Developing

Wild Leaders


Leadership Trails

Wilderness Trails help nurture one’s understanding of what a leader is, teamwork, ethics and judgement. The trail experience helps develop self-reliance, improves judgement, decision making, respect, and a sense of responsibility that helps leaders thrive in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

"We have entered the Environmental Age. It is an age in which human beings will discover that there is no alternative to the realization that our social, economic and biological future is unequivocally dependent upon the well-being of the natural world as we know it. It is an age in which the concepts of learning and leadership will be redefined. Acknowledging the economic and social responsibilities of any modern leader, it is going to be crucial that these responsibilities be understood in the light of an intelligence that is ecological – that can understand the historical and personal significance of the human-nature interface. It is an intelligence that will define the wild leaders of tomorrow and nowhere is this more discernable than on a wilderness trail. We cross the boundary between civilization and these places with respect." ~ Dr Ian Mc Callum (author of Ecological Intelligence, poet, psychiatrist, analytical psychologist

The Benefits Of A Trail

THE BENEFITS OF A WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE

  • Chance to destress and reconnect with who you really are
  • Amazing bonding, team building and relationship building
  • A Digital Detox, no cell phones, social media
  • Detox - healthy food, no alcohol or artificial stimulants, exercise and personal space
  • Tranquility - solitude and meditation. Stimulates flow of creative thinking
  • Different stimulus of adrenalin and responsibility in looking after and working with peers
  • Test personal boundaries and comfort zones
  • Learn new skills- flora, fauna, bush craft, astronomy, ecology, tracking
  • Become ambassadors for a cause - protection of wilderness areas, anti- mining and anti-poaching lobbyists,
  • Rewild yourself and develop a language of wilderness and wild spaces
  • Explore the spirituality of wilderness
  • Wilderness immersion has a significant psychological healing properties
  • No hierarchical pressure
  • Leadership quality development
  • Provides neutral space in which to explore company issues
Logistics & FAQ

The Wilderness Leadership School Trails are all inclusive, meaning you do not need to worry about anything! Our trails include transport from Durban (or the nearest airport) and all your trail equipment. You just have to get yourself here.

For individuals staying at lodges or nearby hotels, we can arrange a pick up and drop off. If you require assistance with pre and post trail accommodation and other logistics, we're more than happy to arrange this for you! We also have basic accommodation, conference facilities and catering available for groups wishing to stay at our beautiful historic headquarters in Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve in Durban.

Q: Special Dietary Requirements & Allergies?

A: Our guides are master cooks and we have catered for all sorts of allergies and special dietary requirements. Just let us know prior to trail if you have any special requirements and we will get it arranged for you.

Q: How many people can go on a trail?

A: Each trail accommodates between six and eight trailists. If there are only one or two of you, we will try join you with another group OR you can also enquire about an exclusive trail for just your group of friends, family or colleagues.

Q: Are the trails guided and safe?

A: Two experienced, armed guides lead each trail. These guides are highly trained and in over 60 years we have never had a trailist hurt by an animal.

Q: Where do we sleep?

A: You set up camp in an area chosen by your guide and sleep under the stars, a once in a lifetime experience in its own right. Each trailist is expected to also stand night-watch and guard the fire while others sleep.

Q: How fit do I need to be to do a trail?

A: You do not need to be especially fit, provided you are over 15, healthy and can carry a rucksack and manage a few kilometers walking each day you should be fine. The duration of the daily walks are customized for your comfort. A trail is NOT an endurance test, in fact, it's rather relaxing!

Q: Is there cell phone reception on trail?

A: No sophistication (including cellphone, watches, music or liquor) is allowed on trail. Trust us, you’ll love the experience of being away from that for a few days anyway.

Q: Is this a malaria area?

A: Although we do recommend mosquito repellent, our trail venues are not malaria risk areas, with the exception of Okavango Trails in Botswana

Dates & Trail Length

Trails vary from three to five days with some groups opting for extra days for their programs. However, we usually recommend a five day option as being optimal. The real magic starts happening on day three!

Dates can be scheduled for specialist groups at anytime throughout the year, each season has its own special feel in the Wilderness. As we limit the number of trails running at any one time, School Holiday periods can get booked up very quickly, so we advise scheduling your trail dates as early as possible.

What Is Included

OUR TRAILS RATES ARE ALL INCLUSIVE. THE WILDERNESS LEADERSHIP SCHOOL PROVIDES:

  • Experienced guides to guide you and ensure your safety.
  • Personal attention: trails limited to eight people
  • All camping equipment including ground sheets, foam mattress, sleeping bags and rucksacks, cooking utensils, eating utensils, toilet-paper, spade, water containers.
  • Food - three meals a day. Seriously good food!
  • Transport from a designated meeting place to the wilderness area. (Except for Pilanesberg Trails)
  • trail fees cover all gate fees, overnight fees etc... so no hidden costs

You just need to bring your clothes and items of a personal nature, we will provide you with a detailed suggested packing list prior to your trail departure.

Guides & Facilitators

Your guides are some of the most experienced in Africa, specially trained not just for your own safety but to also facilitate your wilderness experience and give you deep, meaningful insight into Africa and the wilderness area. For many, this experience inevitably also opens up a deep insight into yourself. Reconnecting with nature at such a profound level changes the way you see the world, changes the way you see yourself and your experiences in the modern world.

Our guides have a vast amount of experience, they spend over 2000 hours a year in the Wilderness .....they are arguably some of the best in Africa.

Your guides are also highly trained to ensure your safety during encounters with wildlife such as Rhino, Lions, Elephants, Buffalo and other when on foot, something few people ever forget and fewer ever experience.

For specialist groups, we also have a range of facilitators such a business leadership experts, clinical psychologists, personal development gurus and wilderness survival skills experts.

Trail Locations

Our trails locations include:

  • iMfolozi Game Reserve
  • iSimangaliso Wetland Park (World Heritage Site)
  • Drakensberg Mountains (World Heritage Site)
  • Pilanesberg National Park
  • Wild Coast
  • Okavango Delta, Botswana

Our Trailists Include

  • Gordon Institute of Business Science
  • Foundation For Natural Leadership
  • Nelson Mandela University Business School
  • University of Stellenbosch Business School
  • RCI Foods
  • Avis Car Hire
  • Woolworths

Wilderness Leadership School Trust

Wilderness Leadership School Trust

c/o Ewing Trust Company (Pty) Ltd,

Mafavuke House, 28 Old Main Road,

Hillcrest, 3610

+27 82 335 2687

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