Reviews

Sort By: Date Most Helpful Rating 101-110 of 298 Reviews
Brian A   –  
United States US
Visited: October 2019 Reviewed: Jan 5, 2021

Email Brian A  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

The best tour we have ever been on with great people, service and lots of African animals seen!
5/5

Everything on our tour went exactly as planned from itinerary planning with Darren to each stop on our adventure. There are so many great choices of activities and we were able to choose the ones that fit our interests well. Very attentive to our needs and travel was made easy with no worries. We saw plenty of animals and birds on each leg of the tour. I am a photographer and got many great images. The guides were very knowledgeable about all the wildlife and birds - felt as though they were biologist/ornithologist/botanist combined. We felt very safe as well. It was our first trip to Africa and had some fears that were completely allayed by the staff and accomodations. People could not have been more friendly. We want to go back again!

Takuya   –  
Japan JP
Visited: December 2020 Reviewed: Jan 4, 2021

Email Takuya  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Excellent operator that I have never experienced before
5/5

I was planning to visit South Africa in December 2020 and ask 4 agencies to quote and give me a itinerary plan through Safaribooking. Mr. Darren in Compass Odyssey gave me the most quick response and appropriate plan to suit my request. Especially, I am searching to see the wild dog and he kindly investigate where has more possibility to see them at that timing and made me a plan.

Finally, very unfortunate situation coming from COVID situation and have to cancel the trip but even this cancellation he made me very detailed support without any complain or fee to pay. I'm surely recommend them as agency to go to Safari in South Africa and of course I'll come with them to see wild dog in the future. Thank you again Darren and see you in the future.

Christopher Queen   –  
United States US
Visited: December 2020 Reviewed: Dec 10, 2020

Email Christopher Queen  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Another Fantastic trip with Compass Odyssey!!
5/5

"It is not death man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live" -Marcus Aurelius This is my second trip with Compass Odyssey and I don't see how you could get better service. Darren and Kate take care of every little detail so you can enjoy every second of your trip. Especially during the current time, they made sure I was aware of every Covid requirement such as forms and details regarding testing requirements, etc.. They as usual kept me updated on every aspect of the trip as well. This is a great time to travel, airports are extremely less crowded, flights were about 1/2 full giving you ample room to relax(I had an entire row to myself on each flight from Ft Lauderdale-Joburg to and from), airports and airplanes are the cleanest they have ever been with frequent sanitization. I had prepared for the journey to be somewhat tedious with Covid protocols etc. and I was very wrong the journey was fairly easy and customs was extremely quick also(no large crowds!!). Once again they selected top notch lodges with amazing food and even better staff (Nottons in Sabi Sands and Senalala in Klaserie). Some of the most friendly people you will ever meet and will have a fantastic time!! You won't be disappointed with Compass Odyssey!! And now is a great time to travel with lower prices(airlines,etc) and less crowds.

Jessica   –  
Switzerland CH
Visited: September 2020 Reviewed: Oct 7, 2020

Email Jessica  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Suberb service and high competence!
5/5

We had our perfect safari booked with Darren. He is super friendly and competent. Booking was very easy, they listened to our wishes and helped us figure out the perfect travel itinerary. I was so much looking forward to it... Unfortunately we had to cancel everything because of Corona. And although we had to cancel, the service of Darren still remained perfect. We tried postponing the cancellation as much as we could. And when we knew we had to cancel, he organised everything we needed for our insurance. I really hope that we can make this safari happen one day and I would not want to book it with any other tour operator. Thanks Darren & Co.!

Brandy Hughes   –  
Canada CA
Visited: March 2020 Reviewed: Oct 7, 2020

Email Brandy Hughes  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Outstanding Customer Service
5/5

I spent a lot of time researching safari companies before deciding on Compass Odyssey based on excellent reviews and initial communication. From the start, Darren was prompt and thorough with correspondence and information, answering all my questions (although most were covered in the excellent information package that was provided). Unfortunately our safari originally scheduled for late March 2020 did not occur as scheduled due to Covid. Throughout the process of heartbreak, cancellations, and dealings with insurance companies, Darren has been attentive, accommodating, and incredibly helpful.

Our safari was to be the trip of a lifetime for our family. It was not to be in 2020 but when it does happen (and it will!), it will be with Compass Odyssey. I have no reservations about recommending Compass Odyssey to anyone looking for a company with excellent customer service and a true sense of accountability to their customers and local business partners alike.

Graham Scrimgeour   –  
Canada CA
Visited: January 2020 Reviewed: Apr 1, 2020

Email Graham Scrimgeour  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Our already high expectations of our 2.5 month long trip were exceeded! Thank you Compass Odyssey!
5/5

To say that our recently completed 2.5 months in southern Africa was a roaring success would be a huge understatement. Darryn, and his Compass Odyssey team, did a remarkable job of planning and organizing our 4 days in Johannesburg, our week in Kruger National Park and our 8 days in Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park and the amazing Okavango Delta. In addition, he gave us lots of invaluable advice and suggestions to help us plan, and bring to fruition our 7 week independent road trip through large parts of South Africa. Through the pre-travel planning process, Darren was exceptionally prompt in responding to all my questions and always provided detailed answers based on his extensive knowledge of sourhern Africa. During the trip, Darren routinely ‘checked in’ with Sue and I to make sure that all was good and that we weren’t encountering any problems en route.

Our Jo’burg and Victoria Falls guides, Chic and Mortimer/Ruth, are members of the Compass Odyssey team and were very helpful, interesting and exceptionally knowledgeable about their locales. We thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them. Thank you Chic and Mortimer and Ruth!!

Toward the end of our trip as the world was changing daily because of Covid 19, Darren was very helpful in communicating with us any information regarding our onward travel plans back to Canada. THANK YOU!!

We will be returning to southern Africa and will definitely be using Compass Odyssey’s services for our next African adventure. In conclusion, if you are looking for a South African based independent travel company to plan some or all of a trip to southern Africa, look no further than Compass Odyssey.

Greg and Victoria   –  
Australia AU
Visited: February 2020 Reviewed: Mar 10, 2020

Email Greg and Victoria  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Compass Odyssey deserves its 5/5 rating.
5/5

From the first inquiry to the end of our trip, Darren was outstanding in providing a service with the aim of ensuring we had a holiday that met all our needs and expectations, leaving nothing to chance. We were never left wondering or waiting for a response.
Darren took the time to listen and understand our brief. Senalala Lodge delivered a beautiful understated, high quality standard of accommodation, meals and safari drives that left us with wonderful memories of a beautiful country full of extraordinary wildlife and a unique landscape. The extra touches such as the managers, James and Corlia and their outstanding guides joining us for meals made the whole experience very rewarding. We learnt that their lives are much broader than the Big 5.
If you ever thought a Safari was about driving around on a set route looking at the same animals then you will be in for a real treat at Senalala Lodge. Whilst on an early morning walk, we glanced side-wards to discover the surprise of a life time – a large white Rhino. With our guide's great skill we were able to spend time observing this magnificent beauty. Our guides, Ivan and Connor, had the greatest respect for the wildlife yet ensured our safety at all times.
We have no hesitation in recommending Compass Odyssey to travellers who like adventure combined with simple luxury and every detail ticked off. To know that there is a local person on the ground with every resource at his finger-tips was very reassuring.

Mike and Jen   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: February 2020 Reviewed: Feb 18, 2020

Email Mike and Jen  |  65+ years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

A wonderful trip backed up by meticulous planning and engaging staff.
5/5

My Wife and I have been on a number of planned trips similar to the one provided by Compass Odyssey but none have provided the detailed planning, advice, support and attention to detail that Kate & Darren provided for us on our visit to the Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Chobe NP (Botswana). We were treated to some excellent accommodation, bountiful refreshments / meals and well trained staff who were totally focussed on providing a caring and attentive service.

The trip produced for us, two significant highlights (1) to see and experience the Victoria Falls in all their glory from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides, accompanied by a knowledgeable and interesting guide and (2) three days of safaris providing us with close up views of all manner of wildlife, birds and insight into the ecosystem in which they all live.

Certainly a trip that will live long in the memory - along with the hundreds of photos taken.

David   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: January 2020 Reviewed: Feb 9, 2020

Email David  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Simply outstanding
5/5

The quality and responsiveness of Darren pre the trip was one of the reasons we choose Compass. Out trip involved two days in Johannesburg, a safari in Chobe, Botswana, a visit to Victoria falls and we made our own arrangments for the last part of our trip in Cape Town. Darren swas genuinely interested in helping us put together our perfect trip and he clealy had good relationships with all the accomodaton we stayed at. We liked the use of small but high qulaity accomodation beginning with the B and B in a pleasant Joburg suburb where we could walk to an excellent local restaurant, to the superb river side lodge in Chobe, Botswana. Local guides were all excellent, expereinced, interesting to talk with and well informed too. We liked the personalised approach throughout . Our safari highlight by seeing a lioness and her cubs some 2 metres from our truck duing the ealry morning safari. We would unreservedly recommend Compass and will use them again when we return,

Frederic and Julie Guiral   –  
China CN
Visited: January 2020 Reviewed: Feb 7, 2020

Email Frederic and Julie Guiral  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

The best trip ever organised for me
5/5

From the offset the communication with Darren was very smooth. Fast, reactive and to the point. We told him where and when we would land and depart from. We told him what we absolutely wanted to see (Victoria Falls...) and the things that one goes to Africa for (safaris...). We spoke about our budget range and our needs (shared room, vegetarian meals...). From there he organised the smoothest and most interesting trip i may have had. And i am a fairly well traveled person.

Connections between various locations were very smooth. Each location had something different to offer with its own personality. Over our 10 days trip across South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana .. we never felt tired of moving, never waited for too long between 2 trips. Each lodge and location had something very unique to offer and every lodge was a different experience. People were lovely and the team working with Darren in various locations, picking up travelers and making their trip the smooth experience we lived are all great individuals.

Only praises for Darren and his team. If you are going to Africa be certain you will have the experience of a life time with them. We certainly did !

Average User Rating
5.0/5
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