South Africa Shines at World Travel Awards With 19 Wins Across Africa

Photo Credit: World Travel Awards

South Africa scoops an impressive tally at this year’s World Travel Awards, picking up 19 wins across the Africa-wide categories!

Zanzibar, Tanzania (29 September 2026) – The African gala ceremony for the World Travel Awards 2026 (WTA) took place in Zanzibar on Friday last week, bringing together some of the continent’s leading names in travel and tourism.

The ceremony marked the opening leg of WTA’s Grand Tour 2026, which celebrates stand-out destinations, hotels, airlines and travel businesses around the world.

This year’s programme also heads to the Maldives, Jamaica, Montenegro and the United Arab Emirates before the Grand Final takes place in Tanzania in December.

Of the 89 Africa-wide awards announced, South African winners claimed 19 – that’s just over 21% of the entire list!

Across the South Africa-specific categories, 30 travel and hospitality brands took home awards for leading the way in the country.

Some familiar favourites made the Africa winners list.

Lanzerac was named Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel, while Cape Town once again earned the title of Africa’s Leading City Destination. FlySafair scooped Africa’s Leading Low-Cost Airline, and Africa Geographic was named Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Company.

Park Hyatt Johannesburg picked up Africa’s Leading New Hotel, while Sabi Sabi was named Africa’s Leading Private Game Reserve. The Silo Hotel also flew the South African flag with a win for Africa’s Leading Design Hotel.

On the local front, Thonga Beach Lodge was named South Africa’s Leading Beach Hotel, while Steyn City Hotel by Saxon took South Africa’s Leading City Hotel.

Cape Grace was named South Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel, and the Cape Winelands got some love too. Boschendal Estate won South Africa’s Leading Tourism Winery, while Delaire Graff Estate was named South Africa’s Leading Wine Region Hotel.

And that’s not even the full list of South African winners. Find them all below:

South African winners in the Africa-wide categories

Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2026 — Lanzerac
Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel Brand 2026 — Mantis Collection
Africa’s Leading City Destination 2026 — Cape Town, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Cruise Port 2026 — Port of Cape Town, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Design Hotel 2026 — The Silo Hotel, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Distillery Tour 2026 — Inverroche Distillery, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite 2026 — Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite @ Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Low-Cost Airline 2026 — FlySafair
Africa’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel 2026 — Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Luxury Lodge 2026 — Silvan Safari, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Company 2026 — Africa Geographic
Africa’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator 2026 — Rhino Africa
Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2026 — Durban ICC, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2026 — Cape Town, South Africa
Africa’s Leading New Hotel 2026 — Park Hyatt Johannesburg, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Online Travel Agency 2026 — Travelstart
Africa’s Leading Private Game Reserve 2026 — Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Africa’s Leading Safari Company 2026 — Safari.com
Africa’s Leading Travel Management Company 2026 — Rennies BCD Travel

South Africa’s winners

South Africa’s Leading Beach Hotel 2026 — Thonga Beach Lodge
South Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2026 — Lanzerac
South Africa’s Leading Business Hotel 2026 — InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town
South Africa’s Leading Car Rental Company 2026 — Avis
South Africa’s Leading City Hotel 2026 — Steyn City Hotel by Saxon
South Africa’s Leading Country House Hotel 2026 — Babylonstoren Hotel
South Africa’s Leading Design Hotel 2026 — The Silo Hotel
South Africa’s Leading Destination Management Company 2026 — GILTEDGE
South Africa’s Leading Family Resort 2026 — The Kingdom Resort
South Africa’s Leading Hotel 2026 — The Houghton Hotel
South Africa’s Leading Hotel Suite 2026 — Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite @ Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa
South Africa’s Leading Lifestyle Resort 2026 — Cayley Mountain Resort
South Africa’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel 2026 — Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa
South Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel 2026 — Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
South Africa’s Leading Luxury Lodge 2026 — Silvan Safari
South Africa’s Leading Luxury Private Villa 2026 — Perivoli Lagoon House
South Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Lodge 2026 — Lion Sands Ivory Lodge
South Africa’s Leading Luxury Safari Villa 2026 — Villa Thandawena @ Thanda Safari
South Africa’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator 2026 — Rhino Africa
South Africa’s Leading Online Travel Agency 2026 — LekkeSlaap
South Africa’s Leading Private Game Reserve 2026 — Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve
South Africa’s Leading Resort 2026 — One&Only Cape Town
South Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge 2026 — Kruger Shalati – The Train on the Bridge
South Africa’s Leading Serviced Apartments 2026 — Lawhill Luxury Apartments
South Africa’s Leading Tented Safari Camp 2026 — Dwyka Tented Lodge @ Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
South Africa’s Leading Tour Operator 2026 — Springbok Atlas Tours and Safaris
South Africa’s Leading Tourism Winery 2026 — Boschendal Estate
South Africa’s Leading Travel Agency 2026 — Harvey World Travel
South Africa’s Leading Travel Management Company 2026 — Rennies BCD Travel
South Africa’s Leading Wine Region Hotel 2026 — Delaire Graff Estate