These defining features remain the same, but this year, something has shifted in where people are choosing to go and what they want to do when they get there.

“We’re seeing a genuine and growing appetite for experiences that deliver something beyond game drives,” says Antoinette Turner, General Manager, Flight Centre South Africa. “Local travellers are choosing unhurried safaris that prioritise ecological integrity and active participation over passive observation.”

Flight Centre’s Global PR Survey reinforces this. South African travellers rank the most likely of any market globally to prioritise restful, sustainable holiday experiences.

The conversation is simultaneously happening at an industry level. At World Travel Market (WTM) Africa this year, one of the most debated sessions, Nature on Demand: The High Cost of Instant Gratification in African Wildlife Tourism, took direct aim at ambiguous conservation and the high-turnover safari model that has long dominated parts of the market.

Kgomotso Ramothea, CEO, African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA®), confirmed the message: “When wildlife tourism optimises purely for guaranteed sightings and fast turnarounds, the ecosystems bearing that weight eventually pay for it. The alternative now is deliberate, more embedded experiences, which is gaining serious ground.”

This shift is playing out across the continent in ways that feel both subtle, yet significant. Below are some examples of where travellers are turning their attention this year, according to Flight Centre’s Travel Experts.

Madikwe, South Africa

Madikwe Game Reserve is malaria-free and sees a fraction of the traffic that the Greater Kruger corridor does. That alone makes it worth considering this season. For guests who want to do more than just observe, Morukuru Family offers a “Safari with a Purpose” add-on.

According to Co-Founder and Co-Owner, Ed Zeeman, visitors aren’t simply briefed on conservation here; they are immersed in the objectives and outcomes. This means understanding how animal tracking data informs protection strategies on the ground and spending hands-on time with researchers and anti-poaching units. 

“This is not a staged conservation theatre experience,” he says. “Collaring happens whether guests are there or not. What the package offers is access. Guests may find themselves at eye level with a darted lion while a veterinary team fits a tracking collar, or in the field during a rhino notching procedure.”

South Africa’s Waterberg region

The malaria-free Marakele National Park sits inside the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere, just four hours from Johannesburg. It’s consistently underreported in South African travel media, which makes it worth exploring this safari season.

The park occupies a transition zone between the country’s dry west and wetter east, which produces unusual biodiversity: rare yellowwood and cedar trees, and what is considered one of the world’s largest breeding colonies of Cape vultures. Days here are structured around stillness rather than volume, with stargazing and astronomy tours, bush walks led by FGASA-accredited field guides, and river-based exploration via Marataba Game Lodges’ Miss Mara water safari.

“People don’t just want proximity to wildlife,” says Robert More, Custodian and CEO, MORE Collection. “They want to understand the systems that sustain it. Safaris here centre less on ticking off species, and more on understanding wildlife behaviour, terrain, and seasonal rhythms.”

Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge

Delving into the mysteries of Olduvai Gorge reinforces that a safari in Africa doesn’t have to revolve around animal sightings alone. Set within the Great Rift Valley, this significant paleoanthropological site was made famous by the discovery of fossils and tools from early hominids. It offers a different kind of safari immersion, one that tells deeply human stories about the past, while prompting questions about our place in the world today.

“Many travellers don’t know about it; others are slowly catching on. It makes for an intriguing and scenic slowed-down stopover between the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti. If you’re lucky, you might even get to watch archaeologists working on an active dig,” comments Turner.

Olduvai Gorge reflects exactly what travellers are now looking for in safari add-ons, and aligns with findings from Go2Africa’s latest State of Safari report, which highlights a rising demand for low-density, high-immersion experiences.

Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya

In Kenya’s conservancies, traveller access is increasingly tied to community-owned land models, where tourism revenue directly supports local livelihoods. These aren’t new ideas, but they’re becoming more visible, and South African safari-goers are taking an interest in the realities of land management, community partnerships, and conservation-led storytelling.

The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a good example of this. It began as a working cattle ranch and is now home to the last surviving northern white rhinos and the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa. This destination departs from the traditional safari template with unique offerings such as specialised birding walks, lion tracking, and an interactive experience with bloodhounds trained to sniff out wildlife threats. There’s also the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, established in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, where guests can learn about the rescued chimps in residence.

“What connects Ol Pejeta and the above-mentioned destinations and activities is a shift in what travellers consider worth paying for,” Turner says. “The modern safari is becoming less transactional and more relational, rewarding patience. It asks more of the traveller: attention, time, curiosity, and in return, it offers something deeper than spectacle.”

The dry season is soon arriving, and South Africans are already booking. But unlike previous years, those decisions are being shaped by a clearer set of priorities.

“This isn’t a shift just in where safaris happen, but in how they’re experienced, and as this season unfolds, that distinction is becoming the defining feature of Africa’s modern safari,” Turner concludes.

Table of Contents

Cape Town: The WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards 2026 were presented today at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, recognising 22 organisations across 13 countries who are delivering measurable impact for people, places and nature.

The ceremony was MC-ed by Rachel Nxele, board member of SANParks, with special guest speaker Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town. The awards span five categories – Championing Cultural Diversity; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Local Economic Benefit; Nature Positive; and Regenerative Tourism – and are run in partnership with the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT).

“These awards are both celebration and evidence – recognising those organisations that are building dignity, protecting nature and honouring heritage.” – Rachel Nxele, board member, SANParks; MC, WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards 2026

Nxele framed the awards around a single, challenging question: can you prove it? “The awards recognise real work, real commitment and real impact,” she said. “The work that happens when no-one is watching.”

Alderman James Vos echoed that emphasis on demonstrable outcomes. The awards, he said, are “about showing impact” – because if you cannot show impact, it means “nothing to no-one”.

Vos described the awards as an important showcase of “how it can be done and how it should be done” and called on the industry to build more “tourism-preneurs” – to create greater longevity and broader economic opportunity.

THE TROPHIES

This year’s winners received trophies that are, in themselves, a statement of intent.

Gold and silver winners received handmade protea trophies crafted by Cape Gypsea, each one unique. The delicate inner petals are formed from the pages of recycled books; the bold outer petals from vibrant Shweshwe fabric, locally sourced with a focus on eco-conscious biodegradability. Together, they bring past and present into a single object – forgotten stories and living African tradition, side by side.

Organisations recognised as “One-to-Watch” received a bottle of Painted Wolf Wines, which is this year celebrating 20 years of wines for conservation. The company takes its name from Lycaon pictus – the scientific name for the African wild dog – and has donated 4% of sales to conservation since it was founded. By supporting African wild dogs, that support flows throughout the ecosystems and communities that share wild spaces across the continent.

THE 2026 RESPONSIBLE TOURISM WINNERS

The 2026 WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Award Gold winners are:

Ele Collection Zimbabwe – Nature Positive
Plastic waste is transformed into construction grade aggregate, reducing extraction pressure on natural systems while providing income to community collectors and educating visitors through factory tours. The judges praised the circular model for turning a major environmental threat into longterm infrastructure value while strengthening community livelihoods.

RuralRevive Namibia – Regenerative Tourism
RuralRevive’s “Building a Desert Based Economy Initiative” is conceptualised and driven by the Wolwedans Foundation. It is transforming the tourism economy around Maltahöhe through climate appropriate horticulture, local enterprise development and systems that reconnect tourism with community livelihoods. The judges recognised Rural Revive for addressing deep-rooted structural challenges by rebuilding local food systems, restoring dignity through work and creating a resilient desert based economy.

Saruni Basecamp Kenya – Regenerative Tourism
A community conservancy model has generated more than 1.5 million dollars for 6,605 landowners, conserved more than 414,000 hectares and embedded regenerative food systems and women’s economic empowerment across 13 camps. The judges commended Saruni Basecamp for demonstrating how long-term lease agreements and bed night fees can secure large and connected landscapes for wildlife, while strengthening local livelihoods.

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company South Africa – Local Economic Benefit
Local procurement has increased from 29 percent in 2017 to 89 percent today, supporting more than 150 small businesses and providing mentorship and certification support to 67 SMMEs. The judges highlighted TMACC’s commitment to developing suppliers beyond the Cableway itself, helping entrepreneurs strengthen operations and access wider tourism markets.

Traditional African Homestays Southern Africa – Championing Cultural Diversity
A fast-growing network of heritage homestays enables visitors to become part of village life while ensuring most fee income stays within communities, with expansion now reaching Eswatini and Botswana. The judges noted the remarkable year-on-year growth, with more than R6 million generated and 70–80 percent of income remaining in host communities, demonstrating a scalable model of cultural preservation and community empowerment.

V&A Waterfront Academy Cape Town – Local Economic Benefit
Since 2023, 315 young people have been placed into employment, with 90 percent securing fulltime jobs for the first time and 15 small businesses supported through the Watershed craft market. The Academy’s model addresses a critical gap by supporting both young workers and the businesses that hire them during the fragile first six months of employment.

The 2026 WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Award silver winners are:

Elephant Human Relations Aid Namibia – Regenerative Tourism
Human elephant conflict incidents have fallen from 92 in 2023 to just 12 so far in 2026, with no elephants shot as problem animals in 2025, across more than 2 million hectares.

Graskop Gorge Lift Company South Africa – Nature Positive
A zero impact access system protects critically endangered species such as the Graskop cliff aloe while sourcing most procurement within 100 kilometres.

Green Planet & TUI Care Foundation Egypt– Championing Cultural Diversity
The Colourful Cultures programme supports artists, artisans and community hosts through training in hospitality, storytelling and entrepreneurship, connecting them to tourism markets through hotel, tour operator and online partnerships.

Imvelo Safari Lodges – Regenerative Tourism
Longterm coexistence work includes water management, antipoaching deterrence and the successful reintroduction of white rhinos.

LUX Marijani Zanzibar – Local Economic Benefit
Local suppliers are embedded into the resort’s value chain, generating consistent income for fishers, farmers, transport providers and women’s cooperatives.

Saruni Wild Kenya – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
A structured internship programme has shifted staff representation from an allmale team in 2015 to nearly one third women today, including a female Assistant Manager and equal gender representation among interns.

TUI Futureshapers North Africa – Local Economic Benefit
The programme supports more than 180 young entrepreneurs across Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, strengthens local value chains and creates jobs through locally led tourism businesses.

Unexplored Cape Town – Championing Cultural Diversity
Inclusive, community rooted food tours take guests into neighbourhood kitchens and markets, supporting small vendors and welcoming travellers with disabilities while showcasing diverse African and diaspora food cultures.

The 2026 WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Award one-to-watch winners are:

AgroTourism Park by Eco Terra Vista Tours Rwanda – Local Economic Benefit
A grassroots model integrating smallholder farming, cultural heritage and tourism ensures revenue stays in rural communities historically excluded from tourism value chains.

Cape Tourist Guides Association South Africa – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Recognised for strengthening representation by ensuring guides reflect South Africa’s cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic diversity.

Desert & Delta Safaris Botswana – Championing Cultural Diversity
The Okavango Marathon Project offers an immersive cultural journey through remote communities along the Okavango Panhandle, meeting fishermen, travelling by mokoro with community guides and engaging with the San community at Tsodilo.

Green Safaris Zambia and Malawi – Regenerative Tourism
Mukuni Organic Farm and hydrological restoration using cascading check dams demonstrate a regenerative approach to restoring degraded land.

Jacada Travel Zimbabwe – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
A Female Guides of the Future initiative supports women to access high-level guiding roles through training, mentorship and career pathways in partnership with the Wilderness Trust.

Spekboom Southern Africa – Nature Positive
A tour company offering an automated split payment model channels 2.5 per cent of every booking directly to conservation or community causes at no extra cost to guests.

TUI Care Foundation Field to Fork Tanzania – Regenerative Tourism
Strengthens regenerative food systems, supports local farmers and links sustainable agriculture with tourism markets. One of nine projects worldwide.

TUI Turtle Aid and Project Diversity, Cape Verde – Nature Positive

More than 1.2 million endangered turtle hatchlings have been protected  since 2017 by TUI with local partner Project Biodiversity.

THE JUDGES

The judges of the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards were chaired by Emeritus Professor Harold Goodwin, managing director of the Responsible Tourism Partnership and founder ICRT global and included Glynn O’ Leary Transfrontier Parks Destinations and ICRT Southern Africa, Ruth Crichton regional head Southern Africa the Long Run and ICRT Southern Africa, Adama Bah, Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG) and ICRT West Africa, Martin Brackenbury formerly IFTO and UN Advisor, Kerry Carmichael founder of Echo and Tiomóid Foley, net zero tourism manager, business development and intermediary marketing at Visit Scotland

Debbie Hindle, chair of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism Global, closed the proceedings by congratulating all the winners –and in particular the gold winners, who now have the opportunity to compete in the Global Responsible Tourism Awards and take their stories to the international stage.

Olivia Gradidge, marketing manager WTM Africa and ILTM Africa said: “At WTM Africa, we’re proud to shine a light on these inspiring organisations. It’s truly an honour to recognise the outstanding work of the winners and witness the innovative strides our industry is making every year. This highlight on our events calendar reflects our commitment to championing responsible tourism that benefits people, places, and nature.”  

Full citations for all winners are available at www.icrt.global.

Table of Contents

Third annual Media Awards celebrate excellence in African travel journalism across five categories.

Cape Town: Africa Travel Week (ATW) has announced the winners of its 2026 Media Awards, honouring the journalists, photographers and content creators bringing Africa’s travel and tourism stories to global audiences.

Now in its third year, the ATW Media Awards received a record number of entries – over 170 across five categories: Sustainability Feature Award, Visual Tourism Award, Tourism News Award, Destination Feature Award and the Young Talent Award. All were evaluated by a world-class judging panel comprising wildlife photographer and Canon ambassador Ellie Rothnie, Kojo Bentum-Williams of VoyagesAfriq, Barry Nield of CNN Travel, Divia Thani of Condé Nast Traveller and Tom Hall of Lonely Planet.

“These awards exist to shine a light on the storytellers who shape how the world sees Africa,”says Olivia Gradidge, Marketing Manager (WTM Africa & ILTM Africa) at RX Africa, the host and architect of Africa Travel Week. “The quality of entries this year reflects the depth of talent working in African travel media, and we congratulate every finalist and winner.”

2026 ATW Media Awards Winners

Sustainability Feature Award

Gold: Bella Falk, BBC Wildlife Magazine – Dog Stars: On the Trail of African Wild DogsSilver: Savanna Strauss, Rewilding Southern Africa – Rewilding Giants

Bronze: Tafadzwa Mwanengureni, Minority Africa – They Escaped Their Husbands. Then They Took on Poachers.

Visual Tourism Award

Gold: Wiktoria West, Rewilding Southern Africa – Eastern Chimpanzee

Silver: Bella Falk, Passports & Pixels – Ugandan Group of Dancers

Bronze: Aaron Fishbein – The Basotho Herdsman

Tourism News Award

Gold: Jane Gatwiri, NTV Kenya – Twigas on Transit

Silver: Morgan Barnard, Social Safari Africa – Marriott International was preparing to open its new Ritz-Carlton Safari Camp in Kenya’s Maasai Mara

Bronze: Dale Hes, Tourism Update – AI’s Gatekeeper Role: A Threat to African Tourism

Destination Feature Award

Gold: Sam Kemp, National Geographic Traveller UK – Sierra Leone: After the Storm

Joint Silver: Charlotte Wigram-Evans, National Geographic Traveller – Uganda:We are One

Joint Silver: Lorna Parkes, National Geographic Traveller UK – Kenya: Natural OrderBronze: Victor Ayeni, Punch Newspapers – Nigeria: Sango’s Festival Where Ancient Rites Ignite Fire, Thunder

Young Talent Award

Gold: Shereefdeen Ahmad, The Liberalist – How Schengen Visa Denials Are Shutting Africans Out of the Global Stage

Silver: Savanna Strauss, Rewilding Southern Africa – Is Silence Going Extinct?

Bronze: William Muthama, K24 Digital – List of KWS Parks and Reserves You Can Visit for Free on Saturday

“In a media environment flooded with AI-generated content and deepfakes, what we saw in these entries was a reminder of why real journalism still matters,” says Dorine Reinstein from Big Ambitions, ATW’s PR partner. “”The 2026 winners represent the very best of that community: writers, photographers and journalists producing pieces that were grounded, well-researched and honestly told.”

The 2026 ATW Media Awards were presented at the end of Day 1 of WTM Africa during Africa Travel Week.

For media enquiries, contact Sonnette Fourie on +27 81 072 2869 or sonnette@bigambitions.co.za

Table of Contents

JOHANNESBURG – When FCM Meetings and Events (FCM M&E) released its 2026 Trends Report, the data was clear: 100% of bookings (across Australia and New Zealand, North America, LATAM, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia) included at least one sustainability requirement. 

Lance Nkwe, Business Leader, FCM Meetings & Events South Africa says sustainability is now part and parcel of every experience. And while this includes removing notebooks and paper cups (both rarely recycled) and single-use plastics, what an event “leaves behind” is becoming increasingly important.

“Event planners are making visible strides with environmentally conscious choices in venues, catering and waste management, and there is growing interest in responsible, scalable solutions,” says Nkwe. “ESG reporting and community impact are especially important as clients look to demonstrate that their presence in an area contributes positively to local community development.”

Corporate hotel programmes are under the same scrutiny. Jessica Redinger, General Manager of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank – which has just achieved Green Key Certification – agrees.

“Sustainability has quickly become non-negotiable in our industry. We’re seeing it come through in 100% of RFPs (request for proposals) we receive from major global companies. Green Key gives Hyde a credible, internationally recognised certification that speaks directly to that expectation. It’s a must for corporate agreements, but also for business and leisure travellers who are increasingly choosing properties based on sustainability credentials – and what they give back to their local community – not just their name or brand,” says Redinger.

In other words, sustainability has quickly moved from a nice-to-have to a procurement essential. According to a 2023 Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) survey, 76% of travel buyers were integrating or planning to integrate sustainability questions into their RFPs, and 63% were selecting or planning to select suppliers based on sustainability criteria.

In June 2024, the GBTA Foundation formalised this shift with the launch of its Sustainable Hotel Procurement Standards – a framework of 50 structured questions covering everything from carbon emissions per room per night to water use, waste management, food and beverage practices, and EV charging availability.

And as Mummy Mafojane, General Manager FCM South Africa, explains, SA’s regulatory context adds urgency. South Africa’s Climate Change Act (No. 22 of 2024) came into force on 17 March 2025. The legislation introduces carbon budgets and legal obligations to stay within defined emissions ceilings, with mandatory monitoring, reporting, and verification requirements. 

“For corporate travel managers, this has a direct implication: the hotels and venues in your programme are part of your organisation’s emissions story,” says Mafojane. “Choosing certified properties isn’t just responsible; it’s a compliance consideration.”

Behind the scenes: what certified hotels are actually doing

The most meaningful changes happening in hotels right now are largely invisible to guests. Real structural interventions, happening in the background, but making a significant difference. 

As an example, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank’s Green Key certification, awarded by WESSA and aligned with international Green Key standards, covers energy consumption, water management, waste practices, staff training and local procurement. 

Internationally, the Radisson Hotel Group has just announced a target of 100 Verified Net Zero Hotels by 2030, with a phased 2026 roll-out beginning in Norway and the Nordics, followed by the UK and South Africa – making it the first African country to host a Radisson Verified Net Zero property. 

Mafojane says there’s a financial case to be made too. 

“Data from a 2024 HRS Green Stay Initiative found that, on average, the 25% most efficient hotels in its sustainability database offered average daily rates 17% lower than the 25% most polluting hotels – countering the widespread assumption that green costs more,” says Mafojane.

Building a sustainable travel programme

FCM Consulting’s Insights Report for H1 2026 offers a practical framework for travel managers looking to act:

• Start by ensuring you have access to reporting tools that track ESG metrics and establish clear baselines. 
• Align your travel-specific sustainability goals with your company’s broader objectives – the two need to work together, not in isolation. 
• Engage suppliers who share your ESG values, and don’t wait for legislation to land before reviewing what’s coming; organisations that have targets and baselines in place will be far better positioned when compliance becomes mandatory.

What business travellers need to do

Hotels and travel managers can build the most sustainable programme in the world. But travellers still need to pull their weight. For Mafojane, there are five changes that make a genuine difference:

1. Booking within your programme. A company’s preferred hotel list has been sustainability-vetted. Booking outside it for convenience undermines the good work the travel manager has done.
2. Skipping the daily room clean. Opting out of daily housekeeping is one of the highest-impact individual choices a traveller can make. 
3. “Hyde’s ‘Skip the Clean’ programme allows guests to opt out of daily housekeeping and earn loyalty points in return,” says Redinger. “But that single choice reduces linen washing, cleaning chemical usage, water consumption, energy use and labour – without guests feeling like they’ve made a sacrifice.”
4. Adjusting energy settings when you leave the room. Turn off the air conditioning or heating when you head out. Most properties now make this easy; some have it automated. Do it anyway.
5. Choose lower-carbon meal options where they exist. Hotel F&B is a key part of a property’s emissions footprint. Choose locally sourced dishes and ingredients.
6. Feed back to your travel manager. If a hotel had a sustainability feature worth noting – or a glaring gap – say so. That information directly shapes the next RFP cycle and helps travel management companies (TMCs) build programmes that keep improving.

What this means for your travel programme

Sustainability in both hotel programmes and the meetings & events sector is no longer aspirational. It is structural, measurable and increasingly legislated. As Nkwe says, “Make sure your planner or TMC understands your sustainability requirements, can genuinely meet them, and has the reporting capability to prove it. In 2026, that’s a basic expectation.”

Table of Contents

Rosebank hotel recognised for embedding sustainability into infrastructure, operations, and community impact

(Pictured left to right: Jessica Redinger: General Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank; Charity Mabuza: Rooms Divisions Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank; Cindy-Lee Cloete: WESSA CEO; Karel Mienie: Facilities Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank)

Johannesburg, South Africa: Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank has officially been awarded Green Key certification, an internationally recognised eco-label for tourism establishments committed to responsible and sustainable practices. Managed in South Africa by WESSA (The Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa), the programme includes independent audits and annual verification, ensuring that certification reflects sustained performance rather than a once-off achievement.

Speaking at the official handover, WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete emphasised that Green Key certification represents more than compliance: “Green Key certification reflects a real commitment to sustainability, responsible tourism, and continuously improving how we operate as a hospitality establishment. This achievement is not just about receiving a certificate – it is about recognising the journey, the effort, and the people behind it.”

Sustainability engineered into the building

At the core of Hyde Rosebank’s sustainability journey is a design-led approach, where environmental performance is embedded into the building itself – not retrofitted.

The property operates with solar panels, a gas generator system, heat recovery for hot water, and a borehole supplying approximately 40% of its water needs, significantly reducing reliance on municipal infrastructure.

These systems are complemented by energy-efficient LED lighting, an Energy Performance Certificate, and water-saving aerators across guest rooms and operational areas, ensuring resource efficiency is maintained across all touchpoints.

“These aren’t cosmetic changes; they’re engineered into how the building runs every day. Sustainability is part of the infrastructure, and it shapes how we operate across every level of the hotel,” explains Jessica Redinger, General Manager of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank.

Operational change embedded into systems

Beyond infrastructure, the hotel has embedded sustainability into daily operational practices and team behaviour, a critical factor in achieving Green Key certification.

Housekeeping and maintenance teams actively monitor energy usage, water consumption, and air conditioning systems, with daily checks ensuring unused rooms are not consuming unnecessary resources.

“We’ve already seen measurable reductions in energy and water consumption through daily monitoring and team accountability. It’s about turning awareness into action at every level of the operation,” adds Redinger.

Efforts to reduce waste are equally embedded. The hotel has eliminated single-use plastic water bottles, replacing them with a reusable glass bottle system supported by on-site purification and washing infrastructure, alongside broader waste reduction initiatives.

Embedding sustainability into experience, culture and community

A defining feature of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank’s approach is the seamless integration of sustainability across guest experience, team culture, and community impact – without compromising comfort or design.

• From digital in-room systems and bamboo key cards to reusable glass water bottles and initiatives such as “Skip the Clean”, which reduces water, energy, and chemical use, guests can participate in more responsible practices without disruption.
• Beyond the property, Hyde Rosebank maintains a strong focus on local community engagement, with ongoing support for New Jerusalem Children’s Home through food, clothing donations, and regular visits, alongside participation in Rosebank clean-up initiatives and wellness-driven community partnerships.
• Internally, this approach is underpinned by a culture-driven model, where sustainability is embedded into daily operations. A cross-departmental ESG committee, supported by leadership and operational teams, ensures accountability through daily briefings, monitoring, and continuous reinforcement.

Redinger shares that, “The highest compliment is that guests often don’t notice because sustainability is built into the experience from the start. Where guests do have a choice, it’s positioned as a benefit, not a sacrifice.”

Green Key certification is recognised in over 90 countries and forms part of a global network of tourism establishments committed to sustainability.

For Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank, this milestone marks not an endpoint, but the beginning of a deeper commitment. “Sustainability does not sit in a file or a policy. It lives in daily actions, in how teams use resources, engage with guests, and contribute to a culture of responsibility. It’s about asking what more can be done and how we keep improving, and based on what we’ve seen here, this team is well positioned to lead in this space,” concludes Cloete.

For the first time, five nations – Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe – are marketing their shared conservation estate as a single tourism destination. The Great Kavango Zambezi Birding Route, launched in February 2026 and presented jointly at ITB Berlin 2026 this week, is the first tangible product of that ambition: a cross-border avitourism experience spanning over 650 bird species across the world’s largest trans frontier conservation area.

“No single country in this region can offer what the five Partner States offer together. The birding route makes that case in the most concrete way possible – 650 species, 12 key areas, ancient migration corridors, and a certified guide network to bring it to life,” said Dr Nyambe Nyambe, Executive Director of the Kavango Zambezi TFCA Secretariat.

The route connects 12 key birding areas across the Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), tracing ancient migration corridors that follow the life-giving waterways – the Kavango, Zambezi, Chobe, Kwando and Kafue river systems – that sustain both resident and migratory bird populations. These are the same river systems that give the destination its new unified brand identity and its ‘Rivers of Life’ positioning.

The scale of the product is considerable. Birders can move between Botswana’s Okavango Delta wetlands and Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park woodlands within a single itinerary, with suggested routes available at UncoverKavangoZambezi.com.

A hosted international press expedition documented 215 bird species across the region – including 43 species recorded for the first time by experienced international birders, a figure that speaks directly to the route’s credentials among serious avitourists.

A product built for the trade

The birding route has been structured with commercial viability at its centre. More than 100 registered Birding Route Ambassadors – operators, guides, lodges and tourism stakeholders – are involved in promoting the route across the region, having recognised its potential as a differentiating product in an increasingly competitive regional market.

Critically, the infrastructure to support demand is being built in parallel. 69 birding guides have completed intensive 12-day certification programmes through partnerships including  BirdWatch Zambia, BirdLife Zimbabwe, BirdLife South Africa, BirdLife Botswana and Namibia Nature Foundation. 

The aim is to ensure that the calibre of interpretation on the ground matches what international birders expect from an established avitourism destination.

“Avitourism represents one of the fastest-growing segments in nature-based travel worldwide,” said Dr Nyambe. “This route positions Kavango Zambezi alongside established avitourism destinations like Costa Rica and Ecuador, but with the unique advantage of cross-border scale – and a community of local guides and ambassadors who are equipped to deliver truly expert-led experiences.”

Tourism operators can access co-branding tools, professional marketing assets in five languages, suggested itineraries, video content through the ‘Rivers of Life’ series, and guide certification resources through the dedicated Trade Hub at UncoverKavangoZambezi.com. Registration is free.

With 36 protected areas spanning an area larger than France and Germany combined, the Kavango Zambezi TFCA represents a scale of natural diversity that few destinations globally can match. For operators building southern Africa itineraries, the birding route provides a structured, commercially supported mechanism to unlock that diversity across borders.

This unified brand brings together the five partner states to market their shared conservation area as a single tourism destination under the ‘Rivers of Life’ slogan, which reflects the interconnected river systems that sustain this vast ecosystem and the wildlife corridors connecting them. 

The birding route offers access to over 650 bird species across ancient migration corridors spanning the world’s largest terrestrial trans frontier conservation area.

About Kavango Zambezi TFCA

The Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) is the world’s largest terrestrial trans frontier conservation area, spanning 516,406 km² across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Established by treaty in 2011, it encompasses 36 protected areas including national parks, game reserves and community conservancies. The TFCA is home to Africa’s largest elephant population (approximately 250,000) and includes two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta.

About the Kavango Zambezi Destination Brand

The Kavango Zambezi destination brand was officially endorsed by Heads of State at the Livingstone Summit in May 2024, uniting the five partner countries under a shared tourism identity. The destination brand development has been co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through KfW. The brand promotes cross-border experiences that follow natural wildlife corridors and ecological linkages rather than political boundaries, positioning the region as southern Africa’s premier tourist destination and enabling visitors to explore the continent’s cultural and natural diversity as never before.

Pangolin.Africa announced a coordinated campaign to achieve the approval of a pangolin emoji with the Unicode Consortium, marking a renewed effort following a rejection of an application in 2019. 

The Unicode Consortium, the non-profit organisation responsible for approving new emojis, requires specific, quantifiable evidence of public interest. Petitions and social media campaigns are explicitly not accepted. Instead, Unicode evaluates:

• Google Search volume and trends
• Google Video Search metrics
• Website traffic data
• Comparative analysis with approved animal emojis

“Unicode’s requirements are rigorous, and rightfully so,” notes Toby Jermyn, Director of Pangolin.Africa. “They need proof that people will actually use a pangolin emoji. Our campaign is designed to build exactly that proof – transparently, measurably, and in accordance with their documented standards.”

The campaign launches on World Pangolin Day (21^st February 2026) with a call for global audiences to search for “Pangolin” on Google and alternative search engines to build the quantifiable public interest metrics that Unicode requires for emoji approval.

“A pangolin emoji was proposed to Unicode in 2019 and was summarily declined,” says Emma Bracher, Programme Director at Pangolin.Africa. “Then COVID-19 hit, and suddenly everyone was searching for pangolins because of the virus’s suspected origins. Search traffic spiked dramatically. But we can’t rely on a global pandemic to generate awareness. We need sustained, organic interest—and we’re building that now.”

The Case for Pangolin Representation

Pangolins occupy a unique position among endangered species: they are simultaneously real animals facing extinction and creatures of almost mythical quality in popular imagination. Their distinctive scales, long tongues, and solitary nature make them unlike any other mammal on Earth.

Yet while dragons, unicorns, and other mythical creatures have emoji representation, pangolins do not. Even extinct animals like the dodo and dinosaurs are represented in emoji keyboards worldwide.

“There is a genuine incomprehension as to why pangolins don’t have an emoji,” explains Jermyn. “They’re visually distinctive. They’re culturally significant across Africa and Asia. They’re critically endangered and need awareness. And they have all the characteristics that make for compelling emoji use. The only thing missing has been demonstrated public interest.”

Emoji Design Competition

Following the awareness campaign, Pangolin.Africa will launch a design competition open to anyone who has completed the Pangolin Guardians Course. Participants will create Unicode-compliant emoji designs (curled-up and walking poses) for submission.

Pangolin.Africa will open submissions for design entries from 15 March 2026. A full design brief with details of the Unicode specifications, is available on the Pangolin.Africa website. 

The winning designer receives international recognition and the distinction of creating the first pangolin emojis, with designs submitted to Unicode during May 2026.

The Conservation Context

Pangolins are the world’s most illegally trafficked mammals, with over one million individuals stolen from the wild in the past decade. All eight pangolin species – four in Africa and four in Asia – are threatened with extinction due to poaching for their scales (used in traditional medicine despite having no medicinal value) and meat.

Despite this critical conservation status, pangolins remain largely unknown to the general public. Digital representation through emojis would provide a tool for everyday conservation conversations, much as elephant 🐘, rhinoceros 🦏, and gorilla 🦍 emojis have done for those species.

“When people can text about pangolins as easily as they can text about elephants, pangolins become part of our cultural conversation,” says Bracher. “That visibility drives awareness. Awareness drives action. Action drives conservation outcomes.”

The COVID-19 Precedent

In early 2020, search interest in pangolins surged dramatically as scientists investigated the virus’s origins and potential wildlife reservoirs. Google Trends data showed a spike in “pangolin” searches that persisted for several months.

“That spike proved people were interested. But it was driven by a global health crisis, not by genuine conservation engagement,” explains Jermyn. “What we’re building now is sustainable, education-based interest. People aren’t searching because they’re afraid. They’re searching because they want to learn, understand, and help.”

Call to Action

Individuals worldwide are encouraged to:

1. Search “pangolin” on Google (web search, image search, video search)
2. Visit Pangolin.Africa to learn about the species and conservation efforts
3. Complete the FREE 15-minute Pangolin Guardians Educational Course

Media organisations can support the campaign by:

• Covering pangolin conservation and the emoji campaign
• Including pangolin imagery in World Pangolin Day coverage
• Linking to Pangolin.Africa educational resources
• Explaining the trafficking crisis and conservation needs

For more information about the campaign, to access educational resources and imagery, or to complete the Pangolin Guardians Course, visit pangolin.africa

View video by Toby Jermyn here on the Pangolin Emoji Campaign.

Media Contact

Nikki Evans
Marketing Manager, Pangolin.Africa
Email: nikki@pangolin.africa
Phone: +27 082 578 3602
Website: www.pangolin.africa

About Pangolin.Africa

Pangolin.Africa is a South African based registered non-profit organisation (Reg. No. 2018/380634/08) dedicated to the survival of the most highly trafficked wildlife species on Earth – the African pangolin. Through Pangolin.Africa’s three-pronged approach of publicity, participation, and protection, its projects enable global partners in tourism, conservation, and business to contribute to research, protection, and rehabilitation of this vulnerable species.

Table of Contents

Johannesburg, South Africa: The third edition of the Seychelles Nature Challenge returns on Saturday,16 May 2026, with all-inclusive packages now available for professional and novice trail runners alike.

The 22 km technical course winds its way through Morne Seychellois National Park – the archipelago’s largest and most biodiverse protected area. With a 1,200 m elevation gain, runners traverse dense indigenous rainforest, rocky mountain paths, and pristine coastal trails on the island of Mahé, in what is becoming one of the most spectacular and sought-after races on the global trail running calendar.

A once-in-a-lifetime trail experience awaits. For seasoned trail runner, Paul Ingpen, the 2025 edition inspired new awe and wonder:

“Even after 40 years of travelling to run, ride and paddle my way through the world’s most remote wildernesses, I have never seen plants as tall, leaves as big, or shapes as varied as in this forest,” said Ingpen. “It may be the first time that I’ve run a race wishing time would slow down and the distance would extend.”

An unparalleled way to discover the island. For Stellenbosch-based trail runner, Shaundre Jacobs, who finished third in the ladies’ race in August 2025, it was the best way to experience Seychelles for the very first time:

“If you like the outdoors and exploring a new place, I suggest putting this race at the top of your list,” says Jacobs. “It’s the best way to explore the island, by foot. In this way, you take it all in through feeling and experiencing nature first-hand. Whether you are a beginner or expert trail runner, this race is for you. It will be the experience of a lifetime. Seychelles is not just a place; it is a feeling.”

Accessible to runners of all levels. Jacobs, who describes the event as “well-organised”, “well-marked” and “magically surreal”, believes anyone can enjoy the challenge – with a little preparation.

“If you are considering it, try and train in warm conditions and get some time in a sauna. The humidity is quite high and can catch you off guard,” explains Jacobs. “Hydrate well before, during and after the race, with water and electrolytes. Also, do lots of vertical training where you focus on power hiking. This will help prepare you for the vertical kilometres in the race – and reward you with astounding views.”

RACE DETAILS

The Seychelles Nature Trail Challenge 2026 takes place on 16 May 2026, starting at the Constance Ephelia Resort at Port Launay before heading into Mahé’s national park trails and finishing at Grand Anse Mahé.

The race entry fee includes a race bib and timing chip, race pack (including a t-shirt and other surprises), a finisher’s medal, refreshments and aid stations along the route and post-race recovery area and refreshments.

ALL-INCLUSIVE RACE PACKAGES

Comprehensive travel packages for South African runners are available through Ace Sport Travel, making it easy to experience this bucket-list event. Packages start from R49,990 per person, including 5 nights’ accommodation, breakfast and dinner daily, flights and transfers and race entry. Rates depend on accommodation selected (Constance Ephelia or Avani+ Barbarons), and single supplements apply. 

Price excludes the Seychelles Tourism Environmental Sustainability Levy, which amounts to approximately R121.00 per person per night, payable at the hotel upon check out.

For booking enquiries, please contact nadine@acetravel.co.za.

BOOK YOUR SPOT TODAY

Online entries are open, please visit https://racepass.com/za/tours/the-seychelles-nature-trail for more information.

For Christine Vel, Market Manager for Seychelles Tourism, it is a highlight on the organisation’s calendar:

“The 2025 event attracted 169 entrants from around the world, including 52 international athletes and 10 participants from South Africa alone,” says Vel.  “For 2026, we’re expecting an even larger field and are excited to cement Seychelles’ position as a premier destination for both luxury and adventure tourism, showcasing Seychelles’ extraordinary natural beauty to a globalaudience of outdoor enthusiasts.”

Thanks to the generosity and commitment of Morukuru Family and our partnership with the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation, Nori has been fitted with a satellite tag. This allows us to continue following Nori’s journey in the wild, growing our understanding on the movements of green turtles in the wild.

“To witness these turtles returning to the wild at De Hoop Nature Reserve is profoundly moving. Being present for this moment, and supporting the conservation work that made it possible, is a privilege for all of us at Morukuru Family. Nori’s journey has been one of resilience and hope, and we are delighted to follow her next chapter as she explores the ocean’s vastness. We look forward to continuing this meaningful journey alongside the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, caring for these remarkable marine environments and the wildlife that call them home,” says founder of the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation, Anka Zeeman.

With the onset of summer, the coastal waters of the De Hoop Marine Protected Area warm up, making the conditions perfect to return these incredible turtle ambassadors to their wild ocean home. 

Nori’s return to the ocean was particularly inspiring – after being rescued in Witsand in 2023, she underwent an intensive rehabilitation and enrichment programme to restore her impaired eyesight. Similarly, Stella, Pebbles, and Cinnamon beat the odds to contribute to the survival of their species.  

The four turtles follow in the footsteps of many turtle rehabilitation success stories at the Two Oceans Aquarium. 2024 marked a milestone for the Turtle Conservation Centre – for the first time at a single release, they returned three different turtle species to the ocean.

“This was a particularly exciting release for the team as it was the first time in recent years that the Turtle Conservation Centre has had the privilege of releasing three different turtle species at the same time. This is a testament to the value of the De Hoop MPA for turtle conservation in the country and the continent,” said Talitha Noble-Trull, Conservation Manager at the Turtle Conservation Centre.

To mark this year’s turtle release, Noble-Trull and her team shared the experience with their dedicated volunteers, interns, and supporters. Each of these individuals plays a valuable role in the work of the Turtle Conservation Centre – combined with the significance of De Hoop MPA as a release site, this team of people are moving the needle for these turtle species. Although we are encouraged by the change in the green turtle’s status on the IUCN list from Endangered to Least Concern, it is important to continue this conservation work. As a Critically Endangered hawksbill turtle, Cinnamon exemplifies the impact of rehabilitation – with the Turtle Conservation Centre’s intervention, one more hawksbill turtle has a brighter future.

Morukuru Goodwill Foundation partnership

This release also marks an important growth in the partnership between the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation and Morukuru Goodwill Foundation with the signing of a further three-year partnership. This will allow the Turtle Conservation Centre to continue important rehabilitation work with three turtles, fit them with satellite tags once they are ready for release, and track their movements post-release.

De Hoop is an ideal turtle release site

It is a privilege to have De Hoop MPA as a tried and tested release site for the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre. Declared an MPA in 1985, the value of De Hoop’s marine environment has long been recognised but, more recently, has been praised for what it has to offer turtle conservation along the southern coast of South Africa. 

De Hoop MPA’s abundant coastal ecosystems and warmer waters are well-suited to the lifestyles of subadult turtles, particularly those of green and hawksbill turtles like Nori, Stella, Pebbles, and Cinnamon. With this release, the Turtle Conservation Centre is affecting positive change for these ecologically important turtle species, giving them a second chance at life.

The term popped up in the 1990s and hit its stride in the 2000s, when gap-year adventurers set out with a backpack full of dreams and a clean T-shirt. You wouldn’t be wrong for picturing “hippie-type” solo travellers, content with beach huts and a diet of budget noodles.

But those free-spirited 2000s travellers are parents now. Instead of just swapping stories from Southeast Asia, they’re teaching their kids the value of responsible travel. And boom, family voluntourism is born.

It looks a little different these days. Less ‘Survivor’ chic, more practical and purposeful. If you’re dreaming of a family holiday that builds memories and contributes to real, sustainable change, here’s what you need to know.

The Benefits

Studies, including research led by the University of Texas, link youth volunteering with lower anxiety and depressive symptoms and fewer behavioural issues in adolescence and young adulthood. It builds empathy, perspective and self-esteem beyond the confines of a standard educational environment.

Family trips already bond us. Volunteering adds purpose to that connection. Throw travel into the mix, and suddenly your child is learning in the world’s biggest classroom, with “global citizen” as their unofficial job title.

So where does a family actually start in their quest for an out-of-the-ordinary holiday to remember? That’s where the magic of professionally arranged volunteer travel comes in. Those original voluntourists may have had time to figure things out on the road, but today’s families can rely on expert guidance instead.

“Our Travel Experts match families with responsible, well-run programmes through trusted partners,” says Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa. “This makes it easy to add purpose to a holiday, at the comfort level that suits you.”

Turner adds that booking through a trusted advisor gives families total peace of mind.

“We vet our partners carefully, so travellers know their time and efforts are genuinely contributing to local communities and conservation projects, not just ticking a box.”

Travel Kind: The Do No Harm Checklist

Voluntourism works best when it genuinely helps, not harms. Before adding any give back experience to your family itinerary, run a quick ethics check.

What to look for

• Local-led or community-owned projects that reinvest in the area
• Transparent use of volunteer fees
• Strong child-safeguarding policies when little ones are involved

What to avoid

• Any wildlife handling or performances
• Visits to residential care facilities (orphanages/children’s homes) as global child‑safeguarding guidance discourages these
• Pay-to-play photo opportunities
• Activities that replace local jobs

International Highlights

1. Mauritius – Puppy Cuddles and Purpose

Join the Protection of Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) for a morning of walking, bathing and caring for rescue dogs. It is a heartwarming experience squeezed neatly between snorkelling sessions.

At a glance: Half day experience | Year-round | Light activity | Accessible from most resorts | All ages with guardian | Under staff supervision

2. Cambodia – Elephant Sanctuary

The Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary protects forests and their wild residents after decades of illegal logging. Families can join weekly volunteer programmes focused on forest restoration and animal care. Observation only, no riding, feeding or bathing.

At a glance: Three to five days | Year-round | Moderate walking on rough paths | Minimum age ten with guardian

3. Seychelles – Coral Gardeners in Training

The WiseOceans Marine Discovery Programme within the five-star Kempinski Seychelles Resort on Mahé offers something very special indeed. Not only can youngsters experience

Seychelles’ ocean life through tailored excursions (and under the wing of the resort’s marine biologist), including beach exploration, guided snorkelling and a host of kids’ club activities, but guests can become active participants in coral conservation too.

As Christine Vel, Director at Seychelles Tourism, explains, it is an unforgettable opportunity for budding marine biologists.

“Guests can choose their level of involvement, including getting hands-on by learning how to attach coral fragments, monitor their growth, and then following their journey back to the reef,” explains Vel. “Coral sponsors even receive certificates, photographs of their coral ‘babies’ and regular updates on their growth and progress.”

At a glance: Year-round | Activities differ according to age, weather and interest

4. Costa Rica – Hatchlings and Hope

Along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, local NGOs guide families during turtle nesting and hatching season. Watching a hatchling waddle toward the surf might be the most memorable empathy lesson on earth.

At a glance: Night patrols one to two hours | Peak June to November depending on coast | Moderate beach walking | Red light torches only | Eight plus with guardian

Local Legends

1. Cape Town – Penguin Rescue Mornings At SANCCOB

Help prepare feeds and care for rescued seabirds under expert supervision, with no direct wildlife handling unless trained.

At a glance: Half day | Year-round with peak May to August | Indoor and outdoor tasks | Ten plus with guardian

2. The Garden Route – Tree Planting with Greenpop

Roll up your sleeves, plant indigenous trees, learn about reforestation and enjoy a little music, laughter and maybe some compost in your hair.

At a glance: Half or full day | Seasonal August to November | Outdoor activity | Family friendly with guardian for minors

3. Kruger Region – Citizen Conservation

Partner lodges near Kruger and Addo collaborate with SANParks Honorary Rangers to include practical conservation experiences, from removing invasive plants to monitoring wildlife. Equal parts rewarding and wild.

At a glance: Half to multi day | Year-round | Heat exposure and light hiking | Activities vary by lodge such as invasive plant removal

4. Namibia – Ocean Conservation Days

Join Ocean Conservation Namibia volunteers to support trained teams during seal rescues, with no direct handling, or take part in high-impact coastal cleanups. Sustainability with a side of sea breeze.

At a glance: Half day | April to October | Windy conditions, moderate stamina helpful | Twelve plus with guardian

Big Memories, Bigger Impact

“The new generation of travellers is moving beyond ‘leave no trace’ – they want to leave a positive impact,” says Turner. “Families are leading that charge, with parents recognising how travel can shape children’s values in the best possible way.”

Whether you help penguins find their feet or corals find new life, you will come home with more than souvenirs. You’ll return with empathy, perspective and a very good story for Monday’s school drop-off.