Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Descending into the Ngorongoro crater was like entering a lost world.  From the top you would think it was a vast empty space.  When are on the crater floor you'll be astounded by how many animals actually live together in this caldera.  The variety of species was also revealing and a good set of binoculars came in very handy as well as a decent zoom on the camera.We had a visit from some elephants drinking for the camp water supply - that caused quite a stir.The Serengetti balloon ride was as expensive as it was surreal.  This was part of what we went for and it will stay in our memories for ever.  We had mixed reports before we left but I can honestly say it was the best balloon ride I've been on and the cooked breakfast with champagne (Cava) was a good way to start the day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Emias was amazing. Extremely well organised and always provided just enough information so would not forget and yet still be informed.  Nothing was too much trouble for him and his knowledge of wildlife was encyclopedic.  His driving was excellent on some difficult roads and thankfully he was the only one who stayed awake for the full journey which is a long way.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take some old gardening gloves for putting up the tent and taking it down.  The metal hooks are annoying and make your fingers sore after a few days.  You'll be doing this in the dark on some days so take a good head torch too.  There are some very early morning starts but it is worth it so you get to your next camp site in the light and you get the best spot.  You can always catch up wtih your sleep on the truck.  There will be long periods of travelling in the truck so be prepared with some personal entertainment or a pillow. If you are tempted by the Dolphin Trip on Zanzibar please INSIST on having a life jacket before you get on the boat.  We had none and the sea was rough to the point we asked to be taken back ashore.  We complained to no avail.The Kilimanjaro walk is well worth the effort.  It is NOT EASY bearing in mind the teraine, altitude and heat so some fitness is required and take plenty of water.  Remember 'pole-pole' - take it slow.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing the bears

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellant the best we have ever had with any tour company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't eat too much before you go, the food is lovely.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views of the Mont Blanc massive while walking and particulalry a brilliant ride across the Glacier du Geant on the Telecabine de la Valle Blanch to the Aigulle du Midi on our rest day in Courmayeur - one occasion when the wather did co-operate!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent both at a technical and group management levels - provided opportunities for the younger, faster, fitter members of the party to burn off their energy whilst encouraging the slower old codgers without being patronising.

Most Inspirational Moment

Suddenly seeing a colony of goldfinches flitting about the conifers...Waking up to the rugged snow capped peaks outside the chalet window with snow and sunlight sparkling on them.Lying in the hot tub after a long walk. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

A classic!Very funny, a master of puns, and a truly warm and sociable character. Lots of laughs all week, and some loud groans too. (We hope the nuns enjoy the Spencer Tracey moments). Elaine's cakes are legendary, and there were generous slices in the mega packed lunches. We were all sad to say goodbye to Oliver and Elaine

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you have all the gear, weather can be changeable from cold to v.hot or simply pouring! The walks are great though, so don't be put off.Lose weight before you go, they feed you well and you will GAIN weight despite all the exercise. 

Most Inspirational Moment

In Saigon you must visit the War Renmants museum and for me cycling the 103 km from Dalat past villages and forests was just out of this world. Meeting the local ethnic people along the way made this a great bike ride. To finish up with a 30 km down hill fast ride in the forest made a great way to end the day after some up hill climbs. Every day was different with other good cycling days and I was please to cycle up the Hai Van Pass even if it was not that easy I made it to the top and then it was all down hill. The food in Vietnam was good and very cheap in the places where we stayed. The beaches with golden sands and deep blue water are some of the best I have seen in the world.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Lam and his staff helped out to made this a real great cycling holiday.  Lam made the holiday and with his staff we had good stops for rest every 15 to 20 km. So it was not so hard to ride 100 km in one day and after the fist few days you got use to longer days.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Best take good cycling cloths like pedded shorts as you will need them. A must is a long sleeved cycling shirt if you are not used to the sun you will burn and plentry of good sun protection and after sun. Gel cvover for the bike saddle can be of use.

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational part was getting first to Giolman's Point when we really doubted whether we would all make it and then to Uhuru Peak. The final section was really tiring but it was amazing how one's energy returned when one made the summit - however it is a long way down!

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader (Simon) and all the guides were great and I could not fault anything they did. Special mention goes to Milton, our cook, who managed to conjure up 3 course meals each night from a mess tent - it was all very welcome!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is important to have a reasonable level of fitness - but one really cannot tell how the altitude will affect each person. None of our group took Diamox (altitude sickness pill) but other groups did. I would rather know what was happening to my body rather than it being masked (but it is a personal choice).3 golden rules to get to the top: Go slowly (pole pole in Swaheli), drink enough water (I have to say that got more difficult on summit day as my stomach could not face the chemical tasting water) and have a positive mental attitude (absolutely critical).

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk on the second day to Lac Blanc was probably the best and the weather was at its kindest then.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Oliver did work hard considering that he met us from the airport, did all the driving, helped with evening meals and did the guiding of walks.  We were unlucky with weather.  I did find the pace too slow, particularly on the wet days, although I accept that on group holidays you need to adapt your pace to that of the group. Oliver made good recommendations about activities for the day off and for eating places. In particular Hotel Eden was a great place for dinner on the night off.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking is very leisurely, which would be fine in good weather.  On the whole the mountain refuges were good about us eating our packed lunches out of the rain in their premises and just buying a coffee. The Chalet Savoy is best described as adequate. Rooms are small and bathrooms tiny. The dining room is cramped.  Breakfast was disappointing with only a choice of 2 over sweet cereals and hard boiled eggs every day.  I would have liked the option of porridge or at least a sugar free museli and an alternetive to the hard boiled eggs such as cheese and continental meats.  The picnic lunches were good and the daily cakes were wonderful.  Evening meals were hearty rather than exciting, though the tarteflette on the last night was best I have tasted.  So food a bit mixed.  Considering our poor weather and need for hot showers, we never ran out of hot water (that has happened to me in the past)  Also the drying room was excellent.

Most Inspirational Moment

Rafting the waters of the Tara River (not included in trip but I did this anyway!), finding out the ins and outs of the Balkans history (both new and old history) and the stunning scenery throughout.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Passionate, well-informed and thoughtful, with a fun personality.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Its very hot in July and August - even in the mountains! Be prepared...Don't expect a huge amount of activity - the walks are all "gentle" and there are some long bus journeys. But you can go rafting independently in Zabljak, very easy to arrange.

Most Inspirational Moment

The sunset cruise on the Chobe River.  I have never seen so much wildlife in one place at the same time anywhere.   Bush camping on the Okavango Delta and the mokoro rides to view the sunset.The various game drives in Moremi and Savuti.  Again, wildlife was abundant, and we were lucky enough to have several sightings of leopards and cubs at very close range. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was an excellent leader, and also great fun.  He was also a very good cook.Our local guide, Jamie, was also first rate.  He was an excellent tracker, and as a result we saw much that was unusual as well as all the more common species.  He was extremely knowledgable about wild life and went to a lot of trouble to answer our questions in great detail

Advice for Potential Travellers

I travelled in July, and the nights were bitterly cold.  If you have a metal water bottle I recommend filling it with hot water last thing at night.  Not only do you then have a lovely warm hot water bottle (do wrap it in something to avoid burns!), but you have an extra supply of drinking water to use the following day.  Bed socks are a great idea too, and I found those supplied by the airline on the flight out to be perfectly adequate. Dry shampoo is a good idea, although there are plenty of opportunities to wash your hair in most places.  I was delighted to discover that it could also be used to great effect to de-pong training shoes!

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing up to the highest pass, looking back at what we had already covered and looking ahead into Italy.The flowers were fantastic all along the route, but especially at his point which made it all the more stunning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alison was fantastic; appeared very laid back but was very skilled at managing the group.  She demonstrated what was in her rucksack at the beginning of the trip.  As a result most people carried a lot less, making the trip much more manageable and enjoyable..you really do NOT need lots of changes of clothing, when staying mainly in mountain huts.She was also clearly very fit and experinced in the mountains, and always cheerful and positive.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure you have a good level of fitness and have walked in mountains beforehand; it makes it much more enjoyable.Do not take too much stuff; quick drying gear which can be washed out and dry overnight is ideal, but be prepared for rain/sleet/snow.