Unique Trip Opportunities for 2010 and 2011!

May 142010
 

The EXPLORE ‘mission’ is to work very closely with our clients in designing safaris that are not only entertaining but transformative and make a difference in the lives of indigenous peoples. By taking the traveler deep into the heart of Africa we facilitate a greater understanding of the ongoing challenges to preserve this most precious part of our planet.  Join us over the next year on several trips of a lifetime…

Mossell BayTRAVEL WITH DR. DON JOHANSON!

October 2010

Join world renowned paleoanthropologist Dr. Don Johanson, Founding Director of the Institute of Human Origins (IHO), in an exploration of South Africa’s most beautiful coastal scenery and famed wildlife reserves.  Your private journey, led by Dr. Johanson and limited to a small group of like-minded sophisticated travelers, will immerse you in the best South Africa has to offer while learning about your ancient ancestors and African wildlife.       

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Africa's Last WildernessAFRICA’S LAST WILDERNESS

June 2011

The African continent is under siege. Over population and massive extractive industries from uncontrolled mining to deforestation threaten the continent. A few extraordinary individuals have dedicated themselves to conserving its most critical ecosystems. Visit the most extraordinary reserves representing the cutting edge of conservation in the African continent. Witness the beauty and majesty of Africa at its most powerful…

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Cape To Cairo - Rwanda GorillaCAPE TO CAIRO – The First Time in a Century!

January 11 – February 9, 2011

Crossing 6,000 miles from one end of Africa to the other across spectacular landscapes in luxury is one of the most unique adventures in the world! We travel through Africa by the Pride of Africa private train, private airplane, five-star Lake Nasser cruise ship and stay in luxury hotel accommodation en-route to complete this immense and unforgettable 30 day voyage. This is the ultimate travel experience!

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Zambezi Airlines donates airfare to Explore project!

Apr 302010
 

2010 Chiawa Mini World Cup

CLICK HERE to view PROJECT DETAILS (including How To Donate)
All funds raised over the amount needed for tournament will go to building much needed safe swimming spots on the Zambezi River!

TEXT FROM ARTICLE IN ZAMBEZI DAILY NEWSPAPER by Robinson Kunda:

Zambezi Airlines have donated two air-tickets worth US$1000 (about K5 million) to Explore Africa to enable it to send two people (from the Lower Zambezi Chiawa community) to South Africa to watch the 2010 World Cup.

Zambezi Airlines chief executive officer Don McDonald presented the tickets at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday.

McDonald said Zambezi Airlines is proud to partner with Explore Africa in sending two people from Chiawa to go and watch the World Cup.

He said the gesture is part of the company’s policy of paying back to the community.

“What you guys (Explore Africa) are doing in lower Zambezi is very good.  You are involving the community and that is something very close to my heart,” McDonald said.

He urged Explore Africa to continue with their work in Chiawa.

McDonald pledged to continue supporting the communities through various programs.

And Explore Africa President Cherri Briggs said her company wants the people of Chiawa to feel close to the World Cup which will be held in Africa for the first time.

Briggs said Explore Africa is grateful to Zambezi Airlines for agreeing to provide tickets for two people.

She said most of the people in Chiawa will only be hearing about the World Cup and they will not have a chance to watch it, not even on television because some of them were underprivileged.

“What we are doing is that we have 16 teams competing in a tournament.  We will get two players from the team that wins the tournament.  We will do a raffle and the two players that will be picked will go to South Africa to watch the World Cup,” Briggs said.

And Explore Africa representative Richard Wilson said the tournament has received overwhelming response from various villages in Lower Zambezi.

Wilson said the tournament has provided fun for the people in the area.

“We are not sure if the people that win the trip will know how to speak English so we will also send a third person who will be an interpreter,” he said.

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2010 Chiawa World Cup (Lower Zambezi)

Apr 292010
 
EXPLORE is excited to share details with you on our new project in the Chiawa community in the Lower Zambezi…

THE SPIRIT OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP

comes to

The Lower Zambezi

April 12TH, 2010

Dear Friends in Conservation and Sport Fans,

I am writing to you today to ask if you would like to participate in EXPLORE’s most recent effort to bring sports to the youth of the Lower Zambezi. The World Cup represents a dream for all children in Africa….to attend the famed Cup would be beyond their wildest dreams. As most of you are likely aware, South Africa is hosting the FIFA 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament. This is the first time the World Cup has ever been held on the African continent and it has generated an immense amount of interest, support and unbelievable enthusiasm from African people. Even in the remote villages of the Chiawa chiefdom the main topic of conversation is the World Cup. As the time nears the excitement builds. We want to build on that energy and give the community something that seldom enters their lives: FUN! and a sense of being part of a global sports event.

Of course virtually no one from the area will be able to attend, and a very few will even have the chance to view it on television, so we want to Bring the Spirit of the FIFA World Cup to Chiawa on a small scale. We have developed an idea we are passionate about and hope you will help make a reality. EXPLORE is spearheading an effort to raise $8,750 in charitable donations in order to host the Chiawa 2010 “Mini World Cup”: a  6 –a –side soccer tournament to be played by teams from the 9 villages located in the Lower Zambezi.  EXPLORE HAS DONATED THE FIRST $1,000.

The importance of the event and the significance of soccer in this rural part of Zambia are virtually unimaginable to us.   It has  brought fun and community spirit to the lives of these impoverished people and generated self esteem for the players.  As much as we appreciate the importance of our planned agricultural and community development projects, it is also essential that the community partake in events that are purely for fun. Not only does soccer build team spirit but it acts as a forum to discuss more important issues whilst at the same time addressing the need for healthy outdoor activity.

We will hold the tournament the 2nd weekend in May in the Chiawa village. Already our league leaders are rallying the teams and conferring with the captains. 16 teams will participate in the tournament. These teams will be drawn from the existing 12 teams that already participate in the Chiawa League. Each team upon entering will draw a name of a participating country in the FIFA 2010 World Cup and will thereafter participate in this tournament as the name they draw. For example, one team will be playing as the USA! (Cherri will be rooting for the Yanks of course, as will I seeing as Scotland failed to qualify)

The tournament will be played in the same format as the FIFA 2010 World Cup. There will be four groups each comprised of 4 teams. Each team will be comprised of 9 players and 1 Manager; upon entering they will be given 10 T-shirts depicting the country under which they are participating and the motto ‘The Spirit of the Cup”. They will also be given 2 World Cup official soccer balls to be used for both this tournament and for their upcoming league season. They will each be charged an entrance fee of Zambian Kwacha 100 000 per team, (about $25). We ask this small amount so that there is commitment from their side. These funds will be utilized for referee fees for the league season.

THE BIG PRIZE!

On completion of the final there will be prizes awarded in the form of miniature trophies and FIFA 2010 World Cup paraphernalia such an official World Cup kit bag and t- shirt for each player. Then, the BIG PRIZE will be decided on by a draw to be done after the final. At that time 2 names will be drawn from all the players contesting the final and they will win the trip of a lifetime, a trip to South Africa to watch a World Cup football match in either Johannesburg or Pretoria.

This trip will include transport from the village to Lusaka, flights, accommodation, meals, tickets to the game and a bit of pocket money. They will be chaperoned by Isaiah Museto a local man who has been our main man in all our projects, assisting and implementing all the existing projects we are involved in for absolutely free. He singlehandedly runs the Sports league and has overseen all the community farm projects, etc. He is an invisible hero…he does not know he is included in the visit to SA. This is a gift to him for all he has done for his community. I will meet this entourage in South Africa and host them for 3 days.

As you can well imagine this is a prize of a lifetime for the lucky village guys so we are really hoping to raise the required funds. Please note should we be able to raise more than is required then the excess funds will go towards creating safe swimming spots along the Zambezi River so as to alleviate the terrible loss of life we suffer on an annual basis due to crocodile attacks. Isaiah’s son was taken two years ago.

Once again, on behalf of Explore Inc. and the Kore Kore people of the Chiawa Community, we thank you for your consideration and assistance with what we consider a very important and fun endeavor.

DONATIONS UNDER $100 are Not tax-deductible (due to costs of processing them via the 501-C-3).  All checks under $100 must be made to:  Explore, Inc.

DONATIONS of $100 and ABOVE are fully tax-deductible. Checks of $100+ must be made to: Global Communications for Conservation

SEND ALL CHECKS TO:

Explore, Inc. – CHIAWA WORLD CUP

Attn: Tena

P.O. Box 776369

Steamboat Springs, CO 80477

Please call us at 970.871.0065 for more information.

Kind regards,

Richard Wilson

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EXPLORE hobnobs with Conservation Heroes at the Explorers Club!

Apr 062010
 

A fabulous time was had by all at the annual Explorer’s Club event in New York City where EXPLORE attended the 106th annual Explorers Club dinner at the Waldorf Astoria. I became a member of the Club after completing the 650km first descent of Mozambique’s Lugenda River. 1500 adventure enthusiasts were entertained by Dan Akroyd, Cirque de Soleil acrobats and many honored guests and award recipients.  Two award recipients are long time EXPLORE clients – Dr. Mabel Purkerson and Dr. Don Johanson, world renowned paleoanthropologist.

Following the annual event at the Waldorf, EXPLORE hosted a fabulous breakfast at the Explorers Club in honor of Botswana’s Emmy Award winning wildlife filmmakers Dereck & Beverly Joubert and philanthropist Greg Carr. Carr told the story of his herculean on-going efforts to resurrect Mozambique’s  Gorongosa National Park after a devastating 25 year civil war.  As evidenced by the fantastic turnout, these remarkable individuals are clearly amongst the premier ambassadors for conservation in Africa. After learning more about growing threats to Africa’s big cats and irreplaceable wilderness it is evident that we need to support their efforts and encourage others dedicating their lives to conservation. Please call us directly to learn more about their projects at 1-800-LYONESS as we are in constant contact regarding new developments.  Or if you would like to support the Big Cats Initiative which the Jouberts co-founded with The National Geographic Society please visit http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/big-cats/. For details on the Carr Foundation and Gorongosa National Park please visit http://www.gorongosa.net/.

One of the most personally rewarding ways to support conservation is through your own travel to Africa!  We are dedicated to ensuring that all our travelers support lodges that are genuinely making a contribution to conservation and community and ensuring that they learn as much as possible while enjoying their African adventure. This is our passion and the core of all that we do. I started my career in Africa working in conservation but through the years have discovered that tourism is perhaps the most effective vehicle for promoting the preservation of wilderness and wildlife. Not only can tourism provide protection for vast tracks of land but it also provides meaningful income and other benefits to local communities and brings education, healthcare and training to thousands.  If you would like information on how to learn more about these efforts or others that EXPLORE supports in Africa please contact us at 970 871-0065, email us at info@exploreafrica.net, or check our website www.exploreafrica.net where you can link to itineraries featuring these efforts.

Cherri Briggs

Explorers Club Events 2010

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CAMEROON on Conde Nast’s Dream List

Nov 192009
 

The Dream List:  Once-in-a-Lifetime Trips    (click link to view full article)
by:  Brook Wilkinson

2009 The Dream List - Cameroon picCAMEROON:  ROYALTY IN BAFUT

The specialist:  Cherri Briggs, EXPLORE; Steamboat Springs, Colorado

The Dream Trip:  “Even with its recent troubles, Cameroon is special – it has such a rich cultural heritage, and it produces some of Africa’s finest art.  In the highlands village of Bafut, you can visit the Palace of the Fon, the seat of an 800-year-old sub-Saharan dynasty.  This is the last of Africa’s great cheifdoms that once ruled much of the continent.  Today the king still has tremendous power.  One of the many queens will guide you around the royal compound, including a museum full of artifacts on a par with those in the British Museum.  Don’t miss the giant drum that called people to war – beaten not by living hands but with the severed arms of the enemy.  While in the highlands, you can aslo visit the town of Foumban (pictured), the artisan center for that region of Africa and home to the Bamum people – whose cheif, at last count, had 77 wives and 506 kids! ($18,75 for two)”

Cherri Briggs
Tel:  888-596-6377
info@exploreafrica.net

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Welcome to EXPLORE, Inc

Jul 232009
 

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A “Travel Superhero!” ….Conde Nast Traveler

 

EXPLORE, Inc. has been touted by Condé Nast Traveler for the last nine years as one of the world’s top travel specialists . In 2002 Conde Nast wrote that  Explore is “A Travel Superhero, a wonder-worker who can craft the vacation of your dreams, save you from the pitfalls, deliver you from disaster, and accomplish the impossible with aplomb!” We are very honored to have been selected as one of the 5 top African specialists  in the US yet again by Traveler’s  highly respected editorial staff.

Would you like to discover Africa? Take a journey with us by visiting our new, exciting blog .   We’ll share information and updates on travel tips and advisories, special offerings to elite lodges, current events in Africa, hot new lodges and private villas, client experiences,  wildlife news and more. Visit the section on our website “Explore Helps Out” if you want to learn more about the many worthy endeavors Explore supports throughout the continent to help communities and promote conservation.

Our new blog will take you on a  journey through the vast, ancient continent, to its most beautiful wilderness areas and diverse people.  We welcome your comments and would love to hear from you!

Click Here to visit our website

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