Wilderness Namibia has injected billions of dollars into the country's economy over the past decade while helping protect vast conservation areas, creating rural jobs and investing in community development, according to its latest Impact Report
Wilderness Namibia’s latest Impact Report has highlighted the far-reaching economic, social and environmental impact of its conservation tourism model, revealing that the company has contributed more than N$2.5 billion to Namibia’s economy over the past 10 years.
According to Wilderness, operating seven camps across some of Namibia’s most iconic wilderness destinations, its long-term investment in conservation tourism continues to deliver measurable benefits for communities, government, local businesses and wildlife conservation.
The report showed that between 2016 and 2025, Wilderness Namibia paid more than N$301 million to the government, contributed N$72 million directly to neighbouring communities through concession agreements and partnerships, and paid over N$690 million in employee remuneration. During the same period, the company spent more than N$1.5 billion on goods and services sourced from Namibian suppliers, supporting businesses across the country.
Managing director Alex Henderson said many of the areas where Wilderness operates offer limited alternative economic opportunities, making conservation tourism an important driver of sustainable rural development.
"Conservation tourism helps create value from wildlife and wild places, ensuring that communities, conservation areas and future generations all benefit from keeping these landscapes intact," he said.
According to the report, Wilderness Namibia currently employs around 400 people, with 97% of its workforce Namibians. Nearly 70% of these employees work in remote rural areas, where formal employment opportunities are often scarce.
The report further said that the company also maintains an average of 2.5 employees per guest bed, reflecting its high-value, low-volume tourism model, which prioritises personalised guest experiences while creating significant employment opportunities.
Wilderness said education remains another key focus through the company's Children in the Wilderness (CITW) programme. Since 2016, more than 1 000 children from rural communities have participated in environmental education and leadership programmes hosted at Wilderness camps.
In addition, Eco-Clubs continue to reach hundreds of learners annually, while 312 bursaries worth more than N$1.8 million have been awarded to students from neighbouring communities.
Wilderness Namibia Impact Manager Agnes Kerii said investing in young people is essential for the future of conservation.
"When young people understand the value of their natural environment and see that there are career opportunities linked to it, conservation becomes relevant to their own futures," she said.
According to the report, conservation remains central to the company's operations, with Wilderness contributing to the stewardship of approximately 1.67 million hectares of land under its area of influence.
It said that together with its guests, the company has also contributed N$81 million through protected area fees and community payments that support conservation management across Namibia.
The report further highlighted Wilderness Namibia's more than two-decade partnership with Save the Rhino Trust, which plays a critical role in monitoring and protecting Namibia's free-roaming desert-adapted black rhino population.
Beyond its own operations, Wilderness said its travel businesses have generated wider benefits for Namibia's tourism industry by directing more than N$640 million in sales to non-Wilderness tourism products over the past decade, supporting growth, employment and investment across the broader sector.
