African Encounters was born when Karen and Rodger had finished a 2 year contract in Tanzania. Rodger had been working and living up in Arusha and Karen was working and living in Zanzibar. Upon completion of their contract, they came back to South Africa with nothing really concrete job-wise. This is when they came up with the idea to start up a company specialising in tourism to Tanzania. It made perfect sense - Rodger with his intimate knowledge of mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar and Karen with her knowledge of Zanzibar and her contacts and friends she made there.

After a lot of thought, the company was launched in a tiny cottage in Parkhurst in May 2001. Since these humble beginnings we’ve progressed to a staff compliment of 11 people and are very much a family business. We are the single largest supplier of tourism to Tanzania and Zanzibar, beating our nearest competitor by almost double the business (and that is official). We’ve also progressed into other markets since our inception, and will be entering a whole lot of new exciting markets this year. Watch this space!

At African Encounters we interact more like a family than a business. Everyone is made to feel at home and we all share in each other’s good fortunes. We try our darndest to offer the best personal service on the market, and regularly go the extra mile to satisfy our clients’ needs. We make a point of visiting every destination we market – ensuring an honest, no-frills opinion and a holiday tailor-made to your needs. We even have a 100% success rate for our staff members who have climbed Kilimanjaro. So when you are chatting to us you are getting first hand knowledge, professional service and by far the best prices in the country.

Our destinations range from value for money, affordable accommodation to the top end of luxury – all dependent on our clients’ budget and individual needs. We decided early on to keep our scope as broad as possible – so as not to exclude anyone. You’ll find that we can organise weddings, conferences, honeymoons, family get-aways, weekends away, holidays in paradise and tons of activities. Your enjoyment is our utmost concern.

The travel industry is quite stressful and we sometimes come across the most unsurpassable obstacles known to mankind. But you can rest assured that we always have your interests at heart and will do whatever it takes to keep your plans on track. We can also assist with travel insurance, advice on things such as what to wear on your climb up Kilimanjaro, visa requirements and what not to eat in a certain country.
We are the leading supplier to some of the largest travel agencies in South Africa. We would like to thank these agencies like Club Travel, Flight Centre, Harvey World Travel, Sure Travel and the many others who continually support us.
 
We try to offer something no other company offers – and that is honesty, quality and superb personal service.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. We hope that your holiday experience with us will be unsurpassable and one you’ll never forget.
Please take some time to read up on each of our staff members below.
Regards,
Rodger Williams

Name: Rodger Williams

Position: Director
Born in: Carletonville
Qualifications: BCompt, MBA
Career: I worked in a bank before doing my articles at a firm of auditors. After completion of my articles I worked as an internal auditor for a healthcare group. From there I went across to a tourism group in Tanzania as financial manager, and was eventually appointed financial director. After 2 years I decided to come back to South Africa, and we opened African Encounters in May 2001.
African Travels: I have done my fair share of Africa. My travels obviously include South Africa pretty extensively, quite a bit of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya from top to bottom, Tanzania from top to bottom and Zanzibar, almost every inch. Egypt has been my most recent trip, and really enjoyed Sharm El Sheikh. I have also successfully climbed and summited Kilimanjaro. If time weren't such a constraint, I would definitely travel each and every country.
International Travels: UK, USA, Andorra, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Mexico, Cuba
Favourite Africa Destination: The very rural coastal areas of Mozambique.
Comments on either our product, service or company:
Our company has progressed through our basic philosophies of personal service, enhanced product knowledge, excellent pricing and superior standards. I am very proud at how hard the staff have worked for us to come such a long way in such a short time and have stringently adhered to these basic principles. Our growth has been phenomenal, and we are continuing to grow day by day.

Name: Karen Williams

Position: Director
Born in: Klerksdorp – At least it is better than Carletonville!
Qualifications: Matric – Studied B.Compt. Accounts for 3 years
Current Studies: BCom - Industiral Psychology
Career: 
Telesales
Creditor’s Clerk
Audit Article Clerk
Accountant (Blues Zanzibar)
Travel Consultant / Director of African Encounters
African Travels: 
Some traveling in SA, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania - extensively, Zanzibar - lived there, Kenya - extensively and Egypt
International Travels: UK, USA, Andorra, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Mexico, Cuba
Favourite African destination: Tanzania and Kenya!!!
Comments on either our product, service or company: 
We have a superior product in the sense that we are very service orientated and knowledgeable. All our sales staff have traveled to at least one of the destinations we sell and most have been there more than once. We have a 100% success rate of all staff that have climbed Kilimanjaro, so we know what we are selling. In a short space of time we have grown to one of the main suppliers of SA tourism to Zanzibar and we aim to do the same for Tanzania and Kenya in the near future. Our aim is to be THE tour operator for African destinations. Nuff said!

 Name: Kasia Szklarek

Position: Financial Manager
Born in: Somewhere on the Norwegian Sea on a long ship
Qualifications: Seal Slaying 101
Current Studies: Penguin Slaying 101
Career: Servant, Long boat washer, long boat painter and then rower. Somehow I have stranded on African Encounters shore 
African Travels: All along the East Coast of Africa on a long boat, but unfortunately I had to clean the right side of the boat and couldn't see land. Only saw Robben Island. 
International Travels: Norway, Poland, Norway, Poland, Norway and Africa
Favourite African destination: Robben Island

Name: Melissa Dolby

Position: Operations Manager
Born in: Edenvale, South Africa
Qualifications: Travel and Tourism Diploma, IATA / UFTAA, Galileo, Worldspan, British Airways Fares and Ticketing
Career: I have worked in various aspects of the Travel and Tourism Industry, I started working for a Private Game Lodge doing Reservations, I then moved to a Travel Agency where I worked my way up to Senior Consultant, I have also worked for a Tour Operator specialising in South Africa and have recently started working at African Encounters.
African Travels: Mauritius, Victoria Falls - Zambia, Zanzibar, Mombasa, All over South Africa...
International Travels: UK - London, USA - New York, New Jersey, Washington, Baltimore
Favourite Africa Destination: Mombasa, the beaches are amazing and the people are so friendly! It is also great value for money.
Comments on either our product, service or company:
Everyone at African Encounters is enthusiastic and always willing to help. We want our clients to have an amazing holiday and therefore go the extra mile to provide friendly and efficient service. I love the destinations that we sell and it is easy to sell a product that you believe in!

Name: Juan Nel

Position: Marketing/ Product Manager
Born in: Pretoria, South Africa
Qualifications: B Com: Tourism Management; B Com (Honors): Marketing Management
Current studies: I am currently studying for my M Com in Marketing Management at the University of Pretoria
Career: I have been everywhere in travel, from working at a hotel and lodge to working as a consultant organizing tours and holidays all over the world. I have been in the tourism industry for more than 7 years. I have started as a consultant at African Encounters in 2005
African Travels: (Kilimanjaro) Tanzania, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Lesotho
International Travels: Why if you have Africa?
Favourite Africa Destination: Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Comments on either our product, service or company: African Encounters are definitely the African specialist with great products that cover the whole span of travelers, from your backpacker to your luxury traveler. The staff have knowledge of the products because they have been there and they have experience in selling Africa. For me it’s a great bunch of people to work with and everyone will help each other in getting the client the best experience ever. If you want to see Africa….contact us!

Name: Ewan Opperman

Position: Sales
Born in: Germiston
Qualifications: Nothing to do with travel - N6 electronic eng , MCSD, A+
Career: Started at BA/ Comair as a ground staff member, was then transferred to Kulula as shift supervisor (2 yrs )from there moved to Virgin Atlantic where I held the position of load controller for just over 2yrs. Got offered a Sales job at Absolute Tours where I stayed for 3yrs until they closed down, then was offered a job at African Encounters have been working for the past year.
African Travels: Vic Fall, Kenya - Mombasa, Tanzania - Zanzibar
International Travels: Malaysia, France, England and Wales 
Favorite Africa Destination: Vic Falls 
Comments on either our product, service or company: We strive to give the best products and service to the travel industry so that our clients know that they are dealing with the best.

Name: Farzanah Amod

Position: Destination Specialist
Born in: Johannesburg, South Africa
Qualifications: Travel and Tourism Diploma, Galileo, Amadeus, BSP.
Current studies: none 
Career: I started out as a receptionist for a medical specialist, from there I worked for a Tour Operator where I started out as a Junior consultant and got promoted to manager, from there I moved to African Encounters ;-) (short and sweet)
International Travels: Zanzibar (twice), Vic Falls, Egypt ;-), Reunion, USA-(L.A, New York, Orlando, Miami)
Favourite Africa Destination: Definitely Egypt then Zanzibar 
Comments on either our product, service or company: 
African Encounters is a wonderful company to work for, the staff are all friendly and eager to help in any situation. The products we sell are fantastic as we offer the best prices and sell only what we know first hand. At African Encounters we are all passionate about what we do as our clients come first for us and we strive to make their holiday a memorable one. 

Name: Melinda Stevens

Position: Destination Specialist 
Born in: Johannesburg
Qualifications: Diploma in Retail travel 
Current studies: - 
Career: Worked as a travel agent for a year and a half and I worked at a pharmacy, don't ask why!!!
African Travels: Zanzibar, Mozambique, Victoria Falls, Malawi and Swaziland 
International Travels: USA, Australia, UK, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Greece 
Favourite Africa Destination: Most definitely Mozambique.
Comments on either our product, service or company: Where do you begin to explaine the African Encounters experience...... every one is so passionate about what we do and sell, it just makes it so much easier to get up in the morning. African Encounters is like a family, every one gets on so well and is always willing to help out in any situation, every one is so knowledgeable on all the products we sell which is really great, makes working so much more enjoyable.

Name: Charmian Austen

Position: Destination Specialist
Born in: Johannesburg 
Qualifications: Diploma in Travel and Tourism 
Current studies: N/A 
Career: I have been in travel since 2001. Started from the bottom in Damelin where I received a Diploma in Travel and have worked my way up to where I am now. I have worked for a range of tour operators selling many different products and destinations. I love Travel.....I love my Job!
African Travels: I have had the opportunity to travel to Zanzibar :-), Malawi, Namibia (I walked the Fish River Canyon), Zimbabwe 
International Travels: Dubai, Mauritius 
Favourite Africa Destination: Zanzibar by far! 
Comments on either our product, service or company: I see African Encounters as a Business that is......Small......Personal and Very Passionate at what they do! We are Efficient......Positive and Fun! Which makes our Product Great!

Name: Nicolien Storbeck

Position: Consultant 
Born in: Pretoria 
Qualifications: Diploma Travel and Tourism , Diploma Hospitality and Tourism 
Current studies: BCom degree Tourism Management
Career: Worked at Pentravel for few months then at Thompsons Tours for 4 years and Apavou Holidays for a Year
African Travels: Zanzibar 
International Travels: England(London)Scotland, Dubai, Contiki tour( Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France), Skiing in Austria
Favourite Africa Destination: Have only been to Zanzibar, but I think Namibia must be nice to see 
Comments on either our product, service or company: African Encounters is a great company to work for , we offer growth and all our products that we sell and our service that we deliver is of high standard.

Name: Bianca Kreutle

Position: Junior Tour Consultant
Born in: The Zoo:-D hahahahahaha.......... In a Hospital in Johannesburg somewhere
Qualifications: Diploma in Travel & Tourism 
Current studies: Nothing yet, just learning how to consult now:-P... I'm still a new-bee baby:-D
Career: Tour Operator + Dancing Instructor for Ballroom and Latin
African Travels: South Africa + Zanzibar (i have flown over Africa while flying to Germany, does that count??? hehehehe)
International Travels: Germany so far.
Favourite Africa Destination: Well..........um um um, basically anywhere where it is a holiday, like the beach or an island. Hmmmmmmmmm.... Zanzibar was fun.
Comments on either our product, service or company: The company works well as a team, if one is stuck the others help. What we sell is very interesting, before I even started here I never knew there was a place called Zanzibar. I'm looking forward to in selling the other destinations which is all in the process of being put together. When it comes to our clients, the company makes sure they get the best service they can give, with all the information we have on the certain destinations we sell. African Encounters team is fun to work with and always have a smile on our face even though it was a bad day.

Name: Nkuli Mtetwa

Position: Account Assistant
Born in: Benoni (SA)
Qualifications: NDip Human Resource Management
Current studies: Btech HR 
Career: My career hasn’t reached its peak yet but thanks to African Encounters for opening up the doors for me and it has also given me the drive to study even further because I intend getting my Masters degree in Human Resource management in the next few years to come.
African Travels: South Africa and Zanzibar
Favourite African destination: Victoria Falls
Comments on either our product, service or company: 
Selling Zanzibar as our main product has shown great interest in both the staff and the consumers. We have seen some overwhelming response from the public and I must say the consultants are awesome at rendering assistance to our consumers. We receive a large number of calls a day from people who are keen on traveling to Tanzania and some are those who were overwhelmed by the experience and that they want to go back there again an again…Well I see African Encounters in the BIG MAP of travel and attracting more tourists from around the world and hey who knows we might end up selling all the top destinations from around the world in the near future!

Name: Lisa Harold

Position: Reservations Consultant 
Born in: KwaZuluNatal 
Qualifications: Financial acc 1 
Current studies: None
Career: Started out at Laser office automation, then joined African encounters 06/01/08 and guess I am still here so I am still loving it. 
African Travels: - None as yet
International Travels: - None as yet 
Favourite Africa Destination: - Zanzibar, heard a lot about it will soon be visiting it.
Comments on either our product, service or company: Well there is so much good things to say I don't really know where to start. African encounters as it is my first job in Johannesburg has been a great start for me making my job so lovable. We have our team of dedicated consultants who are always ready to help not forgetting very friendly. Our management and reservations team are ever willing to assist.

Name: Rosina Masilela

Position: Creditors Clerk
Born in: Johannesburg 
Qualifications: Diploma in Public Management and Administration 
Current studies: None 
Career: Started as a Admin Clerk in a Stationery Shop, Went to Gateway Travel as a Reception and Admin Assistant ,moved to an industrial company called Specialised Belting and Hose as a Creditors Clerk, And then moved to African Encounters as a Creditors Clerk. 
African Travels: None as yet but I would love to go to Victoria Falls and Lesotho
International Travels: None 
Favourite Africa Destination: Definitely would be Victoria Falls
Comments on either our product, service or company: I would say that African Encounters has got very good team spirit and such friendly atmosphere. The staff is highly motivated, dedicated and they strive to Success:-))

Name: Leonie Classens

Position: Receptionist

Born in: Jo'burg 
Current studies: Nothing at the moment, but would like to study accounting
Career: Receptionist at "Re/max one hundred" before coming to African Encounters
Favourite Africa Destination: Egypt 
Comments on either our product, service or company: I am very happy to be apart of the African Encounters family, we have great packages with very good prices.

Name: Gabby Vilane

Position: Domestic worker and best tea maker!