Tanzania has once again taken centre stage on the global tourism map after Zara Tanzania Adventures was named Africa’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator 2026 at the World Travel Awards, as the country celebrated an outstanding haul of 54 wins at the 2026 awards.
The latest achievement marks the second consecutive year that Zara Tanzania Adventures has secured the prestigious title, following its victory as Africa’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator in 2025.
The company’s continued success also reflects the leadership of Zainab Ansell, Managing Director of Zara Tanzania Adventures, whose stewardship has helped strengthen the company’s position in Tanzania’s competitive tourism industry and expand its presence in international markets.
Under Ansell’s leadership, Zara Tanzania Adventures has continued to build a strong reputation in adventure tourism, particularly through mountain expeditions on Mount Kilimanjaro, alongside wildlife safaris and other tourism experiences across Tanzania.
At the national level, Tanzania was named Africa’s Leading Destination 2026 for the fourth time, reinforcing the country’s position as one of Africa’s premier tourism destinations.
The country’s 54 World Travel Awards victories represent another significant milestone for Tanzania’s tourism industry, reflecting years of investment in destination marketing, wildlife and environmental conservation, tourism development and efforts to position Tanzania more prominently in the global travel market.
Tanzania’s international tourism profile has received additional momentum through major destination-marketing initiatives, including The Royal Tour, which brought Tanzania’s attractions to a wider international audience, as well as the Amazing Tanzania campaign aimed at strengthening the country’s visibility across key global tourism markets.
The leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan has also played a significant role in elevating Tanzania’s tourism profile, particularly through efforts to promote the country’s attractions and place Tanzania at the centre of international tourism conversations.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, under the leadership of Dr. Ashatu Kijaji, has continued to oversee efforts aimed at expanding the tourism sector, strengthening Tanzania’s competitiveness and increasing the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Zara Tanzania Adventures’ latest recognition forms part of the wider success story of Tanzania at the World Travel Awards 2026, with the country receiving recognition across various tourism categories, from adventure tourism and wildlife experiences to its natural attractions and safari offerings.
Based in Tanzania, Zara Tanzania Adventures has built its tourism operations around adventure travel and wildlife experiences, serving visitors exploring some of the country’s most iconic destinations, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara.
Winning the Africa’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator title for a second consecutive year places Zara Tanzania Adventures among Tanzanian tourism companies gaining significant international recognition for their contribution to the adventure tourism sector.
The achievement also highlights the growing role of Tanzania’s private tourism sector in promoting the country globally, with home-grown companies increasingly competing for international recognition while showcasing Tanzania as a leading destination for adventure, wildlife and nature-based tourism.
For Tanzania, the combination of 54 World Travel Awards wins, its fourth recognition as Africa’s Leading Destination, and Zara Tanzania Adventures’ consecutive adventure-tourism victories provides another powerful chapter in the country’s growing global tourism story.