Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

It's impossible to name one - the wildlife sightings of course (elephants, leopard, blue whale come top for me, plus the many beautiful birds). But also the people - they were so welcoming and pleased to see us. At Kithala Resort we had a welcoming ceremony, we all lit candles and the manager wished us a long life which was very touching.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nalaka 1 was at least joint best of any tour leader I've ever had. He gave us lots (but not too much) of information about his country during the bus journeys, and nothing was too much for him. He made sure everyone in the group was happy, and didn't forget a couple of things we asked him to arrange for us. He worked brilliantly with Nalaka 2, our naturalist guide (also extremely helpful). Between the two of them we got to see almost everything we could have done, including the main draws.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although I think it will be some while before tourist numbers reach pre-covid levels, it won't stay as quiet as it is for long, so if you're thinking of going, go soon. Exodus advise taking binoculars but I would say they're a must to get the most of the wildlife sightings, especially the birds.

Most Inspirational Moment

All of the tour it was absolutely incredible seeing so much wildlife and especially being extremely fortunate to see a Quetzal which is one of the birds I really wanted to see.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Glenda is outstanding with all her knowledge on nature and wildlife and answered questions on other subjects the group asked about the country She is a huge asset representing Exodus positive, enthusiastic, extremely passionate about nature and wildlife and was informative with facts with every discovery we found which was alot.We were the lucky group thanks to Glenda finding so much wildlife. We have experienced the best guide ever who is compassionate in all respects looking after us in in a very professional way with a lovely sense of humour excellent organisation /communication skills, and ensuring the group are one big family. Charlie our lovely driver always smiling and happy also extremely passionate about nature wildlife spotting wildlife too again Charlie is a Asset to Exodus.They are a great team work brilliantly together. Nothing is too much trouble for either of them and will go out of their way to assist /help in anyway they can.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Maybe in my case not do first optional night walk its very long and after doing two other activities walk in morning on hanging bridges and zip wiring found it too exhausting...could of been though didnt sleep to good night before bit anxious re Zip wiring. Would thoroughly recommend zip wiring if your anxious ask for staff member to be with you this put me at ease on day and wasnt afraid just super excited and ended up doing some on my own it was absolutely incredible. Second optional night walk Esquinas Lodge I personally thought better.

Most Inspirational Moment

The animals which thankfully weren't budget orientated. Of the big 5 we missed out on cheetahs and lions. But that was more to do with organisational issues. As well as having 3 separate vehicles for our trip. Not including the safari jeep also an extra expense.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leader & driver were very good.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes this is the second trip whereby the trip notes are badly (years) out of date. No excuses..... since covid Exodus has really gone done hill as far as its people knowledge of the trips and its trip notes were always wrong when it came to things like currency values and even simple things like having to buy your own water...... to a stop being a permanent camp no light bulbs.... in fact no other guests for months but supported by EU funding (10 years ago perhaps) that was not worth a 8 hour drive to arrive at night and leave in the morning.....??

Most Inspirational Moment

How do you pick one when comparing the sunrises, so mny sunrises; over the Taj Mahal, the Ganges at Varanasi, white rhinos in the wild, Lumbini, The Annapurnas , or a flight over Everest. I have never done so many things before breakfast!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We have come to expect great things of Exodus tour leaders and Jatin was no exception. He was punctual, knowledgeable, and sensitive to the needs of every traveller. He was challenged by many changes in the trip since it was last undertaken pre-covid and he provided a professionally and positive response to each one.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The road-building challenges were very difficult at times. We spent many more hours travelling because of slow moving traffic and the endless landslides and potholes. This led to many bruises, headaches and backache! It also left some travellers with coughs and sore throats because of the dusty conditions. I would have delayed the trip for several more years had l known the extent of the upheaval and disruption. The trip was amazing but the travel did detract from the experience at times.

Most Inspirational Moment

Going over the Laurebena Pass, very cold, as early start, but spectacular

Thoughts on Group Leader

Doyce Sherpa was amazing, only 26 years old but had fantastic leadership skills.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trekking is tough. But the most challenging aspect of this trip is the accommodation. Be warned they are very, very basic and cold, the toilet situation is pretty grime… having to share one squat toilet with 16 other people, where water has frozen and unable to put water down it, the stench makes you gag, you need to be prepared for this. After a long day of walking this can be pretty demoralising.

Most Inspirational Moment

Wadi rum is probably the best bit but enjoyed snorkelling in the Red Sea, which was an extra for us

Thoughts on Group Leader

Really good and helpful, very well informed. There was an expectation we would want to do everything but did accept we needed some down time from the hectic schedule

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a full on trip. Not sure it can really be described as leisurely.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through beautiful exotic South African terrain along deserted red earth dirt track with the strange noises of African birds and animals, warm sunshine, beautiful Acacia and unfamiliar plants trees and flowers, gazing around at the mountains and blue sky - so far away from noisy busy London life. 2 other highlights for me were swimming in icy cold waterfall pool with fellow cycling pals, and on the final day in Kruger stopped the truck on the road as a lion casually sauntered past us at a distance of about 2 metres! So much laughter all the way through the trip, we had a ball

Thoughts on Group Leader

Adonia was a good organised leader who made you feel safe and responded well to extra requests such as additional stops. He was a strict timekeeper which was important with a tight schedule. He was sociable and friendly with a good sense of humour and made a good job of accommodating different abilities within the group. He had good local knowledge and imparted this along the way. His assistant Evans was also an experienced guide with a warm friendly demeanour, nothing was too much trouble. The 2 boys worked incredibly had, driving for miles, cycling with us, cooking us meals and breakfast when we were away from restaurants. They both gave the impression they enjoyed being with us and really wanted us to have a good time. They were approachable and open to suggestions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip has quite hard cycling so not for people who are not regular cyclists - however so rewarding and worth the effort. Pack for all seasons, don't expect luxury but everything is perfectly comfortable. Pack a torch, some binoculars, good waterproofs. Antimalarials are required for Kruger region. We spent some time in Joburg before trip - fascinating to hear about recent history / end of apartheid, but not a safe place for tourists to be wondering the streets unaccompanied.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling and climbing through Los Cardones National Park at altitude with the Cerro Malcante mountain (5070m) on the horizon, we stopped for a fabulous picnic lunch just before the main 2000m descent to the finish.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tai was excellent in every way and worked really hard with his assistants to ensure that everyone enjoyed the trip to the utmost.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We have tended to take trips where the focus is sightseeing in the destination towns and cities. On this trip scenery and wildlife are king, and we thoroughly enjoyed it for this.

Most Inspirational Moment

The fact that you could get safely so close to wild animals like elephants, which you could never do on land. It was magical to go to sleep in your tent knowing elephants and hippos would wander past during the night.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, one of the best. There were 13 people and six canoes, so one canoe had to take three and we ended up in the canoe with the guide. This was great as he did most of the paddling, making ours a premium adventure! The trip has its' potential hazards; at one stage a large crocodile sallied forth towards us, but our guide got us to splash the water with our paddles which drove it away; he would keep a close eye on us and get us to move back if we were getting potentially too close to elephants in the water.