US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect!
Speke Uganda and our driver Hamid especially were wonderful during our short time in Uganda. The places we saw were full of culture and although we knew we couldn't fully see all that Uganda has to over in only a couple days we felt it was an excellent view into the country. The main purpose of our trip was to spread this ashes of a deceased loved one and Hamid was extremely respectful and accommodating in our needs. I would highly recommend Speke Uganda as a tour company in the future.
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uganda Adventure
We enjoyed a great week in Uganda with Range Land. From the beginning, they were communicative and helpful. We tailored our itinerary based on input from their team, and so got to do exactly what we wanted, and even a few things we didn't know we wanted to do. On arrival, we were greeted by our guide, Ronald who had dealt with us from the beginning. He took great care of us all week, which took in Kampala, Kibale Forest, Queen Elisabeth National Park and Bwindi. This was a great week, one of the best trips we've ever been on, made by both Uganda and Rangeland. We cannot recommend Uganda highly enough, and we cannot recommend Range Land enough!
HU
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fabulous days at the Kruger
We took the 4 days tour from Johannesburg to Kruger. We spent 3 great nights at a lodge, where we had a nice little house just for us with great food and incredible hospitality. We were the lucky ones to see the Big Five:) Enjoyed the magical beauty of the park and professionalism of the tour guide from early mornings till the evenings. He always spotted the animals from a really really big distance, while we could not see anything.....it was amazing. You really need to spend at least 2-3 days in the park to get used to the silence, the animals and the endless green to really get rid of stress and experience the majesty of the fauna and flora. It was an adventure of a lifetime. During the way back to Johannesburg we have seen the most beautiful canyon of earth the Blyde river canyon. Incredible-> everyone should see this, you cannot miss. I highly recommend this tour, as everything was as expected...even better.
NL
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good agency, poor driver
This was the second time we went to Kenya with Aardwolf. Just like the first time we had a good contact with Esther. The itinerary was custom made. All the accomodations where great. The accomodation in Tsavo west (voyager ziwani) was also great, but to far from the gamedrive surrounding. This time we had David as a driver. From the ten drivers we have had in Africa, this was the worst. He didn't seem to like it and did as less as possible (this was the opposite of our other driver James of this company in 2016). Also he didn't know his way at all. When the itinerary says full day game drive, David makes it a half day. He only drives on the main roads foreward and back and never takes the gamedrive loops there are. There was every day a discussion about the itinerary. So when you book with this company make sure everything in the itinerary is very clear and make sure you don't get David as a driver. They have better drivers and you will have a good trip with Aardwolf.
NL
under20 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
It was an amazing trip
It was amazing, everything was well communicated, the places where we stayed where good
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Vic Falls Spectacular
We did the 6 day Victoria Falls spectacular, which was personalised for our travel dates. Joseph was quick to respond to all emails, and put our minds at ease heading on our trip. Once we arrived our tour guide Frank was excellent, he looked after us and made sure we were comfortable and enjoyed every part of our stay. Each tour we went on was private, which made the experience that much better. I cannot speak highly enough of Frank, as well as the other guides at both Chobe and Hwange National Park. Really hope we can travel with this company again soon
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic guide and comfortable bus
We did a two week in-comfort safari with Kiboko from Victoria Falls to Windhoek in Namibia via the Caprivi Strip which included Chobe National Park in Botswana.
We had an excellent guide (Kembo) and were lucky to travel in the company's newest bus which was very comfortable and roomy. The company only has a maximum of 16 on the tours which means there are some extra seats on the bus which was good.
The places we visited such as Etosha National Park and Sossusvlei sand dunes area were fantastic and we stayed in some really wonderful accommodation - especially the Gondwana lodges.
The tour was good value but there are a lot of optional tours which can bring up the price a bit.
I would recommend Kiboko and use them again.
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.
US
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Experience of a life time. My daughter and I had the best time ever
Excellent, could not find fault, best service, drivers, accommodation, food, safari tour to park, unbelievable, saw the Big 5.
Gods window and Potholes fantastic.
Rooms were beautiful, food great, very clean.
Will definitely use your company again next time we are in SA, and reccommend to you anyone I know looking to go on a safari
65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Was very impressed with the whole tour and especially with our tour guide Mischek M. (Spelling?)
This holiday was the best we (husband Richard and I) have had in many years and exceeded our expectations even though it was very different to what I personally imagined. We were looked after well and have no complaints at all. The accommodation was mostly first class and very comfortable though we were rather hot under those doonas at night! Can't praise Meshek (spelling) enough for his care of the group taking responsibility for every imaginable situation such as vehicle breakdown, sickness, extra travel needs and arrangements etc. Loved the areas we visited even the miles and miles of desert which could have been dull but Mesheks obvious love of Africa inspired us and we took hundreds of pictures and copious notes as well as read a few of the books he recommended. Because of this we feel we really experienced Africa, albeit as tourists, but for my husband (Sth.bAfrican born) it was a refreshing experience as he left Africa at 18 in the '60's and so much has changed. He was very pleasantly surprised. Meshek was very calm and practical and we and others in the group were impressed with his many skills and knowledge. We learnt so much about Africa , the history, geography, animals, geology, social issues, and much more and I am writing up a journal about all I can remember. We are hoping to travel again to Africa in a few years and recommend Kiboko highly to friends and family.