Unless you're extremely lucky (or an advance-planner....not my particular forte), the journey to Ushuaia involves not only changing planes in Buenos Aires, but often changing airports. Though I left NY alone, I'd ultimately meet up with 6 other friends who all signed up to join me on an extravagant 40th birthday adventure. And so it was with both a sense of relief and joy that I walked through the doors to baggage claim at Airport #1 to find Erin waiting for me, fresh off her own journey from Oregon. (Relief in that without international cell phones, we really had no backup plan.) It took almost an hour to get across town to Airport #2, but along with a pitiful comprehension of Spanish, at least we now had each other. We ran into Mary Ann and Lynne at Airport #2 before heading off to our separate flights to Ushuaia, and then Brian and Linda at our hotel. Two days before our cruise, and 6 out of 7 were accounted for. I laid down for a much needed sleep at La Posada del Fin del Mundo: we had made it to the end of the earth, and things were off to a good start.
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.