Wilderness (formerly Wilderness Safaris) is one of Africa's largest luxury ecotourism operators, founded in 1983 in Botswana by Colin Bell and Chris McIntyre. The company rebranded from Wilderness Safaris to Wilderness in 2022. Wilderness operates over 40 camps across eight African countries: Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Seychelles. The company manages or has influence over approximately 2.5 million hectares of Africa's most significant biodiversity areas.
Botswana's Okavango Delta remains the core of Wilderness's operations. The company operates some of the most iconic camps in the Delta, including Mombo Camp on Chief's Island, which is frequently cited as one of the best safari camps in Africa. Mombo is known for its exceptional predator sightings, including large lion prides and African wild dogs. Wilderness also operates camps in Namibia's Skeleton Coast, Zambia's Kafue National Park, and Kenya's Amboseli region.
The company was a pioneer in the partnership model with local communities and governments. In Botswana, Wilderness holds concessions through joint ventures with community trusts, ensuring that revenue from tourism flows directly to local populations. The Wilderness Wildlife Trust, the company's conservation arm, has supported over 100 conservation and community projects, including rhino reintroduction programs, wild dog research, and anti-poaching technology development.
Wilderness camps range from classic tented safari camps to more contemporary lodge designs. Rates typically start around $800 per person per night at the company's mid-range camps and can exceed $3,500 per person per night at properties like Mombo. The company is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.