The ATTA® for Action Awards, established by the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA®), were announced on 23 June at the Experience Africa travel trade show in London.
Now in their second year, the awards received an overwhelming response, reflecting the growing momentum behind sustainable tourism initiatives across the continent.
The awards honour impactful initiatives aligned with ATTA®’s eight pillars for action, inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Categories include community upliftment, environmental conservation, traveller education, and ethical enterprise.
“We appreciate all the organisations that took the time to enter. Many are familiar names whose continued commitment we admire, and we’re excited to celebrate inspiring new organisations making their mark,” said Chris Mears, CEO of ATTA® Events.
This year saw the introduction of two new categories. The ATTA® Media Voice for Action Award – sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines – recognises influential media professionals, from journalists to content creators, who use powerful storytelling to promote conscious travel choices in Africa. Meanwhile, the ATTA® Emerging Changemaker Award shines a spotlight on grassroots organisations and early-stage projects making a measurable difference on the ground.
The winners were announced by MC Michael Jackson with each winner receiving a trophy made from 100% recycled snare material designed by SNARE Art, a KaiNav Conservation Foundation community development initiative that is empowering African artists and preventing the illegal poaching of wildlife.
The winners are as follows:
ATTA® Purpose and People Award – Green Safaris (Zambia)
ATTA® Earth Keeper’s Award – Great Plains Conservation (Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya)
ATTA® Eco Innovation Award – Tamàna Company (Madagascar)
ATTA® Zero Waste Trailblazer Award – Blue Safari Seychelles (Seychelles)
ATTA® Community Upliftment Award – Collection in the Wild (Kenya)
ATTA® Marine Impact Award – Marine Dynamics (South Africa)
ATTA® Collaborative Impact Award – EyeOpenerWorks (Uganda)
ATTA® Traveller Education and Awareness Award – Pangolin.Africa (South Africa)
ATTA® Media Voice for Action Award, sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines – Charlotte Beauvoisin from Uganda for The East Africa Travel Podcast by Diary of a Muzungu
ATTA® Emerging Changemaker Award – Lowapi Drone Light Shows (Botswana)
“The calibre of applications made judging a real challenge, and we’re deeply grateful to our panel of dedicated judges – all champions of sustainable tourism – for generously giving of their time,” added Mears.
Each category had specific criteria, which were reviewed the judges who provided feedback for the winners.
ATTA® Purpose & People Award
This award recognises an organisation that demonstrates exceptional leadership in heritage-focused African tourism and creates a corporate culture of community, empowerment and inclusivity within their internal teams.
Winner: Green Safaris
Green Safaris is a pioneering safari company operating luxury lodges in Zambia and Malawi, committed to redefining African tourism through heritage preservation, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship. Led by CEO Vincent Kouwenhoven, Green Safaris integrates eco-friendly technologies such as solar power and electric safari vehicles with deep-rooted cultural respect and community engagement.
Judge’s Comment: Green Safaris is a leader in positive development in the African context, leading strongly in conservation that not only focuses on wildlife and land restoration but also social development. Through the Green Safaris Foundation, the company contributes to a series of initiatives that support cultural preservation, economic opportunities, skills development, and environmental conservation. This shows how tourism is not extractive but a means to build communities that are empowered and self-sustainable.
Finalists: African Scenic Safaris (Tanzania) | Cottar’s Safaris (Kenya) | Sirikoi Lodge (Kenya)
ATTA® Earthkeepers Award
This award recognises an organisation that offers ethical wildlife experiences (wild or captive), respects animal welfare, educates tourists, and, where applicable, has demonstrated a significant contribution to natural habitat conservation and the reduction of human-wildlife conflict.
Winner: Great Plains Conservation
Great Plains is a conservation tourism organisation led by world-renowned conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert. Great Plains connects a model of low-impact tourism with high-impact initiatives to conserve and expand natural habitats over currently 1.1 million acres of wilderness areas. With a strong focus on local community partnership, Great Plains uses the vehicle of tourism to support education, empowerment and biodiversity conservation in the region for long-term ecosystem protection.
Judge’s Comment: Great Plains operates 13 safari camps in critical ecosystems such as the Okavango Delta, the Lower Zambezi, the Masai Mara and the Tsavo-Amboseli ecosystem, where wildlife corridors and human-wildlife coexistence are essential to the future of our wild spaces. The Great Plains Wildlife Rangers (including 21 women and 16 men) are the backbone of positive change in their regions. It is encouraging to see that they have female rangers and women who implement solar PV. Great Plains releases quarterly impact reports to share the impact of their work.
Finalists: Buffalo Safari Lodge (Uganda) | Chem Chem Association (Tanzania)
ATTA® Eco-Innovation Award
This award recognises an organisation committed to protecting the planet and mitigating climate change through integrating eco-friendly practices and technologies, like renewable energy sources, and transparently monitors their efforts.
Winner: Tamàna Company
Tamàna Company creates unique and personalised travel experiences across Madagascar. Rooted in sustainable tourism, they deeply respect the island’s nature and communities, working to protect resources, support education, and drive positive change. Through strong partnerships, Tamàna Company minimises tourism’s impact with responsible management, transparency, and ethical practices. A certified Travelife Partner, they meet global sustainability standards, continuously innovating, reducing their carbon footprint, uplifting communities, and safeguarding Madagascar’s biodiversity.
Judge’s Comment: The fact that Tamàna Company are measuring their impact and using reporting through recognised criteria already gives 3rd party credibility to their practices. There are visible efforts on sustainable, inclusive destination management. They are doing a great job cutting emissions and getting guests involved with aspects like tree planting and reducing plastic. Well done to Tamàna Company for being such a strong and inspiring example of what sustainable tourism can look like in Madagascar! Their focus on genuine partnerships, empowering local communities, and creating thoughtful eco-tourism experiences shows a clear commitment to both people and the planet.
Finalists: Leonotis Adventures Ltd for Lake Natron Camp (Tanzania) | Sun International (South Africa)
ATTA® Zero Waste Trailblazer Award
This award celebrates organisations that prioritise seasonal, local and indigenous produce, working with ethical suppliers, minimising food waste, and educating guests and other stakeholders.
Winner: Blue Safari Seychelles
Blue Safari Seychelles offer remote island journeys that conserve ocean wilderness.
Located in Seychelles’ most remote coral atolls, their barefoot lodges and catamarans create luxurious outposts on wild ocean frontiers.
On Alphonse Island, their 4-hectare regenerative farm, managed by 10 dedicated staff, drives sustainable food systems through innovative practices in production, waste management, and circular economy principles.
Judge’s Comment: Blue Safaris Seychelles has a truly impressive project that acknowledges context, uses excellent technology and maximises guest engagement and advocacy. Bravo! Their transparency and accountability are truly commendable.
Finalists: Asilia Africa (South Africa) | El Karama Lodge – Laikipia (Kenya)
ATTA® Community Upliftment Award
This award recognises an organisation that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering a collaborative and caring culture within local communities, actively involving them in meaningful conservation and community actions, providing growth opportunities and improved wellbeing.
Winner: Collection in the Wild
Collection in the Wild is a family-owned portfolio of safari homes and conservation projects across Kenya. It includes House in the Wild, their original boutique lodge on the Mara River; Wild Hill, a private hilltop retreat; five distinct Wild Villas in the Naretoi sanctuary; and the Mara Training Centre, a space for learning and collaboration around conservation and community.
The purpose of Collection in the Wild is to restore biodiversity, improve livelihoods, and create extraordinary guest experiences. Every property in the Collection is thoughtfully designed and run by teams who care deeply about the land, the people, and the wildlife. Through their work with Enonkishu Conservancy and Futures in the Wild, every guest plays a part in protecting ecosystems, supporting local families, and contributing to long-term change.
Judge’s Comment: The Collection in the Wild showcases an incredible model of community ownership, which includes traditional pastoral practices. The systemic nature of this project is the impressive part. It’s an entire ecosystem regenerated and providing livelihoods.
Finalists: Gamewatchers Safari & Porini Camps (Kenya) | Mara North Conservancy (Kenya)
ATTA® Marine Impact Award
This award shines a spotlight on those organisations, products or services that are making a tangible difference to the protection of the marine and coastal environment of Africa’s Coastline whilst supporting long-term community benefits.
Winner: Marine Dynamics
Marine Dynamics is an award winning marine eco-tourism company in Gansbaai, South Africa, that has made a substantial impact in marine science and conservation over the past 25 years. The Marine Dynamics ecosystem has various entities that include shark cage diving, whale watching, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust with a dedicated seabird sanctuary – the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary (APSS), marine pollution projects, community education, a volunteer programme – the Marine Dynamics Academy, and a tourism hub at The Great White House. Using the daily observational platform of whale watching and shark cage diving with a team of marine biologists, over thirty scientific papers have contributed to knowledge on species and influenced conservation policy in South Africa.
Judge’s Comment: Marine Dynamics embodies a holistic approach that weaves together tourism, community upliftment, and marine conservation, rooted in research, education, and environmental stewardship. Their work contributes meaningfully to both the protection of marine ecosystems and the local economy of Gansbaai. Well done!
Finalists: Local Ocean Conservation (Kenya) | Seas4Life (Kenya)
ATTA® Collaborative Impact Award
This award recognises the collaboration and creativity of organisations that have aligned missions and shared resources to have a holistic and meaningful impact on travel in Africa.
Winner: EyeOpenerWorks
EyeOpenerWorks is a social enterprise dedicated to inclusive and sustainable development through skills training, community engagement, and systems change. Among others, they support innovative public-private partnerships in the tourism sector in Uganda by focusing on quality tourism and hospitality skills training; tourism product development and the strengthening of (emerging) tourism companies. Through these efforts, EyeOpenerWorks contributes to meaningful employment, enhanced tourist experiences, and a
more resilient tourism industry. As the lead training and development partner in the Adventure Tourism Uganda project (2020–2023), EyeOpenerWorks coordinated an impact cluster of 7 Ugandan and Dutch tourism businesses. These partners – each with their own thematic and geographic focus – shared a joint interest in contributing to professionalising and diversifying the tourism sector in Uganda.
The seven implementing partners of the Adventure Tourism Uganda project are:
– Red Dirt Uganda/Transatlas Bike: Cycling tourism and trail development,
– Kara-Tunga Arts & Tours: Cultural and community-based tourism,
– Matoke Tours: Tour guide training,
– Home of Friends: Running tourism,
– UG-Motorbike: Motorcycling tourism,
– Bergwandelen.com: Hiking tourism and
– EyeOpenerWorks: Advanced In-Service training, M&E and project coordination.
Activities were carried out in close collaboration with relevant Ugandan stakeholders in tourism and hospitality, including the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), ensuring alignment with national tourism strategies. This helped strengthen institutional recognition and sector-wide support.
Judge’s Comment: Inspiring and refreshing. Well done to the team—this is a remarkable organisation that is actively contributing to a tourism sector that uplifts rather than exploits – a powerful example of values-driven impact. There is clear evidence of effective use of partnerships, which is especially commendable given the intentional focus on a specific niche aligned with the team’s strengths. Notably, there is a strong emphasis on supporting women and youth groups that continue to face disproportionate barriers to entering and thriving in the tourism sector.
Finalists: African Bush Camps (South Africa) | Let’s Go Travel Uniglobe (Kenya)
This award recognises an organisation that educates travellers on how to be better visitors in order to make a more positive impact on tourism in Africa.
Winner: Pangolin.Africa
Pangolin.Africa is a registered non-profit organisation based in South Africa that is dedicated to the survival of the most highly trafficked wildlife species on earth – the pangolin. It works with a three-pronged approach of publicity, participation and protection to create awareness, drive behavioural change and build capacity among those engaging with Africa’s wildlife as conservationists, safari operators and tourists. Pangolin.Africa’s flagship Pangolin Guardians programme is a first-of-its-kind initiative that supports education and awareness around the African pangolin. A free online course available in 12 languages, it empowers those living and working in regions where pangolins are found in the wild with knowledge on how to treat, track and take care of the animal. It is also a powerful tool for citizens who are passionate about protecting pangolins and safeguarding the future of Africa’s vulnerable wildlife.
Judge’s Comment: The incredible educational work of Pangolin Africa has the potential to save this much-misunderstood species with its far-reaching educational tools and pangolin guardians active all over the world – tackling the local communities and the traveller simultaneously.
Finalists: Desert & Delta (Botswana) | Panthera Africa (South Africa))
This media award recognises the importance of creativity, accurate storytelling, ethical focus, and audience impact to amplify the message of responsible tourism in Africa.
Winner: Charlotte Beauvoisin (The East Africa Travel Podcast by Diary of a Muzungu)
The East Africa Travel Podcast by Diary of a Muzungu is an upbeat, personal exploration of sustainable tourism in Uganda and wider East Africa. Hosted by Charlotte Beauvoisin, a conservation communicator, award-winning travel blogger and trainer, the podcast captures unscripted moments and conversations with tourism changemakers. Each episode blends storytelling with the natural soundtrack of East Africa—the dawn chorus, the honking of hippos, and chimpanzees calling from deep inside the forest—while highlighting responsible travel.
Judge’s Comment: Charlotte Beauvoisin deserves global fame for her beautiful podcast series that both inspires, informs and entertains while at the same time giving all the interviewees a voice.
Finalists: Bella Falk (Hiking Kenya’s Beautiful Loita Hills On A Walking Safari) | Lisa Grainger (Inside the new breed of safari camps taking conservation seriously)
ATTA® Emerging Changemaker Award
This award recognises an organisation (NGO, organisation, or business) that is at the beginning of the journey and committed to having a positive impact on people and/or the planet through an inspiring project or collective action.
Winner: Lowapi Drone Light Shows
Lowapi drone light shows offer breathtaking story living experiences that bring ancient myth and legend stories at cultural heritage sites to “life” using 500–1,000 miniature drones, choreographing in synch to transform these sites into open-air theatres, where the night sky becomes a canvas for cultural expression. Amplifying culture and heritage sites into experiential, “story-living” destinations and seamlessly blending the authenticity of the narrative with the science of technology – this approach to destination marketing allows Lowapi to bridge the more technical side of the experience with the rich tapestry of mythology and folklores that define these destination sites, allowing visitors to step into the story itself, seeing it unravel before their eyes, feeling its emotional pulse, and connecting with the destination on a deeper level.
Judge’s comment: This innovation has the potential to bring to life untold stories of the African continent and showcase the rich culture of the continent. It is a beautiful creation that needs to be scaled in all African countries to try and preserve and conserve cultural tourism.
Finalists: EyeOpenerWorks Ukarimu (Uganda) | Zambezi Queen Collection by Mantis (Namibia)
For additional information about ATTA® for Action, please visit the website.
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