Wilderness has released a decade-long impact report for its Botswana operations, detailing more than USD71 million paid to government, USD6 million paid directly to neighbouring communities, nearly USD108 million paid to staff, and more than USD167 million spent on locally sourced goods and services over the past 10 years. The report gives advisors a data-backed conservation and community story to reference alongside Wilderness’ Botswana camps, more than four decades after the company began operating in the country.
Employment and local sourcing underpin the model
Wilderness Botswana currently employs 960 people, with 98 per cent being Botswana citizens. Excluding aviation businesses, which must source parts internationally, the company now sources more than 86 per cent by value of its procurement from Botswana-based suppliers.
“Botswana is where Wilderness began, and it continues to shape who we are as a business,” said Kabelo Binns, Chairman of Wilderness Botswana. “We have learnt that conservation creates the greatest value when local communities are genuine partners and beneficiaries.”
In FY26, Wilderness travel shops worldwide directed business worth USD25 million to Botswana tourism operations owned by other organisations, with the total value of business sent to third parties in Botswana exceeding USD167 million over the past decade.
Training, education and conservation investment
Through Wilderness Air Botswana, 41 citizen pilots have been trained, part of the company’s broader skills development and leadership training programmes. Children in the Wilderness, the company’s environmental education programme established more than two decades ago, has seen more than 2,700 children participate in Eco-Clubs and over 2,200 attend annual camps over the past 10 years.
Across its Botswana footprint of more than 257,000 hectares, Wilderness and its guests have contributed USD26 million over the past decade toward the use and protection of these landscapes, supported through the Wilderness Trust and partnerships with conservation organisations.
