Oscar fever hits travel industry tonight

Months of excitement and preparation culminate this evening as the World Travel Awards heads to Abu Dhabi for the Night of a Thousand Stars. The illustrious Thanda Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal is under the spotlight for awards in four categories this year: Africa’s Leading Luxury Lodge, Africa’s Leading Safari, Africa’s Leading Ecotourism Destination and South Africa’s Leading Safari.

The World Travel Awards rewards excellence in all sectors of the travel industry at an annual high-profile awards evening regarded as the “Oscars of the travel industry”, and bearing a winner’s shield is considered one of the highest accolades attainable within the industry.

The ceremony this evening reconciles the votes of over 167 000 travel trade professionals in 200 countries worldwide. Thanda stole the limelight at the ceremony in Turks & Caicos in 2006 when it was deemed South Africa’s Leading Safari Destination and has followed last year’s success through by setting its sights on the greater African continent.

The Thanda Group’s extraordinary commitment transcends five-star service and expectation and encompasses the societies living in and around its premises. In keeping with the ethos “for the love of nature, wildlife and dear ones”, owners Dan and Christin Olofsson have created a world-class safari experience which is responsible for the livelihood of 1500 people through the creation of 220 jobs. The Thanda Foundation was formalised in 2005 as the medium through which to raise funds for desperately needed social upliftment programmes.

Thanda Private Game Reserve is the only game reserve in the world to hold exclusive membership with the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World and the first private reserve in KwaZulu-Natal to have successfully introduced a breeding pack of wild dog into its borders. The vibrant energy of the theatrical showcase Vula Zulu offers guests insight into the rich tapestry of Zulu culture.

The contrast between the decadence of the main lodge and the authentic safari-style tented camp affords the discerning traveler the luxury of being spoilt between a choice of two markedly different encounters with the South African bush.

For more information, visit Thanda.com.