Kenya Beats Uganda To Emerge World’s Top Safari Destination

October 9, 2020

3 minutes read

Kenya Beats Uganda To Emerge World’s Top Safari Destination

Kenya has been honored once more as the world’s leading safari destination by the World Travel Awards, triumphing over strong competition from other notable African countries such as Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The prestigious award was presented during a grand ceremony at the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Hotel in Vietnam on December 10. This marks the fourth time Kenya has received this accolade, having previously won in 2013, 2015, and last year.

Additional Accolades for Kenya

In addition to the global recognition, Kenya also secured several awards in the African category, including Africa’s Leading Beach Destination, Africa’s Leading National Park, and Africa’s Leading Tourist Board.

The World Travel Awards stated: “It is with great pleasure that we announce the world winners of the 24th World Travel Awards 2017.”

Other notable winners included Thanda Island from Tanzania, which earned the title of World’s Leading Exclusive Private Island, and Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti, also from Tanzania, which won the World’s Leading Safari Lodge. South Africa’s Legend Golf and Safari Resort took home the award for World’s Leading Safari Resort, while Villa iZulu @ Thanda Safari claimed the title of World’s Leading Luxury Private Villa. Shambala Private Reserve from South Africa was recognized as the World’s Leading Private Game Reserve.

The Oscars of Travel

The World Travel Awards are considered the “Oscars” of the travel industry, celebrating excellence across tourism, hospitality, and airline sectors globally. The organization plays a crucial role in promoting and developing the travel and tourism industry by identifying outstanding service and inspiring continuous improvement.

Votes for the awards are cast by qualified executives in the travel and tourism sectors, as well as consumer travel buyers.

Proud Recognition for Kenya

Jimi Kariuki, chairman of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), expressed pride in Kenya’s achievement, highlighting the country’s renowned safari locations, including the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, and the Tsavo East and West National Parks.

“The annual wildebeest migration in the Mara and the diverse wildlife, including the Big Five, truly set Kenya apart as the ultimate safari destination,” said Mr. Kariuki. He emphasized that the KTB would leverage this global recognition to aggressively market Kenya to both traditional and emerging tourist markets.

Mohamed Hersi, chairman of the Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF), echoed the sentiment, asserting that Kenya is undeniably the best safari destination in the world. “We are thrilled to receive this esteemed global award and must use this momentum to attract more safari enthusiasts as we work toward tourism recovery,” he said.

Mr. Kariuki also stressed the importance of preserving Kenya’s natural resources to maintain its global safari reputation, urging an end to illegal poaching to enhance the country’s appeal to wildlife lovers.

Share:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Related Links

Uganda

Uganda Police Detain NUP’s Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro

Uganda police detained Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, deputy spokesperson of the National Unity Platform (NUP), outside ...

Burundi

Ézéchiel Nibigira Named New ECCAS President

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) chose Ézéchiel Nibigira, Burundi’s former Foreign Minister, ...

Kenya

Kenya Faces AGOA Expiry, Seeks New Trade Path

Kenya’s economy faces a big challenge as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is ...

Mali_barricades

Mali Strikes Militants Blocking Fuel to Bamako

Mali’s military conducted airstrikes in the Kayes region on September 7, 2025, targeting al Qaeda-linked ...

Latest News

Today in History

September 9th is the day in 1513 that James IV of Scotland is defeated and dies in the Battle of Flodden Field, ending Scotland's involvement in the War of the League of Cambrai.

Exchange Rate Per Dollar

AM Armenian Dram382.0901
GH Ghana Cedi10.5
GM Gambian Dalasi72.5
GN Guinea Franc8,647.3
NG Nigerian Naira₦1,507.88
CF CFA Franc BEAC557.4167
09 Sep · CurrencyRate · USD
CurrencyRate.Today
Check: 09 Sep 2025 10:05 UTC
Latest change: 09 Sep 2025 10:00 UTC
API: CurrencyRate
Disclaimers. This plugin or website cannot guarantee the accuracy of the exchange rates displayed. You should confirm current rates before making any transactions that could be affected by changes in the exchange rates.
You can install this WP plugin on your website from the WordPress official website: Exchange Rates🚀

YOUR THOUGHTS

Let us know what you think

Contact the People’s Paper with feedback on stories and how we could make wapress.africa even better!

newsletter image

Stay up to date with the latest from West Africa Press

Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on WApress.

Subscribe Newsletter!

Be the first to receive our latest contents and more...

Need help?