Sweet Sixteen Encompass Africa
Sixteen.
It’s that magical milestone where everything changes. One day you’re a kid asking permission, the next you’re eyeing the car keys and dreaming of independence. For humans, turning sixteen is about finding your voice, testing your boundaries, and figuring out who you really are.
Funny thing is, businesses go through the exact same journey.
The growing pains we’ve survived
Remember those awkward early years? Gosh I do. Like any toddler learning to walk, we took our fair share of tumbles. There were the face-plant moments – booking systems that crashed at the worst possible times, supplier relationships that didn’t quite work out, and those cringe-worthy early marketing attempts we’d rather forget (though they make great stories now).
But here’s the thing about growing up – every scraped knee teaches you something. Every ‘oops’ and ‘doh’ moment becomes wisdom. Every time we picked ourselves up and dusted off, we got a little stronger, a little smarter, and a lot more determined.
Image: That face! Mozambique village boy by Jono Wilson
Flying under the radar (until now)
For years, we’ve been the quiet achiever in the corner – the one doing excellent work without making a fuss about it. We’ve been perfecting our craft, building genuine relationships, and creating holidays that actually matter to people. While others have spent lots of money on marketing, shouting louder, we were listening in the closet! But we’ve always had our hands firmly gripped on the wheel.
But sixteen changes everything. It’s time to step out of the shadows.
Image: Aidan with his hands on the wheel (heaven help us!)
Ready to spread our wings
At sixteen, you stop asking ‘Can I?’ and start declaring ‘I will.’ You know who you are, what you stand for, and where you’re headed. For us, that clarity has never been sharper.
We stand for holidays that make a difference – not just Instagram moments, but experiences that genuinely enrich your life. We believe in honesty over hype, integrity over industry standard, and treating every single client like they’re our only client.
Image: Grace spreading her wings with a touch of safari attitude, Kenya 2024
Putting on our big girl pants (or hats)
Growing up means taking responsibility. It means standing behind every promise we make and owning every experience we create.
At sixteen, we’re not just planning holidays – we’re crafting memories, respecting your precious time, and guaranteeing that when you trust us with your escape from the everyday, we’ll deliver something extraordinary.
We’re the creative designers who see possibilities where others see problems.
We’re the ones who’ll spend hours perfecting your itinerary because we know that’s what makes the difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one.
Image: Danica in her favourite African hat, she wears many hats at Encompass Africa
Taking on the world
Sixteen is when you realise the world is bigger than your bedroom, your street, your suburb. It’s when you understand that you have something unique to offer, and the confidence to offer it.
We’re not trying to be everything to everyone – we’re trying to be everything to the right people.
The travellers who value authenticity over appearance, experience over expense, and meaning over marketing. They are savvy travellers, independent but value expertise.
Image: Jono climbing to the top of an active volcano, DRC
The sweet spot of sixteen
There’s something special about sixteen don’t you think?
You’re old enough to have learned from your mistakes but young enough to still believe anything is possible. You’ve got wisdom without cynicism, confidence without arrogance, and dreams backed by determination.
That’s exactly where we find ourselves today.
We’ve survived the terrible twos of business (those chaotic early days), navigated the awkward adolescence (figuring out what we were really good at), and now we’re stepping into our sweet sixteen with clear eyes and full hearts.
So here’s to being sixteen – to knowing who we are, standing for what we believe in, and being brave enough to show the world what we’re really made of.
The best part?
This is just the beginning.