Thanda Group Triumphs at the World Travel Awards 2022
The Thanda Group, a family-held portfolio of hospitality, lifestyle and philanthropic experiences in Africa, won two awards at the recent 29th annual World Travel Awards for its private island located off the coast of Tanzania and its safari offering in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
At the World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa & Indian Ocean Gala ceremony held on 15 October 2022 at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) Kenya, the Thanda Group’s Villa iZulu at Thanda Safari in KwaZulu Natal was announced as the winner of the category South Africa’s Leading Luxury Private Villa 2022. While its exclusive sister property Thanda Island, located off the southern coast of Tanzania, was awarded the prestigious title of Africa’s Leading Luxury Island in 2022.
The World Travel Awards Africa & Indian Ocean Gala ceremony is the most prestigious travel and tourism event of the year that brings together the leading industry figureheads and VIPs from across Africa and the Indian Ocean for an unrivalled networking experience.
The World Travel Award winners are voted for by travel and tourism professionals and leisure travel consumers worldwide. These accolades recognise the commitment to excellence that travel organisations have demonstrated in the last twelve months.
Collecting the awards for Thanda Island, Tanzania: Africa’s Leading Luxury Island 2022 and Villa iZulu at Thanda Safari: South Africa’s Leading Luxury Private Villa 2022 was Thanda Island’s long-serving General Manager, Antigone Meda, who was accompanied by the island’s Financial Manager, Frank Phillips.
“It is always such an emotional feeling being here holding these prestigious awards as I know just how much effort all of our staff put into trying to be the best that they can be to WOW our guests with unique experiences. The World Travel Awards hold such prestige, and being here, recognised in front of our industry as we are, is such a great achievement and accomplishment for which we are immensely proud,” said Antigone Meda.
Both Thanda Safari and Thanda Island are located within their own private reserves. Together with a strong community and conservation commitment, they offer discerning guests a wide variety of expert-led wildlife and marine-based activities, including the opportunity to participate in their respective conservation initiatives.
Thanda Island, situated within Tanzania’s Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, provides absolute exclusivity for families and friends to enjoy on a sole-use basis. Combining laidback tropical beach-house living with outdoor ocean adventures, it features a five-bedroom villa, two beach chalets, a glass rim-flow swimming pool, a boat house filled with water activity equipment, a tennis court, a fully equipped gym, a yoga deck and an outdoor cocktail bar.
Thanda Safari offers an authentic South African wildlife experience with excellent game viewing all year round. Big Five game drives, specialised bush walks, and wildlife conservation activities, while the Zulu cultural tours into the rural communities provide meaningful insight and a rewarding African experience. For a luxurious safari experience, Villa iZulu is available to guests on an exclusive-use basis. Sleeping up to 10 in five suites, it comprises a library/cigar lounge, wine cellar, playroom, heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, an outdoor boma and its own helicopter pad. Fully serviced and with a dedicated complement of staff, this magnificent 900sqm villa is set within a beautiful, fully fenced garden.
