South Africa

My boyfriend and I and just returned from a South African trip booked by Encounters Travel. Awesome travel experience. Encounters handled everything from our flights to our hotel bookings. The flights that were booked were the best flights with the shortest times and layovers. All of our hotels were at least a 4 start some 5 stars. Every time I emailed the company I heard back from someone within about 24 hours. I would book and travel with them again.

Second trip with Encounters ... First one was good but Egypt was very professional. What an amazing experience. Arriving in Egypt at 3.45 a.m. (their local time), there was this guy with a HUGE smile and an Encounters sign ... MOHAMED KHALIFA. He escorted us through customs and took us to our hotel and settled us in with a very early check in. He went over our iternary and suggested some additional add-on. You immediately realize you are in good hands. Mohamed Khalifa you are exceptional.
Then there were our tour guides. The City Tour we did with Big Mo and the rest of the tour with SHERIFF. Sheriff is really an excellent guide. Our walking Encyclopedia of Egyptian History. His passion, sense of humor, his willingness to accommodate individuals and a fantastic person to hang out with. The tour guides made sure that their guest had a memorable experience. We love you GROUP Cccccccccccccccc.
Hats off to our drivers. Traffic is really insane in Cairo. You have to see it to believe it. But they are really professional at navigating through traffic.
SAFETY ... We never felt UNSAFE at any given time. We always had a guide and even had a guard walking with us. We were given time to do our own thing, shopping, take pictures and just chill. You weren't even aware of the guard but they were watching you. There is no crime ... one lady took a walk by herself after 10 the evening to have supper in a restaurant.
Lastly the PEOPLE of Egypt. They rely on Tourism to make a living. So yes, they hassle you all the time but they don't harass or threaten you in anyway. They can be annoying but otherwise friendly especially when they heard we were from South Africa. Then they would go BAFANA BAFANA.
Best way to see Egypt is with ENCOUNTERS TRAVEL ... they are professional, committed and organized not forgetting Mariska. This is the perfect way to see Egypt with all its history ... that way you don't miss out on anything.
Overall AMAZING experience. Will I do it again? .... YES.

I can really recommend to book a trip through ENCOUNTERS TRAVEL. Stumbled across them by accident when i was searching the net for best prices. Being from South Africa with the weak ZAR they came out tops. Booked the 10 day Anatolian Adventure. All entrance fees was included. Thanks to Mariska for always getting back to me immediately. The tour surpassed my expectations and the accommodation provided was mostly 5 star. The tour guide Ilker (from Fez Travel) was amazing. He was very informative and not forgetting our good driver Irfaan. We had a small group of 10. Overall, a great trip. Worth every penny. Will definitely book my next trip through ENCOUNTERS TRAVEL

I toured South Africa with Encounters Travel in February 2013. I am glad that I took the trip. The two guides were great. They were very friendly and knowledgeable and made everyone feel comfortable. The accomodations were excellent. The planned activities were fun and informative. I would definitely use Encounters Travel again for a trip.

In January 2013, I was lucky enough to be on the Garden Route tour through South Africa's amazing Cape Town.

I recon the activities and sights can't get any better than this as far as Cape Town tours are concerned

Accommodation was excellent for most of the tour, breakfasts, lunches and dinners were adventuresome and as far as the tour leaders were concerned, they were two top notch people.

My holiday was truly remarkable thanks to Encounters Travel!