Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Camping in the Wadi desert with the amazing family who cooked traditional food for us, the camel susnset trip, telling ghost stories round the campfire and sleeping under the stars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wael was friendly and funny and very well-informed. However, I felt he lost interest in us as a group at the end when we were close to going.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a lot more money than exodus suggests and insect repellents if you plan on sleeping outside under the stars. Definitely ride the camels by sunset. Be prepared that the cycling may be less than you'd expect.

Most Inspirational Moment

The stunning church at Monreale. Our local guide in Palermo/Monreale, Marina, was exceptional, so knowledgeable and so much fun. And the visits to the markets.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very kind and well meaning but inexperienced and her English not good enough for such a tour. (At one point there was almost a mutiny, which was averted when a Spanish-speaking Norwegian group member intervened and conversed with her in Spanish which she was more comfortable with than English.) This was my fourth Exodus tour in Italy and I'd have to say the guide was definitely the low point/biggest disappointment of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Being punted through the Okavango Delta like a memsahib. Gazing into the eyes of a White Rhino from 15ft, who decided we were too boring to bother with and went back to chewing the grass. And the Victoria Falls -- words can't do them justice.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco and Mira showed the professionalism I have come to expect from Exodus tour leaders, and were quietly keeping on top of the whole show without the clients knowing anything was happening. Very impressed they got us to the Delta despite extensive flooding when other tour groups didn't manage to reach it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're not experienced at camping, get the advice of someone who is to ensure you take the right things to the Delta -- I forgot a torch. The spray at Victoria Falls is considerable and it is impossible to keep everything dry. As the return to the UK is not long after, think in advance about what to wear and carry.

Most Inspirational Moment

On the way down a few of us went out on the night and sat watching the stars with an Everest Beer. I saw 2 shooting stars and even saw Venus-most memorable moment in my life!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Bikash Tamang (aka B to us) was a great help with altitude and helped keep the group strong. Always laughing and smiling and even on hand to carry my bag when I needed a help. Such a supportive leader and I'm so grateful to have had B as my leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Stop every now and again and just take it all in, don't miss all the beautiful sights trying to go fast!

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing around ten vultures flying around the top of a mountain - a bird I'd thought would be ugly, but it's actually quite beautiful. Our group had experts in flora and fauna who brought the whole thing to life for me. I learned so much.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alvaro. What can I say? We all thought he was amazing and were sad to hear that he's leaving Exodus in August. He will be a great loss to the team. He was like a sheepdog taking care of his flock, scampering up and down mountains to make sure we were ok. I can still here him say, "slowly as you like!" as we ascended yet another dizzying height. He imparted so much knowledge about the area from history to wildlife and he was just the right amount of encouraging to all of us, individually.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't go before mid-May because you'll have cows wearing cowbells outside your bedroom window at 1am (lovely as they are). They go up to higher pastures in mid-May. Have the G&Ts in the hotel bar - the fishbowl glasses and the measures are amazing. Take your own hairdryer.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many fine moments where a tough climb ended with a spectacular vista of sea, earth, and sky. Most inspirational was watching the climb of all my tour mates from Piscinas to the Rocce Bianche.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Michele was energetic, fun, friendly, and in command of every detail. He was tireless on the bike, helpful and attentive with every inquiry, and everything went exactly as he said it would. I appreciated his scholarship on the archeology and history of the island.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring plenty of cash.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip was full of highlights but one of our favorite experiences was being in Matera on the May Day holiday. After completing our walk for the day we spent the rest of the afternoon in town and loved watching the streets full of couples of all ages, families and friends, strolling the streets, eating gelato, watching bands parade by, and just enjoying life the way it should be!!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader , Giuseppe was excellent!!!! He was outgoing, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and wanted to ensure that this was one of our best trips ever. He had prepared handouts on restaurants in Matera and a list of options for things to do on our free day. His picnic lunches were wonderful. He interacted with the locals on many occasions giving us a chance to see the area through their eyes. We would jump at the opportunity to travel with him again

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go before this part of Italy becomes too popular

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking round the crater of Mount Vesuvius. It's an awe-inspiring experience. The local guide at the top was an added plus -- very informative and enthusiastic. Pompeii was also fascinating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Paul was great -- organised, informative and fun. Satva and Enrico, who were shadowing him, were also lovely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this trip. You won't regret it!

Most Inspirational Moment

The wildlife viewings were fantastic, especially the leopard and bull elephant we saw next to our vehicle. We were extremely lucky; it was as if the leopard was posing just for us. These animals are generally very solitary and evasive and seeing one so up close was just incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rooney our group leader was superb; his driving skills and knowledge of Namibia were incredible. How he spotted some of the wildlife from the distance, I will never know. His two deputies, Jonas and Ruben, were also very hard-working gentlemen who looked after the twelve of us very well from dawn to dusk. They were very efficient in setting up and dismantling our tents, loading and unloading our vehicle and their cooking skills were great. What a great team to look after us!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travelling across this large country was very comfortable and safe; and both the tarmac and dirt roads were in excellent condition. The townships and campsites were very clean and the people were very friendly. I would just recommend bringing a good sleeping bag - and an excellent camera for the beautiful landscape and wildlife on show!

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to say - Kyoyo; visiting the beautiful temples and shrines, particularly seeing the Miyajima floating tori; travelling on the Shinkansen; lying in the onsen after a busy day; seeing Mount Fuji without the clouds. I could go on and include everything as it was all so good.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant! He guided us around calmly and without hassle through the very efficient but complicated transport systems of Japan. He was always there for us but never intrusive. He took us on some of the optional trips on the free days or otherwise gave us detailed instructions on how to get there. He took us to a variety of Japanese restaurants, explaining what it was and how to eat it! His English is excellent and he was very knowledgeable about the history of Japan, plants and generally about everything we asked him. He kept the information and instructions simple so that we weren't overloaded and repeated it when necessary. One, if not the, best guides I've had on my 15 or so group holidays.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take good, comfortable shoes that are easy to get on and off. The weather varied quite a bit so take clothes for warm and colder weather.