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The best lodge in Africa is… Safari Awards 2014 winners announced

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

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 4,000 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.

Zarafa Camp in Botswana, is the winner of the 2014 Safari Awards Best Safari Camp in Africa for the second year running. 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: “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, “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
Co-Founder & Chief Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | Website | + Posts

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

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