VU
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Compass Odyssey
Being our first time to South Africa we selected Compass Odyssey to arrange our safaris and we were not disappointed. From the moment we contacted Darren we off to a good start. We gave Darren a brief out line of what we wanted to to do and within a short time Darren has provided information and suggestions of what would be best. During the weeks of communication Darren answered all out question and concerns straightaway and provide suggestions to make our trip better. Daren provide all the necessary information needed to make our holiday a success.
For the safaris that we did all the lodges were excellent and the staff at these lodges went the extra mile to make out stay memorable. We could not fault Darren's selection. Our stay included Kruger, Victoria Falls, Zambezi (Zambia and Zimbabwe) and Botswana. When there were any problem Darren contacted us and immediately made alternative arrangement so our holiday was not spoiled. Darren and Compass Odyssey were excellent and would recommend Darren and Compass Odyssey for your safaris and and any activity in South Africa
DE
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Georgeous, versatile, touching and lasting experiences in wildlife nature
We visited Liwonde National park in March, which means in the so called "Green Season" after the rainy season. Everything was really green and blooming, even the roads were moody. But we were rewarded for our efforts. We were nearly the only guests. We stayed there for three days and had a a boat safari across the scenic Shire River with all it's flowers, birds, hippos and even crocodiles. We mostly enjoyed th boat safari, because even on the Shire River we were nearly alone with all those hippos and birds. It was really awesome. We will never forget this tour. The river was so wide, surrounded with silence. Only the animals. And we saw a lot of them, even near our tent.
At the afternoon we had a game drive through the park. Even there was only silence. The animals, a lot of antelopes, monkeys, warthogs, elephants, hundreds of birds - smaller and bigger ones in all colors - were relaxed and even didn't notice us. We didn't see cats because of the green season, but we were impressed by tis green scenery. I was very impressed by the nests of the bayas and even by the richness of the vegetation. The safari trip took about nearly three hours and we had a very expertised guide for the park. Liwonde national park is worth seeing.
The weather was great, it rained the whole night, but when we starded our boat trip, the sun came out and it was a wonderful atmosphere on the river. The same in the afternoon during the game drive: fine weather with sunshine and clear air.
The accomodation was just wonderful: we stayed at Bushmans Baobab and were really welcome there. There were only a few guests and we enjoyed even again the silence. The staff was great, they pampered us! The food was really great and delicous! It's nice to eat outside, to have breakfast outside. The place there is a wonderful place, I would say the most beautiful place to stay in Malawi (for our trip). It was mysterious with all its pathes in beetween the bushes, trees and different accomodations. We booked one Ensuite Luxury Tent for three person, even a wonderful way to stay there. Thanks to all the people taking care for us.
The transportation was perfect and well organized, the guide (we had the same for the boat trip and the game drive) was really competent and knew everything about flora and fauna in the park.
One highlight was to sit at the raised hide, watch the warthogs, hear the hippos from the Shire River, and have some tea there!!!
We really enjoyed our stay there in the Liwonde National Park and at Bushmans Baobab! We won't miss it!!!
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great country to see wildlife
Murchison Falls National Park, Impenetrable Forest and the Vitunga Mountains offer great opportunities to see wildlife. People are very friendly and travelling is quite easy. Outside the national parks there is, however, not too much to see or do from a tourist perspective.
DE
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an amazing trip, we saw everything and had the best guide!
Even though we traveled in april, usually the raining seasone, we were very lucky with the weather. It was a long journey from Daressalam to the Mikumi national park with a lot of traffic jam. But it was worth it. We saw a lot of different animals and Benson, our guide, really tried to find lions. And we did. In total we saw three and one was so close to our car. The night we stayed inside the national park in a beautiful accomondation with a big bad, ac, hot water and a nice dinner. Would do this trip again.
LU
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Top experience, great driver/guide, great group, awesome scenery and the wildlife's incredible!
Wildlife was amazing in Masai Mara - lion's feasting on a poor wild hog, leopards playing with their preys, hippos bathing and protecting their territories, cheetas running, elephants feeding their cubs, we've seen pretty much all there was to see!
The scenery is also one of the things that most impressed me, being unexpectedly green and unimaginably vast.
Weather was good, accommodations was fantastic in the Lenchada camp, especially at night when all lights are off in the camp and you're bathed in an ocean of stars, as clear as I've ever seen them! We could pretty much outline the Milky Way. The guide/driver was very knowledgeable and incredibly nice and available to make sure we'd get the best experience possible.
Overall, amazing experience, cannot recommend it enough!
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing safari
Very well organized. I recommend. Mr. Otieno is highly responsive. It all went well. Ask to have Benson as a driver if you can. He is a safe driver, is polite, patient and will get you to see all the animals, some in action like the entire hunt from start to finish. I just returned from a safari with them. Though I was alone, they proceeded and I had the car and the guide, Benson, to myself for 9 days. That was great. Not all companies proceed when they only have one participant.
There was a hiccup and I do not doubt Mr. Otieno will see to it this never happens again. I got food poisening in Naivasha. I recovered fast as I had no plan to let this incident curtail my trip. Bottom line is this: look out for your safety: only eat fruits served with a peel or that are less likely than others to harbor bacteria (crispy fresh pineapple for example); only drink ice water made of purified water and send back to the kitchen food that is warm and that is not completely cooked and sizzling hot right out if the pan. You will be fine! I overlooked my own strict rules in Naivasha. Also, I suggest that in lodges in which the rooms are lacking telephone, issues such as potential need for assistance be addressed beforehand so that you can get assistance if you are unable to leave your room especially at night and especially if you are likely to encounter wildlife on the grounds.
FYI, I think 3 nights in Naivasha is a bit long. Once you have seen the lake and done your drive at Hell's Gate, there is not much more to do and see. All this can be done in one day. Naivasha is a good rest stop driving from Masai Mara to Amboseli but that's all. Visit the market of Naivasha and mingle with the people. I liked going where the regular folks go. An hour at the market should suffice.
I loved my lodge in Masai Mara, the safari was great ( be prepared to spend 6 hours on the game drive on rough trails, but that's how it goes for everybody). Amboseli was awesome, lodging there was awsome and I can't wait to return there.
If you want to see how it went, I kept a journal/ blog of it on my Instagramaccount daleelah2018. You will even get to see clips I made of conversations I had with Benson, and a hunt and kill Benson got me to watch from beginning to end so knowledgeable and persistent he is in finding animals.
Benson dropped me off at the train station at Emali after visiting Amboseli Park and I continued my journey solo to Mombasa, Diani Beach, Wasini Island then Nairobi for 3 days. Kenya is a special country and it's people are beautiful, gentle and welcoming. The hiccup in Naivasha should not dissuade anyone. Mr. Otieno took action and really, I can tell this was not the norm for Walking Safari. In sum, this was an amazing experience, I am happy and I would do business with Walking Safari again without hesitation.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Cannot recommend this Safari comany enough!!
The whole process of setting up was so easy and Susana and Vanessa were both so timely in responding and answering all of our questions - related to our Safari as well as in relation to our travel to Kenya in general. They filled me with confidence in traveling to a country across the world, to go on a Safari which I knew little to nothing about beforehand.
Upon starting the Safari when we arrived in Kenya, the experience was amazing. I cannot emphasize how wonderful our guide Charles was throughout our journey. He was so knowledgable and answered every single question we had. He ensured we were able to see every single animal we had hoped to see (including the Big 5 and so much more). We even got to see a cheetah hunt for its 3 cubs, all thanks to him! He was patient and funny and kind and we feel very fortunate to have had him to travel with. Charles was a large reason why we had such an absolutely incredible experience. We don’t feel that we would have seen nearly as much without him. We were often the first people at the animal site and got to witness so many incredible things. At the end of the journey, we felt like we were leaving a part of our family!!
Our group of 4 hopes to return to Kenya, and if we do, we will definitely plan on using this company again!
MX
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievable, suprising, wonderfull, stuning, schocking, marvelous, awesome and fascinating vacation
JAMBO!
Stephen of Kichaka arranged an amazing and fascinating 16 days vacation for us that turned out to be perfect in every single way. Special thanks for our driver/guide Sam was a great host, he was fantastic, very helpful and a great company, he treated us like family. Sam's van was amazing, it was very comfortable. We have made an unforgettable experience thanks to the perfect organization of Kichaka. We saw all the animals, Sam do an awesome work looking for all kind of unforgetable moments, he's very skilled, and knew where to see the best animals and he had an excellent knowledge of parks and animals, as well as being nice and always willing to satisfy every wish (even outside the program). We did not miss anything. Great hospitality and comfort, as well as great food. All our needs and expectations have been met.
We can only recommend Kichaka and he's great boss Stephen for organization, cordiality and seriousness. We will certainly return to Kenya with them. We are looking forward to travelling with you again! Perfect plan execution Kichaka. Thanks love Kenya.
All the best from Mexico, guys,
Your friends, María Jose and José Pablo.
IT
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Such an Amazing Experience
Everything went great, they took care of everything, people was wonderful, and saw all the animal. highly recommended.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
I had a lovely experience, Thank you guys for making our trip fun and exceptional. Keep up
We got more than we expected. Little did we know our country was this beautiful, You made us realise this. Looking foward to travelling with you again