Edition 47: Summer 2009

The 2009 Good Safari Guide Awards were recently announced in Durban. The purpose of the awards is to highlight the best in African safari tourism. Experienced tour operators, journalists and other travel professionals, who have all visited many safari camps and lodges, nominate their top picks in each of the 16 categories.

A panel of expert judges then narrow the nominees down to a short list of the best-of-the-best, and then pick category winners. The biggest winner this year was Uncharted Africa Safari Co.’s Jack’s Camp, which took home four wins: Best Safari Camp in Africa, Best Safari Camp in Southern Africa, Best Ecological Safari Camp and Best Safari Camp Guiding Team. It is set in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park in Botswana.

Ralph Bousfield and Catherine Raphaely, owners of Uncharted Africa Safari Co., stated: “Our whole team would like to thank the entire industry for showing Jack’s Camp such overwhelming support. It’s a great honour, especially when the competition is of such a high standard and our fellow nominees are so good at what they do. The Guides at Jack’s Camp, are especially proud and thrilled at winning the Best Safari Guiding Team award. Guiding in a desert is very challenging and this award is much appreciated. The winners for each category for 2009 are listed on the right.

Best Safari Camp in Africa
Jack’s Camp, Botswana

Best Safari Camp in southern Africa
Jack’s Camp, Botswana

Best Safari Camp in Eastern Africa
Elsa’s Kopje, Kenya

Best Safari House
Luangwa Safari House, Zambia

Best Safari Hotel
Ngong House, Kenya

Best Mobile Safari
Robin Pope Safaris, Zambia

Best Riding Safari
African Horseback Safaris, Botswana

Best Ecological Safari Camp
Jack’s Camp, Botswana

Best Community Safari Camp
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

Best New Safari Camp
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Uganda

Best Beach Safari Camp
Fundu Lagoon, Tanzania

Best Safari Accommodation Group
Singita Game Reserves, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania

Best Safari Camp Spa
Royal Malewane, South Africa

Best Safari Camp Guiding Team
Jack’s Camp, Botswana

Best Safari Camp Cuisine
Singita Boulders Lodge, South Africa

Best African Tourism Board
Kenya Tourist Board