50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent driver and guide and accommodation very good value for
Have just had an excellent 10 days safariing organised through Jocky. Evans (driver/guide) was fantastic - he drives safely and always managed to get us into wonderful positions for good photos. He managed to find all the animals and he has a great deal of knowledge about the animals (and birds). I will be booking again.
IN
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Professional Safari Company in Tanzania
I cannot say enough about Rupia Adventure's.
My husband and I traveled to Africa for 5 weeks, and booked the 8 day Tanzania portion of our trip with them.
We visited Tarangire, Lake Manyara, The Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti and Arusha national park with them.
Mathias, who planned the trip with us did an excellent job listening to our requests and our budget constraints. They were very flexible with tour options, managing to fit in everything we wanted to see, included a quick stop over at the Olduvai gorge, a walking safari, and a canoe trip in Arusha.
The price was reasonable. They listened to our request about caring more about the game viewing then the accommodations, and found great lodging options in the medium price range for us. We decided to book with them.
When we arrived in Arusha, we were met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. The next morning, we met the man who truly made our experience unforgettable, our tour guide Miraji. He was outstanding. He listened to our interests for what we wanted to see (which was everything, not just the big 5), he listened to our concerns about my husband's back problems and roads and he made sure that my husband's special dietary needs were taken care of. He had an incredible body of knowledge, and went out of his way over the days we were with him to ensure we saw everything we were interested in, no matter how big or small the animal was. He was extremely patient as we took literally 1000s of pictures in all the parks we visited with him, and only prodded us to move when he knew there was something important we wanted to see ahead. He really worked hard with the staff at the different camps to ensure that my husband's lunch box was gluten and egg free, which wasn't always easy. Whenever he had to get the paperwork done at the park entrances, he ensured we found something interesting to do while we waited for him (walking the nature trails, taking pictures of the baboons at the Ngorongoro gate, etc).
He helped us identify everything we saw, whether plant, bird, four legged creature etc. He had a great sense of humor. But what impressed us most was when our flight form the Serengeti was cancelled (NOTE this was booked directly by me, not Rupia Adventure so this was in no way their fault), he and Janniken at the office ensured we got out on another airline, and made sure we weren't left stranded.
The lodges and camps were excellent value, our favorite was the Serengeti Bush Camp.
The animals...., I don't know where to start. I think our favorite viewing was the lions in the trees at Lake Manyara, but there were just so many highlights. We joked with Miraji that we didn't see just the big 5 ,we saw the big 500.
A quick note on the flight, I booked it through Chase Ultimate Rewards with Precision Air. Apparently they stopped flying to the Serengeti in November of last year, but I never received any notification or refund, and neither did Chase. In fact the day of my flight my reservation still showed as confirmed online. Luckily for us, when we met at the Rupia office the day we started our trip, Janniken asker for the information on this flight and told me he would check with Precision Air to ensure the flight was not delayed. When he found it was cancelled, he presented us with a couple of different options. This extra effort turned what could have been a major problem into only a minor nuisance. Thanks to Janniken and Miraji so much for their help.
We spent 4 more weeks travelling in Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, and while we met some other great guides, none were able to meet the benchmark that Miraji set for us.
Thanks so much for such a great experience.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
It was an amazing trip to Maasai Mara
It was an awesomely organized trip with efficient communications and updates on activities . I enjoyed my stay and had all my expectations met. It was extremely fun!
IN
Simply Excellent !
From the time we were picked up at the airport till we were dropped, it was an example "par excellence".
The tour was well organized. We saw the "BIG 5" animals and many more. The driver Woka was a kind man who went out of the way to make the tour more memorable. The hotel selection was good where we could rest well each day. All in all, we had a great wild life safari tour.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our two week tour in South Africa, Vic Falls and Botswana was Absolutely Fabulous!
Dealing with Darren from Compass Odyssey was so easy. He replies to queries and immediately. He advises on travel ideas. He isn't phased if you need to change plans. The guides he uses on the ground are very friendly and informative. Dot and Tim Cummins in Cape Town were exceptional. Their love and enthusiasm for informing travelers of SA is great, they really love their job.
The animals were amazing, we saw all of the big 5 and more. Chobe was abundant with hippos and elephants. In fact everything but rhinos, but we saw them in Kruger. There are no rhinos in Chobe because of the poachers.
The chance to do river safaris as well as land safaris was a real bonus. We got real up close and personal on a few occasions.
The accommodation was great and so was the food.
I highly recommend Compass Odyssey for your African adventure.
AT
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Safari in Botswana
We have organised this trip directly with Isa. He turned out to be very professional and the trip was a true adventure. Would definitely recommend him and his team for a really unique Safari Experience away from the mainstream.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Two Thumbs Up!!! 120 percent Satisfaction!
We booked the six-day Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park package from Compass Odyssey as part of our trip to Southern Africa this summer. The commutation with Darren was excellent from beginning to finish. He is very responsive, knowledgeable, and super friendly. Very easy to work with. During the planning stage, he was not only giving us detailed information regarding the tour we booked from him, but also went beyond and gave us information and recommendations on the other parts of our trip. Really appreciate his help and ideas.
After we booked the tour, he sent out to us a very detailed safari detailed information package, which includes the detailed itinerary, the detailed descriptions of the accommodations, the detailed descriptions of the places we are to visit, general details regarding visas, Safaris, the detailed activities we can do in Victoria Falls, and many more.
The tour itself was a wonderful experience. The two lodges he picked at Victoria Falls and Chobe are both beautiful and very comfortable. Our local guide Mortimer at Victoria Falls was very professional, experienced, and friendly. He and his wife even invited us for dinner at their house. We really enjoyed the traditional meal they prepared for us and the two-hour long chatting by the camp fire that Mortimer made for us in his front yard. Darren also emailed us during our tour to make sure that everything is on track and satisfied.
Victoria Falls is just so beautiful and powerful. In Chobe National Park, the Safari game drives and boat trips were private. We were so lucky to run into a lot of wildlife.
Thank you Darren again for all your help and the very memorable and amazing experience in Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park!
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional
It was an excellent trip. Lennox kept good contact with us at least 1 mon before the trip. Answered all my emails in timely fashion. Arranged for airport pick up and was there on time next day to start the amazing tour. We settled the finances in the office .
Trip was comfortable, Lodges were good , with good food .
Stay at Lake Nakuru lodge was a little uncomfortable but over all an amazing and unforgettable trip.
Our Guide Kikitu was superb. Request for him if u get a chance.
Everything was as promised.
CA
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible service , Sam and Tony are the best!
My wife and I just returned home from a 2 week Safari and had an awesome time! Sam and Tony were our groups drivers and really added that personal touch along with their expert driving skills and unlimited knowledge and smiles! We really couldn’t ask for more. They kept their land cruisers clean and really made the animal sightings with their extensive knowledge! Simply the best!
Thank you to everyone at Real Africa !
BR
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Review about Kruger National Park by Paulo S. C. Ferraz
Breathtaking wild life scenery, plus excellent staff and accommodations.