Through private donations and income generated from tourism, Wolwedans supports the NamibRand Reserve and the Wolwedans Foundation, whose three key objectives are education, conservation and social development.
The Foundation funds the Desert Academy, which teaches young Namibians all aspects of the hospitality industry to raise skills level and the overall quality of Namibian hospitality. The Foundation also supports “NICE”—the Namibian Institute of Culinary Education. It is a commercial restaurant and bar as well as a chef training school. Graduates obtain a accredited certificate of the Namibia Training Authority. All staff currently employed by Wolwedans are local Namibians.
There is wide cultural diversity among staff at Wolwedans, which enhances the cultural experience for guests. One example is the exquisite “bush cuisine” and the announcement of the evening menu in the local Nama language. Traditions are shared including song and dance, tales and interpretations of the night sky. Talented staff members have the opportunity to sell their pieces of art in the local store. Field guides are trained to impart their knowledge about natural resources and about the history of the Nature Reserve and its people.
In addition, the park is governed by a strict code of ethics and the number of guests this wilderness paradise can accommodate is restricted. Despite the tremendous potential for more tourist development, it was decided that in theory every bed must be surrounded by 1000 hectares of nature - now and forever. This means that every guest at Wolwedans has one million square meters to themselves. Every visitor helps to sustain it by paying a fixed daily park-fee, which is channelled directly into the conservation of NamibRand Nature Reserve. To give Namibians an opportunity to also enjoy what Wolwedans has to offer, “Residents Specials” are available.
