Wilderness Travel Overview
Pro stress-test →Wilderness Travel is an award-winning adventure travel company founded in 1978 and based in Berkeley, California, specializing in thoughtfully crafted, authentic journeys led by expert guides. With more than 200 small group and private trips across 85 countries, the company offers African safaris, hiking in the Alps, expeditions in Antarctica, and cultural immersions in places such as Peru, Egypt, and the Himalayas. The company remains a true family-owned business, with Bill's children Nicole and Scott Abbott running day-to-day operations.
Strategic Profile
Pro stress-test →Wilderness Travel has won Outside Magazine's Best Outfitter in the World Award, is a 6-time winner of their Trip of the Year Award, a winner of National Geographic Traveler's 50 Tours of a Lifetime 9 years in a row, has won Travel + Leisure's World's Best Tour Operators 9 times, and won National Geographic Adventure's Best Adventure Travel Companies 3 times. The company is committed to environmentally conscious and locally focused travel, supports carbon offsetting and contributes to cultural and ecological preservation.
Competitive Landscape
Pro stress-test →Wilderness Travel competes in the premium adventure tour segment dominated by established players like Mountain Travel Sobek, Nomadic Expeditions, and regional operators. The company differentiates through its five-decade heritage, award-winning Trip Leaders, curated itineraries, and strong conservation commitments. Direct online booking and expanded destination offerings position it competitively against traditional intermediaries.
Industry Context
Wilderness Travel operates in Adventure travel tours.
Key facts
Founded: 1978 · Headquarters: Berkeley, US · Employees: 11-50 · Revenue: $8.7M