How We Give Back
The Wild Source Foundation
The Wild Source is a mission driven safari operator. We specialize in wildlife biologist planned safaris, using travel as a conservation tool to empower local people and conserve wildlife and wild places. We are known for our remarkable guiding team, serious wildlife viewing and creating camp ownership opportunities for local people.
The Wild Source has a wide range of innovative, responsible tourism programs that focus on enriching the lives of the local people while also conserving wildlife and wild places where we operate safaris. To read about our economic program that is pioneering new standards in the safari industry for local ownership, visit our Disruptive Empowerment page.
In April 2020, we announced the launch of The Wild Source Foundation (TWSF), our 501(c) 3 nonprofit, which accepts donations to fund community led programs in the countries where our team lives and works. If you are inspired to make a donation, please click the Donate button below or contact [email protected].
Background and Formation of TWSF
Since the inception of The Wild Source in 2008, we’ve been on a mission to conserve wildlife, using travel as our means to do it. Contributing to the regions where we operate has always been an essential part of our culture. We’ve supported wildlife research, job skills development, and creating ownership opportunities for local people within safari guiding operations and safari camps.
Mission
The Wild Source Foundation is dedicated to creating lasting wildlife conservation through the empowerment of local communities. We focus on three areas of need: wildlife research and conservation, creation of economic empowerment, and education.
Mechanism
The Wild Source Foundation leverages on-the-ground partners and connections of The Wild Source safari operation to identify needs directly from the communities where our safaris operate, and collaborate to create opportunities for community empowerment and conservation of wildlife.
Area of Need #1: Wildlife Research & Conservation
Efforts Supported by The Wild Source Foundation
Ocelot research and collaring effort – Pantanal (Brazil)
Research on the ecological role of Temminck’s Pangolin – Tswalu Kalahari Reserve (South Africa)
Wildlife monitoring & anti-poaching patrol – Okavango Delta (Botswana)
Big cat research conducted by our local wildlife biologists – Ndutu/Serengeti (Tanzania)
Cultural conservation of the Bukakwhe Bushman People – Okavango Delta (Botswana)
Foundation in Action: South Africa
The Foundation has been sponsoring Daniel Rossouw, a South African Masters Degree candidate to track and follow pangolins in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. Daniel set out to quantify the ecological role that pangolins play in the ecosystem at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, hoping to show the vital role they play in the revitalization of soil through their foraging.
Despite their elusiveness, pangolins have become vulnerable due to hunting, trafficking, human agriculture, transportation corridors, and severe weather due to climate change
Area of Need #2: Economic Empowerment
Efforts Supported by The Wild Source Foundation
Gudigwa Shop – (Botswana)
Vunja Bei Grains Project – (Tanzania)
Ping’s Dairy – (Kenya)
Opuk Pub – (Tanzania)
Foundation in Action: Botswana
In 2021, TWSF funded the start up of the Gudigwa Shop in the rural village of Gudigwa, Botswana. This woman owned enterprise is the only shop in the area providing basic staples to the village.
The shop has since expanded to support supplying both food and supplies to the primary school and is being used as a station for government rations delivered to the elderly.
Area of Need #3: Education & Job Training
Efforts Supported by The Wild Source Foundation
Ping’s Bush School – (Kenya)
Mama Kathy’s Fund – (Tanzania)
Tuition sponsorship for Secondary School pupils – (Tanzania)
Driving school for wildlife biologists in training – (Tanzania)
Foundation in Action: Kenya
In Kenya, legendary Maasai guide Ping, launched a Bush School Program that focuses on providing outdoor environmental education opportunities for Kenyan youth.
What started as a small business venture has now grown into a mobile program presenting to over 3,000 students, ages 11-14 at more than 50 schools.
Funding provided the purchase of a vehicle, established a full-time office, staff member and helped create a curriculum for outdoor learning at Mt. Suswa Conservancy Site.
The project has become our biggest one to date. As it continues to grow, a need to offer multi-day programs has become apparent, as well as developing an education center with overnight accommodations. With 17 acres at the Mt. Suswa site already secured, Ping’s Bush School is only getting started.
