Malagarasi is a great example for 'Sustainable Tourism'
Nowhere else in Africa offers that degree of exclusivity! For the traveller seeking out the perfect, pristine magical experience – exclusively to yourself – then this is it! Access is by private charter flight only. This seems quite fitting for such a remote area.
Fly low over green, lush vegetation and palm trees. This is a relatively new region, consisting of over 2 million acres, over which you, the traveller, has exclusive use.
On driving to the camp, one is instantly reminded of what an interesting and special area this really is. From the rare and unique species such as the Coke’s hartebeest, the eland, plentiful reedbuck (uncommon in other parts of Africa), sable and roan antelope – as well as the rare, beautiful and elusive sitatunga – one immediately understands what a privilege it is to be part of this sacred region.
The camp is just perfect in every way. A simple bush camp, it offers all the luxury one requires and each tent overlooks the mighty Malagarasi River. The best activities take place on the Malagarasi River – plying the main waterway. Here one can undertake a myriad of experiences. In fact, we say – spend a week, because this is what it will take to exhaust all on offer and in any event, it is such a special area that nobody will want to leave within that time!
Fly fishing for tiger fish is a fantastic past time and the sunsets are unbeatable! The birdlife is simply phenomenal – and float past heronries and other trees filled with open billed storks, black storks, African Fish Eagles and a number of other birds. But one can also see (and hear) large prides of lion and elephant.
See the palm nut vultures flying to the Borassus palms for their nightly roost, and Crowned Eagles of various descriptions. Walk in the marshes one day – a fabulous experience – searching for the elusive sitatunga antelope and the extraordinary Shoe Bill stork!
One day, go fly camping. Assume the task of pioneer and take a canoe through the narrow, papyrus lined channels to Katalika Island – where a fly camp can be erected. Spend the night here and wake to the cacophony of bird calls in the forest and go for a bird walk in the morning. Later, take the boat back along the channels, birds rising just in front of you – and perhaps see sitatunga along the way. See the local Burundi people who are farming their large herds of cattle on the land. Perhaps go for another game drive one afternoon.
So what would be the draw here? Exclusivity, both in terms of having a camp and an enormous area all to yourself; a vastness that is hard to find elsewhere in Africa, a sense of the primeval, the untouched, and a fabulous array of different wildlife and incredible birdlife!
The river – the experiences. And, to the right person, what would be the biggest draw, is what the owners of this company put back into conservation and anti-poaching every year – in all the regions they support in Tanzania.
This is a labour of love – a region where a deep passion to keep the wild remains, in a sustainable manner in conjunction with the local communities. This is a template – of what we need to do to succeed in the rest of Africa – and every penny you spend here goes directly into their anti-poaching and educational funds – to support the future of wildlife in Africa. Now, who can argue with that?
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 ...
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