Denali National Park is the first US national park that I visited where personal vehicle traffic is restricted, so visitors are required to ride on official buses to access the park along the main road. And there is just one main road in Denali, so why not sit back and let someone else drive. It was a nice experience to sit back and enjoy the scenery as we traveled to the end of the road where Camp Denali and North Face Lodge are located. Our driver was a fantastic multi-tasker, driving at times on steep, curvy cliffsides while answering our questions and then always on the lookout for wildlife. We saw moose, bears, caribou, a lone wolf, Dall sheep, pikas, and marmots. I was a bit worried my two kids would get bored and lose interest during that seven hour drive, but their eyes were glued to the windows. They counted probably 20 times more bears than there really were (darn those bear-shaped boulders), but their curiosity and focus was impressive. As much as I enjoyed the wildlife, the anticipation to see Denali Mountain grew every mile as we entered in the park. The geology and topography was as interesting as the wildlife with the glaciated valleys and their glaciers and the meandering rivers that were full of water, carving channels through the tundra. There were kettle ponds, ponds formed from indentions made from chunks of ice that melted, and the moose and loons could be found along the water's edges. We didn't see the park's namesake mountain on the drive in, but we knew it was there, shrouded by clouds. And we were excited to get to the end of the road at Camp Denali and North Face Lodge knowing we had a week to explore this special place and hope for a break in the clouds.
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.