Best safari operators, lodges, camps, guides and conservationists, in Africa announced in London
In their fifth year, the ‘Oscars of Safaris’ as they have become known, are very established with 90 finalists in 18 categories selected by a panel of eighteen of the most experienced and trusted independent safari specialist tour operators.
The official best safari operators, lodges, camps, guides and conservationists, in Africa will be announced in London on Wednesday 30th January at The 2013 Safari Awards. In their fifth year, the ‘Oscars of Safaris’ as they have become known, are very established with 90 finalists in 18 categories selected by a panel of eighteen of the most experienced and trusted independent safari specialist tour operators, based on over one thousand eight hundred votes from travel agents and tour operators globally.
The 2013 Safari Awards are not only about honouring the most expensive lodges, or most luxurious spa (although of course we do have a safari spa category!); the categories range from ‘Best Ecological Lodge/Camp’ to ‘Best Personal Contribution to Wildlife Conservation’. For example this year the Awards recognise Iain Douglas-Hamilton and Daphne Sheldrick for their conservation work in Africa alongside new safari camps/lodges Singita Explore, Naibosho, Lamai Serengeti, Elephant Camp and Azura @ Qualilea. Last years Best Safari Camp in Africa, Chiawa, is joined by Jack’s Camp, Old Mondoro, Tafika, Zarafa, Singita faru faru, Sayari, Rekero, Greystoke Mahale and former winner Beho Beho for the highest accolade. Recognising the contribution wildlife conservation charities make to preserving the wildlife in Africa the “Best Wildlife Charity/Organisation Operating in Africa Award” features finalists Children in the Wilderness, Tusk Trust, Uthando, Wilderness Wildlife Trust and previous award winner Africat Foundation from Namibia.
The Awards Judges have over 350 years experience between them. Operating globally from Sydney, New York, Miami, Amsterdam, Munich, Cape Town, Johannesburg, London, Cheltenham and Burford, the 18 judges are selected by the previous Awards Finalists.
The Awards are sponsored by The Good Safari Guide: independent media for the Safari Industry. The Good Safari Guide publishes an annual printed directory of the finalist and award-winning lodges, camps and mobile operators and the dynamic website (goodsafariguide.com) showcases finalists from the previous four Safari Awards events, as well as keeping visitors up to date with all the camp updates, special offers and other news from the safari world.
Henry Hallward, Director of The Safari Awards, commented: “In this our fifth year, having moved The Safari Awards to London, the event is now the established platform for recognising excellence in the safari world, not only for the safari camps, lodges and operators but for those organisations that, through their conservation efforts, help maintain a strong wildlife population and education platform to provide future generations of Africans with a secure livelihood.”
Rosanne Cobb, Editor of The Good Safari Guide, sponsors of The 2013 Safari Awards commented;“The Awards have become increasingly popular and important as a genuine system of distinction and recognition. From 300 voting tour operators in 2008 to over 1,800 for the 2013 event, the views of the safari specialists have defined the creme de la creme of ‘Safari Africa’. There are thousands of mediocre lodges and camps out there with fabulous websites or clever marketing/pr representatives, and without the Safari Awards the consumer has no reliable way of weighing up one against another. The Safari Awards cut through all the fluff and reveal the views of the trade- those who really know.”
Source: traveldailynews.com
