Philanthropy really is a strong ethic that most of us have and we are finding, wonderfully, that so many more of our clients are wanting to do more than observe at a distance, but rather get involved.
There are so many fabulous, charitable projects that The Explorations Company is involved in, both conservation and community led, which our clients can visit and be a part of – from clinics, to schools, to hospitals, to self-improvement, to conservation projects.
Arrive at Victoria Falls Airport and transfer to a small boutique lodge on the edge of the magnificent Zambezi Gorge, for a three night stay. Enjoy sundowners in the evening whilst enjoying black eagle viewing. The following day you will be taken on a guided tour of Zimbabwe's foremost attraction - Victoria Falls – known locally as “The smoke that thunders followed by a sundowner cruise along the Zambezi River. Enjoy a traditional Zimbabwean 'braai', out under the stars.
Day 3: Volunteering - Local Community - Zambezi Gorge
Head to the local village for the morning to help with a variety of activities at the School and in the local community. Activities may include helping to collect firewood or water for the elders, conducting a class at the school, teaching the children about your home country as a cultural exchange or visiting the mothers waiting shelter and assisting with any activities that require help at the shelter. This evening enjoy traditional dancing at the lodge.
Days 4 - 7: Luxury Tented Lodge - Hwange National Park
After breakfast, transfer by road and rail to a luxury tented lodge nestled on the edge of the south eastern corner of Hwange National Park in its own private concession, your base for four nights. On arrival enjoy a game drive to the look up blind for sundowners. You can participate in volunteering projects on days 5 and 7. Other activities available include game drives and walks, night drives, game photography from viewing blinds, or relaxing in this beautiful lodge.
Day 5: Volunteering - Local Schools - Hwange National Park
Participate in community projects at various schools near to your lodge. This may include helping drill and equip school wells, painting murals in the classrooms, conducting a lesson teaching the children about your home country, preparing and serving lunch as part of the school feeding programme. In the afternoon either a soccer match or netball will be played with the children. You will then return to the lodge and enjoy dinner under the stars at the lodge.
Day 7: Volunteering - Pump Run - Hwange National Park
A full day trip into the park for a ‘pump run’. This is combination of wildlife viewing in remote areas of Hwange with practical hands-on conservation. Assist the guide with the supply and maintenance of the wells and pump attendants that are the heartbeat of Hwange and its wildlife. Leisurely afternoon game drive back to the lodge going from pan to pan, weaving between the throngs of jostling elephant that come pouring in for the fresh water. It makes for a fun, memorable and extremely rewarding day.
Days 8 - 10: Riverside Lodge - Zambezi National Park
Transfer by rail and road, game viewing enroute, to a beautiful tented lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River, inside Zambezi National Park, where you will stay for three nights. Activities include exploring the beautiful river islands by canoe, game drives, game walks, fishing, sunset cruises, or relaxing in your private deck splash pool. End the day with sundowners on the river bank. On Day 10 you have the opportunity to participate in green initiatives at the camp, or go on anti-poaching snare-sweeps on the nearby islands.
After morning tea or coffee on your private deck, take a guided early morning walk with a farewell bush breakfast along the river. Return to the lodge for your road transfer back to the airport for your flight home.
Prices from GBP £4910 or USD $6390 per person.
(Prices subject to currency exchange rates and excludes flights. Based on two people travelling together.)
Day 1: Tongole Wilderness Lodge - Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Arrive into Nkhotakota, Malawi and transfer to a beautiful lodge in the wilderness, your base for the next five nights. Spend the evening relaxing with sundowners overlooking the river, or sitting around the campfire before a delicious dinner. This evening you will have an informal briefing about the plans for the next few days. Your stay here will be an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the heart of Africa.
Days 2 - 4: Volunteering - Local Rural Schools - Nkhotakota
The next three days will be spent volunteering, starting after breakfast and returning to the lodge later in the afternoon. The activities focus primarily on improving the infrastructure and facilities at the three rural schools that the Foundation presently supports. You will contribute your skills whether they’re building or renovating classrooms in a school, painting, teaching hygiene or conservation, planting trees or caring for saplings.
Day 5: Tongole Wilderness Lodge - Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
On the final day here, you will enjoy a well-deserved break with time to reflect, relax, celebrate achievements and enjoy a special treat! You will have the opportunity to enjoy many of the activities available at the lodge including canoeing, bird safaris, bush walks, fly fishing or game drives in the wilderness. Or you can simply relax on your private deck and watch the wildlife come to drink from the river just below.
You will be transferred to Liwonde National Park by road. Your lodge for the next three nights is small and intimate, in a stunning and secluded setting, accessed by road and by boat across the river. Game viewing starts even before you reach the lodge, where hippo, crocodile, elephant and a profusion of birds can be seen. Game drives and boat cruises in the park are also available.
Days 7 - 8: Volunteering - Conservation Projects - Liwonde
Over two days you can volunteer in the local conservation projects of your choice, including The Liwonde Black Rhino Project, reintroducing the black rhino to a special sanctuary and African Bat Conservation which aims to conserve bat populations. You can spend time at a project which helps poor rural communities to reduce deforestation and there is also a school project which teaches children about sustainable conservation.
Today you will be flown by light aircraft to Likoma Island in Lake Malawi. Your lodge is situated on a crescent-shaped bay, surrounded by mango trees and ancient baobabs. The lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings of beach, rock, island and lake to create a property of unique character, imagination and a very special ambience. Relax, unwind, swim and reflect on your days spent volunteering and learning about the friendly people of Malawi.
Arrive into Entebbe and transfer to a small charming guest house in the lush suburbs of Nakywogo in Entebbe. This is the ideal place to rest for a night before your early morning flight to the Bwindi region the following morning. Here you can visit a local orphanage, take a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria in a traditional dugout canoe, or simply relax on the grounds of the guest house which is home to over forty species of birds within beautiful organic gardens.
One hour flight from Entebbe then transfer to a local Women’s organisation where you will stay for three nights on a volunteer basis. This is a safe house for abused women and now employs over 300 local women. Volunteers can work in the garden, get involved in the safe water program and spend time with the women in the workshop where you can create beautiful pieces of clothing, baskets and pillows. Also included is a walking tour to explore the plantations, visit a traditional healer and visit the local school.
Days 5 - 7: Gorilla trekking - Bwindi National Park
Transfer by road to a lodge located in Bwindi for three nights. Enjoy two life changing gorilla trekking expeditions, on days 6 and 7. You will start early at the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest headquarters for a briefing and then trek with your guides in search of the mountain gorilla families. Once located you can spend an hour watching them feed, groom and play. The duration of the treks may vary between 2 and 7 hours. Afternoons at leisure to rest and relax at your lodge.
Days 8 - 9: Volunteering - Chimp Sanctuary - Ngamba Island
After breakfast, transfer to Ngamba Island by air then boat. Enjoy an afternoon sunset cruise or walking trail on foot. The next morning, volunteer as a keeper for the day. You will work with an experienced keeper and duties will include washing down the chimps’ night-time accommodation, preparing the meals and feeding the chimps, learning about chimp behaviour and their future and any other assistance required.
After breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight home.
Prices from GBP £4000 or USD $5100 per person.
(Based on a minimum of two people travelling together. Prices subject to currency exchange rates. Includes gorilla permits, Keeper For A Day experience and internal flights. Excludes international flights.)
Fly into Cape Town Airport and have a private road transfer to a beautiful Cape Town boutique hotel, set on the lower slopes of Table Mountain, for a four night stay. The hotel is in a quiet and leafy region but within walking distance of Cape Town’s superb restaurants and delis and the bustling Kloof street. There is so much to do here, Cape Point is always a must for your first visit to Cape Town, as is the waterfront, the beaches, the Winelands, shopping and of course the legendary Table Mountain.
Cape Town is rich in history, culture and natural beauty although there are still many people living in poverty. Visit local projects in the Townships such as an orphanage home where as a volunteer, you will help set up and organize daily activities for the children to help stimulate their minds and capture their interests. You could also bake bread and cookies for the community, teach reading skills, help planting trees and vegetables, participate in environmental programs, or assist in a feeding project. Day 4 is at leisure in Cape Town.
Private road transfer to a beautiful lodge in the Hermanus area along the Cape South Coast. The lodge is set in a private reserve and is committed to conservation and developing sustainable livelihoods through ecotourism. By staying here you are contributing to their Foundation which supports local education, sports and enterprise and you can volunteer at these projects by coaching sports or lending other skills you may have. Also included is wildlife watching, beach picnics, horse riding and archaeological cave excursions all with your specialist guide.
Days 8 - 10: Volunteering - Private Reserve in the Eastern Cape
Transfer by road to a luxury lodge in a malaria-free Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape region. Enjoy twice-daily game drives and short guided walks. You also have the opportunity to volunteer at the lodge’s charitable foundation which invests in the development of nine rural communities. Volunteering activities include gardening, maintenance, teaching school classes, computer skills training and arts and crafts activities – all between 2 hours and half/ full days.
You have the rare opportunity to spend one of your mornings at the Private Reserve participating in an exciting rhino conservation programme. Under the supervision of experts, you will assist in darting a rhino, implanting a microchip into the horn and perform ear-notching for identification. This is a vital part of conservation efforts to make the rhino less valuable to poachers. There is a set cost per group of up to 8 guests, and is available only to guests aged 16 or over. The best time for this is May – September but it is subject to availability.
For the first time ever it is possible to partake in the Laikipia Annual Game Census Safari. For one week, guests can be part of the ranger team assisting to locate, track and count game species for the annual Big 5 wildlife census - the most important conservation tool in measuring the success of their never-ending projects. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness and participate in the behind the scenes action, and make a difference whilst on safari.
You will be met from your international flight and transferred 45 minutes to a luxury lodge in Nairobi National Park, home to a huge number of wildlife species and fantastic birdlife. You can recuperate from your flight or go on game drives to see black rhino, cheetah, lion and antelope. We also recommend sponsoring a baby elephant prior to your safari, and visiting it at the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi at feeding time. You can also participate in the local projects initiated by the lodge.
Days 2 - 4 : Volunteering – Annual Game Count – Laikipia
Transfer to a lodge in a private wildlife conservancy in the Laikipia region. Here you are able to partake in the exhilarating Game Census across the reserve. You will go out with the rangers and assist to locate, track and count the big game species. You will also have the opportunity to learn more and to go out with the anti-poaching patrols, see the revolutionary elephant corridor in action, and assist with community programmes such as healthcare clinics and water projects.
Days 5 - 7: Volunteering - Annual Game Count - Laikipia
Transfer to a lodge in the adjacent Wildlife Conservancy, set in a haven for wildlife diversity at the foot of Mount Kenya. Continue to assist with the Annual Game Census. You will join the conservation officer on counts, assist to monitor and track rhino and lion with telemetry receivers, head out on foot with the scouts to ID rhino using ear notch diagrams, and track lion using the whisker spot ID method. You can also mountain bike along the boundaries to assist in checking fence lines for damage.
A treehouse! A sleepout! Surely both words make an instant connection to the child in every adult as well as to children themselves? Treehouses and sleepouts can seriously extend the fun and enjoyment, in a clement climate of course, of time spent in the bush, in the desert or even by the ocean.
Fly camping is, for many, the ultimate bush experience and is for those people who don’t want to be “stuck in a vehicle” or just want an exciting and adventurous change from staying at, especially, a permanent camp or lodge. Flycamping also works well for those who want to explore a region mainly on foot, by canoe, on horseback or walking with camels, which could easily be a multi-night experience.
If you are looking for that essential experience in the African bush which offers perfect comfort whilst not losing the essence and feel of being properly “on safari” then a classic permanent camp fits the brief!
Design, style, comfort, excellence, location. Shake - don’t stir! – these ingredients and blend in varying quantities for perfection to suit all tastes. Luxury lodges in Africa, especially the uber-stylish, are ideal for anyone wanting to celebrate a “big” anniversary or birthday, or just those who simply place a high importance on design and style, in whatever measure, as part of their visit to Africa.
Africa is a continent that evokes the senses, the “feel” of the bush challenges one’s sight, hearing and smell especially. Being in a lodge removes to a great extent one essential part of this trio: the sound of the bush, especially at night. Canvas walls allow the sounds of the bush to permeate one’s room, without losing any iota of luxury; the best of all worlds and a huge layer of extra value.
If one is looking for adventure, whether as a couple of a family, or somewhere that’s just vast fun with plenty of variation in activity for a group of friends mixed with wonderful hosting and a totally relaxed atmosphere, then a ranch is the answer.
The ultimate in barefoot luxury has to be a Private Island or Coastal Retreat where the essence of “barefoot living” is mixed with perfect comfort, service and style. The oft-used image of miles of white-sand beach with just “you” leaving a pathway of footprints etched into the damp sand at the water’s edge may be slightly hackneyed but, in real life, it is a perfect antidote to the mad, rushed, “real” world. It is attainable!
Bush Camps are perhaps the ideal balance between more rustic “fly” or “mobile” camps and more permanent camps offering a more advanced luxury experience. Bush Camps tend to be a southern African phenomenon, because they are often closely allied to walking in certain parts of Zambia and Botswana.
Oh my word! Where to start? We have such an array of styles in our beach lodges. Tell us what comes to mind, what your mind conjectures in terms of “Beach Lodge” and we can almost certainly fill the brief.
Boutique Hotels are always wonderful, mixing sympathetic and often unusual décor and style with a very personal hosting ethic – and all in a small and intimate package. So often such properties are also owner-run, which fits brilliantly well with our - and your, as our clients - own preferences. In the same vein, Africa has some examples of the boutique hotel genre that rival anything available anywhere else – and not all are in cities even if many are more urban.
Travelling as a family? Perhaps a small group of friends or just two couples spending some time together on holiday? Wanting to be able to get “close to the action” in terms of game, or be near a specific activity? Do you feel a yearning for something authentic in terms of Africa-bush-living and yet not wanting to give up any basic comforts (Heaven forbid!)?
Time off in this manic, I’m-always-available, information-driven, day and age is precious; a bracket around a few days or weeks that may be the culmination of a long period of work and a considerable amount of planning. No matter how hard we try, with all the pressures that surround us it can be a tough balancing act to make enough time to “spend” (what an apposite word that is!) with those who matter and doing the things we wish.
Some of us are just drawn to the magic of water and for many people the relaxing effects of being on or by the water are part of the rejuvenation that comes with a holiday. So, for those who like to take to the water, whether it’s for the gentle soothing of the sound of the ocean, or being on a river, or taking the helm and sailing under the guidance of a skipper, the sailing and houseboats that we have to offer add another dimension!
These we can incorporate into any holiday that you arrange with us. However, voluntourism has really taken hold for those who would like to make a meaningful contribution. Most of these will incorporate a skill that you already have – building, bricklaying, teaching, medical, surgical – any much more besides!
We have selected just a few fantastic itineraries below where voluntourism plays a key part, then added some other ideas to complement your safari beautifully! As always, each of our holidays is entirely bespoke, tailored around your interests.
South Africa images courtesy of Kensington Place, Uthando, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and Kwandwe Private Game Reserve.
Kenya images courtesy of Giraffe Manor - The Safari Collection, Solio Lodge - The Safari Collection, Sasaab - The Safari Collection, Sala's Camp - The Safari Collection.
Uganda images courtesy of Mahogany Springs, Karibu Guest House and Ride4aWoman
Zimbabwe images courtesy of Imvelo Safari Lodges
Malawi images courtesy of Tongole Wilderness Lodge, Central African Wilderness Safaris and Kaya Mawa.
A Fixed Wing Flying Safari is a unique concept of travel in Africa. It introduces another dimension to a typical African safari, that of the beauty of the continent from the air. Accompanied and guided by experienced pilots who are also experienced safari guides a Fixed Wing Flying Safari is a truly memorable and exclusive experience.
Epic helicopter journeys exploring corners of Africa that few have been to or even ever heard of. We specialise in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, the Congo and Namibia. Our tailor-made safaris cover wild and spectacular mountains, valleys, forests and deserts, with a focus on ‘remote and unknown, unexplored and unforgettable’.
Client testimonials
Wow! What a sensational time I had! Thank you for putting together such an interesting trip for me, and a huge thank you for the seamless travelling I had.
Safari to Kenya
Finally I put pen to paper! I just wanted to let you know how delighted we all were with the fabulous safari you organised for us to Tanzania.
Family Safari to Tanzania
This is just a quick note to thank you for all your hard work in arranging what turned out to be a holiday of a lifetime.
Honeymoon to Namibia
Thanks to The Explorations Company, our family trip to East Africa was the trip of a lifetime.
Family Safari to Tanzania and Kenya
Enclosed is a copy of Melanie’s journal from Africa. Although it is a bit long, I thought you might enjoy reading it.
Family Safari to Tanzania
I am delighted that I stumbled across The Explorations Company at the Scottish Game Fair and that you convinced me you were the right people for organising our honeymoon.
Honeymoon to Botswana
There were so many wonderful moments that we had– I could be here all night writing about them. The coffee stops and sundown drinks were always fun and entertaining – in beautiful places on riverbanks accompanied by hippos snorting or kingfishers at their work. I am sure we will speak soon but in the meantime, we are home safe and it was the best holiday ever!
Family Safari in South Africa
Our trip in Africa was a dream come true. We all fell in love with Africa, needless to say and I have told all my friends to book such a trip with you soon.
Family Safari to Namibia and Botswana
Thank you for organising our fantastic trip to Kenya, it now ranks as our favourite holiday ever and we have been on a few!
Family Safari to Kenya
I couldn't thank you enough! Our trip was wonderful, mostly because everyone paid attention to all the details. Africa, was so beautiful and all the people we met were so kind and helpful. Lots of tears leaving.
Safari to Tanzania
As time passes, the memories of our trip to Kenya just continues to get better. I have come to the conclusion that this was my favourite trip ever!
Safari to Kenya
What an incredible time we had on our safari. A huge thank you for organising it! It was without a doubt the most amazing holiday we will ever have.
Riding Safari Kenya
Zambia seems a long time ago but fortunately we only have to get out the photos (as we often do) and it all comes flooding back! It was terrific and there was nothing that we wished we had done differently.
Safari to Zambia
Well I'm with you. For some reason it is a place that just gets into your soul. There are a few places around the world that have done that to me.
Ethiopia
In short the holiday was amazing, beautiful, peaceful, fascinating, hugely educational - just absolutely amazing.
Family Safari Zimbabwe and Riding
I would just like to add my personal thanks to you for the work you did in creating our holiday and ensuring that all our bookings and connections worked out so well.
Safari to Tanzania
We were so pleased to have selected someone with the clear passion and knowledge for the area that you have.
Safari to Kenya
Many thanks for helping me to organize the trip to Kenya! We had a truly wonderful time and were very well looked after! I really loved the fly camping; the riding was great and the horses lovely - thank you for all your professional help.
Riding Safari Kenya
We had the MOST FANTASTIC time in Namibia. Loved it all! We saw amazing scenery met wild and interesting people, not to mention wild and interesting animals and insects.
Safari to Namibia
We had a fantastic time! You really did a great job for us. We both thought San camp was absolutely incredible.
Safari to Botswana
Our trip was wonderful and was a beautifully organised experience. I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Castleton.
Family Safari South Africa
If you had heard my voice when I called you to thank you, you would have heard sheer HAPPINESS. This is from the fantastic 11 days in Zambia you have organized for us. We have not a single negative point to report! and I loved all the camps.
Safari to Zambia
We had a fantastic time – as did Marie and Dave - “amazing holiday of a lifetime” is how they summed it up on the flight home. Thanks again for creating such wonderful memories!
Safari to Tanzania
We had both been on standard safaris before so we decided to try something different, perhaps walking in less well known parts of Kenya.
Walking safari Kenya
A big thank you from us all, we all had the most wonderful time and enjoyed everything so much it is hard to decide what we enjoyed the most.
Family Safari to Kenya and Tanzania
Katharine, I would like to thank you for all! My holiday was perfect, I really liked everything... The walking company you recommended is the best company in whole Africa to do the Kilimanjaro Mountain, they are very professional, organized, adorable and careful people! The guides in the mountain were incredible, everybody in our group reached the top of Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Peak) and this was one of the most important and valuable experiences that I have ever had in my life!
Tanzania Mount Kilimanjaro and safari
Thank you and your team for the most wonderful flowers that arrived for us today. Thank you also for all your help, care and attention to detail which made everything run so smoothly.
Family Safari to Kenya and Tanzania
Firstly, many thanks for the beautiful flowers. It was the biggest bouquet I have ever received and it was gorgeous.
Safari to Zimbabwe and Zambia
Take the first step on your extraordinary journey into Africa
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore – Dream – Discover - Mark Twain - You can view clips of some of our own favourite discoveries here.
100% Tailor Made
- Utterly designed and tailored around you and your requirements
- Totally unique every time you travel with us
- The very best hand picked guides which can make the difference between a good and an outstanding holiday
Priceless Knowledge
- Established over 30 years ago we have been around longer than most
- Our specialists come from, have lived in or travelled extensively in the regions we cover
- Unparalleled knowledge provides you with the best possible experience
Making a difference
- Philanthropy is our philosophy
- Our founding principle is to always ‘put something back’
- An amount from each holiday is donated to our selected conservation and humanitarian charities
Nicola Shepherd, founder and CEO of The Exploration Company, organises unusual trips for HNW and UHNW clients ranging from birthday parties at an Indian Maharajah's palace to reliving Sir Vivian Fuchs's 1950s expedition to the South Pole. Citywealth caught ...