Wilderness
In May 2020, Jacada Travel was brought into the Wilderness family. We’re proud to be part of an organisation dedicated to preserving and protecting some of the most amazing places on earth.
Like Jacada, Wilderness is passionate about making a difference through travel. Over the past four decades, they have been able to create a pioneering business model that brings true and long-lasting benefits to every stakeholder. From its beginnings in Botswana, Wilderness has grown to help protect more than 2.5 million hectares of land, safeguard over 30 threatened species and support communities in seven countries.
By travelling with Jacada, you’re making a valuable contribution to this cause. In all of our global destinations, across Latin America, through Africa, Asia, Europe, Australasia, the Polar regions and beyond, your trip helps to preserve the unique and beautiful places you visit and the things that make them special for years to come.
For those travellers who also choose to stay at Wilderness’ own properties and camps throughout the African continent, you’ll get to experience world-leading luxury and know that your stay is having a direct, positive impact on the communities, wildlife and habitats surrounding you.
How Wilderness is Making a Difference
By following a low-volume high-impact model of tourism, Wilderness combines some of the most luxurious travel experiences in the world with supporting many world-leading conservation and social impact projects. Here are just some of the fantastic initiatives they’re involved in.
Children in the Wilderness
Non-profit Children in the Wilderness was founded in 2001 and is dedicated to facilitating sustainable conservation through providing education and leadership development. Weekly Eco Clubs are run through schools in seven countries, and reach over 3300 children who learn about important issues such as human-wildlife conflict and sustainability.
Children in the Wilderness also supports leadership training and tertiary education for people from rural communities.
Partnership with Save the Rhino Trust
In Namibia, Wilderness works hand in hand with Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) to protect these beautiful beasts. Stays at the Dessert Rhino Camp contribute funding for SRT trackers to follow and study the critically endangered animals as they roam the Palmwag Concession in Damaraland.
Guests staying at the camp itself have the opportunity to learn more about the project and even track rhinos on foot.
Reforestation in Rwanda
Wilderness works tirelessly to preserve habitats. In Rwanda they are working to help restore and expand Gishwati-Mukura National Park which had lost over 98% of its area since the 1970s.
In partnership with the Forest of Hope Association and the Rwanda Development Board, Wilderness purchased 10 hectares of land and facilitated the planting of 10,000 natively occurring saplings. The hope is that the chimpanzees and the endangered golden monkeys who call the National Park home will thrive.
Supporting Communities
Even as the global travel landscape changed dramatically and necessitated the pausing of some projects, Wilderness worked tirelessly to continue to benefit the communities and habitats that it protects.
Between April 2020 and April 2021, Wilderness delivered over 13,000 food parcels to communities impacted by the global pandemic, each parcel capable of feeding a family of four for a month. Parcels were distributed to 19 communities in Botswana alone. Wilderness worked directly with community leaders to identify and support those in need.
Planning for the Future
Wilderness’s approach to tourism and conservation takes a long-term view. It is dedicated to making a positive difference for the people and places that it works with. What began with just a few camps in Botswana now helps to protect over 2.5 million hectares of some of the world’s most important habitats.
But Wilderness has no plans to stop any time soon. Over the next 5-10 years they’re dedicated to doubling that number, and to continuing to support more incredible and ground breaking initiatives on the way.
When you travel with Jacada, to any of our global destinations, you become a part of this journey and part of creating a better world. We can’t wait to have you with us.
