Personal message

Children in the Wilderness is a non-profit organisation that was 
created alongside Wilderness Safaris. This extraordinary initiative grew out of discussions around a campfire with actor Paul Newman, when he visited Southern Africa in 2001. This programme bridges the divide that exists between communities that live alongside some of Africa’s most wonderful wild places and the wildlife within these reserves by focusing on the next generation of rural decision makers.

The children that we select for these camps come from communities that neighbour protected wilderness areas. Many of them have had no exposure to wildlife or these wilderness areas. In many instances they have had negative experiences – for example, when crops are raided, homes are damaged or lives threatened.

Through the Children in the Wilderness programme we aim to give them a different perspective – an educational wildlife experience that instills a passion for conservation so that we can create motivated environmentalists who will ensure that our wonderful natural heritage is sustainable and protected.

For a few weeks every year, Wilderness Safaris closes its camps to paying guests and hosts groups of children for a 5 night programme. Through the wonders of the natural world, games, educational fun, and a sense of warmth and love that is created by the mentors and by their fellow participants – each child comes to realise that, like the camp assistants who serve as positive role models, they too can grow up to “be someone” – a goal which, when living in extreme poverty, may seem impossible

Children in the Wilderness has recognized the importance of ongoing education and intends to host as many children as possible – not only for the duration of the camp but on an ongoing basis too. All the countries involved have formalised Follow-Up Programmes in place suitable to their specific needs and geography. This ensures that our “reach” goes far beyond the children who attend the camps.

By exposing the youth of southern Africa to their wildlife heritage and to the virtues of sustained community and conservation partnerships, they will hopefully appreciate the value of wildlife and wilderness areas as well as its potential to create value and a livelihood for their communities. We believe that if enough of our children participate in this type of programme in the coming years, it will create the next generation of guides, conservationists and scientists, and finally, concerned productive citizens – a worthwhile legacy in our eyes!

Our quest is to get the children of our continent to understand the wilderness better, to respect it and care for it.

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