Extraordinary experiences, locations, and memories
Extraordinary Journeys
- Located In:
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United States
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2008)
- Member Of:
- IATA, APTA & Safari Professionals
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $2,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Don K. | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extraordinary Excellence
I need to preface my review by saying my wife and I used the services of one company to hike to Machu Picchu. We used a different company to coordinate our trip to the Galapagos Islands. So then at the beginning stages of planning for a safari, I talked to 11 different safari companies (including the two we've previously used). I then narrowed it down to four, and then finally one. I am so glad I chose Extraordinary Journeys (EJ). There wasn't anything EJ did which was less than perfect. I worked on my safari with Lynn Newby-Fraser. She worked with me by not only listening to what my wife and I wanted to see and do on a safari, but she also made suggestions to us...all based upon her vast experience. Some of her suggestions we took her up on, some we did not, and she was ok either way with it. Do not use a company to plan a safari unless they have experience in their resume, and Lynn certainly does.
From initial takeoff from home to the landing back home a few weeks later, EJ simply took care of everything. After the initial planning was done, Lisa Newby-Fraser actually did all the logistical work and made sure every detail was perfect. We stayed in some tents which in all honesty was more "glamping" than camping. We also stayed in lodges which were absolutely phenomenal. It was much much better than we even expected in the first place. Before leaving on the safari, we were asked about our dietary requests and/or restrictions and at every location those requests were followed. The food at each place Lynn suggested we stay at, was exceptional. The service at each place was first rate as well. One place we stayed offered to bring us a drink to our lodge, long after our dinner, if we wanted. Additionally, we found out (while on safari) that Lisa was checking up on us to make sure our trip was 100% successful. That is excellent service and dedication.
There are many many safari companies out there one can use to coordinate such a trip. If I could give EJ ten stars rather than 5, I would. If you're thinking of going on a safari and do not use Extraordinary Journeys and Lynn Newby-Fraser, I think you'll be making a huge mistake. For a trip of a lifetime, Lynn and Lisa at EJ will guarantee the trip will be one you'll never forget.
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Email Jean Redding | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Knowledge, experience and attention to detail
I am getting ready to book my seventh trip to Africa to go on safari. My last trip was in April of 2016. John Moody and Extraordinary Journeys have arranged all of my trips. The accommodations are always fabulous, and the service, both at the camps and during the planning stages in the U.S. are exceptional. I rarely use travel agents, but traveling in Southern and East Africa can involve a lot of moving parts. I want an experienced operator in the U.S and on the ground in Africa. If a hiccup occurs, they have the contacts and expertise to deal with it. One time, I inadvertently left a bag on a small private plane that delivered us to a remote camp in Tanzania. I thought I would never see the bag again. Three days later when another plane came to pick us up, they had the bag!
I highly recommend John and Extraordinary Journeys! They will customize a trip that you will cherish. I have six fabulous memories, going on seven.
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Email Mary Ellen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
PURE MAGIC--EJ IS THE BEST!
Our trip to Tanzania and Kenya was nothing less than magical. Kim listened closely to our desires (great guides, small tented camps and The Great Migration) and tailored an itinerary for us. We saw The Great Migration (and three river crossings) due to her excellent planning. (Of course, Kim is honest and will tell you that a traveler cannot be guarantied a river crossing–that is just plain luck.) The camps were welcoming and unique (some were rustic and some were luxurious, just as we requested). The camp guides were incredibly knowledgeable. I found working with Kim to be a joy–she is responsive, well informed and fun. She has a true love of Africa, having visited nearly every country. The pre-trip documents were thorough and informative; we were totally prepared. When selecting a safari company, I had not realized that a critical component is the local partners (camps, guides, drivers, etc.). If the local partners are not great, your trip will be disappointing. EJ uses only the best–everyone on the ground was punctual, well equipped, friendly, informative, professional and helpful. I would give EJ more than 5 stars if that was possible. Perhaps, the best recommendation is that I am already working with EJ to plan our next trip.
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Email Patricia Aucello | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The ONLY safari tour company we will ever use.
We have used Extraordinary Journeys twice for a Safari trip to Kenya and most recently on our trip to South Africa. Our trip advisor gave us honest and dependable advice on how to maximize our time there. Our travel itineraries were perfect for our families needs. The ground travel was fantastic and dependable. Our lodging was beyond our greatest expectations with each camp offering a unique experience. We felt safe and welcomed as family at each lodge we stayed at. The trip was perfectly coordinated and we did not encounter a single glitch in our itinerary. Our travel coordinator also reached out to us several times to insure that we were happy and enjoying our vacation of a lifetime. We love Africa and will use EXtraordinary Journey for our next trip.
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Email Melynda | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best vacation ever!!!
The ladies at Extraordinary journeys are amazing!!!! We had the most wonderful, amazing, awesome honeymoon and all thanks to them. We did not have to do one stitch of planning aside from booking our international flights. The in-country guides and companies that they use are fantastic and the itinerary was perfect. Thank you to Extraordinary Journeys for sending us the very handy itinerary book and travel documents holder. We had the best time ever and highly recommend them and their services! All communications were prompt and most of the time they emailed us before we could email them with questions. The entire planning process was professional, prompt and so EASY to do. We worked the same two ladies and they took care of us before our trip and were in contact with us during the trip as well. We did Devil's pool in Zambia, safari in Zimbabwe, a day in Johannesburg and 4 days in Seychelles. The team is professional, courteous and the best travel agency that I have worked with.
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Email Geoff Grenert | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
John Moody and Extraordinary Journeys have proven to be the very best at what they do.
We have traveled throughout most of the world, at times by ourselves, as well as with tour groups, and I must say that traveling with you and Extraordinary Journeys is the highlight of all of our travels. Of course, being in South Africa, and being so close to those magnificent animals, brought us so wonderfully close to nature and our place in it, that it made the trip that much more special. Being able to reach out and actually touch a lion or a leopard, in the wild, was thrilling. Fortunately I was warned not to.
The accommodations were first class, the in-country travel was both smooth and interesting, and it proved to be an exceptional educational experience. The Apartheid Museum, Nelson Mandela's home, Soweto and the history of that beautiful country is etched in my memories forever. Table mountain and CapeTown alone were worth the trip. Your choices of hotels, Safari Camps, restaurants and guides was as good as it gets. The people you contract with (especially Clive and Johan) are professional, informed, interesting and they cared about fulfilling all of our needs and answering all of our questions, some before we even asked.
So, I have to give you FIVE STARS. But beyond all of the above, I have to commend you and your staff for making this a trip of a lifetime. From the initial contact with Frances, all the way to our boarding the plane home, your attention to detail, constant communication, close attention to everyone on the tour, and just being the perfect and generous host, you and EJ were as good as it gets.
And I have to admit, that in all of our travels, either personally planned by us, or through a travel agency or through a tour group such as yours, EJ was by a wide margin, the very best.
Thank you and Frances and the rest of the staff at EJ for providing the trip of a lifetime.
Best regards,
Geoff Grenert
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Email Cindy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
An extraordinary trip with Extraordinary Journeys!
Extraordinary Journeys made our highly anticipated trip to Zambia and Tanzania absolutely brilliant! Kim Green, Laura Cicalese and their team listened to our requests and put together a journey that exceeded my expectations. We visited Tanzania, Victoria Falls and Zambia, and saw amazing wildlife and had incredible adventures and experiences. They took the time to find out what we liked to do and what we hoped to see, then tailored the trip to the information that we provided. It was very helpful to have several telephone conversations with Kim and Laura, and they were always available to answer our MANY questions. I hope to have the chance to travel with Extraordinary Journeys again!
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Email Carol | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A life-changing experience!
Extraordinary Journeys organized a safari i Tanzania for me along with my 14 and 17 yr-old granddaughters. The organization was perfect and I took the personalized guide EJ provided me on every excursion. It was helpful and made our trip very manageable. Our driver was excellent, spotting animals long before we did, and the animals! Well! We took a great tourist guide of Tanzania with us and checked off 19 different animals we saw and many beautiful birds. We also saw magnificent lizards and trees. The sunsets were glorious, the lodges comfortable and exotic, and service everywhere friendly and impeccable. To experience all of this splendor with my two granddaughters was truly a life-changer. We'll never forget it.
Elizabeth and Lauren were both amazing, they tailored a wonderful safari for us.
The safari totally lived up to our expectations if not exceeded them. Elizabeth and Lauren were always on hand to answer any of my questions before we went on the trip.
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35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Extraordinary Journeys is the best!
Extraordinary Journeys is the best! Planning a trip to Africa can be a daunting experience if you try to do it on your own. There are so many options and price points to decide on and enlisting EJ to plan all the details is the best decision I made when planning my trip. They got to know me, my interests, my budget and put together the most amazing trip that was completely customized for me. No trip detail was overlooked. Pre-trip I received advice of what to bring and a detailed itinerary. While traveling, at every transition point someone was waiting for me and I was warmly welcomed at the lodges. I had no travel “hic-ups” but if I did I had an emergency EJ contact just in case. I can’t wait to go back and explore more of Africa and EJ will definitely be planning my next trip.