Edition 43: Summer 2008

Last month in Durban The Good Safari Guide presented their awards in honour of the safari industry’s best. Instituted by Henry Hallward, Chairman of the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA), these awards are the first system of peer recognition in the industry.

After nominations in each of the 13 categories were received from qualified travel professionals – some 200 tour operators, travel agents and travel journalists – a panel of distinguished industry judges was assembled. Making the final tough decisions were Albee Yeend of Steppes Travel, Sandy Wood of Pulse Africa, Primrose Stobbs of Abercrombie and Kent, Tony Clegg-Butt of TN, Kate Bergh of Cedarberg Travel, Jane Durham of Okavango Tours and Marc Gastaud of Akorn.

Best Safari Property in Africa
Winner: Singita Boulders (South Africa)
Runner-up: Notten’s Bush Camp (South Africa)

Best Safari Property in Eastern Africa
Winner: Beho Beho (Tanzania)
Runner-up: Chada Katavi (Tanzania)
Other finalists: Sasakwa (Tanzania), Loisaba (Kenya), Greystoke Mahale (Tanzania), Karen Blixen Camp (Kenya)

Best Safari Accommodation Group in Africa
Winner: Singita Game Reserves (South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe)
Runner-up: CC Africa (Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe)
Other finalists: Serena Hotels (Kenya and Tanzania), Hunter Hotels (South Africa), Asilia (Tanzania), Robin Pope (Zambia), Wilderness Safaris (Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe)

Best Safari Property in Southern Africa
Winner: Singita Boulders (South Africa)
Runner-up: Notten’s Bush Camp (South Africa)
Other finalists: Londolozi (South Africa), Chiawa (Zambia), Nxabega (Botswana), Garonga (South Africa), Royal Malewane (South Africa), Jack’s Camp (Botswana)

Best Community Property in Africa
Winner: Grootbos (South Africa)
Runner-up: Campi Ya Kanzi (Kenya)
Other finalists: The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille (Kenya), Nkwali (Zambia), Buffalo Ridge (South Africa), Sarara (Kenya), Porini Amboseli (Kenya)

Best New Safari Property in Africa
Winner: Vamizi (Mozambique)
Runner-up: Karen Blixen Camp (Kenya)
Other finalists: Somalisa (Zimbabwe), Saadani (Tanzania), Mhondoro Lodge (South Africa), Thadaku (South Africa)

Best Ecological Safari Property in Africa
Winner: Jack’s Camp (Botswana)
Runner-up: Campi Ya Kanzi (Kenya)
Other finalists: Loisaba (Kenya), Singita Sabi Sand (South Africa), Samara (South Africa), Chole Mjini (Tanzania)

Best Beach Safari Property in Africa
Winner: Fundu Lagoon (Tanzania)
Runner-up: Mnemba Island Lodge (Tanzania)
Other finalists: Palm House (South Africa), Benguerra (Mozambique), Vamizi (Mozambique), Londo Lodge (Mozambique), Quilalea (Mozambique), Manda Bay (Kenya), Birkenhead (South Africa)

Best International Airline serving Africa
Winner: British Airways
Other finalist: South African Airways

Best Private Charter Airline in Africa
Winner: Fedair (South Africa)
Other finalists: Safarilink (Kenya and Tanzania), Chilli Pepper (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe), Mack Air (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia), Sefofane (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe), Proflight (Zambia)

Best Safari Guiding Team in Africa
Winner: Chiawa (Zambia)
Runner-up: Kwando Camps (Botswana)

Best Safari Property Cuisine in Africa
Winner: Singita Game Reserves (South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe)
Runner-up: Londo Lodge (Mozambique)
Other finalists: Notten’s Bush Camp (South Africa), CC Africa (Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe), Mhondoro Lodge (South Africa)

Best Wildlife Reserve in Africa
Winner: Moremi Game Reserve (Botswana)
Other finalists: Singita Sabi Sand (South Africa), Madikwe Game Reserve (South Africa)

Best African National Tourist Board 
Winner: Zambia
Other finalists: Malawi, Namibia and South Africa