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:
- $229 to $1,960 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Wendy Thomson | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
First Class service and attention to detail, nothing was too much to ask.
Communication with the staff was fantastic, from the first phone call to the last email welcoming me back home. All questions were answered promptly and in detail. They more than lived up to expectations and understood my needs and concerns. The safari tour itself went off without a hitch and the experience itself was much more than I expected so much so that I am in the process of booking again for next year! I am a solo traveller who lives regionally so it is really important that I get a good feel for companies that I cannot physically visit and with Encompass Africa I got exactly that. I cant thank them enough for making the whole experience so wonderful.
Email Ian Tracey | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Faultless from start to finish
Having had no luck finding a “commercially available” trip to suit us, we were recommended to try Encompass Africa, this was a great recommendation. From our first contact with Jono, to our coffee and cakes wrap up meeting when we got back, Jono walked us through everystep of the way with it being our first safari.
The safari itself left us speechless at times, we had never imagined being so close to so many wonderful animals and meeting so many wonderful people.
All of the arrangement literally went off without a hitch, all of the staff that we met were brilliant. We are now seriously contemplating our next trip, but wish we had done it many years ago.
If you have ever thought of a safari trip, do it now, don’t delay and use Encompass Africa for your arrangements, you won’t be disappointed.
Email LAURAINE | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great service and super responsive
Bring our first safari, we did not know what to expect. After listening to our requirements, EA was able to curate an itinerary that ticked all our boxes within a challenging timeframe. We were very impressed that everything was done with a few phone calls and emails. No time wasted. Trip itself was beyond expectations and all arrangements went like clockwork. EA was recommended to us by a friend and we would not hesitate to recommend them to our family & friends. Good work Gen & Katie!
Email Peter and Sue | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible Safari Adventure - Bucket List!
We used Encompass Africa recently to custom design our recent first ever trip to Africa. Jonathon was amazing (and patient) as we had endless questions! His responses were always extremely prompt and very informative, and it soon became apparent that his knowledge was invaluable in planning our adventure. Our trip included arriving and departing Nairobi, flights to and from Kigali and also a flight from the Serengeti and Jonathon's expert suggestions ensured that we had minimal travel time whilst still keeping within our budget.
Our trip began with a visit to Rwanda and the Virunga National Park to see the gorillas. What an absolute privilege to be able to spend time with these incredible animals! We saw a baby born the day before and had to keep reminding ourselves to take pictures as we were just standing there gobsmacked!
We then had 12 days on safari in a variety of lodges and tented camps throughout Tanzania. We saw the migration at it's finest, breathtaking scenery and an abundance of wildlife at heart-stoppingly close proximity! Our guides were incredibly knowledgeable, the camps and lodges stunning and the people softly spoken and beautiful.
As first-timers to Africa we really did not know what to expect but the bespoke tour designed with Encompass Africa absolutely exceeded all our expectations! From the moment we first enquired with this Company until after we arrived home their service, knowledge and professionalism was exemplary. We decided to choose an Australian Safari Company because it was our first visit to Africa and we hoped this would provide us with the security and peace of mind we needed and we were right! Jonathon and his team were amazing in the lead up to our adventure providing an abundance of information on medical requirements, what to pack, pictures of our guides and a step by step itinerary. Once on the ground in Africa, Encompass provide a 24/7 service with the phone number of a dedicated support person.
If you have been thinking of a holiday in Africa do not hesitate! It is truly a bucket list destination where the memories you make will last a lifetime. Do it now and do it with Encompass Africa, you will not be disappointed!
Email David Redmond | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
All bucket list items ticked off - great trip
From the time we were picked up at the airport to the time we said good bye to our Tour guide Godwin, we experienced a holiday of a lifetime
A soft introduction at a hotel in Arusha for one day saw us set off for 4 days of fantastic wildlife park viewing of animals
The second stage was set up on the edge of the Serengeti Park. We stayed 3 nights in good quality tent accommodation and experienced close up viewing of Chetahs, Leopards, Elephants, Giraffes and many other wildlife. We also viewed 4 natural kills by lions and cheats that while sad, demonstrated the natural survival behaviours in the wild.
All this was topped off with a ballon flight over the Serengeti followed by a champaign breakfast...what a wonderful day
We also made a late request to change part of our itinerary for Christmas Day accommodation. Encompass surpassed our expectation by securing 2 nights at the busy Sheraton 4 points in Arusha; a Christmas Day that will be etched in our memories for a long time.
Thanks you Encompass
Email Cheryl | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The perfect bespoke holiday by Encompass Africa, a very professional and experienced safari operator
My husband and I had no expectations of our first ever safari to Africa, but certainly came away feeling like we had the best safari experience!
I usually like to research and book our holidays myself, but was unsure of when would be the best time to go, how long to go for, what accommodation was most suitable and how to organise the transfers. I had read some reviews of several safari tour operators in Australia and narrowed my search down to Encompass and another agency. After speaking to both agencies, I was most impressed with Danica Wilson at Encompass, as she really listened to me and asked all the right questions and tailored her suggestions accordingly. She was also very warm and friendly, and super efficient. Her personal experiences of the various accommodations were very insightful and we were extremely happy of our decision to stay at the Selinda Explorers camp. I also found it very useful to have the team (including Katie, Gen and Nicola) touch base with me at every step of our trip (before, during and after) and they were instantaneous in answering any queries I had.
We have already recommended Encompass Africa to a colleague and definitely recommend them to anyone thinking of going on safari in Africa.
Thank you to all of the team at Encompass Africa for helping to organise our once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Botswana (and ensuring my 40th birthday was a memorable one!), and for taking such good care of us along the way. We are proud to be part of the Encompass family!
Cheryl and Nick
Email Brian Salisbury | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic, as always (my third trip!!)
As this was my third time with Encompass Africa I know everything would go well. The difference this time was my extended family was along for a safari that had been dreamed about and planned over a number of years.
Eleven of us with ages from 11 to 69 and all went brilliantly - without any hitches, whatsoever.
To see the looks on their faces was absolutely priceless and the experience will last forever.
Thanks Jono, and thanks to your great team.
Email April | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Well balanced, perfect itinerary - just enough to make me lose my heart to Africa and need more!
The email I wrote to Encompass Africa -
Hello to the Encompass Team
I have a bit of to time to pass on our last day in Africa waiting for our flight from Kasane to Johannesburg and then onward to Dubai and ultimately home in a few more days - so thought I would start writing down some thoughts and reflections about our trip for you.
Firstly, every single arrangement, transfer, tour, accommodation, flight etc has gone off without a hitch. We have simply had to turn up, relax and enjoy the experience. The arrangements really were seamless and an absolute credit to your planning and team.
Cape Town was a stunning place to begin our holiday and Trevoyan was the loveliest place to stay. It was so pretty, such a convenient location and so comfortable. I loved waking up to a glimpse of Table Mountain.
Our bike tour got us off to an active start and it was an excellent way to see some of the dramatic coastline. Our guides were so friendly and so eager for us to enjoy our experience.
The walking and eating tour was fabulous. We should not have even had a light breakfast though! We could not resist one single morsel that was offered to us. We loved checking out local places that we never would have discovered on our own and returned to a couple of spots in the following days. Ryan was an excellent guide and we really enjoyed his laid back style and learning about modern and historical Cape Town.
I loved the tour with Uthando. Time with the kids was a little overwhelming and emotional - just to be in the presence of such gorgeousness I think! But I also really appreciated learning about the efforts to educate, care for them and change the future for them. I also loved the last stop - I can’t remember the name, but another community centre where some young guys performed for us (so so much fun) and we met some women beading. The townships were mind boggling - at a distance and up close - worthwhile visiting though and learning about efforts to effect change.
Franschhoek was gorgeous! Again, beautiful accommodation. We were very content to pass our day there browsing and more eating and drinking! We were so pleased you suggested this little detour Jono - we wouldn’t have made the time for it otherwise.
And then onto safari. I am not exaggerating when I say that it took more than 24 hours for me to get my head around where I was and what I was seeing. Before we even pulled up at Garonga we saw a giraffe, Buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, warthog and elephant. When we did arrive I could barely speak apart from just saying hello and grinning like an idiot. The main building, our room, the bush location...was more than I had even dreamed of. Pictures are meaningless compared with the reality of being there. On our first afternoon game drive we saw cheetahs, lions and elephants! I looked at my photos and could hardly reconcile that I had just seen those animals - I thought they looked like pics out of a National Geographic mag! The whole experience at Garonga was very special and I get emotional just writing about it! (I cried when I wrote my trip advisor review!).
Even though I was reluctant to leave Garonga we did continue on - busy Johannesburg airport and an airport hotel were harsh reality checks - but of course I survived!
Victoria Falls was impressive and Ilala Lodge was a lovely place to stay. We did a sunset cruise on Ra-Ikane and a canopy tour with Wild Horizons (some nice low level adventure!). We also enjoyed strolling around the Victoria Falls Hotel grounds for the beautiful decor and great views.
We are also so happy with your choice of Chobe Game Lodge. Completely different game drive experience here - excellent to have the contrasting experiences. The lodge experience was exceptional. I loved all the different options and how they changed up the itinerary with game drives, morning, lunch or sunset cruises, breakfast by the river, dinner in the boma etc. And the staff could never do enough for you. We got to see the elusive leopard here on three occasions. And I might have hit emotional overload when we sat in the boat watching hundreds of elephants at the waterhole for two hours.
I’ve always wanted to ‘go to Africa and see the animals’. I didn’t know really what to expect and even still, anything I might have even hoped for was far exceeded. Thanks for taking the broadest of ideas Jono and making it a well planned, well balanced and pretty spectacular itinerary. It was without a doubt the experience of a life time for both of us. Both of us have an understanding now of how it happens that people travel to Africa and it takes up a special place in their heart. We will join the list of annoying people who (asked or not) will rattle on endlessly about all of our experiences in Africa...and of course be sending them all your way!
Thank you again to you and the whole Encompass team.
Email Rebecca | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience - brilliant guide, fantastic camp crew and memories to last a lifetime
We completed a two week tour that was organised through Encompass Africa. The highlight of the two week trip was the six day mobile safari that we did in Botswana. The memories I will take away from this are the sounds of hyenas wandering through the campsite, elephants playing in the river nearby and elephants roaring in the distance. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and had excellent English. He was so friendly and became a part of our family for the duration of the safari. The camp crew of four who set up camp and cooked were also amazing. Lovely friendly guys. My memory of them is their happy smiling faces and two hand waves every time we rolled back into camp. Each night we would enter camp and there was the fire all set up, with the chairs arranged and the wines/beers etc all laid out for us. A great way to celebrate yet another unique day on safari. Our twice daily safaris got us up close and personal to so many animals including lions, leopards, zebra, giraffes, elephants, gnu...to name just a few. The remaining time was spent in Johannesburg, Vic Falls, Chobe River and Capetown. All in all it was a fantastic trip. We have travelled widely previously but nothing will come close to our Africa experience.
Email Denise | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic itinerary created for our family with two boys aged 10 and 12 - very special memories!
Encompass Africa were very receptive to our initial enquiry and created an itinerary that they thought best matched our needs. They were very prompt in responses, and tweaked the itinerary until we were 100% happy with it. They provided regular communication during the booking process, prior to our departure and during our trip. The trip itself surpassed all our expectations. We had 5 days in Cape Town with our own arrangements, then a 6 day private mobile safari with Safari Guide Services in Botswana that was the highlight of the trip, 2 days on the Chobe Princess houseboat, and then 3 nights in Victoria Falls where we had a blast swimming in Devil's Pool, jumping from the Gorge Swing and doing a helicopter flight over the falls. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Encompass Africa to anyone considering planning a trip to Africa, and we will certainly use them for any future trips to Africa.