Since joining Wilderness in 2006, Clement Lawrence has played an instrumental role in the company’s Namibian operations. With a wealth of expertise and experience in guiding, lodge management, marketing and sales, Clement is well placed to take on the exciting role of Guide Trainer for Wilderness Namibia, as of 1 November 2021.
Clement first joined Wilderness in December 2006 as a trainee guide, completing an intensive four-week training programme, including the Applied Field Guiding Course in Ongava Game Reserve. He then guided at Serra Cafema for three years before moving to Desert Rhino Camp. It wasn’t long before his professional attitude, outstanding guiding skills and promise as an excellent ambassador for Wilderness Safaris were picked up by all those who worked with him. He was awarded a full bursary from Wilderness to complete his national guiding certificate through the Namibia Association of Travel and Hospitality, and also attended a Wilderness Leadership Course in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
He then moved to Little Kulala in Sossusvlei in 2011 to take up the position of Head Guide. After a year, Clement focused on gaining experience as an independent guide before taking part in Wilderness’ Emerging Managers Programme; learning various front-of-house and guest management skills, while spending time in the Kulala Reserve in Sossusvlei, and the Palmwag Concession and Marienfluss Conservancy in the Kunene Region.
Clement was subsequently promoted to General Manager of Serra Cafema and then moved on to play a pivotal role in the successful opening and management of Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, garnering great recognition and numerous international awards for the camp. He then ventured to Tanzania for a year, where he worked as a General Manager in two very unique locations, Ruaha National Park and the Selous Game Reserve. He then returned to Namibia to take on the exciting role of Sales and Marketing Manager for Wilderness Safaris Namibia Travel Shop.
With his knowledge of, passion for and commitment to all things related to conservation tourism, he is the perfect candidate to take on the role of Guide Trainer.
“I am honoured to be part of the training team in Namibia and to give all the guides the ability to offer our guests the best Wilderness Safaris experience. Being a guide in the desert means that we need to understand many facets of the wilderness in order to deliver a memorable experience, while also understanding customer service and the best way to deliver it. I am looking forward to this exciting new role as part of my growth within Wilderness”, he notes.
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