(Posted 29th October 2026)
Built through years of travel trade collaboration, Private Wild brings together specialist
guiding, exclusive-use wilderness experiences and tailor-made safaris under an
independent brand.
Private Wild, a specialist African safari company founded by tourism professional Corné
Schalkwyk, is introducing its independent brand to the international travel trade, building on
years of developing and delivering bespoke wilderness experiences through established
African tourism and professional guide-training organisations.
For travel partners familiar with Bushwise Exclusive, Private Wild represents the next
chapter in the evolution of a specialist safari approach developed over many years. It brings
together the experience, industry relationships and distinctive products that helped shape
earlier programmes, now under an independent company dedicated to private, tailor-made
African safaris.
A business shaped by the travel industry
Unlike a conventional safari business built around a fixed collection of itineraries, the Private
Wild approach evolved in response to requests from international tour operators, travel
designers and specialist groups seeking experiences beyond traditional game viewing.
The foundations were established in East Africa, where Schalkwyk worked as the MD of
Premier Safaris, Marasa Africa and the Madhvani Group, developing tailored travel
programmes for international operators, US groups, university alumni travel and specialist
travel markets.
The approach developed further through his work at EcoTraining, where professional guide-
training knowledge was adapted into immersive wilderness experiences for travellers.
Custom programmes, family safaris, advanced wilderness journeys and wildlife filming
projects demonstrated how specialist knowledge could transform the guest experience.
It subsequently evolved through Bushwise and Bushwise Exclusive, combining experienced
guide trainers, private safari teams, flexible itineraries and specialist wilderness experiences.
Many of the travel trade relationships that helped shape these products continue to work with
Schalkwyk through Private Wild.
Beyond conventional game viewing
A defining feature of Private Wild is its access to specialist guides, including experienced
professionals involved in training the next generation of African safari guides.
Their knowledge of tracking, animal behaviour, ecology and conservation allows guests to
explore the wilderness in greater depth, without turning their holiday into a formal training
programme.
Private Wild also draws on established relationships with reserve owners, conservation
professionals and wildlife researchers to develop opportunities for behind-the-scenes
experiences, where access and operational conditions allow.
The company's approach places equal importance on understanding the guests themselves.
Rather than requiring travellers to follow a predetermined programme, Private Wild creates
journeys that can respond to their interests, personalities and pace.
The new luxury is private
Private Wild specialises in exclusive-use and privately guided safari experiences across
selected African destinations.
Where available, clients can enjoy an entire wilderness property with their own specialist
guide trainer, safari vehicle, chef and dedicated hospitality team.
The company's portfolio and bespoke capabilities encompass family safaris, specialist
photographic journeys, conservation-focused experiences, private group travel and corporate
or executive retreats.
Private Wild currently develops safari experiences in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia,
Kenya and Namibia, working closely with its travel trade partners to match each group with
the right destination, property and specialist team.
A dedicated partner to the travel trade
Private Wild operates predominantly through travel agents, tour operators and travel
designers, supporting partners with specialist product development, destination knowledge
and tailor-made proposals.
Its focus is not simply on selling accommodation or assembling itineraries, but on helping
travel professionals create experiences that distinguish their offerings in an increasingly
competitive safari market.
“Private Wild was shaped by the people who needed something different from
a safari, and built through years of experience delivering exactly that,” says
founder Corné Schalkwyk before adding:
“Many of the agents and operators we work with today were part of the
conversations that shaped these experiences in the first place. Private Wild
allows us to continue developing that approach independently, with the
flexibility to bring together the right people, places and specialist knowledge
for each client.”
About Private Wild
Private Wild is an independent, specialist African safari company founded by Corné
Schalkwyk. Working predominantly with international travel designers, tour operators and
travel agents, the company creates private, tailor-made wilderness journeys informed by
professional guide-training expertise, conservation knowledge and established relationships
across the African tourism industry.
Private Wild specialises in exclusive-use safari experiences, private guiding, family and
specialist group travel, conservation-focused journeys and bespoke wilderness programmes.
