KZN Properties Rock at the 2024 World Travel Awards

21 October 2024 – Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa –Thonga Beach Lodge (Thonga) at Mabibi in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has brought home the prestigious title of South Africa’s Leading Beach Hotel for 2024 at the esteemed World Travel Awards (WTA) held in Kenya last week. Bringing further kudos to the province, &Beyond Phinda was named Best Private Game Reserve in South Africa and Villa iZulu@Thanda Safari won South Africa’s Leading Luxury Private Villa. This is the first time that KZN has had this level of success in the competition in the same year.

Established in 1993, The World Travel Awards, are recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality in the tourism industry.

“Winning this award marks a significant industry accolade,” says marketing manager, Lucy Cooke, “highlighting Thonga Beach Lodge’s role as a leader in luxurious yet sustainable tourism. This recognition not only celebrates the lodge’s exceptional offerings but also sets a benchmark in the beach hotel category for South Africa and beyond. We are incredibly proud of our commitment to providing exceptional experiences, in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal’s enchanting coastline.”

Visitor highlights at Thonga include the annual turtle laying and hatching season, from November to February each year, as well as the newly renovated Beach Life Hub, where all marine activities, designed to immerse you in the beauty and wonders of our coastal environment, are run from.

While sustainable tourism is at the heart of the Isibindi Africa Lodges ethos, going for gold at every level of the business is a conscious focus. Each one of the properties within the family-owned and run collection, is unique in location, luxury accommodation and extraordinary experiences. From Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, to Thonga Beach Lodge, a World Heritage Site in the iSimangilso Wetland Park and the private island retreat of Tsowa Safari Island, in the Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe.

Having garnered a number of awards in recent years, Cooke adds that ‘awards are a wonderful way to expose our properties to diverse markets and showcase their individual attributes, while reinforcing the underlying values of the brand. An Isibindi journey is experiential, connecting travellers with the essence of a place and also its people.

As pioneers in community conservation for almost 30 years, Isibindi Africa’s luxury safari lodges are a celebration of pristine wilderness in the very best protected areas in Southern Africa. The award-winning lodges are built in iconic game reserves, marine sanctuary beaches, protected lakes, rivers and islands where the ecosystems are undisturbed and the African wilderness experience is notable.

Find out more about us at https://www.isibindi.co.za/