(Posted 12th April 2025)
WTM Africa has revealed the 2025 Responsible Tourism Awards winners, recognising the continent’s most impactful contributors to sustainable and ethical travel. From regenerative safaris to inner-city walking tours and conservation-linked dining experiences, these changemakers reflect the best of responsible tourism across Africa.
‘Today, we are here to celebrate Africa’s changemakers‘ said Rachel Nxele, SATSA’s Vice Chairperson and Chair of Responsible Tourism, who presented the awards. ‘Among you are small businesses and large businesses. All of you have made a significant contribution not just to make tourism better, but to make tourism responsible.’
The ceremony recognised 20 businesses from nine countries: Kenya, Namibia, São Tomé and
Príncipe, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Gold Award winners include:
-
Emboo Safari Camp (Kenya) – for luxury tourism with a regenerative footprint
-
!Khwa ttu (South Africa) – for their community-rooted food and heritage programme
-
Dlala Nje (South Africa) – for community empowerment through immersive urban tourism
-
HBD Principe (São Tomé and Príncipe) – for waste innovation on a remote biosphere island
-
Township and Village (South Africa) – for inclusive tourism addressing socio-economic divides
-
Green Safaris (Zambia) – for solar-powered “Silent Safaris” and reforestation efforts
-
Foxes Safari Camps (Tanzania) – for circular economy and local training at scale
All Gold winners will go on to represent the continent at the Global WTM Responsible Tourism Awards in London later this year.
Silver Award Winners
? Volcanoes Safaris (Uganda/Rwanda) – Nature Positive
? The Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (Zimbabwe) – Nature Positive
? Kijani Supplies (Kenya/Uganda) – Shared Value
? Hamagriza Indigenous Restaurant & Hub (South Africa) – Shared Value
? Destination Zero Waste Zanzibar (TUI Care Foundation project) – Waste
Management, which has created 48 jobs and collected over 1.5 million kilograms of
glass and nearly 15,000 kilograms of plastic waste
? Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (South Africa) – Waste Management,
which manages 1.2 million kilograms of waste over the past decade, diverting 62% from
landfills and creatively repurposing old cable car cables into souvenirs
? The Heart of Cape Town under Uthando SA – Peace & Inclusivity, which illuminated
wire art across parts of Cape Town created by local artists to promote love, compassion
and kindness
? Saruni Base Camp (Kenya) – Climate Change Mitigation
? Hideaways Africa (One to Watch) – Recognised for responsible tourism initiatives
addressing environmental conservation and community engagement across operations
in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe
? The Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (Zimbabwe) – Nature Positive
? Kijani Supplies (Kenya/Uganda) – Shared Value
? Hamagriza Indigenous Restaurant & Hub (South Africa) – Shared Value
? Destination Zero Waste Zanzibar (TUI Care Foundation project) – Waste
Management, which has created 48 jobs and collected over 1.5 million kilograms of
glass and nearly 15,000 kilograms of plastic waste
? Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (South Africa) – Waste Management,
which manages 1.2 million kilograms of waste over the past decade, diverting 62% from
landfills and creatively repurposing old cable car cables into souvenirs
? The Heart of Cape Town under Uthando SA – Peace & Inclusivity, which illuminated
wire art across parts of Cape Town created by local artists to promote love, compassion
and kindness
? Saruni Base Camp (Kenya) – Climate Change Mitigation
? Hideaways Africa (One to Watch) – Recognised for responsible tourism initiatives
addressing environmental conservation and community engagement across operations
in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe
‘These are not easy awards to win‘ emphasised Professor Harold Goodwin, WTM Responsible
Tourism Advisor who led the expert panel of judges. ‘The judging process is intense and to be
honest, it gets harder each year. To be on this recognition list is a massive achievement.’
Tourism Advisor who led the expert panel of judges. ‘The judging process is intense and to be
honest, it gets harder each year. To be on this recognition list is a massive achievement.’
Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director for the event’s producer RX Africa, commented on the
winners: ‘Your work inspires us to build a responsible future.’
winners: ‘Your work inspires us to build a responsible future.’
