In its sixth year, the 2014 Safari Awards reveal the very best safari lodges, camps and houses alongside the most outstanding safari guides and operators in Africa - the 'who's who' of the safari community. Sponsored by The Good Safari Guide, and led by a team of 15 highly respected independent safari specialists from Australia, Germany, USA and the UK, over 4000 public and travel trade nominations for over 250 safari properties, guides and operators have been whittled down to 18 award winners representing the future of wildlife tourism and conservation in Africa.

 

The Results

Zarafa Camp in Botswana, is the winner of the 2014 Safari Awards Best Safari Camp in Africa for the second year running.

 

About Zarafa - Best Safari Camp in Africa

Zarafa Camp, located in the 320,000-acre Selinda Reserve is synonymous with exclusivity and perfection. The spirit behind Zarafa Camp comes from Colin Bell, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, who together designed Zarafa to incorporate all the components of what they envisioned as the 'perfect' safari camp. It embodies authenticity, luxury and simplicity to create a camp that has been clearly considered, and thoughtfully planned to be as environmentally sensitive as possible. It is the culmination of years of safari experience.

 

Dereck Joubert, CEO and Founder of Great Plains Conservation, commented today:

'Winning this award is amazing. Zarafa Camp is a beautiful shell but without the staff it remains a shell; we are certainly sharing this award with all the staff who are the heart and soul of Zarafa. Winning this award allows us to open up conversations about the conservation work we are doing, which is our primary initiative. For example, it points a spotlight at our 'Zeros for Rhinos' initiative where we are aiming to move 100 rhinos out of a hot poaching area into the area around Zarafa where poaching rates are low. Great Plains is more than just a safari destination, it is a conservation company. I would like to sincerely thank all those who supported Zarafa Camp in the 2014 Awards.'

 

The 'Best New Safari Camp' is always a much-awaited category, unearthing the safari properties of the future. This year's title is taken by the fabulous Chinzombo in Zambia. Mindy Roberts commented today, "All of us at Norman Carr Safaris are so proud of the whole team; it was a huge company-wide effort to build Chinzombo. The camp has attracted interest worldwide, not only for its wildly luxurious design, incredible location and fabulous wildlife, but because the team in camp brings it to life; we think it retains the legacy of Norman Carr but brings something completely new to Zambia."

 

2014 Awards Results List:

■Best Safari Property in Africa

Winner - Zarafa Camp

Runner Up - Sausage Tree Camp

■Best Value Safari Property

Winner - Wolwedans Dunes Lodge

Runner Up - Kicheche Laikipia Camp

■Best Safari House

Winner - Leobo

Runner Up - Sirikoi House

■Best New Safari Property

Winner - Chinzombo

Runner Up - Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

■Best Walking Safari Operator

Winner - Norman Carr Walking Safaris

Runner Up - Karisia Walking Safaris

■Best Mobile Safari Operator

Winner - Uncharted Africa

Runner Up - Selinda Canoe Trail

■Best Riding Safari Operator

Winner - Ride Botswana

Runner Up - Okavango Horse Safaris

■Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Operator

Winner - Wolwedans Dunes Lodge

Runner Up - Zarafa Camp

■Best Community Focused Safari Operator

Winner - Sarara Tented Camp

Runner Up - Grootbos Forest Lodge

■Best Safari Retreat/Spa

Winner - Lion in Sun

Runner Up - Karkloof Safari Spa

■Best Beach/Marine Safari Property

Winner - Fundu Lagoon

Runner Up - Ibo Island Lodge

■Best Safari Cuisine

Winner - Jamala Madikwe

Runner Up - Alfajiri

■Best Safari Guiding Team

Winner - Norman Carr Walking Safaris

Runner Up - Serian

■Best Safari Guide

Winner (Joint) - Alex Walker

Winner (Joint) - Robin Pope

Runner Up - Super Sande

■Best Safari Romantic/Honeymoon Room

Winner - Greystoke Mahale

Runner Up - Wolwedans Private Camp

■Best Personal Contribution to Wildlife Conservation in Africa

Winner - Clive Stockil

■Best Charitable Organisation Operating in Africa

Winner - Uthando

Runner Up - Wonderbags in Africa

■Best Wildlife Conservation Organisation

Winner - David Sheldrick Trust

Runner Up - Mara Elephant Project

 

"The Safari Awards results truly reflect the views of the seasoned safari traveller and the safari trade professional. This year the emphasis is clearly on conservation, and all of us who support wildlife, particularly in Africa, would like to see this consolidated in 2014. We wish the nominees, finalists and winners all the success they deserve for their incredibly hard work in reaching this point; each and every Safari Awards nominee is a leader in its field" said Rosanne Cobb, co-founder of The Safari Awards.

 

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Notes for Editors

To view a full list of the 2014 Safari Awards Winners, visit www.safariawards.com/winners14/

To view a full list of the 2014 Judges visit: www.safariawards.com/judges/

 

2014 Awards Data:

■4,405 votes received from travellers, safari specialists and journalists

■216 lodges/operations made the cut and reached the Finalist stage

■15 expert judges from independent tour operators in USA, UK, Germany, Holland and South Africa voted on the Finalists in a thrilling and engaging debate during the Judges' conference at Quaglino's in London's West End

■18 winners in 18 categories chosen

 

Trends to note 2014:

Zambia has excelled in the 2014 Awards, with Norman Carr Walking Safaris (Best Guiding Team), Sausage Tree (Runner Up Best Camp in Africa and Highly Commended Cuisine) Chinzombo (Best New Camp), Robin Pope (Best Safari Guide). Wolwedans (Best Value Camp, Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Operator, Runner Up Best Romantic Room) has put Namibia on map as a serious safari destination, and Namibia is certainly a country to watch.

 

When it comes to riding, Botswana has cleaned up with Okavango Horse Safaris and Ride Botswana taking the Best Riding Safari Operator top two positions. Tanzania's Fundu Lagoon is back at the top of the 'Best Beach Safari' category, reflecting renewed investment and training efforts over the last few years. The results of Kicheche, Sirikoi, Sarara, Alfajiri, Karisia and Serian illustrate that there remains strong support for and faith in Kenya despite the troubles earlier this year.

 

Many will be delighted to see that the Sheldrick Trust- in memory of Daphne Sheldrick's husband- has been voted 'Best Wildlife Conservation Organisation'. This award recognises her very important work, and that of her daughters and colleagues, in pioneering the rehabilitation of orphaned elephants into the wild, amongst other things.

 

Contact:

Editorial: Rosanne Cobb rosanne.cobb@miradatravelmedia.com +44 7711 616 696

General/images: Sarah Collins sarah.collins@miradatravelmedia.com