Masai Mara voted the best park in Africa at gala

Cheetahs rest on a tourists' vehicle at Masai Mara Game Reserve. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Diani Beach in Kwale County was voted the continent’s leading beach destination for the fourth year in a row after beating competition from beaches in South Africa, Mozambique, Zanzibar and Egypt.

  • World Travel Awards serve to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

  • Sarova Hotels, Resorts and Game Lodges was crowned Africa’s leading hotel brand while Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club bagged the Africa’s leading hotel award.

Kenya is once again on the global arena after the popular Maasai Mara National Reserve was voted Africa’s leading national park at the World Travel Awards 2017.

The Mara overcame fierce competition from Kruger National Park in South Africa, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana, Kidepo Valley National Park from Uganda and Etosha National Park from Namibia during the Tuesday evening event in Kigali.

Diani Beach in Kwale County was voted the continent’s leading beach destination for the fourth year in a row after beating competition from beaches in South Africa, Mozambique, Zanzibar and Egypt.

“We have recognised the leading lights of African tourism tonight and I wish to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all our winners,” said World Travel Awards founder and president Graham Cooke.

GLOBAL TRAVEL

World Travel Awards serve to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

The Kenya Tourism Board beat 10 other tourism agents in Africa, including the Egyptian Tourist Authority, Moroccan National Tourism Organisation and South African Tourism to come up top for the sixth year running.

National carrier Kenya Airways bagged two awards after it was voted Africa’s leading airline and Africa’s leading airline- Business Class.

Mombasa port once again scooped the Africa’s leading cruise facility award while the five-star Leopard Beach Resort and Spa in Diani won Africa’s leading family resort award.

Sarova Hotels, Resorts and Game Lodges was crowned Africa’s leading hotel brand while Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club bagged the Africa’s leading hotel award.

LUXURY LODGE

Abercrombie and Kent bagged the Africa’s leading luxury tour operator while Sirikoi Lodge won the Africa’s leading luxury lodge award.

Finch Hattons was voted Africa’s leading tented safari camp while Bonfire Adventures ran away with Africa’s leading travel agency award.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel won the Africa’s leading business travel agency while Destination Kenya bagged Africa’s leading destination management company award.

Budget airline Fly540 was voted Kenya’s leading domestic safari carrier while Heritage Hotels was crowned the country’s leading safari camp brand.