Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting by the waterhole in Etosha and watching a zebra family cautiously make their way round and in to drink; finding one lone elephant having a drink, only for him to be joined by the rest of his family, some giraffes, hyenas, jackals and warthogs; sitting by Sesriem Canyon and watching baboon families on the other side watching us as the sun went down; walking through the dunes to Deadvlei surrounded by the wonderful desert scenery to name just a few!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ronney was very pleasant and helpful and knowledgeable about his country. He worked hard to make sure we got the most out of our holiday. The teamwork displayed by Ronney, Sam and Jonas was exemplary. They were so efficient setting up camp in the evening and striking camp in the morning while we just relaxed! A special mention must go to Jonas' excellent cooking!

Advice for Potential Travellers

November in the desert is seriously hot - even at night! On the last day the market at Okahanja is not the nicest - there is serious pressure to buy and the stalls all seem controlled by one company so you do not feel that your money is going to the community. Check with your guides but depending on flight times you may have free time in Windhoek later that day. There is a community craft market in the centre of Windhoek which is a much more pleasant experience so if you know you will have time there just have a coffee in Okahanja and leave the shopping to Windhoek (the coffee shop in Okahanja served great coffee and cake!).

Most Inspirational Moment

Last days cycling was really tough, lots of hills, so a great acheivement to make it without getting a lift!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group leader was extremely friendly and approachable.  She really went out of her way to help, going to bed at 4am when we were being interviewed by the police over my stolen phone!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Tips would be to take toilet roll, sterling only cash,( which you can change at the hotel) immodium, your own water bottle & crash helmet a small day pack for camera whilst cycling and wet wipes. Take lots of suncream as its very expensive over there. There really aren't shops (other than the hotels), so take everything you need.     Security of property take note, I did have my phone stolen from my locked bedroom, another guest had their trainers stolen from the poolside, and a camera aquired from a handbag whilst clubbing......

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many for a number 1 choice but the following were equally brilliant: Wild Camping - sleeping in the wild with elephants, hyena, honey badgers and others visiting the camp during day and night. We were well looked after by the crew and there were some very close encounters.Wildlife galore - the sheer scale of what we saw and some brilliant encounters. Highlights included seeing 3 leopards and spending 25 minutes with 2 of them barely 10 metres away - great tracking from Kenny to get us there and to know the leopards would move towards an extra special photo opportunity location. Seeing a very fearsome pride of 7 lions on several occasions and quite miracously seeing three different packs of wild dogs on 3 separate game drives. A huge number of antelope (some rare) and herbivores too (including a stampede of 60 plus buffalo just 2 minute walk from our Livingstone campsite - just as well we didn't walk).The River Cruise at Chobe which is the best 200 pula you can spend - a great guide gave us a very different perspective of the wildlife from the water with some close up encounters. This is the best chance to see crocodile and rarer forms of antelope. Walking safaris - a brilliant time walking amongst the wildlife and opportunities to observe the animals from safe but very close distances. led by a very keen, enthusiastic and knowledgable group of young locals, they kept us safe from an elephant charge when the wind changed direction suddenly. Also provided local entertainment with genuine relish and fun.Victoria Falls - spectacular viewings from the Zimbabwe side and a great variety of fun activities. The microflight is not for the faint hearted but provides a wondeful bird's eye view of the Falls. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was excellent, very well organised who kindly took time off his free day to make sure we got through Zimbabwean immigration without any trouble. The trip ran very smoothly, he was an excellent cook (certainly nothing bland with his cooking) and got us through every immigration point easily. Also gave very good advice on seeing the Falls from Zimbabwe. Kenny our tracker was a brilliant wildlife guide who manoeuvered us into position for some truly brillinat sightings and photo opportunity. Joseph and Brude were very friendly and extremely efficient with all of the camp chores.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go! This trip has a terrific itiniery with excellent staff and is the best value trip for Botswana I have seen.October is extremely hot but you just have to rememeber that it is one of the best months for spotting wildlife, particularly big cats.Take Sam's advice and see the Falls from the Zimbabwean side if going in British autumn. 

Most Inspirational Moment

I think the overnight stay on the houseboat is an experience never to be forgotten. The magic of the rivers , our own cook , having drinks sitting on the deck. A once in a lifetime moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

PLease see above. I cannot speak to highly of our guide leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went totally vegatarian while on our trip, my wife a doctor, advised it. It was sound advise we had no problems whatsoever.

Most Inspirational Moment

reaching the top after a push and a shove  to go from the dark side to the flat light side of the peak!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was funny sweet and lots of fun  my did he walk FAST A very good sandwichmaker  he even pleased the vegetarian of the group  when i was cold in one of the stops  hotel  he made sure the heating was on for me  and got me blankets

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get fit  lose weight  be prepared for challenging uphill walking

Most Inspirational Moment

watching the giant otters in the Anangu creek, and snorkelling in the 'turtle garden' at Fernandina Island.

Thoughts on Group Leader

All good.  The leader in Napo (the Amazon basin) was outstanding. The leader in Quito was a mine of interesting local chat on political and social subjects.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

The schedule is focussed on the Amazon basin and the Galapagos, but Quito itself is also a treat.  It has a charming colonial old town, some wonderfully over-decorated baroque churches, as well as some good museums (the Museo Casa del Alabado is not the most famous, but should not be overlooked).  The local guide organised a morning tour of Quito, which was good, but is very brief.  Bear in mind that Quito is high (>2,800 m, and >4,000 m at the top of the cable car), so take it easy and allow a day or two extra.   Get up early to visit; the best weather seems to last no more than the morning. Rain and thunderstorms punctuated every afternoon.  It is also worth considering the optional excursion to the cloud forest, if only for the variety of humming birds, although there is much more to be seen -  provided it is not too cloudy.  This is normally a day tour, and slightly unsatisfactory as it is a 2.5 h drive each way, and one arrives too late for the best of the weather and the bird-spotting.  One couple solved this by arranging to spend the night there in the interval between the Napo valley and the Galapagos.  A number of us thought that Exodus is missing a trick by not offering this as an extra.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching 40 mph on my bike on one of the (many) down hill stretches.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A one off -  conscientious, caring and thorough and with more stories about Jordan, donkeys, polygamy and prophets than I'd dreamed of.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding along the mud roads between the villages and the paddy fields showed us a way of life so differnt to ours in the UK.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent and attentive to all our needs. He was rightly proud of his country and keen for us to immerse ourselves in its culture, sample the local food, and learn of its history. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Agi was the most inspriational part of the trip. He was amazing at sorting out problems and adding so much to the trip.The local people were on average incredibly friendly.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic!!!!!! Simple as that.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect basic rooms, I would say european 2 star on average. I think on average  the group was disappointed with the accomodation, especially the river boats, they were very poor quality. Take insect spray, hand wash and baby wipes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spectacular views from Poon Hill and Annapurna Base camp.Beautiful views from the the World Peace Stupa above Pokhara.Changu Narayan temple above Bhaktapur was fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Prem was excellent, a good organiser.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Layers, layers, layers (its cold up at ABC).Wet wipes and tissues ++I wish I had had a face mask in our kit (the trails can be pretty choked with dust).Flip flops or similar for showers, many of which are in a seperate building from the tea houses - facilities fairly basic.In Katmandhu, opposite side of road 30yds to the right of Royal Singi Hotel, is a well stocked supermarket, in case you have forgotten anything.Leave out Chitwan extension, unless you are desperate to see a few rhinos up close. 2 of the 3 days are spent in taxi travel to/from Chitwan. In the 3 day extension we only had 2 hours of safari. Not recommended.