Stories, Guides & Encounters

My Travel Encounters

Field notes from the road, destination guides written by people who have been there, and the kind of travel inspiration that makes you want to pack a bag tomorrow.

Tonga Humpback Whale Season: When to Go and What a Swim Is Really Like

Tonga’s whale-swimming season runs from mid-July to mid-October. Here’s when to travel, what actually happens once you enter the water, and how confident a swimmer you need to be.

By Martin Hosie

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Travel Inspiration

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Tonga Humpback Whale Season: When to Go and What a Swim Is Really Like

Travel Inspiration • 13 min read

October 16, 2026

Tonga Humpback Whale Season: When to Go and What a Swim Is Really Like

Tonga’s whale-swimming season runs from mid-July to mid-October. Here’s when to travel, what actually happens once you...

Botswana or Namibia for Your First Safari?

Travel Inspiration • 10 min read

October 14, 2026

Botswana or Namibia for Your First Safari?

Namibia or Botswana for your first safari? Compare Etosha with the Okavango and Chobe, camping with lodge accommodation, and a 10-...

Is 8 Days Enough for Egypt? What You Can and Can't Fit In

Travel Inspiration • 11 min read

October 12, 2026

Is 8 Days Enough for Egypt? What You Can and Can't Fit In

See how much of Egypt fits into eight days, from Cairo and the Pyramids to Aswan, Luxor and the Nile, plus the experiences that ar...

Are There Group Tours to Sierra Leone? Our Complete 2027 Planning Guide

Travel Inspiration • 14 min read

October 9, 2026

Are There Group Tours to Sierra Leone? Our Complete 2027 Planning Guide

Yes, Encounters Travel offers group tours to Sierra Leone in 2027. This first-party planning guide covers our current route, the J...

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Destination Guides

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Best Month to Visit Lebanon: A Complete Seasonal Guide

Destination Guides • 9 min read

August 24, 2026

Best Month to Visit Lebanon: A Complete Seasonal Guide

Find the best month to visit Lebanon with a practical seasonal guide to Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, Baalbek, mountain walks, wine ha...

How to Travel to Bhutan: A Cultural Traveller's Guide to the Last Himalayan Kingdom

Destination Guides • 11 min read

August 21, 2026

How to Travel to Bhutan: A Cultural Traveller's Guide to the Last Himalayan Kingdom

Learn how to travel to Bhutan with clear advice on flights, visas, local transport, cultural etiquette, the Tiger's Nest hike, foo...

Namibia Travel Guide: How to Explore Africa's Wildest Country on a Budget

Destination Guides • 10 min read

August 14, 2026

Namibia Travel Guide: How to Explore Africa's Wildest Country on a Budget

Use this Namibia travel guide to plan a richer journey through Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, the Skeleton Coast, Etosha National Park an...

Things to Do in Marrakech: A Cultural Traveller's Guide to Morocco's Red City

Destination Guides • 9 min read

August 12, 2026

Things to Do in Marrakech: A Cultural Traveller's Guide to Morocco's Red City

Discover the best things to do in Marrakech beyond a quick souk visit, from Koutoubia and Bahia Palace to Majorelle Garden, artisa...

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Travel Encounters

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Meet Rosemary Brown - An 8-time Encounters Traveller

Travel Encounters • 22 min read

February 3, 2021

Meet Rosemary Brown - An 8-time Encounters Traveller

Rosemary Brown has travelled with us 8 times - we find out about all her travel experiences and why she keeps coming back.

Meet the Team: Ant's Role at Encounters Travel

Travel Encounters • 4 min read

February 24, 2020

Meet the Team: Ant's Role at Encounters Travel

Anthony Horrobin, better known as Ant, is the Sales Manager at Encounters Travel. If you've travelled with us, you would have more...

Why Our Expedition Trucks Are the Ultimate Way to Overland

Travel Encounters • 3 min read

April 16, 2025

Why Our Expedition Trucks Are the Ultimate Way to Overland

Discover why our expedition trucks are more than just transport — they're your ticket to true overland adventure. Designed f...

Taking the leap: My bungee jumping adventure with Face Adrenalin at the Bloukrans Bridge

Travel Encounters • 2 min read

January 12, 2024

Taking the leap: My bungee jumping adventure with Face Adrenalin at the Bloukrans Bridge

Recently, I had the exhilarating opportunity to conquer one of the world's highest bungee jumps at Bloukrans Bridge in Tsitsikamma...

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Travel News

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The World's Best Road Trip Weather? South Africa's Garden Route Beats Route 66

Travel News • 7 min read

September 23, 2026

The World's Best Road Trip Weather? South Africa's Garden Route Beats Route 66

A new study has ranked South Africa's Garden Route #1 in the world for driving weather, ahead of Route 66. Here's why, and how to...

Experience Cappadocia from the skies - FREE! ?✨

Travel News • 2 min read

March 14, 2025

Experience Cappadocia from the skies - FREE! ?✨

Book your spot on Anatolian Adventure, Aegean Legacy, or Best of Turkey group tours between March 15 – May 10, 2025, and enj...

Exploring Responsible Tourism in India: Encounters Travel's Initiatives

Travel News • 5 min read

March 27, 2024

Exploring Responsible Tourism in India: Encounters Travel's Initiatives

Discover responsible tourism in India with Encounters Travel. Support acid attack survivors, local communities, and cultural herit...

Introducing Our New Sri Lanka on a Shoestring Tour: Dive into the Heart of Adventure!

Travel News • 3 min read

March 26, 2024

Introducing Our New Sri Lanka on a Shoestring Tour: Dive into the Heart of Adventure!

Discover Sri Lanka on a Shoestring tour: Colombo exploration, ancient wonders, nature's bounty, beach bliss, cultural encounters....

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Travel Cuisine

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How To Make Koshary: Egypt's National Dish

Travel Cuisine • 6 min read

February 11, 2025

How To Make Koshary: Egypt's National Dish

Discover how to make Koshary, Egypt’s national dish! This hearty Egyptian street food combines lentils, rice, pasta, and cri...

The Best Things to Eat and Drink in Laos

Travel Cuisine • 8 min read

October 2, 2024

The Best Things to Eat and Drink in Laos

In this guide, we’ll explore the best dishes and drinks in Laos, offering you a taste of what makes the Laotian dining exper...

The Best Things to Eat and Drink in Ecuador

Travel Cuisine • 9 min read

September 20, 2024

The Best Things to Eat and Drink in Ecuador

This article explores the best things to eat and drink in Ecuador, offering a culinary journey that highlights traditional dishes,...

Turkish Food Guide: The Best Things to Eat and Drink in Turkey - Where to Eat in Turkey

Travel Cuisine • 13 min read

January 31, 2024

Turkish Food Guide: The Best Things to Eat and Drink in Turkey - Where to Eat in Turkey

Discover the essence of Turkish cuisine while visiting Istanbul. Indulge in authentic Turkish food, including doner kebab and bore...

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Travel Tips

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FAQs About Travelling to Nepal with Encounters Travel

Travel Tips • 13 min read

September 17, 2026

FAQs About Travelling to Nepal with Encounters Travel

Planning a journey to Nepal? This in-depth guide answers key questions about travelling with Encounters Travel, from trekking to E...

Top 5 Ways To Spark Your Child’s Imagination On An Egyptian Family Adventure

Travel Tips • 7 min read

June 10, 2025

Top 5 Ways To Spark Your Child’s Imagination On An Egyptian Family Adventure

Ignite your child’s creativity on an Egyptian family adventure! Discover five inspiring ways—from exploring ancient py...

What I Wish I Knew Before the Trip: Packing Smarter & Traveling Lighter

Travel Tips • 2 min read

April 24, 2025

What I Wish I Knew Before the Trip: Packing Smarter & Traveling Lighter

Before my overland adventure, I overpacked and underestimated how much easier travel is with less. From choosing soft luggage that...

Responsible Tourism in Sierra Leone: Supporting Local Communities

Travel Tips • 5 min read

April 9, 2025

Responsible Tourism in Sierra Leone: Supporting Local Communities

Discover how your journey to Sierra Leone can make a real difference. Responsible tourism here means supporting local artisans, gu...

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Other

Other • 6 min read

August 29, 2022

What to pack for your Turkey holiday

Packing for your Turkey holiday can be a daunting task, especially if it’s your first time visiting the country. Here’...

Archaeologists Unearth ‘Ancient Egyptian Pompeii’

Other • 5 min read

April 21, 2021

Archaeologists Unearth ‘Ancient Egyptian Pompeii’

Find out more about Egypt's latest discovery!

Top five destinations to visit in February

Other • 6 min read

February 2, 2021

Top five destinations to visit in February

Wondering where to travel to in February? Here is a list of the best destinations to visit during the month of love.

Other • 4 min read

November 11, 2020

Essential experiences in Cairo

Planning a trip to Egypt? Here are some essential things to do in Cairo.

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