Spending a week onboard the expedition vessel Atmosphere was an incredible experience, the ultimate catch-and-release that I will never forget. The service was first-class, prompt and one step ahead of your every move. We drank champagne in glass flutes while we soaked in the natural hot springs. You wouldn't have realized you were at waters' edge during daily lunches. Guides prepared an extravagant meal while we sipped a variety of local wines. My favorite highlight was the access to the Chilean wilderness. Fishing remote lakes, rivers and streams only accessible by our onboard helicopters. Giant prehistoric looking Brown Trout and brightly colored Rainbow Trout lurk in the untouched waters and provide tight lines for all fishermen. The up close encounter with the far-flung mountains, volcanoes and glaciers are only witnessed by the lucky few onboard the Atmosphere or on the Hollywood big screens.
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
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.