If you are looking for a touristy visit to Hawaii, this is not the trip for you. Throughout this week cruise, we were able to see a side of the islands that most visitors miss completely!
Molokai was one of the most culturally impressive areas we visited. First, we went to the town square for a welcoming ceremony where the locals prayed to the goddess of the island to bless our trip.
Next, we had the chance to visit a private reserve and farm. The local family that owns the land led us through an official ceremony to "cleanse our spirits" and allow us passage into the reserve.
After the ceremony, we took a hike through the jungle/forest to a beautiful waterfall tucked back in the middle of nowhere!
That evening, we experienced a true Luau. Not the touristy, blowing fire kind of show, but a dinner with a local family where we had the chance to taste dozens of local foods (including sucking tiny crabs out of their shells) and watch the daughter of the family perform native dances.
The Safari Explorer did such a great job of steering clear of the overly-touristy areas and gave us a true taste of the real Hawaii!
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.