Encompass Africa
- Located In:
-
Australia
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- ATTA, CATO & ATAS
- Tour Types:
- Custom luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $235 to $2,010 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Russell Pringle | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best of the best. Encompass Africa is a First Class operation.
This was our third trip with Encompass Africa. We've travelled all over South Eastern Africa and we've never had an issue with any part of the travel.
From the "meet and greet" as you step off the plane, airport transfers, flights, private guides, accommodation and most importantly safari destinations..... they have never missed a beat.
Communication is always excellent from the initial........."we want to go to Africa" phone call to the post holiday call from Jono asking about the trip after we arrive home.
Jono and his team both in Australia and Africa are a first class operation and I highly recommend them to anyone considering travel to any part of the African continent.
Email Peter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Encompass Africa deliver great service and experiences for travellers to this great continent!
Encompass Africa helped us extend a safari holiday in Tanzania to include extra experiences at Victoria Falls and the Chobe River. They have a tremendous knowledge of these areas and provided us with excellent accommodation in both places. Pre trip communication was excellent , with emails answered promptly and professionally. Last minute changes for our stay in Victoria Falls were done cheerfully and efficiently. Whilst on the trip, emails, again, were handled efficiently and answered within the constraints of the time zones. Emergency phone numbers were provided before our trip but, luckily, weren't needed.
Encompass Africa are in constant communication with the lodges they use. They knew of an upgrade form wife and I, to a superior level of accommodation at one lodge, because of an electrical fault before we arrived at the lodge.
Because of this diligent, personal and professional service, I would highly recommend Stephanie and her team at Encompass Africa for any of your African travel needs.
They made our trip an experience of a lifetime! One we will never forget!
Email Eileen | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Our experience with encompass Africa was excellent.
Our Travel Assistant, Steph, from Encompass Africa, was fantastic to work with. There were ten of us travelling as a group and she, very patiently and efficiently, took care of all the various needs of our group as we split at the end of our Safari in Tanzania to go four different directions. She handled it all and the standard of communication was great. Nothing was too much for her. Highly recommended. We would definitely use her again!!
Email Kym and Lyn, Brisbane Australia | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Holiday of a lifetime
While we have travelled internationally many times without using travel agents we were a little reluctant to do so when visiting Africa, not knowing the region and aware of the huge scope of travel and tours available.
We approached Encompass Africa after finding their name on line.
From the moment we met Jono and his team at Encompass Africa Brisbane we had confidence in his ability to provide us with an outstanding experience. Pre-trip he was always available and cooperative and produced for us an extremely detailed itinerary that left nothing to chance.
His itinerary provided first class accommodation, car rentals, tours and air travel, and we put our absolute trust in his suggestions for a 17 day holiday in South Africa and Botswana. We were not disappointed.
In South Africa we experienced Capetown (3 days) and the Garden Route (6 days) and were amazed at the wonderful variety of landscapes and other attractions of the region. While we felt a little insecure before we left to drive the Garden route, we had absolutely no problems. Roads were excellent, locals cooperative and efficient, drivers far more courteous than in Australia, and we always felt safe wherever we went. Sure, when parking the car anywhere there is always a local to guide you into a space and expecting a small tip, we quickly got used to this and quite enjoyed chatting with them.
After returning to Capetown we flew to Maun in Botswana and from there a light plane to the first of two safari camps, Kwando Lagoon. Within 90 minutes of our 4pm arrival we were following two cheetahs for at least 30 minutes, almost within arms reach. We were told this was our lucky day because they had not seen them for 2 months. The rest of the 3 days there were amazing with a huge array of wildlife including witnessing lion and lioness hunts and one kill, hippos, elephants, giraffes to name just a few. Kwando Lagoon was an incredible introduction to the Kwando group of safari camps. Facilities were 5 star, staff efficient, courteous and willing to do anything to make our stay more comfortable.
The routine doesn't vary in Kwando camps: 2 safaris each day, rising at 5 or 5.30am for a 6am start, out for 5 hours then lunch and a siesta before going out again at 4pm for another 4-5 hours of day and night animal spotting. Then a beautiful meal and wines, conversation with other guests, and early retirement to prepare for the next day. It did take a while to become accustomed to the noise of dozens of hippos at night in the river a few metres from our tent.
We left Kwando Lagoon after 3 days for Kwando Splash camp (30 minute light plane ride), thinking nothing could better where we had been. We were wrong. Kwando Splash had the advantage of being newly rebuilt so everything was sparkling. The animals were literally everywhere. We left camp for safaris and within a few minutes were photographing lions, jackals, zebras, giraffes, a honey badger, elephants, hyenas, etc etc. On the first day we found a leopard, under a bush right next to our vehicle and patiently waiting for us while we took a thousand photographs. Our wonderful Botswanan guide Dave and tracker KB had just finished telling us the leopards were very elusive and difficult to find, they were at least as excited and amazed as we were. Like Lagoon camp, Splash had wonderful facilities, outstanding staff and excellent meals and drinks. My wife's birthday was celebrated there with a delightful performance by the staff followed by a cake with the other guests. Staff are more like a big family than employees.
A couple of things to note: the camps are in an environment that is barely disturbed and it is not uncommon to see wild animals in the camp or on the tracks to accommodation tents. We saw elephants baboons and warthogs in camp. Staff are always on hand to escort guests to and from accommodation, and after dark it is policy not to leave the common area or tent without a staff escort. The animals are not in reserves or sanctuaries and are not fed or nurtured by staff. They are completely wild and rely on traditional hunting methods for survival. We never felt afraid or insecure because guides trackers and other staff are so professional and well trained. The period recommended by Encompass Africa of 3 days in each camp was exactly right, any longer and we would have been exhausted with excitement and 5am wake-ups.
We left Africa unable to think of one deficiency or criticism of our holiday, travel agent or hosts in South Africa and Botswana. We cannot recommend Encompass Africa and Kwando camps more highly (although we haven't been to any others) and would return in a heartbeat using Jono and the team again.
Email Mike | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
An incredible trip perfectly planned by a highly experienced agent!
Simply, 'unbelievably exceptional!'
as follows, the email I sent to our agent (Encompass Africa) on our return.
Hi Gen
We returned from our trip last night so I wanted to shoot you a note whilst things are fresh.
We are as you know pretty well travelled with this trip landing us on 51 countries visited to date. To that end we have also used a fair number of travel agents putting things together.
I can honestly say this trip way surpassed our wildest expectations for what you delivered.
Travelling for nearly three and a half weeks with a variety of places, activities and free time to schedule whilst also nailing flights, tours and availability isn’t easy, but with this trip it was absolutely spot on!
Your recommendations for where we go and where we stay were an absolute delight and it astounded us that every hotel stay was simply amazing and a wonderful surprise, way beyond our expectations.
All this before we turn our attention to the locations themselves, which in Pondoro Lodge’s case was somewhere between inspirational and life changing both from the closeness to wildlife, the unbelievable accomodation and the pampering we received by the wonderful staff.
Our entire schedule was seamless and perfectly balanced with only two small glitches; 1. The KAZA visa didn’t cover us returning back through Zimbabwe and 2. an unfortunate gentleman who had a heart attack and delayed our final flight home. Neither of these things were an issue.
All in all we thank you Gen for your exceptional work and would be delighted to repay your professionalism by being a reference for anyone you care to send our way.
Incredible as it may seem we came upon you via the net and haven’t met face to face.
Please also convey our sincere appreciation to Katie and the rest of the team and again thank you for making our trip to Africa so very special and truly memorable.
Encompass Africa really are the Africa specialists!
Email Gloria | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Stephanie answered all my questions promptly and thoroughly. She is very knowledgeable about Africa
I have travelled to about 40 countries, but I have never had experiences like I did in Africa. It exceeded my expectations. We stayed in beautiful accommodation with wonderful scenery. the guides were very knowledgeable. Seeing the animals up close with only our vehicle was amazing.
I also enjoyed learning about the people and their culture. the only experience I didn't like was getting up at 6:00am in the freezing cold, but once I put on my 5 layers I started to warm up! I would recommend Encompass Africa who were first class. Stephanie came up with an individual tour just for my friend and I when I said I wanted to see Cape Town, Victoria Falls and the animals. Stephanie was polite, reliable and enthusiastic.
NZ
Email Jantiena Manford | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything I had hoped for and much more
Encompass Africa listened to me, had patience with me, understood me and then came up with a safari trip that more than exceeded my expectations. They were the only company I contacted that was happy to deal with me via email (which is my preferred way of organising holidays) - customer is king there!
I asked for a variety of scenery, activities, safari experiences and camps. The safari they came up with took us to Botswana and Zimbabwe. We slept under a million stars on the salt pan, we kayaked with crocodiles and hippos, we saw wildlife during the day, at night, from a vehicle, on foot and from the water (mokoro and motorboat). We stayed at San Camp, Splash Camp, Zambezi Sands Camp, Hwange Bush Camp and Ilala Lodge at Victoria Falls. All had their own character and all were excellent (location, accommodation, food and guides).
The wildlife we saw includes lion, cheetah, leopard, painted dog, hyena, jackal, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra, baboon, monkey, bat-eared fox, aardwolf, mongoose, meerkat, warthog, wildebeast, impala, roam, kudu, ostrich, honey badger, crocodile, hippo and many birds.
The organisation of the trip was impeccable. I thoroughly recommend Encompass Africa - go to their website and check it out!
NZ
Email Ian | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very knowledgeable, helpful and efficient with excellent communication
I think I would speak for all of our group in saying how well the safari was organised. We found the two week duration about right, given that we were on the go constantly and nobody wanted to miss a minute of what was on offer. The variety of four camps in Botswana and Zimbabwe created new settings and experiences, and the friendly and knowledgeable guides gave us some unforgettably exciting close-up wild life encounters. Camp staff were very attentive, and the cuisine was of a high standard throughout.
Our Encompass Africa agent was very helpful in tailoring an experience ideally suited to our aspirations, and her communication and advice was great throughout. If I am lucky enough to get to Africa again, I will definitely arrange it through this company.
Email Catherine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent accomodation and transfers very Professional services
The safari tour was brilliant. Excellent safe lodges with great food service and very experienced guides. The service by encompass Africa was perfect. The transfers were always professional and on time and everything went like clockwork and also we felt very safe and looked after at all times
Email Jenna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Our incredible honeymoon experience with Encompass Africa!
My husband and I decided we wanted a once in a lifetime trip for our honeymoon in May/June of this year. We had always wanted to visit Africa and we thought a safari would be such a unique and exciting honeymoon adventure! We contacted Encompass Africa and gave Steph a very vague overview of what we were looking for in our trip. We said we wanted to do the touristy thing in Cape Town, we wanted a Safari experience and then we wanted to relax somewhere beautiful. Steph came back to us within a few days, with a couple of super detailed itinerary options. All we had to do was choose which one we liked and off we went! Steph and the Encompass Africa team were incredible to deal with from start to finish. The communication was outstanding, we were always kept up to date in the lead up to the trip, we were sent a beautiful package with all of our tickets, itinerary etc in the mail. We were given so much information so that we felt comfortable and informed about what to expect in Africa. Steph even emailed us to wish us well for our wedding the day before we got married! Unbelievable customer service! Our trip ended up being the best of our lives. We explored Cape Town, did a beautiful Safari trip and to top it all off we relaxed in the beautiful Seychelles. Thank you to Encompass Africa for creating our dream honeymoon - we absolutely left a piece of our hearts in Africa and we can't wait to go back one day!