Our Difference & Our Impact

  • Your Trip Fuels Impactful Change

    We believe tourism is the most powerful force for change. A portion of every trip booked directly supports essential programs.

    A close-up of a young Himba woman from the side with long, traditional hairstyle with multiple braids and beaded accessories, outdoors with a blurred background.

  • 30+ Years of Leadership

    The EXPLORE team has a combined experience of nearly 100 years curating and operating safaris throughout Africa and beyond.

    Five African children leaning on a brick ledge, smiling and playing in a classroom with a chalkboard in the background.

  • Unique Experiences

    Our travelers want to make a difference while exploring the wonders of Earth’s most wild places, and we are dedicated to making that possible.

    Two indigenous people with traditional face and body paint, wearing colorful beaded necklaces and headdresses, standing on rocky terrain.

  • Responsible & Sustainable Travel

    We advocate for ethical operators who practice sustainable tourism, provide meaningful opportunities to local people, and prioritize conservation.

    A woman wearing traditional Maasai attire, including a beaded hat and jewelry, with a red and black checked shawl, in a profile view against a clear sky.

Our Commitment to Our Travelers

At EXPLORE, we believe that luxury travel should benefit both our clients and the destinations we cherish. Every safari we design reflects our dedication to authentic experiences, sustainability, and responsible travel.

  • Authentic & Sustainable Lodges
    We handpick eco-friendly safari lodges and private camps that support local conservation and community development while offering unmatched comfort and style.

  • Meaningful Connections
    Our travelers gain insider access to Africa’s people, diverse cultures, and landscapes allowing for genuine, respectful encounters that go beyond the beaten path.

  • Giving Back Through Travel
    Each year, the EXPLORE team researches and visits community and conservation projects across Africa. We connect travelers who wish to contribute, ensuring that support is used effectively and responsibly.

  • Real Impact
    Together with our clients, EXPLORE has directed over 5 million USD to initiatives that protect wildlife, preserve cultures, and empower local communities.

  • Travel With Purpose
    We encourage every traveler to learn about emerging conservation and cultural issues before departure, and to engage meaningfully with the places they visit.

A group of African children, including Cherri Briggs and Richard Wilson, in a dry outdoor landscape, smiling and posing for the camera.

  • "I never intended to be in the tourism industry. I started out in conservation and filmmaking and was basically forced into creating a travel company because people wanted to accompany me to the wonderful places we were trying to preserve. Eventually, I came to understand that tourism is the single most powerful force for conserving land, wildlife, and indigenous cultures. Exploring Africa inevitably provides a life-changing experience for the traveler; it can also, however, make a big difference in the quality of life for those living in Africa and in maintaining wilderness habitat."

    Cherri Briggs

Two women from an African Maasai tribe, holding hands, dressed in colorful traditional attire with beaded necklaces and bracelets, standing outdoors with a group of women in similar attire in the background.

Our Impact: Supporting Community & Conservation

Our commitment to responsible travel extends far beyond the safari experience. EXPLORE’s founder, Cherri Briggs and her husband, Richard Wilson, have worked closely with Zambia’s Chiawa community, located 20 miles from their lodge in the Lower Zambezi. In 2008, driven by their deep involvement in the community and commitment to creating positive change, Cherri and Richard founded Direct Impact Africa.

DIA supports 16 transformative projects in the Lower Zambezi, including:

  • Community sports programs and school playgrounds

  • Medical clinics serving local needs

  • Zambia’s first community-owned fish farm

  • Eight solar-powered organic farms

  • Female empowerment initiatives like “Chicks for Chics,” helping women raise and sell chickens

Richard Wilson now dedicates his time to overseeing DIA’s locally driven projects, which focus on wildlife conservation, land preservation, and sustainable economic growth for village communities.

Interested in giving back during your adventure? We offer many meaningful ways to engage with and contribute to these vital initiatives. Talk to our travel designers to learn how.

Click the Logos Below to Get to Know the Philanthropic Partners EXPLORE Supports

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Direct Impact Africa: Turning AID Around

We Handcraft Personalized, Once-in-a-Lifetime Travel Throughout Africa & Beyond