Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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14432 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Jenny Hicks

Reviewed September 2017

A great trip of two very different parts

This trip is in two parts. Four days on the Jaguar houseboat looking for jaguars, the boat’s a bit cramped and you spend all day on the river, but the sight of your first jaguar makes it all worthwhile. Then the fantastic Araras Eco Lodge, which is spacious and relaxing and the bird life is amazing! You need to be prepared for long days and you need lots of patience, but it’s definitely a fantastic experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

The sight of our first jaguar of course, as well as a mother being suckled by a young cub. But also the kingfishers, the storks, the skimmers, the sight of a potoo completely disguised in a tree - load of special moments!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tony was great at spotting jaguars, but I think his real passion showed through, which is birdlife. He has a great knowledge of the local wildlife and birds.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It can be windy (and cold) on the early morning boat rides, so take a fleece, sunglasses and moisturising cream. Take long trousers and 100% deet mosquito repellent as they bite through your clothes. You get so hot and dirty, but if you rinse clothes through at night they are dry by the next day. Be prepared for very long boat rides looking for jaguars (sometimes 6 hours) and you need to be patient. You may sit looking at a jaguar for a couple of hours, during which it hardly moves! The lodge is wonderful - spacious, relaxing, great food, wifi and amazing birdlife everywhere. Horse riding and kayaking and a night drive are included at the lodge and part of the Exodus itinerary. Brazilian electricity sockets have changed in the last 18 months and in hotels and the Lodge they are recessed - you need to buy an adapter locally.

Mary Robinson

Reviewed September 2017

Walking in Puglia and Matera

Marinella was a great guide, knowledgable, patient and very fit! The walks and the restaurants she found us were outstanding for food, wine and price. Thank you

Most Inspirational Moment

A few of the meals! The company

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you can walk 15 km in high temperatures in the full sun if you go in summer!

Melissa Mason

Reviewed September 2017

Rongai Route - Kilimanjaro. WOWIE

I have just returned from my amazing adventure of climbing Kilimanjaro using the Rongai route. Don’t believe people that say its easy. It isn’t. But, it is 100% worth it :).

“The greatest things in life aren’t things”

Is it challenging – Yes
Is it 100% worth it – Absolutely Yes!
Should you do it – Yes definitely!

Most Inspirational Moment

The mountain is beautiful! The ever changing scenery as you ascend, the nights sky, the moon, the clear fresh air, the tweeting birds - It's really special. The summit night is very challenging but its all worth it when you reach Gilmans Point and see the most incredible sunrise. If you have the reserves left and make it to Uhuru Peak, there are no words to describe the feeling! Just incredible and one that will be very hard to replicate. The porters can't go without mention. You don't fully appreciate what they do until you see it for yourself. Its truly remarkable and inspirational. Their strength, stamina and wonderful smiles is really amazing. The expedition wouldn't be possible without them. The group - meeting 12 other strangers to make the journey to summit Kilimanjaro. We couldn't have had a better group. It felt like a family and we all supported each other and kept laughing all the way - as well as crying in some cases. Its all part of the journey. The people made this trip and the memories will last a life time!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Makake was a good guide and had a great support group with him. He was very organised and made sure everything ran smoothly. With Makake and his teams guidance, 93% of our group reached Gilmans Point!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I trained by walking up and down my apartment block stairs with my back pack - all 40 flights, as well as gym work, weights, running, cycling etc. The best practice however, was the stairs! What I found on the hike was that, although I am fit and healthy individual, its the attitude that will affect you the most. It effects everybody differently and so you just don't know how you react until you get there. I took Diamox for the altitude sickness and when my headaches began, took paracetamol and Ibuprofen which took the edge off. Top tips:- Pole Pole. Don't be tempted to go fast. Take rehydration supplements to add to your water. Take a hot water bottle for bedtime. Its cold. Ensure you have a warm sleeping bag and decent sleeping mat! I also took a travel pillow! Take a few bin bags for your clothes. Take silicone ear plugs ( get them from Boots). Take a small body wash to wash your hands / face etc. You get very dusty and dirty and its nice to clean up! Take Compeed! I took some herbal tea bags - was nice to have a bit of luxury! Respect the kit list and don't try and save on things - I used everything on it! Most importantly - take small change in $'s for tipping at the end. The porters that leave on the last day will need to take their tips so don't take big notes. Take $5's and $10 etc to make it easier for them to split the tips.

Penny Linemann

Reviewed September 2017

Namibia 4WD and Desert Safari

This was one of the best Exodus trips I have been on and this was largely due to the great organisational ability of Koos and his team of Andreas, Magnus and Simpson. These guys were so helpful and good natured and dealt with every situation that arose in a truly professional way. We saw the most incredible scenery, and the camping experience was amazing. It really was glamping compared to some of the trips I have been on, and our tents were up, beds made, and everything ready for us every night when we arrived back from safari. The food was fantastic and the camping areas were great, especially when we were wild camping. All the food was inclusive, even when we ate in cafes and small restaurants and there was no restriction on what we could order. All we had to pay for throughout the trip was drinks and souvenirs.

Most Inspirational Moment

We were lucky enough to see a pair of rhinos in the Palmwag Concession and could creep up to within about 50 feet of them because we were downwind. They had no idea that we were there. We also saw large groups of desert elephants in the river bed in the Concession and were able to get up very close to them without disturbing them. The waterhole at Etosha was fascinating but a little bit spoiled by people talking on their mobile phones loudly when other people were trying to concentrate on watching the elephants and rhinos which came to drink. Still a great thing to see though. I have never seen as many giraffes in such large family groups as we did in Etosha, and the amount of wildlife we saw there was wonderful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Koos Hartslief was a terrific leader and apart from having a great sense of humour and an inexhaustible supply of jokes, was unflappable in unexpected situations such as when the vehicle broke down - he was able to arrange replacement 4WDs at short notice and this was in fact a blessing as the substitute vehicles were far more roomy and comfortable than the original. He knew all the best places to camp, and he and his team provided us with such an incredible experience through their knowledge, professionalism and attention to detail. The food was varied and delicious, and even the packed lunches were great. I couldn't fault any of the team and they certainly provided one of the best camping and safari experiences I have had.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just relax and enjoy it, you will be in very good hands.

Fiona Mcintosh

Reviewed September 2017

highlights of the Dolomites

This walking holiday was excellent, We were very well situated in the Val de Fassa for the local bus and all the gondolas and chair lifts. Most of the walks started at the top of a lift so the scenery was spectacular all of the time. We were very lucky with the weather but even so it would be difficult not to be impressed with the area.
We had a choice of a grade 3 or grade 5 walk each day and we chose to stick to the grade 3 which was strenuous but without any scary bits! Every walk was different in scenery and terrain so always interesting. The shortest walk was 7 miles and the longest 11 miles but it was not rushed. The hotel good and had everything you need and their food was great and plentiful. It was situated in the centre of the small town of Campitello which had a supermarket and quite a lot of outdoor shops (handy if you forget to bring and important bit of kit) and quite a few bars and restaurants.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery had the wow factor.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both our group leaders Albert and Ingrid were great. The grade 3 groupwas lead by Ingrid all week and she was really lovely, calm and very easy to get on with. Both Ingrid and Albert knew the area really well and I had total confidence in them both.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't forget your camera!

Lizzy Mullings

Reviewed September 2017

Amazing Week

I have just returned from my weeks trekking in the Atlas Mountains, 3-10th September. All I can say is the experience was everything I hoped it to be. The staff at Exodus have been fabulous. Said our guide was fabulous, and the group of people brilliant despite mixed abilities. What I can say is that I did prepare for this trip and would not have been able to have done it if I hadn’t spent time improving my overall physical fitness.
I am ready to book my next trip with this company already…looking to go to the Simien Mountains Trekking,

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the Top of Mt Toubikal

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was a wonderful, supportive individual, understated in his nature, ..what a nice man

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is not easy, and you need to train for this trip and have a good level of fitness

J Collet

Reviewed September 2017

Best of times, worst of times

The TMB is an incredible long-distance trek and if it is on your bucket list, I would recommend it. Emily Scott was our camp manager and did an outstanding job. It definitely was not “roughing it” with Emily in charge. Day after day, I was humbled by the meals that she could prepare on a 2 burner camp stove. My only complaint was the pace that our leader, Kim Jackson, set. We routinely arrived at camp 1-1.5 hours sooner than the trip notes indicated. This wrecked havoc for Emily who on several occasions arrived after we did. That meant Emily was racing like a mad woman to set up camp and create a welcoming atmosphere for us. It also meant that rather than soaking in the amazing scenery, I was powering through the TMB with my eyes on the trail. Had I wanted to race through France, Switzerland and Italy, I would have taken a cycling trip!

I would give 7/5 stars to Emily and her ability to run the camp, 5/5 stars for the scenery and route, and 2/5 to the leader. I averaged to 3/5.

Most Inspirational Moment

It would be hard to pin down the most inspirational moment. However, it goes without saying that my fellow travelers made the trip. They were a wonderful mix of nationalities, ages, genders and backgrounds. Everyone was willing to pitch in making for a terrific camp atmosphere.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought that our group leader was sub-par. She set an unrelenting and blistering pace for no apparent reason. It was her last trip of the season and it showed. It often felt as though she was just trying to get through the trip. Each night we would meet as a group to review the following day’s agenda which included the walking distance, terrain and estimated time. We routinely arrived to camp at least 1-1.5 hours early. Kim allowed members of the group to race far ahead putting pressure on those that were keeping a pace consistent with the trip notes. The result was losing a hiker on Day 12. After that incident, she kept the group together but by then there was just 1 day left. I would have far preferred a more reasonable pace that gave us an opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the elevation gains and losses. Consider getting a single tent. That will give you the opportunity to spread out a bit and will take some of the edge off of two weeks under canvas. I had been on a camp-based group trek before, so I knew what to expect, but for those who don’t, be advised that everyone pitches in to make the camp run effectively.

Kathryn Summers

Reviewed September 2017

A Brilliant Experience

An excellant trip, my first into Africa. Now my compass is set for more.
A mixed age range group, 24 thru 72 but we gelled well.
Our leader Jacob was full of knowledge. A very happy and fun person to be around.
He was backed by a brilliant team.
Albert, our cook. Stonecold, (Boniface) our driver and Dolly (Raymond) our assistant.
We were fed well, driven very safely, and Dolly, learning the ropes, accompanied us on some excursions.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending time with the Mountain Gorillas. Wow, you can get closer if the Silverback is happy with it. I was just a few feet away from adolescents. Then, Seeing a Lioness, just languishing up in a tree. Magic. Then, The Balloon ride over the Mara. Spotting Giraffe, Lion and Elephant to name a few. Then, slip sliding across the mud to witness the migration of Wildebeest across the Mara River.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jacob is brilliant. Very knowledgable of his country, Kenya, and of the surrounding areas. He ensured we understood the protocol at the borders for a smooth move on. This does also mean some early morning departures, but, Jacob is correct in doing this. We all agreed with him, even offering an earlier start 1 day! Jacob is fun and has stories to tell.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do ensure your kit bag meets the size requirements for the lockers. They are actually quite wide tho. Take a small 'down pack' bag, or use one of your dri sacks for the tenting. Some of the accommodation involves steps. You don't really want to carry your whole kit down there!

Jay Bordoloi

Reviewed September 2017

Wonderful first group cycling trip experience!

The itinerary is accurate. This was my first experience with a group cycling tour and I was a solo traveler. I would say the trip exceeded my expectations because I saw local towns/areas that I would not have normally visited on my own in the country-side, the travel group was a great set of people from all over the world, and the places we visited for food were very tasty and a great sampling of local cuisine.

During the visits to capital cities, I learned a lot about the history of various Baltic countries from the medieval to modern era. Overall, I enjoyed the routes we cycled (generally minimal car traffic) as they were in scenic areas.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through a small town and the tour guide striking up a conversation with an old lady sitting with her cat. Hearing about the lady's history in the town was fascinating and was something I would not have been able to do, had I been traveling on my own.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our trip leader was a wonderful tour guide. She worked very hard to make sure everyone was having a good time and was clear in her directions for what the itinerary for the day would be. She worked well with our driver to coordinate van support and our safe transportation. In addition, her friendly personality helped facilitate the group getting to know each other.

Advice for Potential Travellers

While the route is very flat, I would say 'leisurely' is not so accurate. As generally the group needs to cover 20-30mi/day and have time for van transfers, there is not so much time for frequent breaks. While the pace is certainly comfortable and doable, 'leisurely' to me implies more frequent stops for photo opportunities or small snacks/picnics during the route. I would rate the trip as a 3 or 4, as 10 days of riding in a row on mostly flat terrain does require some level of effort.

Rachel Harrison

Reviewed September 2017

A superb trip with breathtaking views.....

This is a superb trip. Fitness tested but did improve as the week went on. A “fast and light” way to achieve the Tour du Mont Blanc with only a weeks leave. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Many thanks Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking down into Orzieres and finding our quirky little hotel with a friendly manager and lovely food. A beer in the local cafe rounded off the day. Waking up in Italy to bright blue skies and phenomenal views that we hadn't seen the day before. The coffee in the refuges was a highlight and a welcome pit stop. This is a challenging trek and completing each day left you tired but happy (and nursing the odd blister!)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nick was an excellent leader with extensive alpine knowledge. He looked after the group well, altered plans as required and kept us entertained!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light! The hardest bit is carrying 10 kgs on your back. You really do not need much. I managed to wash a tee shirt and trousers and they dried (just) overnight. If your feet are at all vulnerable, protect heels and toes with tape (zinc oxide/kinesio tape - learnt from my fellow travellers) as walking with open blisters can be very challenging!

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