Why is Travel Philanthropy so important?
In an age of increasing awareness of world issues and global needs, there has been a recent surge in travel philanthropy or, more simply put, using travel as a means to give back.
What is it?
Philanthropic travel is becoming more popular because people are becoming more eager to reconnect with humanity. Travel Philanthropy is about supporting the areas we visit and promoting them in a sustainable, positive manner, resulting in a mutually beneficial and rewarding experience for both the region and our clients alike.
Travelling with a Heart - Why is it important?
Consumers are beginning to view holidays differently these days. They are becoming more aware of the environments they touch; monitoring their impact on a social, moral and economic level. They want to leave having made a positive impact on an area, which makes a tangible difference, making them feel good. There are only positives to this approach.
The days of ersatz tourism I think are well on the wane, as intelligent people seek to holiday whilst making a difference. We call it ‘Travelling with A Heart’. This is where The Explorations Company excels. We have been involved in philanthropic tourism for over 28 years, supporting various conservation and humanitarian projects since our inception. We advise and educate our clients on the regions they intend to visit, to understand their footprint from a sociological, financial and ecological perspective. This entails enormous responsibility and accountability on our behalf.
We spend more time in the field than any other company, researching places and properties which match these criteria and being selective of where we advise our clients to stay; understanding the values of each establishment we recommend, the direct impact each client has and finally how the establishments make a difference to the areas they occupy on an ecological and humanitarian basis. All of our specialists come from the continents we promote and we have an innate and deep love, passion and understanding for the areas in which we operate.
How It Helps to Support The Challenges We Face
Sustainable travel has a far reaching effect on many levels. Purely from an economic perspective, there is a direct benefit to the area in terms of employment. For each person employed in Africa, around 10 family members derive immediate financial benefit.
The communities are supported through employment, healthcare and education. The education contributes towards the conservation of wildlife as children are taught the importance of protecting wildlife, their economic value to an area and to the communities as a whole. Rangers are employed to combat poaching. The largest problem third world continents face is population explosion. Africa’s population will double by 2050. Human wildlife conflict is our largest problem as wildlife numbers continue to dwindle at an alarming rate.
This is partially due to human pressure and ancient tribal custom, but largely due to poaching (specifically for tiger, elephant, rhino and pangolin) on behalf of China, Vietnam and Korea. By visiting these areas, we provide a constant presence which reduces poaching and we provide economic sustainability to a region which manifests itself in a better quality of life for local communities which in turn supports education.
We also contribute in protecting the wildlife, ensuring its survival for generations to come, through park and conservancy fees, through funding scientists and researchers and their research work in the field.
Where and how can I make a difference?
One can make a difference by travelling with us, because we have already taken the pain out of the research for you and undertaken this as part of our annual due diligence when visiting places for several months each year when we travel around the world.
But for regions we don’t cover, you can make a difference by doing your own due diligence; by looking more deeply at what each place does to support the local region within which it operates and by understanding its ecological footprint.
One can also become part of our Donor Travel programme – Philanthropy Plus.
The Explorations Company, where no two journeys have ever been the same
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
The Explorations Company
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
Explore with The Explorations Company
By Marcela Kunova - 20th April 2017
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 ...
View
Our Guarantees To You
Premium service from one of the world's most knowledgeable travel companies
24/7 contact number
Your holiday is fully protected by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018
Flight-Inclusive Bonding: We are licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority and hold ATOL Number 7159
Flight-Exclusive bonding: Your holiday is further protected by our membership of ABTOT Membership Number 5197
){kind=icon}
