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Close Encounters is a family-run tour operator which specializes in small group, personalized, budget-conscious trips to Africa. Most of our tours take place within South Africa, allowing us to showcase the magnificence of this "world in one country". All of our trips are accompanied by knowledgeable local guides (3 of which are part of the family) and the size of each group is limited to 8 persons, offering an intimate experience that would be difficult to find anywhere else. We have been operating since 1998, and have successfully completed many tours with hundreds of happy guests.

Come and have fun with us - you will not be disappointed!

Close Encounters truly cares about the wildlife of Africa. We hold a number of fundraising events every year, and all of the proceeds are donated to conservation. In addition, $50 out of every booking is added to this fund. Our primary beneficiary is Rhino Revolution - click on the image below to find out more: -

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Latest News - May 2021

Greetings once again from South Africa. Winter is suddenly upon us, and the last few days have been freezing cold after tons of snow fell on the Drakensberg Mountains. This has come very early in the year (we normally don’t have snow until about July) and, according to the experts, it seems that we are going to have a longer and colder winter than usual. Time to haul out those winter woollies!

Our first tour of the year has been completed, under the able leadership and guidance of Liam and Franza (see picture). By all accounts, the game viewing in both the Timbavati and the Addo ...

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