We're really excited, and a little daunted, that we are the main sponsor for The Gorilla Organisation's Great Gorilla Run this year.

Excited because it's such a great cause and they are a fun bunch of people to work with. Daunted because we have to dress up in hot, furry gorilla suits and run through London's streets to raise some much needed funds.

The Gorilla Organisation, originally set up by Dian Fossey is there for one reason; to raise money to help protect and preserve gorillas in the wild.

Go Ape...Go!

One of the ways they do this is through The Great Gorilla Run, now in its year sixth year. The idea is to get around 1000 keen-as-mustard, fit and funny people to dress in gorilla costumes and then run 7km through London, raising thousands of pounds as they go.

We Want Your Money....Please!

Explore is entering a team of seven mad-as-hatters staff and we're aiming to raise £3000 for the cause. And this is where you come in.

If you think it worthwhile, why not make a donation and help the team on the way to their target, and the tiny population of wild mountain gorillas (around 740 in total, anywhere) to grow and survive.

Go to our secure Just Giving donation page and make sure you select to receive Gift Aid, so we get some cash from the Government too.


Gorilla Dare Day (02 Sept 08) saw our delightful Gorillas raise some additional monies performing dares around the company - after going shopping for some coffee Phil is dared to sing on the Explore Board Room table! Click to view the video

Gorillas are not just for Christmas

More than just the once-a-year race, we realised we needed to support The Gorilla Organisation's wider aims, to conserve all of Africa's gorillas - mountain and lowland. So we're going to be working with them on an ongoing basis. Keep an eye on our site for updates on this activity.

Go See For Yourself

The best way to understand the reasons TGO and Explore are doing this is to see the gorillas yourself. You can try our 9 day Gorilla & Chimp Safari in Uganda, our Gamelands & Gorilla Safari covering Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, or the 15 day Ugandan Wildlife & Gorilla Safari. For a chance of spotting lowland gorillas you could also travel on the Africa's Last Eden & Sao Tome tour.

Read about Explore's own Paul Bondsfield's s tory from Uganda and take a look at his video of the trip too.

In Uganda TGO has a variety of pioneering projects which enable local people and gorillas to live alongside each other, including provision of alternative incomes to the use of forest resources and education and inclusion of local people in conservation initiatives.