Wilderness Zimbabwe – Pioneering conservation tourism since 1986

“We employ 370 people in Zimbabwe, with all but one being local citizens. Over the last decade, we’ve paid our staff nearly USD35 million, which has also resulted in significant payroll tax revenue to Government. Our people are our most important asset, and our focus remains on training and development in the coming year”, noted Dean Morton, Wilderness Zambezi MD. 

Wilderness’ educational impact is demonstrated through its flagship Children in the Wilderness (CITW) programme, which aims to ensure conservation through education and leadership development. Since its inception, CITW has hosted 474 children on their annual eco-camps at Wilderness and partner property lodges in Zimbabwe, and continues to empower nearly 1,200 children via its Eco-Clubs and scholarships, with 4,085 (valued at USD607,000) being awarded to date.

“Our conservation efforts are integral to our mission, with our Protect pillar emphasising that the quality of our tourism products and the sustainability of our business relies on the health of the habitats and wildlife they depend on. To enhance and safeguard these resources, our primary conservation contribution therefore comes through payments to community and government landlords for use of the land and wildlife concessions, totalling USD7 million over the last 10 years”, Dean added. 

For nearly 30 years, Wilderness Zimbabwe has supported the drilling, equipping and ongoing maintenance of boreholes for supply of water for wildlife in Hwange National Park. At the present time, through maintenance and fuel supplies, the company is supporting the pumping of 14 waterholes. And for over two decades, Wilderness has also supported anti-poaching operations in Hwange by funding the salaries and expenses of game scouts, vehicles, and logistical support. 

In 2012, this backing was stepped up through its partnership in the formation of the Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit with Panthera and Zimbabwe's Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. Since its inception, the unit has conducted more than 3,200 patrols (covering almost 47,000 km) and removed more than 4,700 snares. Support of this unit continues to this day, with the cost for the last five years alone at USD269,042.

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, conducting bi-annual evaluations. Wilderness set a five-year goal of 80% compliance, which was achieved in 2016, and now aims for 85% compliance, which has already been reached in some regions to date.

In line with our current impact strategy and “theory of change” outcomes criteria, Wilderness Zimbabwe is supporting the construction of Wilderness Ngamo Livestock Farm and Vocational Centre just outside Hwange National Park. It was unveiled in August by CITW and the International Union for Conservation of Nature after ground was officially broken on the 30th of July, and will be finalised in the coming months.

“The initiative seeks to establish a community farm, complete with an abattoir, an agricultural training centre, and boarding facilities. This will not only benefit residents and the local economy, but also provide skills training, education, job creation, and ultimately, a good business model to supply Wilderness and other safari camps in the area with staff rations”, Dean concluded.