Across the world, people with vision share a growing understanding of the urgent need to preserve wild habitats. The Foundation recognises wilderness as being irreplaceable, and a source of inspiration to us all. Discover how we are working to preserve the world's wilderness places and how you...
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Across the world, people with vision share a growing understanding of the urgent need to preserve wild habitats. The Foundation recognises wilderness as being irreplaceable, and a source of inspiration to us all. Discover how we are working to preserve the world's wilderness places and how you can help.

The Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting the value of the world's last remaining wild areas.We do this through lobbying, education and, wherever possible, by offering direct experience of wilderness itself. We support projects that conserve wilderness and those seeking to re-establish it in Great Britain and overseas. The Wilderness Foundation was established in 1974 by Sir Laurens van der Post, writer, explorer and philosopher, and Dr Ian Player DMS, international conservationist renowned for saving the white rhino and founder of the World Wilderness Congress movement.

We work closely with our sister organisations The Wilderness Foundation in South Africa, The WILD Foundation in the USA and other groups in Europe and Asia.

Together we share a common belief in the irreplaceable value of wilderness, which contains the wonders of pristine nature, and enables us to return to our origins and draw a deep sense of belonging and inspiration.

Explorers and writers, such as the Foundation’s founder Sir Laurens van der Post and its patron, Sir Wilfrid Thesiger, often wrote of the ancient link between humanity and nature, and how within our fast moving cultures of today, much of this link has been forgotten.

We believe that by visiting the unspoiled places where nature has been allowed to exist since time began, this connection is rekindled.
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The Wilderness Foundation forms part of a global network. Our aim is to protect wilderness areas wherever they are by:

- Educating people about the benefits of wilderness
- Providing opportunities for direct experience of wild places
- Campaigning for their...
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The Wilderness Foundation forms part of a global network. Our aim is to protect wilderness areas wherever they are by:

- Educating people about the benefits of wilderness
- Providing opportunities for direct experience of wild places
- Campaigning for their preservation when threatened with development.
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Wilderness trails are journeys of discovery where participants are taken closer to nature than most will ever get. They will explore the African bush, encounter wild game at close quarters, experience camaraderie around a camp fire, hear lions roar in the night and sleep out under the stars. [ view more ]

Wilderness trails are journeys of discovery where participants are taken closer to nature than most will ever get. They will explore the African bush, encounter wild game at close quarters, experience camaraderie around a camp fire, hear lions roar in the night and sleep out under the stars.

Our trails focus on education through a quality of experience of the wild, with a view to expanding environmental consciousness amongst people, particularly leaders and potential leaders.

They stress the importance of a balance between humanity and nature, as a basic tenet of sustainable life. These principles have been shapred over five decades of offering wilderness experience.

A wilderness trail is a unique experience offering physical, mental and spiritual adventures during which the trailists will discover a sense ofwonder and re-examine their priorities. Minimal impact camping is practiced to minimize damage to the environment. Wildlife is observed under the supervision of experienced guides. There is time for solitude, silence and contemplation, all so rare in our everyday lives.

At night, regular watch is kept, enhancing intimate contact with nature, as understanding, appreciation and respect for the earth grows.

We can accomodate up to 32 trailists, although each trail is limited to eight students in order to maximise the experience for each individual. The minimum trail length is five days with a flexible duration. The minimum age is 15 years old.

Trail participants automatically gain Wilderness Foundation membership for one year after their return. They can share experiences, keep in touch with fellow trailists and have access to further Foundation activities through "The World Wilderness Youth Network" our dedicated international youth website.
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