Sustainability at Wilderness Safaris
Written by Courtney Drysdale
“Discover Earth’s ultimate, untamed spaces”.
Founded in Botswana in 1983, Wilderness Safaris is widely recognised as Africa's foremost ecotourism operator. Travellers are given life-changing journeys in some of Africa's most remote and pristine areas. In doing so, they contribute to conserving Africa's spectacular biodiversity and sharing ecotourism's benefits with local communities.
Sustainability as Philosophy
Wilderness Safaris has always strived to preserve Africa’s most pristine wilderness and wildlife areas. At the same time as delivering a wonderful experience for guests through its camps and safaris, it is sharing the benefits of tourism with indigenous communities.
Wilderness actively helps protect 2.3 million ha of land - and counting. Such an incredible feat means that all those, big and small, can continue to live and flourish in these wild, safe havens.
Today, they remain dedicated to pioneering authentic and sustainable ecotourism across the African continent and playing a meaningful role in the biodiversity protection of pristine wilderness areas. This forms part of the company’s commitment to its sustainability ethos. Their impact framework is 3-fold: Educate, Empower and Protect.
Impact
The Wilderness Wildlife Trust has 3 main components: Research and Conservation, Community Empowerment and Education, and Anti-poaching Management.
Community Conservation & Education
Children in the Wilderness is a section of the Wilderness Wildlife Trust that aims to uplift and develop communities through educating and empowering their children. This fantastic organisation is made up of multiple initiatives ranging from scholarship programs to eco-clubs, mentor programs and much more. In 2023, since its inception, this program has helped train 1000 teachers and eco-mentors, led 3300 children through eco-clubs, and supported 600 children through the scholarship program.
Rewilding Efforts
Wilderness has made great strides in protecting and helping preserve some of the world's most exceptional spaces thanks to extensive research and conservation efforts, along with anti-poaching initiatives. Some current research programs include the Rwanda Shoebill Aerial Survey, Namibia Desert Elephant Conservation, Kalahari Wild Dog Study, and many more. Some incredible anti-poaching efforts include Save the Rhino Trust: Tracker Support and Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit (Hwange).
Conservation Paired with Luxury
From the glistening Okavango Delta to the jungles of Rwanda, the breathtaking Victoria Falls and much more – Wilderness offers a fantastic range of mindful stays offering immersive experiences.
Where to Find Wilderness Stays
In Rwanda
Some of our favourite Wilderness stays can be found dotted across the African continent. Rwanda boasts the unique Bisate Lodge and the community-owned Sabyinyo, both of which act as gateways to the Volcanoes National Park and its precious gorillas. Nestled in the Big 5 Akagera National Park is the classical safari camp, Magashi.
In Botswana
Stretched across the glistening Okavango Delta are various secluded camps by Wilderness. Each boasts a range of unique activities, immersive experiences and distinctive draws. Some of our top choices include Abu Camp, Vumbura Plains, Mombo Camp and Jao. The wildlife-rich Linyanti region boasts DumaTau, the famous King’s Pool and Savuti — home to a mega pride of lions known to do battle with hyenas and hunt elephants — to name a few. Tucked away in the Central Kalahari, you will find Kalahari Plains, known for its predators and unbeatable starry skies.
In Zambia
Toka Leya offers a truly luxurious destination to explore Victoria Falls from. Offering breathtaking views of the mighty Zambezi river that flows into Victoria Falls – Mosi-ao-Tunya as it is known locally, translated to ‘the smoke that thunders.
With a renewed focus on enhanced traveller experiences that amplify magnificent wild spaces, Wilderness offers a fresh interpretation for mindful travel across Africa. If you are looking for a sustainable stay at Wilderness, Viatu has plenty of sustainable trips that offer up a range of experiences.
