How we build our safari camps

Before we set foot on a potential site, we ask ourselves several important questions:

• Which people and species are dependent on the land’s natural resources? 
• What impact will our presence have on the fragile ecosystem? 
• How will tourism activities affect neighbouring communities? 
• Can we operate here while preserving the wild integrity of the area? 

Ease of access and proximity to a water source, for example, are key considerations, to ensure we minimise environmental damage. We also select our sites carefully so as not to disturb migration patterns or the habitats of local wildlife. 

Guided by robust internal and external Environmental Impact Assessments, we choose sites where we know we can make a positive change. This could mean investing in existing conservation areas or areas clearly in need of protection.

We scrutinise all aspects of a camp’s construction to find ways to minimise our impact on the environment. From the materials we use, to transportation logistics and the management of waste, water, and energy – every detail is continually assessed and improved upon whenever possible.

Passionate, responsible architects are brought in to see that our vision of light footprint luxury comes to life. To avoid disturbing the local wildlife and their habitats, our construction workers stay within strictly allocated pathways. Expert arborists help ensure we don’t damage precious trees or their roots in the construction process. 

Our sustainable building approach is guided by our Group Environmental Minimum Standards (GEMS). These strict guidelines, developed from industry best practice and over 40 years of ecotourism experience, ensure that we plan, build, operate and decommission camps in the most sustainable way possible. Our partners are guided by these GEMS alongside regional legislation and standards.  

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp

From its origins as a research station dedicated to the survival of Namibia’s Critically Endangered black rhinos, Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp has always been more than just a camp – it’s a testament to responsible tourism in action. In rebuilding the camp, we honoured this legacy by ensuring every aspect of its design treads lightly on the land.

Lightweight timber and canvas materials reduced the need for extensive foundations, allowing for minimal impact on the Earth. Local stone was used to minimise transportation emissions. Elevated buildings ensure as little disruption to the natural terrain as possible. 

And beyond its physical footprint, Desert Rhino Camp embodies a pioneering conservation model. Situated in the Palmwag Concession, it operates in partnership with Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) and the three surrounding community conservancies. The camp serves as a critical base for rhino tracking efforts, with Wilderness covering all operational costs, while guest visits help fund the protection of this Critically Endangered species. 

Wilderness DumaTau

Applying a variety of innovative approaches to construction and design, we do everything in our power to create camps that become one with their surroundings. This approach helps us keep our ‘leave no trace’ promise: if a camp ever needs to be removed, within three months, there should be no evidence whatsoever that a functional camp once existed there. 

The images below show a progression of Wilderness DumaTau on our private Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, which was decommissioned and rebuilt on the concession. As you can see in the final image, the site was successfully restored to its original condition. 

Wilderness takes the provision of water very seriously – whether for our guests, neighbouring communities, or local wildlife, water conservation is a key consideration in all camp builds.  

We use reverse osmosis filtering facilities to produce purified water on site, eliminating the need for bottled water. Taps and showers are fitted with aerators to reduce water usage. Low pressure systems are used to reduce the possibility of leaks, with water reticulation maps and water meters monitored constantly for leak detection. Our ablutions also make use of efficient cisterns and dual flush systems wherever possible. And to protect precious groundwater from contamination, we rely on above-ground sewage treatment plants, septic systems and soakaways. Additionally, certified lab tests are conducted biannually at various points to ensure groundwater remains free from pollution.

While prioritising the environment, we also consider our guests’ comfort in our efforts to minimise our impact. This is where smart, immersive architecture comes in. Our construction partners are tasked with finding creative ways to ensure guest comfort – but never at the expense of the planet. Simply put, we harness nature’s resources, using natural airflow to cool rooms, and designing accommodation that maximises natural light instead of relying on artificial lighting. Over the years we’ve found numerous ways to strike a balance between comfort and impact. Suspended wooden floors assist with cooling, for example, while sustainable insulation materials are used in walls and ceilings to regulate temperature.

In renovating Chitabe, great care was taken to fit structures into a maze of existing trees, branches and boughs. Using 3D-point cloud survey information to locate and build around these natural features, Mark Thomas Architects, alongside Henry Fagan Consulting Engineers and Project Managers, cleverly made use of the trees to aid guest privacy and ensure rooms were kept in shade wherever possible.  

For over 15 years, Wilderness has been dedicated to enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, with a strong emphasis on investing in renewable energy when feasible. However, our primary focus is on minimising energy consumption at our camps before making investments in new technologies. According to Warren Ozorio, Wilderness Group Environmental Co-ordinator, our capacity to generate solar energy has improved significantly over the years: “As of 28 February 2024, the capacity reached 1,473 kW, which is enough to power around 442 average households. This capacity could also potentially supply energy to a small village or a substantial part of a small town. By using this energy, we prevent the release of 3,097 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually (based on coal-derived grid power), which is equivalent to the emissions of 1,701 passengers flying from Heathrow to Johannesburg in economy class”.

We have since rolled out solar and thermodynamic geysers to heat the bulk of our water needs, replacing over 700 energy-hungry electrical geysers with solar or thermodynamic geysers. In addition to this, we use energy efficient lighting through the camps and use AAA-rated energy efficient appliances where possible and available. Timers are installed on a number of items, ensuring they operate for the lowest amount of time and in a controlled manner.

“As the result of these investments, carbon emissions by the Group have declined from more than 16,000 tonnes per annum, to approximately 13,500 tonnes per annum.  This amounts to less than 100 tonnes C02e per bed night, down from nearly 140 tonnes C02e a decade ago”, adds Warren.