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:
- $12,912 to $43,039 per person per day (MXN, 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
Email Mike | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Poor value and doesn't take responsibility for anything
Our guide to the Victoria falls area was of poor quality in general. She barely provided any guiding and just drove us around. One thing that really stuck out to me was when we pre booked dinner at the Lookout Cafe through the company. Only after we got there we realized they booked us after Sunset when it was pitch black outside with no visible view!
The places is called the Lookout Cafe, the whole point is to eat with a view. The brochure they gave us focused on the view. We were very much looking forward to it. There was not enough time to rebook us at any other point during our trip. The response we got was laughable. They didn't take any responsibility and tried to blame us for not looking up the sunset time ahead!? As a tour organizer it is your basic responsibility to check these things when you make a booking on behalf of a client. Then they just said the local guide booked it and didn't realize. Again, as the organizer it is your sole responsibility to make sure things are booked appropriately. Darren offered absolutely no resolution and got snarky when we brought it up.
Reply from Compass Odyssey
Posted on Jun 10, 2026Hello again, Michael (and Regan).
Oh dear. Even after receiving our detailed, explanatory, lengthy and sympathetic reply, you still feel the need to insert one last jab at us. In turn, we regrettably now feel the need to justify your review by responding, and we apologise in advance to the reader for this somewhat distasteful process.
Specifically related to the instance that you mention in this review, we have previously empathised that it must have been really disappointing for you to find that the sun had already set by the time our lovely guide, Ruth delivered you to The Lookout Cafe in Victoria Falls. We are sorry for the lack of communication between all of us and the subsequent disappointment you experienced. Regan emailed us to request us to make the dinner reservation there. We passed on this request to our local guides, Mortimer and Ruth. They booked the table for dinner time (7:00pm), which happened to be after sunset at that time of the year. We are sorry that at no time did any of us think to specifically ask if you wanted to arrive during the daylight hours to enjoy the view. This is also the message we gave when you sent us a rather aggressive WhatsApp message later that evening...by which time there wasn't really much we could do, to be honest. What you fail to mention is that your (Michael) reaction at the time was to shout at and belittle poor Ruth in front of diners and staff. She was so upset but still managed to apologise and when you demanded that she transport you to an alternative dinner establishment, she did so with dignity and respect for you.
To provide even more context, shall we mention that earlier in the day you (Michael) had shouted at, and shown disrespectful behaviour to, the Immigration officers at the Zimbabwe border despite knowing that the issue was totally due to you acquiring the incorrect visa when arriving in Zimbabwe. We provided you with specific information about what visa to acquire when arriving into Zimbabwe from Namibia and what visa to acquire when arriving into Zimbabwe from Zambia. You didn’t heed this information and proceeded to acquire the incorrect visa. The Immigration official at the Zambia/Zimbabwe border was correctly advising you that you needed to acquire another visa and make extra payment of US$30pp. Michael’s shouting and disrespectful behaviour caused great embarrassment to Mortimer who has had to mend some bridges with particular officers at that border and who in turn advised Mortimer that Michael was very, very lucky not to have been denied entry into Zimbabwe. We were truly shocked that a Compass Odyssey traveller had behaved that way.
Seeing that you have posted this negative review and titled it “Poor value and doesn't take responsibility for anything”, shall we let the reader know about the following:
1. You required in-room air-conditioning at each of your accommodations but neglected to actually advise us of this. That in itself is your prerogative. But you then contacted us after the first night of a 2-night stay in Swakopmund Namibia, greeting us as “you guys” and demanding us to find you an alternative hotel for the second night and pay for it. Shall we let the reader know that even though you failed to let us know your requirements, we took immediate responsibility for the enjoyment of your safari and not only did we quickly find you alternative accommodation for the night that did offer in-room air-conditioning (in a town with an average nighttime temperature of just 15°C/59°F), but for the sake of wanting you and Regan to stay happy, we bore the cost.
2. The overall cost of your safari was mainly due to the actual costs of the accommodations, guides, transport etc of your journey, which included 10 accommodations, 7 ground operators/guides (including a private guide/transport throughout Namibia) and 3 airlines and making 22 bank payments. The cost of your safari was certainly not due to our profit margin, which has come out at less than 10% for your particular trip. Within that cost, we co-ordinated every small detail of your journey, which included notifying every service provider of your details, arrival/departure arrangements, and requesting a special honeymoon welcome at each of your accommodations, which you of course received as complimentary. We wonder if the reader will concur with you that this is poor value?
As we mentioned in our post-safari message to you both, we had hoped that our responses/thoughts would have enabled all of us to move on.
What a shame that out of a 20-day private honeymoon journey through five amazing countries and accompanied by the most welcoming, warm guides, you have been overwhelmed by one instance of arriving at an eatery too late for you to see the view.
We congratulate you both on the wonderful news that you will soon be parents and we wish you both the very best on that journey...as parents to Henry, Olive and Hume, we speak from experience that you might soon face greater challenges than missing a sunset dinner :-).
Darren and Kate
We again apologise to the reader for having to make public this unfortunate record of events.
Email Melissa Mona | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Easy to work with
The very first thing we did was go to a place to book excursions, felt like high pressure sales on the guide's part. We hurriedly pick a few and asked to go to check in at our accomodataions so we could freshen up from traveling. The next day we were a bit surprised to be handed an invoice for transport to and from activitites. We almost missed one activity because our guide told us to be ready at one time and the transport arrived over an hour and a half before that time. Fortunately that driver waited for us to hurry and get ready, we did almost miss the boat for the excursion, they held the boat since there were so many people from different places on the bus. May have made the actual boat ride shorter, I have no idea.
The transfers to and from countries with the guides seemed seamless. We always felt safe. transferred from Zimbabwe to Zambia and back, then to Botswana later.
the host and accomodations in Botswana, and the guides there were beyond amazing. I would do this part of the tour again in a heartbeat.
The food at all accomodations was great.
Reply from Compass Odyssey
Posted on Aug 4, 2023Hello, Melissa and thanks for the review.
We always prefer to pre-arrange our travellers' activities for their time in and around Victoria Falls so that upon your arrival, there is no need to visit the activities office and make your choices on the spot, as happened in your case because you hadn't asked us to arrange anything. We're sorry that the activities consultant made you feel pressured and we've asked our guides, Ruth and Mortimer to ensure this doesn't happen. We're also sorry that it seems that the collection time for your sunset cruise was incorrectly advised to you by the activities consultant. The activities are booked/operated by a third party. Two of the activities that your group of six travellers chose did not include transfers in the cost, so you were transferred by Ruth. We mentioned this scenario in your safari documentation and also mentioned that Mortimer and Ruth are not your full-time guides and that any extra transport or services may require payment, as happened in your case. We're glad you enjoyed the hospitality of Anja and her team at Chobe River Lodge.
Darren and Kate
Email Anna and Marcie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The tour operator should be given kudos for hiring our tour guide, Elvis. He was the best.
I would and have described this trip as rugged. A major portion of the trip was spent in our vehicle on rough roads, which are typical for viewing the sites in Namibia. Thank goodness for Elvis, our guide who kept it entertaining and made regular stops. I'm not sure that on a couple of those days, flying in a bush plane wouldn't have been a better option. Obviously, adding to the cost. The only real complaint that I have is the vehicle which was rented for our trip. They often say, know your audience. We were 4 women, 2 in their mid-60's and 2 in their mid-70's and short. We all were challenged getting into the vehicle whose first step was sitting at least 3 feet off of the ground. Eventually, Elvis bought a stool which made it much easier to get into the vehicle. Having been on safaris in the past, I know that there are All Terrain Vehicles that have easier boarding methods. Communications with CO was great. They responded timely and thoroughly. I can't say enough great things about our guide, Elvis. And, everything ran smoothly both due to CO and Elvis. We never had to wonder what was going on. If I were to rate this tour on a scale of 10, I would rate it an 8 out of 10.
Reply from Compass Odyssey
Posted on Oct 4, 2022Thanks for your review, Anna and we're glad that Elvis was able to help make the long driving days bearable. We do mention in our detailed itineraries that the days can be long in Namibia...such is the price for travelling in this vast, open country. Elvis has kept the magic stool for future travellers who travel in that larger vehicle and my apologies that it took a few days before this simple remedy was obtained. We only use this vehicle when there are 4+ travellers. We use a 5-door SUV 4x4 for 1-3 travellers and could offer it to four travellers like yourselves but this would mean three of you sitting on the back seat together, which surely wouldn't be comfortable.
Thanks to your suggestion, we have recently received fares from a local charter airline and will offer this option to our travellers in the future...though the costs are considerably above our usual travellers' budget plus this would also mean that we wouldn't be able to offer Elvis as the sole guide because he obviously can't get between point A and Point B at the same speed as the plane.
Very well organized and interesting tour of the places to see in Cape Town
This was not a safari tour, but a first experience of all the beautiful sights Cape Town has to offer. The guest house (Parker’s Cottage) where I stayed was excellent, their breakfast offer was outstanding with various choices of cooked breakfast, fresh juices and amazing and tasty fresh fruit with granola. The local guide cum driver was knowledgeable and provided a lot of insight on South African history and politics.
Email Caldwell | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Well-planned & great communication
We had an amazing time in Chobe & the Okavango on one of Darren's trips. Our time in Pom Pom Camp was unforgettable thanks to a fantastic guide named Patros. Darren was thorough and quick to respond as we planned our trip -- which is very important when you're trying to become comfortable with logistics of a trip into the bush. The camp had a potentially significant luggage SNAFU on our way out the door, but the camp operator took care of us while we were delayed in Maun -- and Darren did what he could to assist.
Our time at Garden Lodge in Chobe was nice. The owners are fantastic, but one of the staff members left a bit of a bitter taste. I understand that person is being cycled out soon enough, so should not count against the lodging.
Overall, my feeling is that we live in an age where its become increasingly feasible to design your own worldly adventures. We picked Compass Odyssey because it lined up with our trip budget, however, after the fact, I do believe the trip was slightly over-priced. I say that even though Compass Odyssey gave us a great deal of peace of mind headed into our adventure and guided us to some great venues.
So helpful for our trip of a life time.
Lots of communication prior to our trip, all questions answered. Batonka a beautiful place to stay, great breakfast to start your day! My sisters did find the single twin beds to be quite narrow, in North America twins seem to be a thing of the past, rooms have 2 double size beds. Sam, taxi driver from Zambia to Zimbabwe boarder, very knowledgeable. Emmanuel, driver & guide in Livingstone, fun and knowledgeable. Mortimer, our guide to Victoria Falls, patient and very helpful, made excellent recommendations for excursions. Only suggestion would be to reconfirm cost of extra transfers, who remembers what is in the contract?! Letting us know a taxi might be an option to consider.
SG
Email Nicole and family | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Go with Compass Odyssey, they treat you as if you're their only client
Our safari with Compass Odyssey in Sabi Sand and Namibia has exceeded our expectations beyond our wildest dreams. A few weeks prior to departure I had an injury that affected my mobility, and immediately Darren made arrangements on all our flights so I would be assisted appropriately and ensured my rooms would be situated most conveniently for my injury. The trip was extremely well organised, and we felt assured we were in good hands every step of the way. When I texted Darren to say I needed to be connected at all times with phone signal (a mission in Namibia!) due to an emergency at home, he immediately checked and reassured me that thankfully the lodges upgraded their wifi.
Darren was also infinitely patient in putting together our itinerary (which changed many times!), and providing the best advice so our trip would flow well and we could make the most of our time there. We communicated our priorities in Namibia to photograph Deadvlei at sunrise which led to him proposing we stay within the park instead of outside. Our guide Elvis was an incredible driver and a more incredible person to spend our time with - he could spot animals from literally a mile (he pointed out mountain zebras that we could really only see through his binoculars). He sorted out every detail, and shared so much about Namibia and their culture, during the long drives. Once he dropped us off at the water hole while he took care of procedures, and we saw a black rhino there! In 40 hours (highly recommend anyone else to stay longer) in Etosha we saw lion, cheetah, rhino, elephant and MUCH more, all thanks to Elvis. I also threw Darren a curveball after we 'finalized' the itinerary leaving him to book a horse ride for me out of nowhere - he found the best stable that treated their horses right, and gave us a beautiful Moonscape ride.
In Sabi Sand, Darren had arranged a private game drive vehicle which felt incredibly luxurious (and also the extra space helped my condition). All transfers were also organised smoothly, our safari began immediately with Surprise, our driver, pointing out animals between the drive from the airport to the lodge!
Compass Odyssey were very quick to respond to any and all queries we had (we had alot!!) - we felt like we were their only client. Being traditionally "DIY" travellers that booked our own trips, booking via an agent went against every instinct but I can safely say its paid off beyond what we imagined. We felt like we got great value out of this trip and most importantly felt very well supported. We definitely plan to use Compass Odyssey when we return to Africa.
Email Louise and Owen | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Another fantastic experience with Compass Odyssey
This was our third trip to Africa organised through Compass Odyssey and we had another exceptional experience. We were travelling to Kruger with a large group and Darren and Kate made everything seamless for us. Their communication is fantastic and they take the stress out of organising a big overseas trip. We could not recommend them enough.
NZ
Email Justin Robbers and Maianne Hoen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Extremely knowledgeable of the area, very helpful with our requests, very adaptable to timetable.
5 star service, planning and execution. Excellent.
Email Julie | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Darren, Kate and their team were an absolute dream to work with.
My husband and I are fiercely independent travellers but felt we needed on the ground experience and expertise for an African adventure. Through research I found Compass Odyssey, and am forever grateful. From the very first email contact, Darren was both patient and understanding of what we thought we wanted to see and experience. Budgets were reworked, itineraries revised and all with the constant knowledge that we were being truly heard and that an amazing trip would be the result. And amazing hardly seems adequate in describing our 4wks in Sth Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, with Johannesburg and Cape Town thrown in. In 4 weeks of travel, there was not one single glitch, due solely to the impeccable behind the scenes planning by Darren, Kate and Compass Odyssey. Other reviews have outlined the professionalism of the guides, the high level of accommodations, the excellent food, the outstanding game drives and animal sightings, and our experiences certainly mirror those views. But for us, it being the first time in southern Africa, to know that Darren was available at any time should we need him, made for a most memorable and stress free adventure. His recommendations for safari parks were exceptional and our Guides (Elvis/Mortimer/Innocent) were quite simply, wonderful. Their knowledge of the wildlife, flora and fauna was outstanding. We feel truly blessed that we found Darren, Kate and Compass Odyssey and would absolutely recommend them to anyone thinking of travelling to Africa. As we say in Australia..'Do your self a favour' and contact Darren - you'll be so glad you did. Happy African travels.