Edition THE SAFARI AWARDS COLLECTION 17 Years of Awarding Safari Excellence © Copyright 2025 The Safari Awards Collection All Rights Reserved
The Safari Awards
Welcome to the Safari Awards Collection – 2025 Edition, a celebration of Africa’s finest safari destinations, where luxury meets adventure, and conservation shapes the future of travel. This guide is more than just a showcase of award-winning properties—it is a curated journey through the continent’s most extraordinary landscapes, from the iconic plains of the Serengeti to the untamed waterways of the Okavango Delta, the rugged beauty of Namibia, and the pristine shores of Mozambique. Each property featured in these pages represents excellence in hospitality, sustainability, and wildlife conservation, as recognized by our esteemed panel of judges and the discerning travelers who cast their votes. These lodges, camps, and private reserves define the safari experience, offering guests immersive encounters with Africa’s legendary wildlife, deep cultural connections, and unparalleled comfort in some of the world’s most remote and breathtaking locations. Beyond the awards, this guide serves as an essential companion for planning your perfect safari. Inside, you’ll find insider tips on the best times to visit, packing recommendations, and a comprehensive overview of Africa’s climate and seasonal highlights. Whether you seek a classic tented safari, a private villa retreat, or a walking safari adventure, we invite you to explore the continent through the lens of the industry’s finest. As the Safari Awards continue to set new standards for African travel, we remain committed to recognizing properties that not only offer exceptional guest experiences but also contribute meaningfully to wildlife protection, community empowerment, and sustainable tourism. Africa’s wild spaces are among the most precious on Earth, and those who protect them deserve to be celebrated. Thank you for joining us in this journey of discovery. May these pages inspire your next great adventure into Africa’s soul-stirring wilderness. For over 17 years, The Safari Awards have celebrated the very best in African safari and wildlife tourism. These awards honour exceptional lodges, camps, operators, and conservation initiatives that inspire unforgettable journeys while championing sustainability and community upliftment. Each nominee represents the pinnacle of excellence, setting benchmarks for innovation, conservation, and authentic safari experiences. The Safari Awards not only highlight outstanding achievements but also serve to inspire the industry to continuously strive for positive impact across Africa’s breathtaking wilderness. Safari Awards Committee The Safari Awards 3
The Safari Awards are a journey into the heart of Africa’s untamed wilderness, where every lodge, camp, and operator tells a story of excellence, conservation, and community. Together, we celebrate the exceptional and protect Africa’s legacy for generations to come. 4 The Safari Awards
For over 17 years, The Safari Awards have celebrated the very best in African safari and wildlife tourism. These awards honour exceptional lodges, camps, operators, and conservation initiatives that inspire unforgettable journeys while championing sustainability and community upliftment. Each nominee represents the pinnacle of excellence, setting benchmarks for innovation, conservation, and authentic safari experiences. The Safari Awards not only highlight outstanding achievements but also serve to inspire the industry to continuously strive for positive impact across Africa’s breathtaking wilderness. EXCELLENCE COMMUNITY Celebrating remarkable safari properties and operators. Fostering connections with local cultures. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Preserving Africa’s natural beauty through responsible trav DIVERSITY Celebrating excellence for all budgets. The Essence of Safari Excellence: Join the Journey The Safari Awards are more than a celebration—they are a journey into the heart of Africa’s wild landscapes and vibrant cultures. Each lodge, camp, and operator featured here represents not only unmatched guest experiences but also a steadfast commitment to preserving Africa’s natural heritage and uplifting its communities. By supporting the award-winning properties and initiatives highlighted in this guide, you become part of this journey—helping to protect iconic wildlife, support local livelihoods, and sustain the pristine beauty of Africa for generations to come. Let this guide inspire you to explore Africa’s finest destinations, immerse yourself in its breathtaking wilderness, and contribute to a legacy of conservation, connection, and discovery. Together, we celebrate the exceptional. The Safari Awards 5
What It Takes to Be Recognised by The Safari Awards Eligibility Criteria To maintain the highest standards, all nominees must meet the following requirements: Location: • The property or operation must be located within a wildlife reserve (national or private) or within one hour of extensive wildlife. • Urban properties or those in large towns are not eligible. Wildlife Experiences: • Nominees must offer wildlife-viewing excursions, whether focused on big game, birdlife, or marine wildlife. • Guided hunting excursions are strictly excluded. Safari Circuit Compatibility: • The property or operation must form a natural part of a safari itinerary, attracting travellers seeking authentic wildlife experiences. Global Participation: • While the focus is on Africa, properties and operations worldwide are eligible for certain categories if they meet the criteria. Specialised Categories For unique categories, additional criteria apply: Riding Safaris: • The property must prioritise animal welfare, ensuring animals are well-fed, healthy, and rested. • Horses or other animals should not be overworked and must receive proper care. Marine Safaris: • Properties must actively promote marine conservation and responsible practices, minimising environmental impact. Every nomination undergoes a rigorous verification process to ensure adherence to these criteria. Lodges or operations that do not meet the guidelines will be disqualified. 6 The Safari Awards
The Safari Awards recognise excellence at multiple levels, providing properties and operators with distinct badges to signify their achievements. Winner Runner-Up Third Place Highly Commended Hotlist Finalist AWARD CATEGORIES Property Awards 1. Best Safari Experience in Africa 2. Best Value Safari Property in Africa 9. Best Family Experience Safari in Africa 3. Best New Safari Property in Africa 10. Best Walking Safari in Africa 4. Best Safari Property Location in Africa 11. Best Riding Safari in Africa 12. Best Mobile Safari in Africa 5. Best Safari House in Africa 13. Best Marine Safari Experience in Africa 6. Best Safari Cuisine in Africa 7. Best Safari Spa in Africa 8. Most Romantic Safari Property in Africa 14. Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property in Africa 15. Best Community-Focused Safari Property in Africa Non-Property Awards 1. Best Safari Guiding Team in Africa 2. Best Wildlife Conservation Organisation in Africa 3. Best African Tourism Board in Africa The Safari Awards 7
Celebrating Excellence with Transparency and Expertise The Safari Awards combine public participation with expert evaluation to identify and celebrate the best in African safari tourism. Public voting plays a vital role in highlighting guest satisfaction and bringing exceptional properties to the judges’ attention, while the judges’ expertise ensures a fair and merit-based final decision. Nomination Phase: • Safari enthusiasts, past guests, and industry professionals nominate properties, operators, and organisations. • Each nominee is evaluated against eligibility criteria, ensuring only the best are considered. Verification Process: • The Safari Awards team verifies each nomination for compliance with the awards’ high standards, focusing on aspects such as proximity to wildlife, sustainability, and guest experience. • Non-compliant entries are disqualified. Public- Voting: • Public voting opens as soon as nominations are verified and continues throughout the entire process until one week after the hotlist has been announced. • Votes from guests and travel professionals help highlight exceptional properties and bring them to the judges’ attention. • While public votes are crucial for guidance and insight, they do not determine the final winners, but serve as supplementary input, providing valuable insights into guest experiences and preferences. Judge’s Evaluation: • Judges begin their evaluations from the Shortlist stage. • Using their expertise, judges assess each property based on universal criteria as well as additional criteria relevant to each category. • Judges ensure that properties are recognised for their unique strengths within their respective categories. • The public voting results also Final Scoring and Rankings: • Public voting closes one week after the Hotlist is announced, giving judges time to finalise their decisions. • Judges assign rankings based on their evaluations and the combined insights from public voting Announcement of Results: Winners, Runner-Ups, Third Placers, and Highly Commended properties are announced live at the awards ceremony, celebrating excellence across categories. 8 The Safari Awards
Guided by Passion, Expertise, and Integrity The Safari Awards are built on a foundation of trust and excellence, made possible by our esteemed panel of judges. Each judge brings unparalleled expertise in African tourism, safari operations, conservation, and guest experience. Collectively, they uphold the integrity of the awards by carefully evaluating properties based on a balance of public votes, guest satisfaction, and specialised category criteria. What We Look for in Judges: Judges are carefully selected based on their extensive experience i African travel, conservation, and luxury tourism. What sets our panel apart is not just their knowledge but their genuine passion for showcasing the best of Africa’s wilderness and cultural experiences. Each judge evaluates nominees through a rigorous, unbiased process, ensuring only the most deserving are celebrated. Transparency & Commitment: Our judges are not paid for their services, emphasising their genuine commitment to the industry and to recognising the best in African safaris. Their involvement is purely driven by their passion for conservation, community impact, and delivering life-changing travel experiences. The Safari Awards 9
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