Africa's Leading Destination 2026 crown returns to Tanzania at World Travel Awards
Tanzania has been named Africa's leading travel destination for 2026 at the World Travel Awards, marking its second consecutive win. The country also secured awards for its tourist board and specific attractions like the Selous Game Reserve.
Why it matters
Tourism is a vital economic driver for Tanzania, and these awards serve as a significant endorsement for the country's international travel industry.
Tanzania seems to have once more retained the crown of being Africa’s leading destination during the just held World Travel Awards 2026.
However, there is one surprise, the country’s Selous Game Reserve has for the first time emerged as the leading Africa’s Attraction.
This is the second time in a row that the country is scooping the top WTA destination spot on the continent as far as the prestigious global awards are concerned, but for Selous, it’s a maiden entry.
Zanzibar bagged the leading ‘Events and Festivals’ destination award.
The home to Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, the legendary Serengeti Wildebeests’ Migration, the giant Tarangire Elephants, Kilwa Ruins and Zanzibar Islands, Tanzania also won in the same category of the awards for the year 2025 and 2024 respectively.
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