This tailored small-group journey is perfect for wildlife-loving academics, adventure seekers, and those wanting to immerse themselves in real-world discussions and impactful solutions to leave our world a better place.
Respective itineraries will be hosted by African Leadership University’s School of Wildlife Conservation: Dr Sue Snyman, Research Director, and Richard Vigne, Executive Director
New thought leadership, inspired by the research findings of African Leadership University’s School of Wildlife Conservation, has shaped this itinerary which explores the untapped potential of Africa’s WILDeconomy
All the topics and discussion points supporting the framework of the WILDeconomy Masterclass itineraries will be showcased through a collection of immersive and interpretive conservation and community experiences.
Respective itineraries include &Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge, Munywana Conservancy, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti River Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, and &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
For more than 30 years, &Beyond’s business model has been based on the premise that, in order for conservation to be successful and sustainable, it has to benefit the communities that surround Africa’s wildlife reserves.
What became blatantly obvious at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, is that the resilience of conservation is compromised when we rely on a single activity, such as tourism, to drive economic benefits for communities and governments. There are in fact far more activities than simply tourism that need to be understood in order to create a successful and balanced Wildlife Economy*.
In this context, African Leadership University (ALU) School of Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Economy research, in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme Wildlife Division, has developed a set of five key focus activities for successful diversification. And it is their insights that you will explore as a participant in this curated itinerary of ALU-led participative discussions, on-the-ground experiences, and fundamental learnings.
As an organisation deeply rooted in Africa, we feel that it is our responsibility to draw awareness to this new thought leadership. With international travellers growing increasingly more concerned about sustainable travel and the economic development of the destinations that they travel to, the time is right to create the opportunity for our guests to explore the broader context of how wildlife can contribute just as much as other resources – such as human capital, oil and gas – to Africa’s economy and, by consequence, to the protection and conservation of its natural assets.
We don’t claim to have all, or even most of, the answers to the questions that this Masterclass will pose; however, it is our hope that, by stimulating discussion of these topics, we can come to a greater understanding of the economic potential of Africa’s wild places, and how the wild economy can sustainably conserve and protect these places for generations to come.
And how you, in your own sphere of influence, can become an advocate for the world of new potential within Africa’s Wildlife Economy.
The wildlife economy uses wildlife, plants and animals (marine and terrestrial), as an economic asset to create value that aligns with conservation objectives and delivers sustainable growth and economic development. The wildlife economy includes the sustainable utilisation of indigenous wildlife to support economic development, while still contributing to conservation. Activities within the wildlife economy may be consumptive, or non-consumptive.
Amongst other topics, this WILDeconomy Masterclass will ultimately unpack the role and contribution of the Wildlife Economy in Africa. Tapping into research conducted by African Leadership University, this immersive itinerary will revolve around the following five key economic activities:
Ecotourism includes non-consumptive tourism related to nature / wildlife; where wildlife is watched, studied, or recorded, without being killed.
The Global Ecotourism Network (2016) defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the wellbeing of the local people, and creates knowledge and understanding through interpretation and education of all involved (visitors, staff and the visited)”.
This includes the breeding of wild indigenous animals for hunting, game meat, wildlife products, tourism and other uses.
Management hunting (or culling) is closely associated with this form of hunting where wildlife populations are hunted for the purpose of controlling animal numbers (e.g., impala), problem animals (e.g., hippo, crocodile), mitigation of human and wildlife conflict (lion, elephant), removal of invasive species or pest animals (e.g., Himalayan tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus from Table Mountain in South Africa), or public health issues (e.g., outbreaks of rabies in jackals).
This activity has however been criticised by many as undermining true wildlife protection, with resulting controversy.
There are extensive permitting systems within Southern African countries, in particular South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, which regulate ownership, hunting and the sale of game.
Hunting includes trophy hunting, game meat hunting, as well as some aspects of fishing, such as artisanal, recreational, or small-scale fishing.
Approximately 67% of the African population (an estimated 867 million people), use non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for subsistence or cash income. They form a key part of the Wildlife Economy and require investment back into the wildlife asset and good governance in the management of their use to ensure long-term use and sustainability.
This topic includes other consumptive uses including forest products used commercially and for subsistence purposes. Forest products include, amongst others, edible insects, edible plants, medicinal plants, bushmeat, and apiculture products.
The carbon market is the collective name referring to a set of regulated systems in various jurisdictions trading in allowances or permits essentially granting their holders the right to emit an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide.
These allowances are generated from carbon projects such as reforestation projects that would remove the same amount of carbon that is emitted by an allowance holder. These are called carbon credits.
This topic includes projects that earn income through REDD+ and other mechanisms that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve / preserve natural systems of carbon.
Each WILDeconomy Masterclass itinerary will be personally hosted by either Dr Sue Snyman, Director of Research, or Richard Vigne, Executive Director.
Director of Research at the ALU’s School of Wildlife Conservation, Dr Sue Snyman is currently channelling her passion for the natural world and beyond by looking at the wildlife economy across Africa.
Investigating ways to unlock its potential in different countries, Dr Snyman uses policy-and practice-relevant research to support her findings and decision-making. Her overall research focuses on promoting sustainable, diversified wildlife economies in Africa and encouraging investment in conservation and the related wildlife economy activities.
Previously, Dr Snyman worked as the Group Sustainability Manager for Wilderness Safaris, a private sector ecotourism operator. She was vice-chair of the IUCN WCPA Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist (TAPAS) Group and coordinator of the Communities and Heritage Working Group within TAPAS for eight years. She also recently managed the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme for IUCN in 24 African countries.
Kenya-born Richard Vigne, Executive Director of African Leadership University’s School of Wildlife Conservation, is a conservation practitioner and land-use consultant with over 20 years experience in Africa.
Richard founded and developed the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, central Kenya: East Africa’s largest sanctuary for black rhinos, with close to 1 000 employees. This renowned Conservancy pioneered the successful integration of a profitable livestock operation with conservation, community development and tourism.
Richard’s UK university qualifications include a Masters in Management for Agriculture (Cranfield), and a first degree in Zoology (Newcastle).
Richard’s UK university qualifications include a Masters in Management for Agriculture (Cranfield), and a first degree in Zoology (Newcastle). He’s a keen fisherman and scuba diver, and is fluent in Swahili.
New thought leadership by ALU has inspired this new partnership that holds the promise of sustainable solutions for protected areas in the face of burgeoning populations and shrinking resources.
The founding concept behind our &Beyond WILDeconomy Masterclass in partnership with African Leadership University, is to bring together a gathering of diverse minds and perspectives in an immersive learning experience, to unpack and discover how your wildlife safari ultimately fits into the bigger picture of a thriving Wildlife Economy in Africa, and specifically sustainable tourism.
andBeyond Private Game Reserve, Munywana Conservancy KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania | Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya