the real Kenya too. We felt safe at all times, even when going through tiny villages or stopping on the way. In fact, we felt safer in kenya than in many places in the USA. Everything was planned perfectly, from the moment we were picked up at the airport to the last minute. It is wonderful to have the same driver/guide with you at all times as this allows for flexibility and "spur of the moment" excursions. In sum, very pleased with Odyssey Safaris and the quality of the safari the provided us. We recommend them very highly.
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50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We want to go again!!
Our 10 day trip, comprised of 3 couples (ages 30 something to 60 something), was arranged by a member who had previous travel experience with Odyssey Safaris—a positive experience, needless to say. Our trip was designed to experience the highlights of South Africa and Zimbabwe, along with some personal picks. Mark Cahill had the itinerary and details customized to everyone’s satisfaction prior to departure and the travel arrangements- –pick-ups, transfers, tours, accommodations--went very well from there. The tour included Cape Town, Peninsula and wine country, Victoria Falls, day and night safaris, and a short elephant safari. Our drivers and tour guides were always on time, ready to share information about their country, and ensure that our experiences were meaningful, enjoyable, and safe. We were enthralled by the accommodations at Mjejane River Lodge overlooking the Crocodile River. Our young safari tour guide’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the abundant wildlife and their relationship with their habitat in Kruger National Park definitely added to our amazing time there. We found free time to seek out street markets in Cape Town and Zimbabwe. Weather conditions scuttled a balloon ride, but our disappointment was quickly forgotten because a spectacular helicopter ride over Victoria Falls was substituted, which is very worthwhile to do. Flying with South African and British Airways, one still has food and beverages included in the coach ticket price--something that you don't find with U.S. domestic flights anymore. Plus, we found the South African food and wine to be great and quite reasonable! So many special memories, but seeing a herd of elephants, along with their calves, drinking at the edge of the Zambesi river at dusk and seeing Victoria Falls from the ground and air are at the forefront. You will be well pleased choosing Odyssey Safaris as your tour designer and operator.
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Email George Panagio | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable
It was the most memorable trip we have had in our life. Everything was taken care of from the airport pickup to the accommodations, to the safari, to summiting to the roof of Africa. The guide was a delight, the porters were friendly, and they stuffed us with more food than we could handle. As everything was taken care of, all that was left for us to do was to take in the experience. A fantastic journey all around!