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
CH
Email Adam and family | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic from start to finish, if I could give six stars I would!
I cannot say enough about how wonderful our experience with Compass (Darren and Kate) was. Between finding the right trip, canceling and rebooking due to covid multiple times, and finally rebooking the whole trip with 2 days notice they were absolutely unbelievable. Further, the communication during the trip was also above and beyond. I highly, highly recommend Compass and I look forward to more trips planned and managed by them in the future
US
Email Dave R | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wonderful experience, highly recommend!
Our trip included South Africa (Kruger), Zambia (Victoria Falls), Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls, Livingstone Preserve), and Botswana (Chobe) and we couldn't have been more pleased with every aspect of our trip. The lodging and safari guides at each stop along the way were top notch. My biggest concern was the coordination of all the transfers, including required COVID testing prior to each border crossing, but Compass Odyssey had the logistics of each planned out perfectly. We never had to wait for our transportation at any border crossing, nor did we ever have to worry about when and where our COVID tests were to take place - having those things scheduled in advance and taking place in a timely fashion really took a lot of stress out of the trip. Overall our time in Southern Africa was one of the most memorable and enduring adventures we've ever experienced and we look forward to returning one day. Big thanks to Darren and Kate and their family for helping us put together a terrific safari!
US
Email Jeff Harris | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Compass Odyssey exceeded all of my expectations
To start, with the complexities of traveling from the USA due to Covid, and correspondingly, with firming up plans, I found Darren and Kate at Compass to be the most patient, informative, and accommodating. They answered every single question I had ( probably more than once) and remained extremely patient. I new almost out of the gate that I was going with Compass Odyssey as out of all of the many operators I connected with they were THE most responsive and informative. I trusted them out of the gate and they lived up to my expectations.
The trip was amazing. Again, due to COVID, and the constant need for PCR tests, I was a little nervous. No need, Darren and team had this completely arranged for me, everything always went smoothly crossing borders and having the required testing completed.
Compass's travel partners and lodges were the best. Truly top notch service and experience. My mind was blown all along the way. Again, all of my expectations were exceeded. Mortimer my guide in Zimbabwe was fantastic and went above and beyond to make me feel safe and cared for as I was traveling by myself.
This was a trip of a lifetime, or so I thought...as I am going back. I will most definitely be using Compass Odyssey again!
US
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!!
Email Greg and Victoria | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Compass Odyssey deserves its 5/5 rating.
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.
Email Mike and Jen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A wonderful trip backed up by meticulous planning and engaging staff.
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.
Email David | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Simply outstanding
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,
CN
Email Frederic and Julie Guiral | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best trip ever organised for me
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 !
DE
Email Ro Kumar | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Trustworth, efficient, timely, organized, peace of mind, smooth
Communicating with Darren and Kate was easy. Both are very responsive. I'd get answers to my many questions almost immediately. I did not ever get the sense I was being channeled into making a decision. I was provided with a lot of information because, let's face it, there is a lot of stuff to organize for the tour. Darren was patient with me throughout as I pondered and evaluated all options. Emailing frequently definitely helped me develop trust and confidence the team.
All arrangements were spot on. Logistics for pick-up, transfers, hand-offs were executed flawlessly by their operators in the field. For the first couple of hand-offs we were anxious. Naturally. But, it was a unnecessary waste of nervous energy. We relaxed and enjoyed being treated as royalty as we travelled through 4 countries in 12 days.
Accomodations, safaris, activities were all well organized. The tour far exceeded our expectations. I am looking forward to the next tour with Compass Odyssey. Kudos to Darren & Kate and their team in the field.
KW
Email Laurel Parr & Justin Dupuis | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Compass Odyssey is focused on customer satisfaction over their bottom line.
Darren was wonderful to work with! He did not put any pressure on me at all to book with him and issued me multiple itineraries without any guarantee that I would end up becoming a paying customer, consistently reminding me that I had no obligation to but rather to make the best choice for myself. It’s a husband and wife team that own this operation and they are very caring and supportive at all times! At the same time, they are very professional. They provide comprehensive and detailed itineraries, as well as tons of additional information to help you through all the planning that comes with travel to Africa. They always provided prompt responses and were incredibly supportive and caring. We would book with them again in a heartbeat! The trip itself was absolutely amazing and they take great care when choosing their guides, lodges, etc. Everything was exceptional for us!