History

A brief history of the Wilderness Trust and its important milestones.

The Wilderness Trust (formerly known as the Wilderness Safaris Wildlife Trust), is an independent non-profit organisation established in 2000. Leading up to its establishment, it was recognised by Wilderness that the business could only do so much for conservation and development in the course of its day-to-day hospitality activities. Hence it was decided that a dedicated and separate entity was needed to take matters further. Out of that need to do more for conservation and development, the Wilderness Trust was born.

Wilderness Trust Timeline

2000

2000

Wilderness Trust established

2001

2001

  • First Children in the Wilderness camps established
  • First white rhino translocations to Botswana
2004

2004

Partnership with Save the Rhino Trust established

Rhino In Akagera National Park, Rwanda
2007

2007

  • 25 Seychelles white-eyes introduced to North Island
  • First scholarships awarded to 36 secondary school children
2009

2009

Commenced support to long-running Maputaland Sea Turtle project

2014

2014

Commenced second round of black rhino reintroductions to Botswana

2015

2015

First CITW Tri-Nations camp held at Mapungubwe National Park

2016

2016

Empowers Africa appointed as fundraising partner organisation in the USA

2018

2018

Wilderness Trust founder Russel Friedman passed away

2020

2020

  • Funds allocated to Namibia’s Desert Lion Conservation Project to procure early-warning satellite collars
  • Wilderness Conservation Heros - Covid-19 Relief Programme launched
2022

2022

  • Wilderness Bisate’s reforestation project reaches record 100,000 indigenous trees planted
  • CITW Namibia facilitates the establishment of new clinic in Marienfluss community
2023

2023

  • 40th anniversary of Wilderness Group
  • 10th literacy centre opened in Zimbabwe
  • Partnership with Ntengwe, Zimbabwe and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands creating eight new Eco-Clubs

More about the Trust

History

A brief history of the Wilderness Trust and its historic milestones.

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Financials

A financial overview of the activities of the Wilderness Trust and associated entities.

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Ways to Contribute

Donors have the choice to contribute to general funds, a particular Impact category (Educate; Empower; Protect), or even a specific project. Since our US-based fundraising partner, Empowers Africa, charges only nominal administration costs, and the Wilderness Trust does not charge any fees at all, donors are assured their monies are being spent completely on their chosen component.

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