We have A LOT of driving to do today. Today will be our longest day. We are essentially going from the south end of the country to the north end, so we expect to spend around 8 hours in the car. It actually ends up taking only 6 or so hours, but we end up having a great adventure along the way. We end up taking the wrong road from Managua north to Leon. We don't realize this at the time, but a brand new highway was recently built that connect the two cities. And I hear it's a lovely highway. Unfortunately for us, we hear about this supposed highway way too late and we take the old road from Managua to Leon. For anyone who knows, this isn't REALLY a road and no one uses it anymore. Most of it isn't even paved anymore and it goes through the middle of nowhere. Literally, we don't see another vehicle for hours. We find it quite funny that we might run out of gas out here. And then we wonder if the monstrous potholes will ever end and whether we have enough tires for the little rental car to make it to Leon. And then it ends and we're done with the road from hell. We tie into the nice new highway and it takes about 15 minutes to get to Leon. Oh well, what were we going to do today anyhow?? We get into Leon late and manage to find our hotel pretty easily. This is a great city for walking the streets at night, so we do that a lot! Using trusty Trip Advisor, we select El Mediterraneo for dinner and enjoy our dinner here. The atmosphere is romantic, but there isn't much local about this place.
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.