I was going to give this trip 4 stars but to be honest I couldn't think of any reason why it doesn't deserve 5 stars as it was an amazing holiday.
This was my first holiday of this type and it really was ace, I was lucky enough to be there with 7 other guests that were pretty awesome, we all got on pretty well and had a bit of friendly banter between us all.
I basiically put this down as a holiday of a lifetime and I will be doing more exodus trips based on how much fun I had on this one.
Rock-hewn amphitheatres, desert dunes and coral reefs – this trip may be quick, but it packs in a lot of action! Take a nine-day adventure through the best of Jordan and Egypt to discover layered histories and striking landscapes. Wander the ancient city of Petra (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), camp in the desert, visit the sacred St. Catherine Monastery and finish up among the souqs and pyramids of Cairo. As you travel this land of mighty pharaohs and biblical prophets, you’ll be greeted by the legendary hospitality of local Bedouin people in Wadi Rum and discover the underwater worlds that lie beneath the azure waters of the Red Sea.
Journey through Egypt on this eight-day trip and follow the winding path of the river Nile, soaking up Egypt's history, beauty and colour. Cruise the longest river in the world on a traditional felucca, discover the largest and most impressive Egyptian temples and share stories with interesting locals over home-cooked meals. Live it up in this country of deserts, bazaars, monuments and unmatched experiences – and come away with a deeper understanding of how Egypt’s past has shaped its future.
Mixture of hotels as per say with Explore, from full electricity to an African Hut lit by candle light. Please note accommodation is very basic compared to Western standards which Assan stressed to the group on the first day of the trip.
As mentioned in the itinerary there is a heavy emphasis on the bird life and the majority of trips are geared towards the birds. If birds are your thing then this is a trip for you.
The guide Assan is an excellent & enthusiastic birder with a comprehensive knowledge of the birds from The Gambia & Senegal.
Assan is a very open and honest guide & will relay his personal experiences of his own village life in The Gambia.
Driver Cering was excellent & ensured we were all safe & comfy on the long journeys on the bumpy African roads.
Bottled was provided on the bus along with regular local fruits.
Food wise, a lot of enthesis on fish cooked and served whole.
I am a vegetarian non fish eating and with help from Assan I never went hungry.
Local children enjoyed the sweets the group brought from the U.K.
Another excellent trip with Explore. Fascinating itinerary which helped us discover many parts of both Togo and Benin. The tour leaders, Oscar and Edmund were both excellent and gave us a great insight into these fascinating countries. Some hotels were better than others, but that is to be expected in more remote regions.
You are exceptionally lucky to have Andrew K as your guide on this trip. The trip is made by him. He is totally professional and goes well out of his way to deliver well above quality experiences. He is knowledgeable and passionate about his country. He is humorous and kind and always delivers his best.
The long drive from Drackensburg mountains to St Lucia, via Battlefields is too long and should take place over two days.
Mlilwane camp is a bit inauthentic.
A safari that lived up to and exceeded expectations. Our guide KK was very experienced and knowledgeable. Quote from another traveller on their 3rd safari... "don't bother with another safari Joyce; you will be disappointed". Lying in our tent at night listening to hyenas, elephants and other non-identified animals is something we will never forget, nor will we forget watching lions moving into the shade of our vehicle as we watched them walking in the sand. The lovely lodges that were also part of the package and two nights on the Okovango River made for a fabulous diversified experience. Thank you Explore!
This full-day excursion includes something for everyone. From relaxing on the white sands of the Pange Sandbank to snorkeling for tropical fish and devouring a BBQ seafood buffet - guests are in for a treat!
In the morning, we board the dhow and set sail towards Prison Island. There, guests will enjoy a guided tour of a prison built for “rebellious slaves”, visit with giant Aldabra tortoises and snorkel with a guide to view the stunning array of coral and tropical fish that surround the island.
We then sail to the magnificent Pange Sandbank, a beautiful patch of white sand surrounded by turquoise waters. Guests can relax under the shade of our ample tents or swim in the warm water of the Indian Ocean. All that activity sure builds an appetite! For lunch, guests will savor a delicious seafood BBQ served with a cool, crisp beer and other refreshing beverages. After lunch, snorkel among Clown fish and Moorish Idols or simply take a walk around the sandbank to witness the birdlife. By the time we set sail to town in the late afternoon, guests will have enjoyed one of their favorite days in Zanzibar!
Itinerary:
09:30 - We meet at the original Dhow Safaris departure point before boarding our dhow.
09:45 - We meet the crew and will be observing a safety briefing before setting sail toward the Prison Island.
10:30 - We arrive at the island. Then we tour the historic prison and visit the giant tortoises while snorkelling around.
12:00 - We hop on board the dhow to sail toward Pange Sandbank.
13:00 - BBQ Seafood Lunch will be prepared for 8 persons or more. For 7 or less persons, we pack a delicious picnic basket! Meals are served at tables under a beautiful tent made of Merikani sails. After lunch, we shall snorkel in and out of the colorful Pange Reef and swim around the island.
16:00 - We set sail for Stone Town
16:30 - We arrive at the town
The trip was well organized. We got to see a great swath of Morocco and it was a nice mix of organized excursions and free time. Hassan was a great guide with a lot of insight into many aspects of Moroccan life. Hotel accommodations were better than we expected and our group size of 10 people was perfect for moving from place to place.
Very enjoyable holiday. A couple of long days of driving but they were well broken up and the stunning scenery was worth it. Excellent guide in Hassan, for whom it was his first time as an Explore leader. Please ensure he is employed again, he was lovely - helpful, informative and with a great eye for detail. Highlight is definitely the Bedouin camp, breakfast was amazing and the camel ride is not to be missed but the whole experience was unforgettable, it is a well put together tour.
Ines, Fatima and Koffi tried really hard under very difficult circumstances to make this trip a success. Very fulfilling trip with many interesting sites and experiences. I highly recommend it.