Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many but without doubt the time we spent at Tortuguero was tops. Hancy, our boat captain, was able to spot wildlife when all I could see was vegetation. The extra excursion to see the Green Turtle laying her eggs was very moving. We formed a 'guard of honour' as she hauled herself back into the sea. Also watching the capuchins stealing the bananas meant for hotel guests at the Villa Bosque and both the capuchins and squirrel monkeys using the overhead cables to move from where they spent the night to feed. We stayed in some lovely lodges/hotels. The only slight disappointment was the hotel at Manuel Antonio (Villa Bosque) as the rooms and bathrooms were small. Carlos, our driver, was very careful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Johnny Villalobos is amazing. His knowledge and enthusiasm is second to none. He often arranged extra stops on the drives to break up the time spent travelling, although I didn't find the drives long. I'm afraid of heights so didn't do the canopy walk, Johnny made sure that I would be OK waiting at the centre while the rest of the group went off, showing me around so that I knew where everything was. He also showed us around and explained things when some of us went to the hot springs. I had my birthday while we were away and Johnny arranged a cake with a central candle, which lit a ring of candles and played Happy Birthday! He and Carlos also gave me a small gift. Johnny is the best group leader I have ever had.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only really what everyone else has said. Protect your camera from the rain and protect yourself from insect bites. Even though your clothes don't get wet, the humidity will make everything feel damp.

Most Inspirational Moment

To name a few besides reaching the summit: watching the full moon overlooking the mountain turned pink-ish by the sun setting; watching Mount Meru 'float' among clouds from Cathedral Point Shira Peak; having a blast climbing Barranco Wall; being the witness and recipient of kindness and solidarity; dancing and singing with my crew in Swahili; being inspired by women and men porters alike for their strength and spirit; enjoying the journey and being present to the moment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

JT is not only an outstanding group leader but simply said a pretty awesome human being who surrounds himself with an amazing crew from African Walking Company - I knew from the get go that I was in very safe hands and that I 'only had to' enjoy the ride, which I did, TO THE MAX! :) Special thanks and praise also go to our assistant guides Simon, Angela, Lucia, Happiness, Saïdi, Yohanna, Ionas, and Abdul, who were a joy to walk by and share jokes, stories and songs with.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Regardless of its height, Kilimanjaro, as any other mountain, should not be underestimated - It is important to prepare physically for the challenge, ie build enough endurance to sustain a week of walking (up to 8h or longer for summit day) at high altitude (with a bagpack!), which will in turn help you enjoy the ride and adopt the Tanzanian attitude - one step at a time, hakuna matata! I personally had no issue to report with altitude during the whole trip except around 5400-5500 m when I believe I suffered a mild hypothermia I could not shake (which built up over 7h of climbing in snowy conditions despite wearing 6 top layers and 3 bottom ones) - thanks to JT's quick thinking and my fellow hikers' kindness (big up to Matt and Kieron!!), I was lended 2 additional top layers (hello Michelin woman!) which meant my body was finally able to warm up ( I tend to have high metabolism and I am naturally thin so I am not too surprised this happened) and I could complete the climb to 5895 m. All this to say, think carefully about your layering, your packing, ... and how your own body may specifically react :) (ie do not just take into account general reviews about what to pack for Kilimanjaro.)

Most Inspirational Moment

Vania and the two bottles of Prosecco she surprised us with on top of Monte Cesen. It was the longest uphill walk and unfortunately the last. The views from the top were amazing - the mountains, the Prosecco hills and somewhere at the horizon the Venice lagoon. It felt as we were on top of the world. The free prosecco enhanced the experience 😉

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Vania De Paoli, was charming, knowledgeable and indefatigable – she took care of us from early in the mornings until we come back from dinners, dealt will all the problems we had and most of all kept the atmosphere relaxed and carefree. We will remember her smile and friendliness.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were too many to mention. But arriving by small plane was superb and then being on the game drive straight away. Being made welcome as soon as we got to camp and then a welcome card on our bed as we arrived at the tent. Always made welcome by everybody. The game drives were fantastic as there weren't lots of vehicles and people blocking the views, everyone had respect for each other and would wait their turn. Being able to go off road is also an advantage especially when you want to follow cheetahs on a kill or any other animal for that matter. This is the way forward for Safaris, fewer vehicles and more chances of spotting game. The sunrises and sunsets were out of this world especially the latter when you were having sundowners. We have been lucky enough to go on quite a few safaris but this is the best yet and I don't want to go into National Parks or Reserves again, I want more Conservancies.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We didn't have a group leader as such as were travelling on our own. But Anthony met us in Nairobi and took us to the hotel, then picked us up in the morning for our flight. He met us on the way back from Zanzibar, and a good job too as our luggage had been put on the wrong plane and it took some sorting out.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For future travellers doing a dual trip I would advise NOT flying to Zanzibar from Wilson airport, go straight to Jomo Kenyatta, as it makes it easier when returning home. Also a 4hr wait which is what we had at Wilson is so boring as there is no lounge, only snacks and a boring place to be. Very disorganised especially on the International side. I wouldn't recommend flying Safari Air either. Into the Mara was fine but not going to and from Zanzibar. There was only 8 people returning to Wilson from Zanzibar and they managed to put all the luggage on the wrong plane. It was not fun waiting airside for over 2 hours for our luggage to arrive and then try and rush to check in for our flight home.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip to the Sahara at sunrise (so beautiful and tranquil) and also sleeping under the stars (I saw 12 shooting stars). I also enjoyed the walk to the Top of Todra Gorge (seeing some three week old kids - baby goats) - the views were amazing and it was a great sense of achievement.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was friendly, concerned for our safety and knowledgeable. I would say that he wasn't very forthcoming with volunteering information about the different places we visited (if you asked him a question he wouldn't mind answering it but as a guide I wouldn't expect him to be more proactive). On previous exodus trips the guide has spoken on the coach at length about: - what I will be happening during the day and also - has given some background to the history and religion of the country and then - when at the destination, provided us with his comprehensive knowledge of the place we were visiting. I appreciate an official guide was needed in some places. I would have appreciated some guidance on haggling/good places to buy - as when asked he never give his opinion.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There were not many opportunities to have laundry done. Take a bank card that is ease to use and ATMs and doesn't charge you as there were not many opportunities to actually go into banks/hotels and exchange money. Although you pay a single person supplement there are 4 nights out of 14 where you will need to share (whilst I didn't mind this I think it could have been made clearer). It is a level 2 fitness ensure that you can walk up a hill reasonably well - it was a gentle pace but a couple of people struggled with a gentle incline and had to go back to the hotel.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views every day, and also the moon rise over the Aiguille as we were there during the full moon phase.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was a good leader with a group of varying ability. Lots of local information and knowledge was imparted and different mountains and peaks pointed out. Practical information as to whether water could be replenished during the walk and so on was good. Yes you could come here and do the walks on your own but so much would be missed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks are not long days (in late September lots of the lift infrastructure is closed which to some degree will limit what can be done - but to no detriment of the week) but in my opinion experienced walkers will not find it challenging. At the end of the season expect the differences in temperature to be quite wide from a frost in early morning to 20+ degrees C in the afternoon. Experienced walkers will probably want to go walking on their rest day and you would have time to do the walk from the Aiguille mid lift station to the Mer de Glace via Signal Forbes and have time to visit the ice grotto, have lunch at the Hotel Montenvers and catch a train down to Chamonix if you had a late(ish) paragliding trip booked. The walk is worth it alone for the aerial view over the Mer de Glace and you get the added bonus of looking over the Chamonix Valley at mountains you have or will be walking on.

Most Inspirational Moment

The surrounding views, seeing Mont Blanc for the first time and of course, Lac Blanc. The treck up the mountain was definitely with it for the views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jenny was great, very knowledgeable about the surrounding areas and the mountains. It was interesting to hear all about her previous experiences up the mountains etc, however it did sometimes feel the walks were a bit rushed and that we were on a mission to get back to the chalet for 4pm. It was a shame that we spent a short while getting up the moutain, to enjoy the views for a short time, i.e. Lac Blanc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you train and build muscle strength in your quads. Walking will seem much more comfortable when you're ascending as some steep areas can be difficult.

Most Inspirational Moment

The land-based whale watching was incredible. I honestly could not believe how close to shore the whales would be. The game drives were also amazing and I loved the cheeky little penguins on Boulders Beach. The botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch are worth a visit too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Justin was fab. His knowledge of the country, history, animals, birds etc was excellent and he brought it all to life by sharing details of his family life and growing up in South Africa. Justins passion and enthusiasm for his country was infectious. Watch out for his wicked sense of humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Think about doing some of the additional activities. I did the additional game drive that was offered - very reasonable cost, we saw lots of animals and had a delicious meal included. The kayaking at Tsitsikamma was hard work but fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

Lovely walks. Good to discover such good quality prosecco.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good leader. Good fun and well organised. Enjoyed her music on our bus journeys.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring small change for the water machine,1, 5 and 10 cents. 1 litre of fizzy water 7 cents - really nice and cold.

Most Inspirational Moment

When adversity struck in the form of record bora winds I was impressed with the way the group pulled together, helping my girlfriend and I with first aid for our bumps, scrapes and shock. And our leader, Zeljko Zarak, kept everyone together, safe and calm. He got us into a sheltered space and then shepherded us to a nearby inn for warm drinks and comfort while he organised transportation. This wasn't easy as this was a real emergency in that part of Croatia. We heard later about an emergency rescue for other hikers and reports of a windsurfer missing and presumed dead. All the locals said this was very early for the bora winds and that they were stronger than anything in the past 100 years. Roads were closed but Zeljko was able to arrange vans to get us safely back to our hotel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zeljko Zarak was excellent, very personable and helpful. He also provided excellent on the area, its history and politics.