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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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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

As part of our commitment to ensuring that our guests have increased flexibility and security during these uncertain times, Close Encounters has elected to freeze all price increases for the next year, and all of our standard tours during 2021 will be offered at exactly the same rates as listed for 2020. In addition, we have also added special provisions to our cancellation terms and conditions relating to the coronavirus pandemic, which will allow any guest unable to travel because of imposed restrictions the option of a full refund or a postponement of their tour to a future date.

Latest News - January 2021

Best wishes for 2021, from all of us at Close Encounters. Make sure that every single day of this new year counts for something. We hope that all of your days ahead are full of fun, adventure, and all of the other things that make life worth living!

As always at this time of the year, most of us take the time to reflect on the previous twelve months and, at the same time, mentally reset and recharge ourselves for the year ahead. 2020 cannot be viewed as anything other than a disaster for so many ...

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