Guests'
opinions
As someone who
is a lifelong wheelchair user you get used to the fact that
all sorts of holidays or exciting trips are often beyond
you because of the perceived access difficulties. So going
on safari in Botswana seems like a ridiculous proposition.
Not for Endeavour Safaris it's not! My wife and I recently
spent a glorious holiday under canvas exploring what the
Okavango Delta has to offer. The scenery was fantastic,
the wildlife amazing and the birds were simply stunning!
To say that it was one of the best holidays we've ever had
is an understatement. The Endeavour Safaris team provided
everything and had thought of everything. Nothing was too
much trouble and when difficulties were encountered they
always came up with a "cunning plan" to get round
the problem. By definition going on safari would be arduous
for most people and for wheelchair users it would appear
to be impossible but that is simply not the case. We have
the utmost respect for the Endeavour staff for whom nothing
is too much trouble. Put your trust in the Endeavour safaris
team and give this holiday a go you definitely won't regret
it.
Phil and Sue Friend
Hi,
my name is Matt Berry and I am 13 and have Duchenne muscular
dystrophy.
Last year my Mum took me on a brilliant safari holiday to
Botswana. We went with Endeavour Safaris and I was able
to stay in my electric wheelchair all the time, which was
really good. They had a massive truck with a hydraulic ramp
so I could drive in and then see out the side as we went
along. I saw loads of animals like elephants and hippos
and a lioness with her kill! At night we slept in a real
tent and our safari guide, Mike, and his helpers lifted
me into bed. We heard a leopard one night; it was really
cool! The food was great too. Our cook was called Revenge
and she made fantastic meals in the middle of nowhere. Even
my Mum can’t cook that well in our kitchen at home!
It was all so brilliant and I was so well looked after.
I would say to anyone in a wheelchair who wants to go on
safari that they should go with Endeavour Safaris.
Matt
Berry
Smarti
is a Dutch organisation (www.smarti.nl) . For more than
10 years Smarti, has organised trips and holidays for disabled
people: what you can do, is the motto. This Smarti formula
is also the inspiration for volunteers who participate in
the holidays. In 2008 and 2009 Smarti worked together with
Endeavour. The spirit of the Endeavour crew to make journeys
for disabled people in the African continent accessible,
joyful, attractive and full of adventure is not only a promise,
but also a reality. From Europe it’s a long way to
travel, but worth the travelling and the money. The country
is beautiful, the wildlife is a dream and the camping experience
is something you never forget.
We had a great time, not only because we had the opportunity
to travel to Africa (Botswana, Zambia etc) but also because
of the way Endeavour accompanied us. Can you imagine, you
arrive at the airport, after a long and heavy trip, and
there is this crew of Mike and his guys. Everything is arranged.
They make you feel comfortable from the first moment you
arrive. The vehicles are 100% designed to travel with (electric)
wheelchairs. The comfort on the ‘regular’ ways
is perfect. Going into the jungle, it sometimes can be bumpy,
but the drivers know how to drive. Sometimes there are these
roads, you can hardly call them roads….but that is
also part of nature and the adventure. Going out of your
normal life to feel and experience another country. The
stops along the way were a lovely experience as well. Nice
atmosphere.
Staying over in the jungle in tents, with the campfire,
the comfort of beds and the amazing cooking and service
of the staff, is something our whole group still talks about.
Waking up and feeling this enormous beauty of nature, you
only hear the rhythm of your own heart and this typical
voice of the jungle.
We even had some rain (hmm… we think the rainy season
started a little early last year… end of November
2008)). The knowledge of the rangers about nature, birds,
the habits of the big five is skilled, you can learn as
much as you want. We were travelling with volunteers, but
the staff, in our opinion, is very helpful, you can rely
on them. Endeavour also makes sure that you feel safe in
the bush.
The few problems we had with the wheelchairs were solved
the same day. For most of our group it was a lifetime experience.
We felt very special to live so close to nature in the territory
of all these beautiful animals and species. Mike and Silvia
can be very proud. Endeavour started as an idea: that disabled
people should also enjoy Nature’s beauty. Running
an organisation now, which is even involved in getting a
better position for disabled people in south Africa, makes
us proud to have travelled with Endeavour.
Smarti goes Botswana 2008
First
at all, happy New Year 2008 at all your team, the trip was
so well organised and we spend an awesome and unforgettable
experience especially on Orange River !!! So Lekker !!!!!
Especially
thanks to Silvia and the Endeavour Team who have been really
proactive and efficient all the way.
I
will not hesitate to contact you again for our next trip
to Bostwana around September 08.
Bahia
Dankie !!!!
Fabien and Ariane
Thank
you both so much for making our safari a great and happy
adventure. Our trip was fantastic thanks to your care and
concern for us all. I still cannot believe we saw so many
animals and birds. Some friends of mine who went to Kenya
saw practically nothing the first week they were there,
so thanks to your knowledge and expertise, Mike, we were
very lucky. Even if it did mean a leopard prowling round
the tent at night!! Please pass on my thanks again to Revenge,
Ninja, Mumba and Blessing. I am still in awe of Revenge's
ability to create 5* meals on a bush oven!! With very many
thanks for a fantastic holiday and thanks too to all your
team in Cape Town.
Good wishes from Jenny
Thanks
again for all your support and for the organization that
had been perfect!!
Elisa Calciolari
In
a word let me say that your efforts resulted in a journey
that gave Charla a most enjoyable, comfortable and exciting
two weeks; and for me an expedition of the soul which, even
as I write this, moves me to tears not just for having been
there but for the partaking, for the witnessing, and for
self I discovered in all that grew and moved there and lives
yet wtihin me here.
With my thanks and love,
David
