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
US
Email Sharon, Madeline and Scarlet Ramelb | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional Quality and Personal Service!! If I could give them 10 stars I would!!
This trip was a dream of ours for many years. And dreams really do come true! Darren and his team really made this an exceptional experience from beginning to end. The planning was personalized and very thoughtful. Our accommodations exceeded our expectations ... the food, the staff ... the game drives ... everything! And I could go on and on about our guides. They were instantly part of our family. Compass Odyssey really knows their stuff .. and set up every detail beautifully. We have recommended them to everyone we know. Africa is an amazing place with beautiful people, amazing scenery and creatures big and small. We are already dreaming of our next trip ... and will be calling Darren to make it all happen!
US
Email Peter and Jane Wellington | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Compass Odyssey personalized a safari to our specifications. Every small detail was perfect.
We took our first Compass Odyssey safari in 2018. We have traveled independently all over the world, and have disdain for group travel, including cruises, but planning a do your own safari was beyond us. Compass Odyssey worked with us for several weeks, on an almost daily basis, to fine tune the details of our safari, and the work paid off. The safari locations were varied, provided great game viewing, and the hospitality was wonderful everywhere. No detail is too small for Compass Odyssey; a great example was when they met us in the Johannesburg airport to walk us from immigration to the gate for our next flight, a distance of only a few hundred feet. Nobody will ever get lost on a Compass Odyssey trip.
Amazingly, when we checked the published rates at all the lodges we used and the flight costs, the total was greater than Compass Odyssey's price! That total didn't even include transportation to and from airports or long road transfers to safari camps.
We have referred several friends to Compass Odyssey, and they've all had great trips. There was no doubt that we would use them again for our return this year. It feels like Compass Odyssey has special arrangements with the safari lodges they use. These are all small, luxurious lodges, but it felt as if were receiving a bit of special treatment at times. We did have a pre-planned personal guide at one lodge, but we were almost always in uncrowded safari vehicles. As far as wildlife, we saw it all: leopards with food in trees, wild dogs hunting, elephant families greeting each other, the Big Five, spectacular birds. That, and the incredible African scenery, the great lodge guides and staff, the attention to special dietary needs and every other little detail combined to make this the best trip we've ever taken.
To sum up, Compass Odyssey provided a bespoke experience for less than the cost of most, if not all, prepackaged group safaris. Thank you, Kate and Darren!
US
Email Tania de Jesus | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Service and Tour
Every part of our Africa Experience was delightful. The accommodations were 5 stars all the way with exceptional services. The safari guides in each location were very professional, incredibly informative, knowledgeable and reliable. We felt safe and taken car of throughout our 3 week vacation. We want to return to Africa with Compass Odyssey!!!
Email Lisa and David Foulstone | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Darren provided great advice, peace of mind, and with the help of his team made everything easy!
We are a family of 6 across 3 generations with diverse interests. With the help of Darren we were able to find a fantastic itinerary that met all of our objectives and fit into our tight timelines. Darren helped us to rearrange our ideas so that we got the most out of every day!
The team used by Compass in every location was friendly, knowledgeable and patient with all of our questions and needs. No request was too much trouble and we were able to be flexible when we needed to after long flights etc. Getting local, unbiased advice enabled us to make great choices for how to use our time based on how we were feeling at the time.
Africa was a huge, diverse and somewhat daunting location for our family and our own internet research could be overwhelming at times - so many choices! We absolutely loved the places we stayed based on Darren's advice (we chose from the list of options) and everything was top quality - meeting AND exceeding our expectations.
We have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Darren and the team to help deliver the trip of a lifetime!
US
Outstanding in all areas
From itinerary planning, superb communication before during and after our trip, smooth transportation connections , selection of safari camps and hotels, and especially the knowledgeable and engaging tour guides Garth in Cape Town and Dave in Joburg
Kudos to Mango for his savvy in getting us quickly across the usually chaotic Zimbabwe-Zambia border crossing 4 times!
Email Gail and Bob Cox | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
1st class operator could not fault the care and attention to detail during any part of our trip.
We felt very cared for and looked after from the minute we arrived in Africa. Not once were we let down in any way.
Frank was very good in Johannesburg especially getting us promptly through check in for our flight home when Qantas cancelled our flight and we had the chaos of two flights departing for Sydney at the one time the following day.
Mortimer in Zambia/Zimbabwe could not have done more for us if he tried he even ferried us to and fro at night to restaurants.
Garth in Cape Town was so very knowledgeable, he certainly gave us a good insight as to how things are and have been in the past.
Our accommodations were excellent in every stopover, could not fault them in anyway.
Game drives were beyond our expectations, we saw all of the big five and ugly five. Our guides were so easy to get on with especially Steven in Umkumbe, our two teenage grandchildren formed a special bond with him. Cautious in Botswana was equally good with a quick wit and sense of humour.
Darren you have been wonderful through out our whole experience, when we advised you what we would like you came back with excellent suggestions. Your attention to detail is spot on and we would recommend you and your company to anyone we know thinking of travelling to Africa.
Thank you so much
Gail and Bob
US
Email Carla Faith Moore | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The absolute best ever
I wanted to take a moment now that I have had a little time to review my experience working with Compass Odyssey. I returned from an absolutely amazing visit to Africa just 8 days ago. I spent a total of 15 nights and 16 days in Africa and could not be happier with my experience. I have traveled many places across the globe, and this was my first trip to Africa, I was a little apprehensive and chose Compass based on other reviews and at random. From the start they accommodated my wishes for what I was looking for in my trip, and the parts of Africa I wanted to experience. They were also responsive to the things I wanted to do after booking while in Cape town and coordinated with the dive center I had contacted to make sure communication was seamless.
I am an avid wildlife photographer and seeing the amazing animals of Africa were first on my list of things I wanted to experience. from my arrival in Cape Town airport the instructions given for clearing customs and immigration to being picked up by my driver Garth was perfect. After 20 hours in the air or airports I was ready for bed and Garth took me to my lodgings at Parker Cottage which was a charming Bed and Breakfast with great staff and a welcome place to lay my head for the next 3 nights. The following morning Garth let me know that because of the weather the dive center had notified me that all dives had to be cancelled so we took a drive down to the cape of good hope seeing many beautiful animals and great scenery including the penguins in Simonstown. Day two was a great drive down the coast and into the mountains, and three was a beautiful trip to the wine country. Garth was a font of knowledge and helped me to feel comfortable in Africa and finding things I was interested in doing.
From Cape town I flew to Hoedspruit for 2 days at a private game reserve where i was truly introduced to the Safari life at Senalala Safari lodge. The staff greeted me when I got out of the vehicle, and everything was first class. I was able to see all of the big 5 in the 4 game drives over 2 days. After that I was whisked off to my second Safai experience which was in a luxury tent at Ukambi Bush camp in Sabi Sands. Nothing bush about this camp, once again first class. 3 days at this camp and all 5 of the big 5 again sitting on the deck watching animals at the water hole between game drives once again magical.
From Sabi Sands I was transferred by private driver to Kruger airport and flew to Victoria Falls in Zambia where I was met by Mortimer a fantastic guide to the local area. Once I had dropped off my bags at the Bed and Breakfast Mortimer took me to the falls for my tour of the Zimbabwe side then dropped me off and picked me up at a local restaurant. the next day we went to the Zambia side of the falls and Mortimer arranged to take me on a game drive at the local park where once again I had fantastic encounters with the wildlife.
The next day I went to Botswana where the only hiccup in the trip happened which was no one's fault just trouble communicating and was taken care of quickly and everything was once again fantastic.
Last Day saw a trip back to Zambia and the Elephant Cafe for an encounter with elephants and lunch which was one of the best meals I have ever had. Then a game drive and walk to see the Rhinos great way to end my first encounter with Africa.
Needless to say, I have several months of photo editing to go through, but I would unreservedly recommend Compass Odyssey to anyone thinking of a trip to Africa.
US
Email Lynn | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
We would 200% use Compass Odyssey again, they created a magical trip of a lifetime for our family!
Darren and Kate were so personable, knowledgeable and unbelievable responsive to our numerous and ongoing questions. ( Believe me we had a lot as first time safari travelers!)
Our trip was seamless, the places we stayed were all comfortable and unique, making each site/lodge a new adventure! The guides, the staff, the activities and the locations were beyond amazing.
It was very nice to hear the various staff and guides speak so highly of Darren and Compass. It is obvious he has a stellar reputation and respect of the local people, lodges and safari guides. If an African Safari is on your bucket list, Compass Odyssey is the way to go!
Compass Odyssey delivers seamless, unforgettable adventures with heart
We just returned from an unforgettable African journey organized by Compass Odyssey, and I can’t recommend them enough! From start to finish, they handled every detail with care and expertise, making the trip seamless, adventurous, and full of memorable moments.
Highlights:
🌍 Beautiful accommodations throughout — charming Parker Cottage in Cape Town, Hotel 528 in Zimbabwe, Zambezi Dusk Lodge, Chobe River Lodge, and the structured yet warm Nokanyana Camp.
🦁 Incredible wildlife experiences — we saw elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocs, cheetahs, leopards, and even African wild dogs and pups.
🐘 Unique activities — walking safaris, river cruises, feeding elephants at Elephant Café, visiting Victoria Falls (and getting drenched!), and stargazing under the southern skies.
🥂 Warm, knowledgeable guides — Garth, Mortimer, Anthony, Majestic, and Tefu made the trip even more special with their insights, humor, and care.
💃 Fun cultural touches — from bargaining at markets and tasting local wines and chocolates, to dancing and singing with the staff on our last night.
This was truly the trip of a lifetime — adventurous, comfortable, and deeply meaningful. Thank you to the entire team at Compass Odyssey for crafting such an incredible experience.
US
Email Kathy and John | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic
Darren put together a wonderful trip. He thought of everything, from the impeccable guides to the delicious food. We had a great time and always felt safe and protected.