Sustainable travel

On this episode of DESIGN POD, Sophie Harper speaks to Grant Woodrow, Chief Business Development Officer at Wilderness from the wilds of Botswana to hear more about the luxury safari company’s ethos and sustainability credentials, including its community initiatives and all-round good vibes…

Founded in Botswana over 40 years ago, Wilderness harnesses its hospitality business to drive transformative, lasting change, guided by its Impact pillars – Educate, Empower, and Protect. In addition to training and skills development, job creation and numerous conservation and community empowerment efforts in the region, Wilderness remains committed to growing its positive impact on the national economy through conservation tourism.

Wilderness Botswana employs more than 1,100 people, of whom 96% are citizens. Over the past decade, Wilderness has paid more than BWP1 billion in wages, stimulating local economies, particularly in the Ngamiland and Chobe districts. This has also generated significant payroll tax revenue, with BWP12 million collected in the 2023 fiscal year and BWP92 million over ten years, plus an additional BWP5.7 million in training levies. Additionally, Wilderness has invested in staff development, with 1,434 employees trained in accredited BQA in-house courses from 2017 to 2022; these programmes align with the national qualification framework, while developing both technical skills and leadership potential.

Wilderness also supports community development through annual payments of nearly BWP8 million for the use of local concessions, adding up to BWP63 million over the last decade. In addition to its business and employment impact, Wilderness has made significant philanthropic contributions. During the Covid pandemic, Wilderness distributed over 9,000 food parcels to local communities, equating to nearly 350 tonnes, which effectively reached around 37,000 people in northern Botswana.

The company’s educational impact is demonstrated through its flagship Children in the Wilderness (CITW) programme, which aims to ensure conservation through education and leadership development. Since inception, CITW has hosted 2,100 children on their annual eco-camps at Wilderness and partner property lodges, and continues to empower nearly 2,700 children via its Eco-Clubs. Furthering its commitment to education, two new classrooms have been constructed in Eretsha Primary School, and the premises have been fenced as part of a BWP1.9 million project, ensuring a safer and more conducive learning environment. These efforts demonstrate an ongoing dedication to fostering educational development and creating lasting benefits for local communities.

Wilderness’ conservation efforts are integral to its mission, with its Protect pillar emphasising that the quality of its tourism products and the sustainability of its business relies on the health of the habitats and wildlife they depend on. To enhance and safeguard these resources, the primary conservation contribution from Wilderness comes through payments to community and government landlords for land and wildlife concessions. Over the past decade, these payments total BWP269 million, with BWP38.5 million paid in FY23 alone.

Since 2012, Wilderness has implemented Group Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) to minimise environmental impacts from operations and to guide the development, operation, and decommissioning of camps. Camp management, staff, and contractors use GEMS as a standard, with bi-annual evaluations. Wilderness has set a five-year goal of 80% compliance, which was achieved, and now aims for 85% compliance, while currently at 81%.

Wilderness is a world-leading conservation and hospitality company, offering immersive journeys to a range of environments in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Wilderness is part of a global collective working to conserve the world’s iconic unfenced, untamed and unpredictable wilderness areas. With more than 60 exceptional camps and lodges, Wilderness helps protect some 2.3 million hectares (6 million acres) of land across its eight African destinations. Its goal – to double that by 2030. Four decades on, the company’s purpose is stronger than ever: To increase the world’s wilderness, together.

Having been lucky enough to visit three safari sites in beautiful Botswana with the incredible Wilderness team in 2024, Sophie Harper caught up with Chief Business Development Officer, Grant Woodrow to find out how the business began and why its strong community ethics shapes the brand. Listen to the podcast now to hear the interview.

DESIGN POD is brought to you by Hotel Designs, the digital platform for all things design within the hospitality industry. This series is sponsored by Schlüter-Systems Ltd, your experts for tried and tested system solutions for the installation of tiles and natural stone, is produced by Kevin Lines, and hosted by Sophie Harper – the editor of Hotel Designs.