I was very fortunate to have on this trip an exceptional staff. These individuals were some of the top experts in their field of studies and have spent many years in the Polar Regions. Our Expedition
Leader was the first to cross the North Pole from Russia to Canada on skis and the Assistant Leader skied to the North Pole when he was 20 and he will be the youngest person at 23 to make it to the South Pole on skies and unassisted.He is making that trip November 2008. (To follow his travel go to www.southsolo.com). The other staff members were made up of experts in Arctic climbing and skiing, Polar Geology (the geologist on my trip was the person who wrote the Antarctica section for the Britannia Encyclopedia), Arctic Wildlife, Arctic Biology, and sea life.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.