By Alfred Zacharia
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) has been named Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction for 2025 by the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA), reaffirming its status as one of the continent’s most iconic travel destinations.
This is the second time the site has won the award, having first received the honour in 2023. The WTA is globally recognised as a benchmark of excellence in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry.
In a public statement issued on Friday, the Conservation Commissioner of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), Mr Abdul-razaq Badru, described the award as a powerful motivation to maintain and enhance the site’s global appeal.
“We are delighted and deeply inspired by this recognition,” he said. “This award inspires us to work even harder to protect and promote Ngorongoro’s unique status. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who voted for us.”
Ngorongoro is the world’s only site with three international UNESCO designations: Mixed World Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve, and Global Geopark. The area is home to the famous Big Five—lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and leopard—alongside a diverse range of other animals often seen in a single day.
Beyond wildlife, Ngorongoro is rich in geological and cultural heritage. It features the Olduvai Gorge, where the skull of early man Zinjanthropus was discovered, and the Laetoli footprints, which date back over 3.7 million years.
Other attractions include Mount Lolmalasin (Tanzania’s third-highest peak), the Ndutu plains (key birthing grounds for the Great Wildebeest Migration), Endoro waterfalls, elephant caves, and the lush northern highland forests that support ecosystems in Karatu, Monduli, and Ngorongoro districts.
According to NCAA’s Senior Assistant Commissioner for Tourism and Marketing, Ms Mariam Kobelo, these features continue to position the site as a top destination for both scientific research and eco-tourism.
The authority credited the achievement to the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, whose commitment to conservation and tourism has strengthened Tanzania’s global image. Her efforts have been captured in international campaigns such as Tanzania: The Royal Tour and Amazing Tanzania.
Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador Dr Pindi Hazara Chana, said the recognition reflects the results of visionary governance.
“This award is a testament to our president’s courageous and compassionate leadership,” she said. “As a ministry, we remain committed to preserving these achievements for the benefit of both current and future generations.”
The accolade adds to Tanzania’s growing reputation as a leading tourism destination in Africa, with Ngorongoro continuing to attract global admiration for its natural, historical, and cultural significance.
