In a night that celebrated Africa’s vibrancy, beauty, and resilience, the 2025 World Travel Awards (WTA) kicked off in grand style with its Africa regional gala in Dar es Salaam. The ceremony, which marked the start of this year’s WTA series, brought together key figures from across the tourism and hospitality industries to honor exceptional achievements across the continent. And Africa showed up strong.
Leading the charge were Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa, who emerged as the night’s biggest winners, collectively taking home a remarkable number of accolades. With over 80 award categories spanning from nature parks to resorts, airlines, and cultural initiatives, the evening was a sweeping celebration of African excellence in tourism and travel innovation.
Tanzania: The Continent’s Crown Jewel
Tanzania stood tallest, sweeping multiple prestigious awards, including Africa’s Leading Destination 2025, thanks to the magnetic pull of Zanzibar, which also won Africa’s Leading Beach Destination. The country’s natural wonders received global recognition, with Serengeti National Park named Africa’s Leading National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro crowned as the Leading Mountain National Park.
The capital city airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport, was recognized as Africa’s Leading Airport, while Kitulo National Park was awarded Africa’s Leading Honeymoon Destination. From breathtaking landscapes to warm hospitality, Tanzania proved its all-round appeal to global travelers.
Kenya: Where Culture Meets Conservation
Kenya’s flag also flew high. Kenya Airways was once again honored as Africa’s Leading Airline, a testament to its regional dominance and customer satisfaction. Chale Island in Kenya scooped the award for Africa’s Leading Private Island Resort, while Safari.com was named the Leading Safari Company, further solidifying Kenya’s legacy as the continent’s safari capital.
In a moment that spotlighted Kenya’s commitment to sustainability, Emboo Safari Camp took home the Gold in the Nature Positive Category for its carbon-neutral operations and grassroots community involvement.
South Africa: Leading with Innovation
South Africa, ever a titan in African tourism, made its presence felt. The country won Africa’s Leading Water Park for the spectacular Valley of Waves, and Cape Town was celebrated as the continent’s Leading Cruise Port. The Durban ICCwas also awarded Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre, reinforcing South Africa’s reputation as a hub for business tourism.
The country further shined in the Shared Value Category, with Dlala Nje and !Khwa ttu recognized for connecting tourism with heritage preservation and urban youth empowerment—highlighting the nation’s belief that travel can uplift communities.
Other Notable Mentions
• Mozambique’s Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort was named Africa’s Most Romantic Resort, enchanting voters with its blend of intimacy and untouched natural beauty.
• Zambia received the Climate Change Award, with Green Safaris honored for its trailblazing electric game drives and commitment to low-impact tourism.
• Foxes Safari Camps (Tanzania) took home the All-Inclusive Award for its ethical tourism model that directly involves and supports local communities.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Bahrain
As the dust settles from an electrifying night, all eyes now turn to Bahrain, where the WTA Grand Final will be held on December 9, 2025. Africa’s champions will go head-to-head with winners from other continents for the World’s Leading Destination, World’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Initiative, and more.
The final promises to attract global travel stakeholders, investors, and media — but for now, the spotlight firmly belongs to Africa.
From Zanzibar’s coral-fringed beaches to Kenya’s roaring savannahs and South Africa’s innovative travel spaces, this year’s World Travel Awards Africa Gala didn’t just hand out trophies, it told a compelling story: Africa is not just a destination; it is the future of global tourism.
