YOUR BIG FIVE SAFARI STARTS HERE
Why choose
Encounters Travel.
Small group and tailor made adventures, run by a small team since 1999.
We're an independent, UK-based adventure tour operator. The same small, long-standing team designs and runs every trip, working with local guides and leaders on the ground, and without the big offices or printed brochures that push other operators' prices up.
Great Value
As a small company with low overheads, we pass the savings on to you, plus loyalty discounts and regular destination promotions for even better value.
The Perfect Adventure Mix
Our holidays balance adventure and escape with comfort, exploring back streets, tasting local delicacies and mingling with locals, without ever neglecting the most famous highlights.
Small Team, Small Groups
Our small, long-standing team gives every traveller the best possible personal service, and we believe passionately in small-group travel and the richer experiences it brings.
Flexible Travel
Nearly all tours include airport transfers, plus extra nights, longer extensions and optional extras to make the trip your own, and every tour can be customised or run privately.
Responsible Travel
We're mindful of our responsibilities to the places we visit, using local guides and leaders, supporting local communities, avoiding internal flights and home-working to help stay green.
Book with Confidence
Every holiday is financially protected under the UK Package Travel Regulations, you secure your place with a deposit and pay the balance later, and there are no hidden fees. What you see is what you pay.
TRENDING TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
Last minute deals
37 discounted departures, with savings up to 28% off the standard price. The next one leaves 31 Oct 2026.
Taj to Varanasi
Tour Types
We split our tours into several different categories to help make it easier for you to navigate our site and find the holiday you're looking for.
1,738 reviews collected on TourRadar, TripAdvisor, Feefo.
In their own words
I love how this tour has a lot of free time cuz we get to see other places that wasn’t inc...
I love how this tour has a lot of free time cuz we get to see other places that wasn’t included on the tour package, but it’s totally fine. Our tour guide Cheon......
Great week in Egypt! Egyptian Legacy Tour
We had such a fantastic vacation in Egypt! We couldn’t it have planned this ourselves - so many venues, all smoothly scheduled with all transfers arranged. Ther......
8 Day Egypt Express Tour by Encounters Travel
My friend and I purchased the 'Egypt Express Tour' provided by Encounters Travel and I must say, it was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life!......
Bringing our tours to life
Our video features aim to bring our adventure tours to life in a way that no photo can, giving you a great taste of the destination. Some scenes are AI-enhanced for artistic and cinematic effect to convey the spirit of the experience, and may differ from the actual tour.
Travel inspiration
From travel tips to country guides, packing lists to little known things to do, you'll find it all in our popular travel blog.
Best Places to Visit in South Africa for a First Safari and Cape Town Trip
Planning a first safari and Cape Town trip is harder than it looks because the country is huge and the famous places pull in different directions. This guide weighs the best places to visit in South Africa, from Table Mo...
By Martin Hosie
Luxor Itinerary: How Many Days You Need and What to See First
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Is Nefertiti Buried Behind Tutankhamun's Tomb? The Latest Evidence Explained
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The World's Best Road Trip Weather? South Africa's Garden Route Beats Route 66
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What Is the Best Way to See Sri Lanka? A Practical Route for First-Time Visitors
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Start planning
your next adventure
Call us and talk it through with the team that has been running these trips since 1999.