Wilderness Safaris, South Africa & Global

Finalist, Global Tourism Business Award 2007 and 2010

Wilderness Safaris is first and foremost a conservation organisation. Secondly, we are a responsible ecotourism operator on more than three million hectares in seven southern African countries, since we firmly believe that this is the most effective and practical means of ensuring the viability and sustainability of African conservation in the modern era.

Our conservation aims are: ensuring sustainable protection of carbon sinks and biodiversity through the creation of viable ecotourism businesses, either within state-protected areas or on community or privately owned land; ensuring that ecotourism remains the chosen economic alternative to less sustainable industries such as mining, agriculture, hydroelectric schemes and others that irrevocably damage biodiversity, wilderness and ecosystem processes; and creating a profitable, ethical and responsible business that others imitate and implement in regions where we are not active or cannot make a difference ourselves.

Judges' Verdict
Wilderness Safaris has been operating sound and sustainable ecotourism in southern Africa for 26 years. Its portfolio comprises some 70 safari camps complimented by walks and tour activities to explore the African wilderness. It employs nearly 3,000 people, 1,800 of whom work in its safari camps, and with an 85% share from local communities. In every region in which Wilderness Safari operates, it employs an environmental team that starts with an Environmental Impact Assessment before any tourism product is introduced. At the same time, Wilderness Safaris ensures cultural heritage preservation with a local rather than standardised approach. The company currently employs a full-time PhD researcher to assess community impacts in the regions within which it operates.

The company has an ongoing record of setting high benchmarks and re-assessing its work - internally, through environmental officers and, externally, through well-established relationships with universities and academics. Its solid financial model builds the basis for the company's long-term viability allowing it to incorporate non-profit branches such as the Wilderness Wildlife Trust and Children in the Wilderness programme.

"Wilderness Safaris is thrilled at its inclusion as one of 12 finalists in the 2010 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. We believe we are a company that has built a sustainable business model that does not compromise environmental principles and which provides jobs, training, skills, careers, adjusted horizons, hope and a realistic alternative to less sustainable development options. The idea of building sustainable conservation economies in Africa is our prime ideal - and being chosen as a finalist in such prestigious awards as the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards is both hugely rewarding and also hugely humbling."
Andy Payne, Managing Director, Wilderness Safaris