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:
- $228 to $1,953 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
Email Will | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Lack of flexibility , poor quality vehicles, sub-standard accommodation
We chose Encompass Africa to assist us with our African safari as they espoused flexibility, ensuring they were up to date with migratory patterns and were able to change their plans, itineraries and accommodation locations to cater for the unexpected and unpredictable nature of the environment. This was not the case. We spent three full days searching for the elusive big 5. Only a few wildebeest could be found. The great migration was delayed due to unseasonal weather patterns. There were very few animals. We were told this prior to traveling to the Serengeti by other travelers who had already experienced this. When we relayed this information to Encompass Africa, they refused to change the itinerary and relocate us to where the action was - central Serengeti. After the third day and only after we strongly insisted, did they move us from one camp to the other. Both of which, by the way, were well under capacity. We finally saw what we came for - animals in abundance - lions, leopards, hippos, many buffalo and of course wildebeest and antelope.
The vehicle we had was very old and run down. Roofs either did not open, or closed unexpectedly - luckily escaping serious injury. The seats were bereft of cushioning and the air conditioning did not work. Very disappointing.
Part of our trip was to visit a Maasai school at a local Maasai village. When we arrived, there were no children. They claimed it was school holidays, however, after seeing the empty classroom, it appeared the school had not been in operation for many months. Rat droppings covered all the children’s desks and the teaching materials looked ‘staged’ leading us to question the purpose of this visit.
We were told that tipping at the village was not expected, however, we were lead to their ‘jewelry’ market, where the Maasai women made and sold bracelets , earrings etc. We felt obligated to purchase many of their items, as we were lead around the area several times. The Maasai women continually appealed to us to buy their beads. We felt very uncomfortable, almost believing we may have been rude or offensive if we refused their products, leaving us in a very awkward position. It appeared we visited the village under the ruse of seeing the children in the school, when really it appeared to be all about selling Maasai beads for exorbitant prices.
I would not recommend this tour operator. We need to be honest with our reviews so that others are not left disappointed as we were.
Email Isabel | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely seamless and impeccable organisation
From our very first contact with this agency I could not fault the initial information, the quote, the pre trip information package and then delivery on the ground of our African adventure. The safari camp was a real camp experience but with very sophisticated attention to,detail. When we arrived back from safari there was a tray of cold lemongrass scented snowy white hand towels waiting for us. Very good coffee was brewing on our campfire with freshly cooked muffins as well as porridge for early breakfast at 5.30 am before our morning safari.
The safari guides were very knowledgeable and kindly as with all camp staff. The group dining table was very friendly. Every detail in our ‘tent’ was thoughtfully designed. The hotels selected in Cape Town and Victoria Falls were perfect as were all transfers.
Email MarcelleC | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Absolutely amazing. Best holiday I have ever been on.
Would highly recommend as cannot fault any of the services provided.
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!