US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great Photographic Tour in Tanzania
This was the Best Trip Ever for my husband and I. While I had visited Tanzania twice before, where I met Deo, this was my husband's first trip. He has visited many countries around the world (and we visited 5 in Africa), this was our favorite by far. Deo has a wealth of knowledge about where and when to go to all the many wonderful areas of Tanzania, from the many wildlife parks, to Mt. Kili; from the Ocean to the Gombe River with the Chimps; and as you can see from his Photos, he takes Spectacular photos along your journey, so you can just enjoy the tour and go home with professional photos for memories of your tour. He is a Highly recommended tour guide. It will be the trip of a Lifetime.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The accommodation and the daily safaris were excellent. We didn't know day to day of our program.
Communications - needs improvement daily & return.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A little piece of paradise on the river!
A beautiful and memorable place to spend my last few days in South Africa. The Klaserie staff were helpful, knowledgeable and passionate, and did everything they could to make my week special and enjoyable. The room was immaculate, meal times delicious and every effort made to make sure I made the most of my stay - on our day trip to the Kruger National Park we saw countless elephant, an amazing array of birds of prey, leopard and even wild-dog - a moment I will never forget! At Klaserie itself the bird-life on the river is fantastic which suited me perfectly, and the zebra, impala, giraffe, warthog, wildebeest and waterbuck wandering freely so close to the lodge and rooms is something quite unique and very special! I loved being so close to the water and I think this really gives Klaserie 'the edge' on other lodges I have stayed at in Africa. For anyone looking for a relaxing and authentic safari experience in the greater Kruger area, I would highly recommend this beautiful little lodge.
HU
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Perfect Safari
We took part on an 8-day safari programme in Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti and Manyara National Parks. It was a well-organized programme with excellent hotels and fine meals. Our guide and driver paid great attention to our wishes, so we could see lots of animals and shoot nice photos and videos. A huge amount of information was provided about the fauna and flora, about the country and about everyday life in Tanzania. Perfect programme, fantastic guide - an unforgettable experieence.
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful Safari
We stayed at Chitwa Chitwa in Sabi Sands, the lodge was spacious and our accommodation had a fabulous view of the water hole where we saw herds of 100 strong elephant bathing, hippos, crocodiles and all manner of antelope. The drives were excellent with some exciting close encounters with leopard and lions.
Food and service as good as anywhere we have stayed.
ES
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply amazing!!!
Since me and my friend decided to go on our first Safari in August, an exciting and new experience started from arranging the program until being back home. After contacting Quest because of a friend's recommendation, the arranging became easy and they gave us the confidence from the first time to give on their hands what it was going to be the experience of our lives.
Emmanuelle and Naiman were working efficiently and patiently during 3 months, dealing with numerous changes in the program that we proposed. Finally, we got a totally personalized Safari, with our own itinerary and combining diferent type of accommodations according to our budget.
They both were in touch with us all the time, also during Safari and even being with a highly qualified guide,just to be sure everyting was ok.
We met a friendly staff in Arusha, Isaak is an expert guide, English and Spanish speaker that looked after us to have a nice experience and being sure we were enjoying. He's an expert of animal's behavior, so he was fast finding them and he could explain us many things about them. Pascal, our cooker, was so kind. He was preparing very nice meals, different every day, and nutritionally balanced.
Actually, I got impressed, the food was tasty and delicious, and how Pascal could get it with just a portable camping stove...? No idea. But even better that in the tentded camps and lodges we visited after.
The experience was unforgettable! These guys are very professional, they handle it confidently being sure everything was running smoothly. They help us with transits from Nairobi first and to Zanzibar after Safari and they took care of us all the time.
I'll contact them next time, for sure.
US
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Cape Town, Kruger, Victoria Falls,…Above and beyond what we had hoped for
Traveling of any sort - but especially international travel - comes with its own headaches. In my experience, it's simply an unavoidable part of the whole package. Traveling with Compass Odyssey, however, defied that assumption from day one.
I was extremely impressed with my first contact with Darren and Kate about possibly setting in motion a trip to South Africa for my 24 year old daughter and I. The emails were answered promptly, professionally, and always with the kindest banter. We quickly hammered out the details, and once tickets, lodging, and regional flights were booked by Compass Odyssey, Darren helped us find and book our international flights.
Just as he patiently expressed over and over again, prior to our setting foot into South Africa, Compass Odyssey had every little detail worked out, and there was absolutely no reason to stress about our upcoming trip. The pre-trip information packets we received wholly covered every aspect of our trip, and I swear I read all the information 3 or 4 times, yet a few issues - visas, money exchange, tipping, cell phone - kept me up at night. Within the first hour of arriving in Cape Town, with Darren’s guidance, and helping hand, I knew my only job was to turn everything over to him, relax and enjoy!
From our early conversations, it was obvious that Darren loves what he does, and does it extremely well. Coming into this trip, my daughter and I were especially interested in the history of South Africa, especially as it pertains to Apartheid. We are walking away from this trip with a massive amount of knowledge that is grounded in the impact the nation's history still has on the country today. Darren knows South Africa so well that he is able to offer his guests the full range of experiences - from the best lookout points along the coast to learning the local lingo, from history lessons over shared meals to surprise tickets to see "The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek" at the Fugard Theatre. Darren not only understands the complexities of Cape Town and South Africa at large, but he also understands his travelers and is quick to regularly offer multiple options to make their trip even more enjoyable and educational.
While in Kruger, Compass Odyssey booked us with Senalala Luxury Camp, a wonderful extension of the personal care we received from Darren while in Cape Town. The adrenalin filled drives, the bush walk, the meals shared around one table with guests from all over the world, combined with the lazy afternoons watching animals visit the watering hole…perfection.
The final leg of our trip was Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Victoria Falls. Darren once again lined up the perfect local guide for us, Mortimer. We were able to tour the Falls on both sides, attend the Boma Feast, take a beautiful sunset cruise down the Zambezi River, and learned an immense amount about the natural history as well as the local history from our guide. He was knowledgeable, helpful, and kind, and allowed us the free time to explore the area as we wished.
We are exceptionally grateful for the attention to detail that Darren and Kate put into their work. It truly shows, and it made our trip one beyond our wildest dreams.
NL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Both consultants and guides do anything to make your safari an excellent experience
From the first contact through email until the drop of at Windhoek AirPort, the overall experience has been great. We booked 2 safari's. One to Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia and the Namibia experience. We were both camping and we stayed in lodges. the camping experience was very good it exceeded our expectations. Very nice to be sleeping outside and to be able to hear all animals outside. And the lodges were so nice, with gamedrives and sundowners to remember. The drives were sometimes long but the bus was comfortable and air-conditioned. We can recommend Blue crane safari, you will be in very good hands.
IN
Great experience & Good Coordination
A 12 days trip to Kenya , Me and spouse alone . Private tour and the best part of the tour is our Guide /Driver Mr Shem, a Knowledgeable and very humble person . Mr OT was excellent in coordination . Met him at His office and from the next day the tour started . Tsavo _, Amboselli , Nakuru , Naivasha & Maara . Mr Shem was very cooperative and made us feel very comfortable . Everything was well organised . Baloon safari was awesome - a lifetime experience , pl do not miss it . Have patience in Massai Mara ,Natures Unfolds at its own course and our Guide was very patient and even suggested us to few locations where get to see Lions and Leopards very close . If it had been a 4X4 vehicle Mr Shem would have felt comfortable and he was at its best in driving with the Vehicle given to him . An wiressless Radio would have been a added advantage which was Missing.
We are planning our Next trip to Massai Maara very soon ..., of course with Kenya walking .., Mr OT - will meet you soon .., Keep it Up team.
RO
35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A fair offer for a two days Safari
Pretty old vehicle but in fair condition, the driver was very helpful and polite even though sometimes too quiet.