Wilderness Safaris

Story

Experience four decades of conservation-driven travel with Wilderness Safaris, a world-leading conservation and hospitality company founded in 1983 by a passionate group of Botswana guides. What begins as a small safari operator evolves into a global leader in high-end conservation tourism, protecting and sharing more than 6 million acres (2.3 million hectares) of wilderness while creating exceptional safari experiences. Travel with a company that believes conservation, community development, and sustainable hospitality go hand in hand, ensuring every journey contributes to the long-term protection of the world's most remarkable wild places.

Follow a legacy of continuous growth and innovation that shapes modern African safaris. After establishing its first camps in 1985, Wilderness Safaris expands its expertise by acquiring Sefofane, later known as Wilderness Air, in 1991. Continue the journey as the company expands into Namibia and South Africa in 1993, forming its first community partnership at Rocktail Bay, followed by Zimbabwe in 1995. Witness another milestone in 1996 with the creation of the first joint-venture community equity model in Namibia's Damaraland, demonstrating a lasting commitment to local communities. Explore even more of Africa as Wilderness Safaris expands into Zambia in 2000, establishes Children in the Wilderness in 2001, and begins the reintroduction of white rhinos to the Okavango Delta. Celebrate further conservation achievements with the formation of the Wilderness Wildlife Trust in 2003 and the successful reintroduction of black rhinos to the Okavango Delta.

Travel with a company that continually invests in sustainability and conservation. Experience important milestones including the adoption of renewable energy in 2008, environmental initiatives such as the War on Bottled Water in 2010, and expansion into the Republic of the Congo and Kenya in 2012. Discover new conservation projects in Rwanda in 2016, including reforestation efforts and great ape conservation at Bisate. Benefit from a company that continues to grow through strategic investment while remaining dedicated to protecting wildlife, restoring ecosystems, and supporting communities. Today, Wilderness Safaris continues to set the standard for conservation tourism with the ambitious goal of doubling the amount of wilderness under conservation by 2030 and expanding its custodial mission beyond Africa.

Every journey supports wildlife conservation, land protection, scientific research, and community development in the destinations you visit. By traveling with Wilderness Safaris, you become part of a shared commitment embraced by guests, partners, governments, researchers, donors, and local communities to preserve Africa's most iconic wilderness areas for generations to come.

Earth's incredible biodiversity is in crisis, and the organization is dedicated to doing everything it can to save it. They are determined to have the greatest impact possible on the world’s wildlife, wilderness, and local communities. Their mission is to double the amount of land they help conserve in the next decade. They believe that with the support of their guests, partners, and greater collective, it is achievable—a vision they'll never stop striving to achieve.

Their impact framework revolves around protecting, exploring, and expanding the world’s wilderness. Currently, they contribute to the protection of 6 million acres (2.3 million hectares) of land. They utilize their conservation and hospitality business as a catalyst for enduring positive change. To fulfill this purpose, they concentrate their efforts on three primary impact pillars: Educate, Empower, and Protect, through various conservation and community empowerment initiatives.

Educate
Building the next generation of conservation leaders to sustain the future conservation of the wilderness.

Empower
Building a conservation economy with empowerment programs that work to create self-sustaining communities.

Protect
They are committed to ensuring the world always has a version of its wilds that is unfenced, untamed, and unpredictable.