John and Trish Carrier travelled to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana with Encompass Africa in May 2024. We asked Trish to tell us a bit more about their ‘best holiday ever’.
“This was simply the best holiday we have ever taken,” says Trish—and of course we couldn’t agree more. “That, in large part, is due to the places we visited, the animal experiences and the ease of transfers provided. The Encompass Africa App and Guest Portal was also a godsend and I used it daily, sometimes multiple times a day!”
From the vibrant streets of Cape Town to the awe-inspiring majesty of Victoria Falls, every stop had its own magic. We crafted time for the couple to explore the Cape Peninsula, take in views from Table Mountain, and be captivated by the beauty of the coastlines and city landscapes.
Victoria Falls seemed to be a true highlight– “our private guide made the walking tour even more special, and the sunset cruise on the Zambezi was both peaceful and breathtaking. The helicopter flight over the Falls was exhilarating and gave us a whole new perspective on the sheer scale of this natural wonder.”
“And then wow, what a wonderful four days we had at Geigers Camp in Motswari Private Game Reserve near Kruger National Park in South Africa. It was amazing: great service, beautiful accommodation, fantastic food and thoughtful touches on the game drives that meant a lot for comfort, such as hot water bottles and hand warmers. We braved the sleep out too called Giraffe’s Nest.”
The couple were really interested in learning and understanding South Africa’s past history, so we crafted a full day visiting Soweto and the Apartheid Museum plus a few other historic sites.
“The day tour we did in Johannesburg was incredible: sobering, uncomfortable truths and a very knowledgeable guide. My husband John absolutely loved it. I had reservations about doing the tour – I’m not sorry I did it, but I’m not sure it’s for everyone. Certainly, if you have an interest in the history, politics and way of life, it’s a must-do. We left the apartheid museum in stunned silence – it was very confronting.”
Both Trish and John told us that every part of their journey was seamless, from transfers to accommodations to the incredible experiences.
“We returned home feeling inspired, enriched and already dreaming of our next adventure in Africa. Thank you, Encompass Africa, for creating such a thoughtful, immersive and luxurious journey. You’ve set the bar incredibly high! Where to next?”
