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active 12 hours ago

Howard Spencer-Wilson

I co-own and manage the African Travel Gateway, where we plan, book and implement tailor-made holidays of all sorts, for all sorts, with all sorts of budgets... Our recipe for client satisfaction? Speed, thoroughness and value for money. With over 20 years experience in planning African travel, we know we offer our clients a seamless planning experience and a once in a lifetime African safari experience!

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"We specialize in 10 Southern & East African countries, namely: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Tanzania, Kenya & Zanzibar. Our activities range from various types of safaris to the more regular tours to cities and non-safari adventures in the region like Cape Town, train journeys, beach holidays, and horseback safaris."

How did you get involved in travel?

"In the early nineties I started out by studying Nature Conservation and working on game farms & game reserves in the Kruger National Park area of South Africa. After a number of years in the lodge industry, I decided to branch out into tour operating. This took me to Cape Town and Johannesburg where I helped set up African Travel Gateway. Eventually winding up back in the Kruger Park region of South Africa from where I manage African Travel Gateway, and continue guiding walking safaris from."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Being an active trails guide in the Kruger National Park, I am fortunate enough to regularly experience some heart stopping moments on safari. On one particular primitive walking trail, we did a sleep out under the stars along side a river. During the cold night a distant pride of lions made their presence known early in the evening by regulars roars. By midnight the lions had moved to within 70 meters of where we lay and continued with their full throated roaring - ruling out all possibility of sleep, but capturing in everyone's memory a truly unforgettable night!"

Howard is part of the following groups: South Africa Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Howard

10 Days in South Africa: Cape Town, Garden Route and Safari
South Africa | Mar 9 - Mar 16, 2018

G
George M.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 24, 2018

Every part of my trip went like clockwork exactly according to plan. Both of the lodges that I went to were very good although Settlers Drift was the best. The rangers and wild life was also excellent.
All my car transfers wore on time with good drivers and my Avis hire car was good and as planned

Local specialist: Howard Spencer-Wilson
Howard
Howard Spencer-Wilson
Local specialist in South Africa | Replied on Mar 26, 2018

Hi George,
Thank you so much for your feedback.... It was great to work with you and hope to be of assistance in the near future! Until then take care and make good memories!

Nick & Ruth's SA Trip
South Africa | Nov 2 - Nov 23, 2017

Nick
Nick F.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Dec 01, 2017
We have just returned from a quite superb trip to South Africa and will most definitely be going again! We made our way from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape ending with a Safari at Amakhala, where our amazingly knowledgeable and funny guide made every minute fascinating...it was surprisingly cold in the early mornings and evenings though (mid November), so make sure you take long sleeves and plenty of layers...they do have fleece blankets (which we used every day) but I wish I had more... Read more

We have just returned from a quite superb trip to South Africa and will most definitely be going again! We made our way from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape ending with a Safari at Amakhala, where our amazingly knowledgeable and funny guide made every minute fascinating...it was surprisingly cold in the early mornings and evenings though (mid November), so make sure you take long sleeves and plenty of layers...they do have fleece blankets (which we used every day) but I wish I had more clothes!

The trip down the Garden Route was wonderful - empty roads, happy people, low prices and great wines! We particularly loved The Sands in St Francis Bay...pricy, but very special indeed.

Thanks for organising a great trip!

Local specialist: Howard Spencer-Wilson
Howard
Howard Spencer-Wilson
Local specialist in South Africa | Replied on Mar 05, 2018

Hi Nick & Ruth ... Apologies for the delayed reply ... I am very glad to hear you enjoyed your time in SA .. and your points raised on the previous review have been noted - we always appreciate constructive criticism - thanks for the feedback!

Nick & Ruth's SA Trip
South Africa | Nov 2 - Nov 23, 2017

R
Ruth F.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Nov 25, 2017
Didn't really have much contact with Howard, mostly done with Lize Enderstein, who always responded to our emails quickly and efficiently. Maybe more could be done initially to ascertain client's preferences in terms of types of hotels and budget, and maybe more questions regarding client's likes and dislikes, but overall Lize chose very good Hotels and we were very happy with Paradise Tours in Cape Town. A little more fine details information would have been good, e.g. good idea to... Read more

Didn't really have much contact with Howard, mostly done with Lize Enderstein, who always responded to our emails quickly and efficiently.

Maybe more could be done initially to ascertain client's preferences in terms of types of hotels and budget, and maybe more questions regarding client's likes and dislikes, but overall Lize chose very good Hotels and we were very happy with Paradise Tours in Cape Town.

A little more fine details information would have been good, e.g. good idea to book tickets online for Table Mountain and Cango Caves to avoid waiting in long queues. Also more information about the Amakahala itinerary would have been helpful as we didn't realise that we would get lunch and a safari drive on Day 1, and nearly missed this.

Overall very happy and will be back!

Local specialist: Howard Spencer-Wilson

Holiday
South Africa | Oct 16 - Nov 3, 2017

C
Carl P.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Nov 12, 2017

First time we've booked on the internet. It couldn't have been easier. Great communication.

Howard was very helpful and knowledgeable. Didn't tire of answering even the daftest of my questions. Also very helpful during the holiday, not just before it.

Local specialist: Howard Spencer-Wilson
Howard
Howard Spencer-Wilson
Local specialist in South Africa | Replied on Nov 14, 2017

Hi Carl,

It was a great pleasure to be of assistance to you and your wonderful family! All the best to you! Hope to hear from you again in the future... take good care until then!

8-Day Cape Town & Kruger Park Safari
South Africa | Nov 4 - Nov 8, 2017

M
Maria Y.
Singapore | Reviewed on Nov 11, 2017

We had a tight budget and were exploring different options to see what best fit our interests and budget for our Cape Town & Kruger Park Safari. Howard was extremely patient and helpful with suitable recommendations. Overall, it was a generally fuss free and enjoyable process.

Local specialist: Howard Spencer-Wilson
Howard
Howard Spencer-Wilson
Local specialist in South Africa | Replied on Nov 13, 2017

Hi Maria,

You were a star to work with and it would be great to welcome you back to SA again in the future... Take care and wishing you all the best!

Cape Town South Africa
South Africa | Aug 14 - Aug 23, 2017

M
Missy C.
TX | Reviewed on Aug 24, 2017

I was very impressed with the excursion and hotel bookings. As well as it Guide Ian, with Paradise Touring. He as extremely helpful and knowledgeable about our trip. I would highly recommend Kimkim and Ian for anyone I know traveling to South Africa. Thank you!!

Very easy to work with, and accommodating no matter how many times we asked him to revise our itnerary.

Local specialist: Howard Spencer-Wilson
Howard
Howard Spencer-Wilson
Local specialist in South Africa | Replied on Sep 20, 2017

Hi Missy .. so glad you had a good time in SA and was a pleasure working with you! I hope you make it back to Southern Africa again in the future !