Kate & Darren Humphrys with Henry, Olive and Hume
Compass Odyssey
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2006)
- Member Of:
- Southern Africa Tourism Services Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $300 to $1,000 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
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Email Doug and Sandy Furdock | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Darren and Kate are owner operators who give 110% to providing exceptional S. African tour services.
First, I want to say that I chose Compass Odyssey for our 15 night Southern African tour based on stellar reviews. Fantastic choice. Compass Odyssey provided in depth written communication regarding all aspects of our journey that started off in Cape Town for 4 nights at Tintagel House, then off to Greater Kruger at Bateleur Safari Camp for 3 nights. My wife Sandy and I then flew from Nelspruit to Livingston Zambia where we stayed at Thorntree River Lodge for 2 nights viewing Victoria Falls and a true off the grid African village. We were then transported by vehicle across the new Botswana border bridge to Chobe River Lodge for 1 night and the next day were flown by Safari air to the Okavango delta where we stayed 3 nights at Kanana Safari Camp. For our final 2 nights in South Africa we returned by air to Cape Town and the Tintagel House in the Gardens District. The trip vastly exceeded any expectations that I had regarding the beauty of Cape Town, the Safari camps with up close and intimate game drives, (participated in 12), the on the ground teams that Compass Odyssey has assembled and the fact that Darren followed our daily progress making sure everything went off as planned. That is over the top 5 star service. The tragedy of Covid is providing vaccinated travelers with a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience world class Africa without busses full of tourists and long cues. If you have an interest in seeing Africa, just do it. Quality, service, value, 5 star venues, Compass Odyssey has all of the boxes checked.
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Email John and Emily | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
We could not be happier about selecting Compass Odyssey for our safari vacation with our grandson.
Darren and Kate were absolutely outstanding. In spite of all the crazy goings-on with COVID, and the constant changes in governmental regulations, testing requirements, border closures and other related obstacles, our trip went off without a problem. Having never traveled to Africa before, such a trip can be fairly daunting, but Darren was always available to answer all the questions we had, no matter how small or insignificant. Every concern or problem we had was immediately addressed and resolved, and the trip was magnificent. While in Zambia, we asked our grandson what he thought of the trip so far, and his response summed up our overall impression of the trip as a whole: "Best day ever!" My wife and I would both highly recommend Compass Odyssey and would not hesitate to use them again for our next trip to Africa.
IL
Email Anat and Beni Padani | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Compass Odyssey is an excellent agent: professional, kind and for you any moment of the day.
Darren and Kate are so professional, very kind and understand exactly what you want and what are your needs.
There are for your need for all Covid-19 tests, that is so important in our dayd.
They understood exactly our demands from the lodges, kind of safari we were interested in and in case of a problem came always with the right solution.
we will use for sure Compass Odyssey for our next trip!
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Email Holly Romo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
I would give then 100 stars if I could!!
We actually didn't get to go in June 2020 but I needed to write this review anyway!!
In 2019, I began planning an Africa trip with Darren at Compass Odyssey for 7 people in June 2020. He was amazing from the very beginning. Always available to answer any questions we had, patient with us when we changed our minds about exactly what we wanted to do, and planning a great trip that would fit into our budget. Over the planning time, we had people drop out, people who wanted to extend their trip, concerns about what "shots" we might need and a myriad of other concerns. Through all of that, Darren was a champ. He handled every change we wanted made, answered all of our questions and allayed all of our concerns.
Then comes COVID! We had to postpone our trip, which Darren handled brilliantly. He made sure that all of our deposits would hold until June 2021 and took care of all the legwork involved in moving our trip out a year.
Here we are approaching June, 2021, and we are now having to postpone again, as some of our travelers are still uncomfortable with going. I assumed we were going to have to just cancel and try to get reimbursed by our travel insurance for nonrefundable expenses already paid.
Well, that didn't happen. Darren stepped up to the plate and all of our deposits, etc, have been extended until at least the end of 2022. So our trip of a lifetime isn't gone, just on hold!
I'm pretty positive that we will go in 2022, but I know for a fact that if we can't, Darren will make it right for us. I'm sure that, eventually, I will be back here writing another glowing review after we get back from our trip.
If you ever want to go to Africa, you could not find a better company than Compass Odyssey or a better person than Darren, to plan YOUR trip of a lifetime!!
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Email Deb and James Macias | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Amazing Experience
Compass Odyssey was wonderful! They worked with us on an itinerary ensuring we had an exclusive adventure.
From the moment of our arrival until departure everything was top notch. Our accommodations were beautiful, our guide Mortimer was spectacular.
We went with another couple and we were all impressed with entire organization. We have traveled together to numerous countries and by far our best experience.
Compass Odyssey will not disappoint, we are looking forward to returning.
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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!
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!
JP
Email Takuya | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent operator that I have never experienced before
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.
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Email Christopher Queen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Another Fantastic trip with Compass Odyssey!!
"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.
CH
Email Jessica | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Suberb service and high competence!
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.!
CA
Email Brandy Hughes | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Outstanding Customer Service
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.