The EXPLORE Inc Difference

EXPLORE Inc specializes in custom safaris that are individually crafted for clients looking for "the real Africa". Whether you want the ultimate luxury Fly-in safari with private guide or an off the track real African adventure, we can design it for you.

Founder Cherri Briggs spends eight to nine months each year in Africa in search of the most authentic, exclusive, privately-owned camps and lodges that give travelers an opportunity to experience pristine wilderness areas that are off the beaten path. Cherri constantly checks on camps that are frequently used by EXPLORE to ensure standards are maintained and is always on the lookout for the most exciting new product.

EXPLORE invests more in itinerary development than any other safari operator, so we want to protect our discoveries and keep them "off the beaten path". Therefore, we do not include all the names of the lodges in itineraries listed on this website. When you become a client, EXPLORE will provide you with full details, brochures with photographs, and reviews by many satisfied people who have discovered, through EXPLORE, some of Africa's best kept secrets.

Quotes from Travelers

"Traveling with Explore is the opposite of a packaged tour.  It is a friendly bridge to new worlds... a getaway to the natural world."    

--Gloria Steinem

"If you want authenticity, then Explore is right for you.  Whether its tiger fishing or canoeing past hippos on the Zambezi River, or gathering Baobab pods with the bushmen in the Kalahari, a trip with Explore awakens a part of yourself you didn't know existed."

--Scott Lindenau, Architect, Aspen

"Bostwana is one of Africa's great havens for wildlife and needs to be protected.  Explore has shown exceptional commitment in educating its travelers and providing support for conservation through its excellent safaris."

--Peter Seiligman, CEO, Conservation International

"It is difficult to make arrangements on your own, you want one seamless itinerary arranged by a tour operator who knows the wildlife guides, the camps, and the bush planes... our 12-day trip was flawlessly organized by Explore."

--Peter Haje, Writer, Conde Nast Traveler

"Explore is top notch!  They find the best lodges and the best guides, and create oustanding, highly-educational safaris for the most discerning traveler.  They develop the finest hand-crafted safaris of anyone we know in the US."

--Philip Lovejoy, Director of University-wide Alumni Afairs, Harvard Alumni Association

"We loved the diversity of camps and ecosystems in our itinerary - from luxury camps to the more rustic mobile camps - every few days it was something totally different, each move a wonderful surprise!  The sheer number of animals astounded us."

--Chris Multhauf, CEO, Chicago

"Explore's guides are among the best in Africa!  Explore has never disappointed us in our innumerable trips throughout the continent over the years.  Their guide's specialties, from birds to reptiles, archaeology to photography, culture to the big mammals, makes for an incomparable experience. Our trips have featured meetings with world-renowned researchers and conservation experts.  Explore goes well beyond what your normal tour operator would because of its passion and commitment to Africa.

--Dr. Mabel Perkurson, Chapter President, Explorer's Club, St. Louis

"My husband & I had long dreamed of going on an African safari... during our research we noticed that Cherri Briggs & the Explore name was always at the top of each list.  Cherri and Elizabeth listened attentively to us as we described our travel preferences, asked appropriate questions regarding what specifically we wanted to see and things we wanted to experience, and offered suggestions that actually took into account all that we had said!  In all, Elizabeth has planned 5 absolutely unforgettable trips for us.

The thing that keeps us returning to Elizabeth to make the arrangements for our next trip is that she never stops listening to us and always offers us something 'fresh' and individually selected based on our interests & desires, never canned. Every time I have asked Elizabeth to arrange a special adventure that targets a unique interest of ours she has come up with something memorable - she's a magician. The camps and lodges we've stayed in have all been just as they were presented to us:  beautiful, unique, run professionally - without exception.  And the guides have been superb, each attentive, flexible, extremely knowledgeable about his area & animals in it, and professional in every sense of the word.  Based on our past travel experiences in Africa, I wouldn't think of traveling there on a trip that is not arranged by Elizabeth & Explore."

--Barbara Hollweg

 The entire trip exceeded our expectations. Every detail was carefully managed and looked after. All of our transfers between camps were flawlessly arranged and the planes and helicopters were well maintained and reliable.  The level of guiding was top notch. We had mentioned to Elizabeth that this was a priority for us and she did not disappoint. We felt our trip was really amazing in large part because of the knowledge and overall quality of the guiding.  The accommodation that was recommended to us by Elizabeth was idyllic. We had described the kind of experience we were interested in (peaceful and relaxed) and Elizabeth booked us in the perfect bush camps.

Overall, the quality and level of service far exceeded our expectations and we felt we really got very good value for our money. It was a once in a lifetime experience and we will always be grateful to Elizabeth and Explore for making it so memorable.

--Ian Janson

We had the most amazing time in Botswana! I can not wait to go back and when I do I will have Explore book my trip. Elizabeth was amazing and found a canoeing safari thru the Okavango Delta that was better than we could have imagined and something we never could have found on our own. We were so close to animals and met so many wonderful people this was the best trip I have ever been on. Hopefully I get to go back to Africa very soon.

--Julia

We had the most wonderful 11-day trip of a lifetime to Africa! Led by Dr. Donald Johanson, the man who discovered “Lucy”, the missing link between man and ape, we were treated to a safari with animals of all sorts (zebras, elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, baboons, and the like) as well as an opportunity to learn about early hominids! While we were a little apprehensive about sleeping in “tents” through the Serengeti, we were pleasantly surprised that the “tent camping” was better than some hotels we stay in while traveling, the service was incredible, the food amazing, the accommodations first class, and the views and access to nature absolutely unbelievable! We will miss our morning wake-up calls by a Masai warrior complete with hot tea, coffee, and cookies to start off our mornings! A trip for all ages, from our youngest at age-10 to our oldest at age-13 along with us older kids at heart, this was an absolutely amazing trip!

--Rand M, San Francisco, California

Our trip – organized by Explore – to Botswana and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in late June was perfectly planned by Elizabeth providing us a myriad of animal life and creature comforts that could not be improved upon.

We – family of 4 with two older children – stayed at four locations: three in Botswana – Pom-Pom Camp, Gunns Camp, and Chobe Safari Lodge and at the Elephant Camp in Zimbabwe. Each was spectacular yet different from one another. All provided both wonderful experiences with the African flora and fauna along with terrific food, lodging, and interaction with the staff.

MORE on the Finkelstein Family Safari

--K. Finkelstein