Celebrating Wild With Purpose

The We Are Africa Awards return to celebrate the tribe and the visionaries shaping the future of high-end travel on the continent.

Grounded in our 2026 theme, Wild With Purpose, the We Are Africa Awards recognise bold innovation, purposeful leadership, and the people and ideas redefining how Africa is experienced and understood. These are the pioneers raising the standard, shifting perception, and driving meaningful progress across the industry.

Nominations are now closed, and the shortlist has been selected by the We Are Africa tribe. Join us in celebrating the pioneers, changemakers, and leaders whose work is shaping the future of high-end travel on the continent.

 

AWARD CATEGORIES


Celebrating visionary design and bold innovation, redefining how Africa’s high-end travel spaces are imagined and experienced.


Honouring purposeful partnerships that uplift communities, create shared value, and reshape how high end African travel delivers impact.


Recognising boundary shifting experiences that challenge expectations and reveal Africa’s most unexpected, creative, and compelling stories.


Celebrating conservation leadership creating measurable, long term impact for nature, communities, and the future of the continent.


Honouring individuals whose purpose-driven leadership, courage, and conviction are actively shaping Africa’s future and global standing.

Far more than just an award, each trophy is our way of saying thank you – for challenging perceptions, for creating the boldest, bravest experiences and, above all, for setting a sky-high standard in high-end African travel that leads with purpose, always.

We look forward to celebrating all the tribe’s achievements!

WE ARE AFRICA AWARDS
SHORT LIST 2026

 

IGNITE Africa

The Pinnacle Hotel Kigali | The Pinnacle Hotel Limited

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge Rebuild | MORE Collection

Cosmoledo Eco Camp | Blue Safari

Rhino Tracking Experience in Sera Conservancy | Saruni Base Camp

&Beyond Suyain Camp | &Beyond

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INSPIRE Africa

The Africa Outreach Plan: Redefining Impact Travel Across the Continent | Faith in Africa Foundation

Walk of Ancient Wisdom - Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana | Natural Selection Safaris

Aqua Lares | Aqua Expeditions

Bakkrans: A Journey to a Million Stars | Travel Designer

Okavango to Tsodilo Ultra-Trail | Desert & Delta Safaris

EMPOWER Africa

Time + Tide Foundation Programmes | Time + Tide

Natural Selection × Wild Shots Outreach | Natural Selection Foundation

The Naboisho Women’s Group: A Great Plains Foundation & Kenya's Nkoilale Community Partnership | Great Plains Foundation

The Living Soils Community Learning Farm | Spier Hotel

Mdluli Conservation & Anti-poaching NPC | Mdluli Safari Lodge

CONSERVE Africa

Project Rewild | Great Plains Foundation

The Alphonse Group of Outer Islands & Cosmoledo Atoll | Blue Safari Seychelles

Sette Cama Eco Camp | Machaba Safaris

Restoring Madagascar's Spiny Forest | Madagascar Collection

Friedkin Conservation Fund and Chem Chem Association | Legendary Expeditions & Chem Chem Safari

CHAMPION Africa

Andy Brosou | Triumph Travel

Liesl Matthews | Southern Destinations

Adine Roode | Jabulani Safari and HERD

Charity Cheruiyot | &Beyond Suyian Lodge

Tristan Cowley | Ultimate Safaris

We look forward to announcing the winners at We Are Africa 2026!