Meet Cynthia Covell: Seven-time Encounters Traveller

We had the pleasure of chatting to Cynthia Covell, who has travelled on seven tours with us in the past:

1. The Garden Route (Dec 2013)
2. Classic Nepal (Oct 2014)
3. Nubians & Beaches (Dec 2014)
4. Savannahs & Sands (Feb-March 2016)
5. Everest Base Camp (Oct 2016)
6. Gorillas & Plains (Feb-March 2017)
7. Namibia & Botswana Uncovered (Oct 2018)

What made you want to travel with us in the first place and what made you choose us again?

I saw that Encounters Travel was advertising on Living Social and that they had a Garden Route Tour of South Africa that peaked my interest.

One would think that travelling to diverse and different parts of the worlds, such as Egypt, Nepal, Tanzania, and South Africa, took you outside your comfort zone. Do you agree?

Yes and this is a good thing since the exposure to different cultures broadened my horizons regarding acceptance and tolerance of others.

Prior to these travels, I mostly had experiences with American and Mexican cultures.

On some of the tours you've taken, such as Everest Base Camp and Gorillas & Plains, you did quite a bit of trekking, what advice would you give to someone who's fairly unfit but are interested in those destinations?

I advise training.

I practiced trekking the face of a downhill ski hill several times everyday. This practice strengthened my body to especially my legs for ascending and descending hills and rock formations.

From your seven tours with us, we'd say you have a love for Africa, what drew you to that part of the world?

I am planning to return once COVID-19 is under control and people are vaccinated. I'm interested in travelling to Namibia and Botswana next.

For those wanting to travel to Africa for the first time, and other than its prolific wildlife opportunities, why would you encourage people to go?

To experience the different African cultures and ways of life; how they live each day of their lives.

Just reading a book does not provide a real life experience that living with the local people does.

Touring through incredible Serengeti National Park for the first time, what left a lasting impression on you, and why?

The Great Wildebeest Migration, female lions teaching their cubs to hunt a baby water buffalo (while being protected by the adult water buffalo) and the acceptance of one herd of elephants with that of another.

What would you say is the most common misconception about safaris and why?

That it is a hostile and unsafe environment for humans. It is quite the opposite since the tour guides are experienced and are interested in your protection from harm of the wildlife.

Our tour was charged by a mother rhino and mother elephant that were trying to protect their young. While the experience was frightening, I also felt safe.

Having visited quite a number of wildlife parks, which would you say is you favourite, and why?

Masai Mara since it had more abundant species than the Serengeti. Although the Serengeti was a close second as my favorite.

For most travelers Cape Town is the top of their bucket list when visiting South Africa, would you say Cape Town was the highlight of your Garden Route tour - if so, why, and if not, what?

Yes since I was able to experience Apartheid with townships still attached to the city. Also, the city itself is very cosmopolitan and a fun place to visit. I enjoyed the restaurants and night life.

As an American, retiring to South Africa is very appealing due to the cost of living and availability of good, especially the South African wines.

When people think of Egypt everyone automatically thinks of the pyramids but other than the pyramids, what are your top two attractions in Egypt, and why?

Abu Simbel and other chiseled rock statures. I loved the city of Luxor even more so than Cairo.

We see you've travelled to Nepal, twice. One your first trip, what influenced you to go back to take on the challenging Everest Base Camp tour?

I fell in love with trekking with Annapurna and knew that after that experience that I could tackle Mt. Everest Base Camp.

I am also in love with the cities of Kathmandu and Pokara and plan to visit them once again. Trekking in the Mustang region is also on my bucket list.

Apart from getting close as can be to the Everest summit, what was the most satisfying part of the trip?

The day to day challenge of trekking and experiencing the Sherpa Mountain people's way of life and culture. Everest is very harsh and the people of the region have adapted well.

Having travelled to countries where English isn't the first language, were there any communication barriers that you felt were difficult?

Yes and no since the tour guides spoke English. Communicating with the people on my own was somewhat difficult but alot of language barriers are broken when using one's hands and eyes as communication.

If it weren't for COVID-19, where in the world do you think you'd be now?

I would be in India on a tiger safari.

Any advice for first time travellers - what to expect and what not to expect, or perhaps, to not have any expectations at all?

Do not have any expectations at all. It is best to let the experience, cultures, people's ways of life, wildlife, etc. form a new you. One that is wiser than any written words.