When we arrived on Sea Lion Island, we immediately received first class hotel treatment - help with our bags, offers of tea and cookies and then a tour of the Island by Land Rover (which is what everyone drove on the outer islands, as there aren't any roads to speak of).
The rooms at the lodge we were wonderful and en-suite, really first-class, especially considering you are at the edge of the world here. But, we didn't want to spend too much time in our rooms and made sure to do lots of exploring.
We saw our first penguins today! A large Gentoo Penguin colony resides near the lodge and we also a fair sized group of Rockhopper Penguins on the tour. Megellanic Penguins also kept popping out of their burrows in the ground and running in front of our vehicle. They were the most nervous out of all the penguins we would meet this trip. We were also warned they had hooked beaks that could give your quite a bite, and if that didn't make you stay away, their propensity to having fleas should!
We saw Southern Giant Petrols, Caracaras, Cormarants, Sea Lions and Elephant Seals as well. Orcas could be seen at certain time of the day off-shore. Apparently the day before we arrived they made a kill around 4:00 am and dragged it onto the beach to feed. I know it is the circle of life and all that, but my response was: gross!
After dinner all of the guest relaxed in the living room of the lodge - what a great first day!
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.