Ngorongoro and Tanapa shine at World Travel Awards 2025

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s tourism sector has secured a resounding international endorsement after sweeping a record number of accolades at the 2025 World Travel Awards (WTA), with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area named Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction and the Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) clinching six additional continental titles.

The awards ceremony, held at Johari Rotana in Dar es Salaam on June 28, brought together industry leaders from across the globe.

The event saw Tanzania’s premier conservation and tourism destinations earn praise for their enduring appeal, ecological integrity, and cultural richness.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area triumphed over some of the continent’s most iconic landmarks, including Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza, South Africa’s Table Mountain, Robben Island, and the V&A Waterfront.

Other contenders were the Harbeespoort Aerial Cableway, Malawi’s sie of Lake Nyasa, and Tanzania’s own Mount Kilimanjaro.

The accolade is a notable milestone for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), whose stewardship of this UNESCO World Heritage Site continues to draw global admiration.

Ngorongoro’s blend of dramatic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and the coexistence of pastoralist communities and conservation efforts makes it one of Africa’s most compelling travel experiences.

Tanapa, the state agency overseeing 21 national parks, further cemented Tanzania’s status as Africa’s top nature tourism destination.

Among its honours, Serengeti National Park maintained its crown as Africa’s Leading National Park for the seventh consecutive year—thanks in part to the iconic Great Migration and the park’s pristine ecosystems. 

It also won Africa’s Leading Big Five Destination, reflecting its unrivalled concentration of elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos.

Mount Kilimanjaro National Park earned Africa’s Leading Mountain National Park, continuing its reign as the magnet for climbers worldwide seeking to summit the continent’s highest peak.

It is the seventh year in a row that Kilimanjaro has claimed this title.

Elsewhere, Nyerere National Park, which emerged from the once-sprawling Selous Game Reserve, won Africa’s Leading Scenic National Park, praised for its sweeping landscapes, thriving wildlife populations, and extensive river networks.

Tarangire National Park took the accolade for Africa’s Leading Elephant Park, celebrated for its large elephant herds and picturesque savannahs dotted with ancient baobabs, while Ruaha National Park was declared Africa’s Leading Cultural Tourism Destination, a nod to its rich blend of wildlife and indigenous heritage.

Kitulo National Park made its debut on the awards stage, scooping *Africa’s Leading Honeymoon Destination*. 

Often dubbed God’s Garden for its rolling alpine meadows and seasonal wildflower blooms, Kitulo is gaining popularity among couples seeking scenic and tranquil escapes.

Meanwhile, the WTA also recognised Zara Tanzania Adventures as Africa’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator. 

The firm, which has operated for over four decades under the leadership of Zainab Ansell, was honoured for its excellence in offering Kilimanjaro treks, tailored safaris, and sustainable hospitality. This marks Zara’s third consecutive continental win.

Reacting to the accolades, officials from the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism described the honours as a resounding vote of confidence in Tanzania’s tourism leadership, conservation policies, and strategic international marketing.

“These victories are not just symbolic—they will help attract more travellers, open doors for increased foreign investment, and position Tanzania more prominently on the global tourism map,” said one senior official.

The awards come at a time when the Sixth Phase Government, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is intensifying efforts to expand the tourism sector through reforms, product diversification, and aggressive promotional campaigns.

The government’s Royal Tour initiative, spearheaded by the Head of State herself, has already begun to yield results by boosting international awareness of Tanzania’s natural and cultural assets.

Tanzania’s tourism potential spans beyond its seven newly crowned parks. With a network of protected areas that range from coral reefs in the Indian Ocean to montane rainforests in the Southern Highlands, the country offers a mosaic of experiences—from adventure and wildlife to cultural immersion and luxury escapes.

 As international recognition grows, stakeholders believe the 2025 World Travel Awards will galvanise efforts to further improve infrastructure, community engagement, and service quality across the tourism value chain.

In total, Tanzania walked away with seven park-related titles at the awards ceremony, in addition to individual accolades to operators and destinations.

 These distinctions affirm the country’s position as a leader in sustainable and experience-rich tourism on the African continent.