Jo Stallmann, owner
Adventure Purists
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2005)
- Tour Types:
- Budget & mid-range tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $150 to $700 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
CH
Email Kerstin Treydte | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
What a stunning journey!
Our 17-day tour combining “Wild West of Zambia” and South Luangwa was a stunning experience, and I just can highly recommend this tour and tour operator. We had the pleasure to be guided and driven by the owner of ‘Adventure Purists’ himself, Jo Stallmann, supported by a trained cook (Emmanuel) and two camp helpers (Biggy and Sims). Everything was very well organized, all logistics were taken care of (transportation, accommodation, food) and the whole team made us feel at ease. They were always very committed, friendly, available, flexible, and ready to help us in case of any needs. I specifically liked their great sense of humour (representative for many other locals we met). Camping was luxury with very spacious tents providing ample room for camping beds and luggage. The meal, often cooked on open fire was always super-yummy and prepared with lots of fresh vegetables and meat. When it came to dessert Emmanuel did outperform himself.
Most importantly the actual safari part was fantastic. Most of the days we had two pretty extended game drives, and sun-downer tours enjoying gorgeous sunsets with cold beer outside the car – sometimes with breath-taking hippo or hyena encounters. The spectacular custom-built vehicle was perfectly adapted to our needs and obviously also to any terrific wet-season off-road conditions we could only roughly imagine during our stay in the dry season (by the way, it’s up to the participants to always be aware of bumpy roads!). Thanks to Jo’s awesome expert knowledge, driving skills, and long-term record in spotting game we had great sightings every day and impressively experienced the variety of wildlife, animal behaviour and botany in a very nice and educational way. Just as one example we were lucky enough to spot the Lion Queen ‘Lady Liuwa’, the sole survivor of massive poaching in the 1990s. Beyond nature he also provided us with an authentic local’s view onto various human-related issues of the country such as daily life, culture, education, history, politics etc. including some touching visits at local villages.
To conclude from my perspective all promises made in the program have been fully achieved if not even partly excelled. At the Liuwa plains wildlife may have been a bit less present than in other regions (I was, nevertheless, fully satisfied) but this was easily compensated by uniquely beautiful scenery. I just can repeat myself in highly recommending this tour operator. If I would do this trip again, I would probably add a day for a white water rafting tour on the Zambesi offered by their sister company ‘Bundu Adventures’. Seems to be a blast, possibly even the ‘Chicken Run’… Thanks ‘Adventure Purists’ and all the best for the future!
Email Rosemary | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing introduction to the mobile safari experience in a diverse range of National Parks
Thoroughly enjoyed the safari, excellent value for money with so many game park drives.
Booking holidays on "spec" and on the internet is always a gamble but there was no need to be concerned, everything worked out perfectly. Christa was extremely helpful, made sure that the booking experience was a smooth process and answered all my questions almost immediately.
Andrew our tour leader/driver/guide had uncanny game spotting skills. His joy in showing us the animals and his love of his country was obvious. His enthusiasm guaranteed that we enjoyed the experience to the full. I think spending time in a diverse range of parks - Liuwa Plains, Kafue and South Luangwa ensured we saw a variety of landscapes and animals (usually without any other vehicles in sight). I would highly recommend this safari.
BE
Email Cathy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Enjoyable and affordable way to enjoy a safari in the Zambian bush
Our family of four (two adults and kids aged 15 and 12) did a 6 day safari to Kafue with Adventure Purists in August 2018.
We're not usually campers, but the high cost of accommodation in Zambia is beyond our budget, so this was the only affordable option.
Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the camping proved to be. The tents are in good condition, and having the use of a collapsible stretcher bed (which comes with a mattress) rather than sleeping on the ground makes all the difference in terms of comfort. We brought our own sleeping bags and pillows, but these can also be hired from the company (as they take up a lot of luggage space). You are expected to help with erecting and dismantling the tents, but this isn't an onerous task and the kids in particular thought that it was great fun.
The camp sites we stayed at were well laid out, with good communal bathrooms and flush toilet facilities. The bathrooms were kept clean, and there was always hot water and toilet paper available (not always a given). There's no escaping the fact that it's a nuisance to have to trek to the bathroom if you need to go to the toilet in the night, but that's the nature of camping (rather than 'glamping' with en suite bathroom facilities) and for this reason, you should be sure to pack a torch - one of the torches mounted on a headband is ideal.
The food was standard bush catering, with generous portions and some degree of choice with the picnic-style breakfasts and lunches. As the vehicle is equipped with a fridge, the staff were able to buy and store fresh meat and vegetables en route, and it was nice to see that there was very little use of canned food. The highlight was a braai (BBQ), with some of the best steak I've ever eaten. All the cooking and washing up is done by the staff.
Water and fruit juice is included in the price, but soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are for your own account, and you'll be given an opportunity to buy these before you leave town.
The driver/guide and cook were friendly, helpful and competent, and the driver was safe and cautious. The vehicle was extremely comfortable, and as it pulls a trailer (which is where the tents, catering equipment and luggage is stored), there's lots of space. The vehicle has windows that can be removed, which maximises your game viewing and photographic opportunities. There are also power sockets in the vehicle so that you can charge important items like camera batteries (be sure to bring your own chargers).
If you're considering this tour, then I would strongly recommend that you pack a selection of clothes with long sleeves and trousers. Usually you'd think that you'll only need these in the bush after sunset to minimise the risk of mosquito bites, but Kafue is tsetse fly territory, and those critters are huge, tenacious and pack a painful bite.
Finally, make the most of the experience and the memories by bringing the best camera equipment you can afford - yu won't regret it.
DE
Email Sabine | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We feel the spirit of Africa close to the nature and enjoy unique experience
We went to a special 25-day safari tour across Botswana through the wilderness of the Kalahari.
Jo (the owner of the company) and Andrew did a really good job. Andrew managed the camp with all the stuff and equipment, he had always a heedful helping hand for us and surprised us every day with delicious, fresh meals, mostly prepared on open fire.
Jo brought us save through all flooded roads in the Linyanti-Region. He knows a lot about nature, plants and wildlife and gave us special experience while observe and walking close to suricate or having sundowner with a male lion, walk away from us. He explained us some constellations of the African terrific starry sky. We had a very good time with a lot of wildlife in unique landscape. A little bit away from the main tourist routes, we supported the local people and used community campsites, in beautiful areas. The good organisation (Thank's as well to Christa), Jo and Andrew and especially the small group with 7 people, made the tour to an awesome trip. We quickly became a good team and it felt like travelling with friends.
US
Email Patricia | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Wonderful safari
Can't recommend Adventure Purists enough. We had a beautiful adventure in Zambia, most importantly because Christa accommodated our specific requests so perfectly. We wanted to stay in only two park areas in 13 days and focus on as many game drives as possible but on a budget. Christa made it happen and made it feel like a luxury trip. She chose 3 different camps: a self catering and two full service camps, each different and delightful in their own way. In the Lower Zambezi, at the self catering camp along the hippo filled river, we had an excellent guide from the area and a cook who turned out marvelous meals including fresh baked bread. At the camps in the South Luangwa, we had lodges with expert drivers, good food and very comfortable accommodations. In all places there lots of leopards, lions, elephants, painted wolves, baboons, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and countless birds to be found in the African bush. Adventure Purists took care of every detail from beginning to end. We were well informed while working out the advance details and expenses. In our experience, they are a very trustworthy and competent company to do busy with. Highly recommend!
US
Email Steven | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
TWO THUMBS UP!
We enjoyed a most fabulous safari with Adventure Purist. Christa was very accommodating in customizing the safari to our needs, dates and budget. Jacob was a fantastic game drive guide and went the extra mile in finding all the animals we came to see. And Moses, the chef, cooked the most wonderful meals. All the camps and lodges on this Adventure Purist safari exceeded our expectations. We wholeheartedly recommend this company for a memorable safari adventure.
IE
Email Ciara | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredibly organised, accommodating and helpful
We did a 6 day safari with this group and our guide Andrew and his helper/ our cook Moses were an incredible pair who made our experience unforgettable. They shared their stories, culture, music and knowledge with us. Christa was an incredibly helpful and organised person to deal with who made our whole trip easy and unforgettable. We are already looking forward to our next trip!
DE
Email Uwe & Susanne Linnemann | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Zambia Camping Tour (west to east)
This is really an amazing camping safari tour! Everything was perfect. We saw a lot of animals and different landscapes and we had some really nice sundowners with savanna. The campsites and lodges are beautiful and the owner and guide (Joe) has a great experience in all relates themes. And he offered the best dinner I’ve every tasted. The tour was very well equipped and the Landy is tough. If you love Africa, I can only recommend this tour.
We experienced an interesting program, saw a wide range of wild animals and beautiful landscapes.
Communication with the tour guide (= the company owner) was excellent, he knew a lot and explained it to us, and he made us aware of animals and plants which we would not have noticed. The service was - according to the tour character of a tented tour- very good, the expectations were more than fulfilled.
CH
Email Monika Hürlimann | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Well organized, extremely dedicated, exiting and wonderful
The too guide’s Doc and Moses were the perfect team to male us absolutely happy on the 6 day trip to Kafue nationalpark. We learned so much about nature, the „small, the big and the ugly five from them, the took is to the most beautiful places and campsite and they were cooking better then any 4-stark hotel. We had fun, we had peaceful moments and a gread time from the first to the last minutes of the trip!