Oryx Desert Salt is a sustainably sourced global brand founded by Samantha Skyring, rooted in purity, health, and ethical business practices.
The idea for Oryx Desert Salt began in 2000, when Samantha Skyring took part in a 120-kilometre trek through the Namib Desert, in Namibia. Along the way, she encountered an oryx—a desert antelope known for its ability to thrive in extreme conditions. The animal’s dependence on natural salt licks sparked an idea that grew into a full-fledged business. The oryx now serves as the brand’s name and logo, a nod to the harsh environment that inspired it.
After this experience, Samantha Skyring discovered a natural underground salt lake beneath a 50-square-kilometre salt pan in the Kalahari Desert, Botswana. The salt from this lake is replenished by subterranean streams, resulting in mineral-rich crystals that are sun-dried and harvested without chemical processing. Believing in the salt’s purity and health benefits, she boldly decided to sell her home to purchase 34 tonnes of salt. Without a formal facility, she stored the salt in her garage and began packing it manually at the dining room table.
What distinguishes Samantha’s business
Oryx Desert Salt differs from standard table and sea salts in its origin and processing. It is unrefined, free from additives and preservatives, and sourced from a remote, unpolluted area in the Kalahari. The salt contains natural minerals and trace elements in proportions that align with human nutritional needs.
The production process relies on natural elements: saltwater is pumped to the surface, dried in the sun, and harvested. The company also embraces sustainability through its packaging, offering refillable ceramic grinders and solutions that are 100% plastic-free to minimise environmental impact.
“No strange added ingredients; just simple, good quality salt. It really does taste superior,” one customer, Suzani R, wrote in a product review.
Building a business from the ground up
Before starting the company, Skyring worked in various fields, including managing a non-profit organisation focused on rural community development through traditional African workshops. After the NGO closed due to funding constraints, she sought a more sustainable source of income and began considering establishing a salt brand.
Today, Oryx Desert Salt is available in 16 countries, including Whole Foods Market locations across the United States. The company also maintains a local focus by creating employment opportunities in South Africa and adhering to ethical sourcing practices.
Samantha Skyring has become a regular speaker on health, sustainable business, and conscious consumerism. Her story is often shared as an example of how environmentally mindful businesses can scale while maintaining a values-based approach.
What began as a desert trek has evolved into a burgeoning global brand, and the businesswoman continues to champion a return to natural products, responsible consumption, and sustainable business practices through Oryx Desert Salt.
