Kenya has been named Africa’s leading tourist destination in 2020 by the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA)
The East African country surpassed all African countries to win the award after the results were announced virtually from England during the 27th WTA finals
Among other categories, Nairobi was named as Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination and Kenyatta International Convention Centre ranked as Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre.
The WTA award recognizes and rewards excellence in travel and tourism. Votes are cast by travel industry professionals and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.
In the Aviation sector, Kenya Airways was also ranked ‘Africa’s Leading Airline – Business Class’ and ‘Africa’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’.
In the hospitality sector, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club’s was ranked ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel’.
Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, says: “Our winners represent the very best of Africa’s travel and tourism sector and my congratulations to each of them. They have all demonstrated remarkable resilience in a year of unprecedented challenges.”
He adds: “The World Travel Awards 2020 programme received a record number of votes cast by the public. This shows that the appetite for travel and tourism has never been stronger and bodes well for the industry’s future as the global recovery begins.”
Below are 5 of the Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Kenya
1. Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National Reserve (also “Masai Mara”) is one of the world’s most magnificent game reserves. It’s named after the statuesque, red-cloaked Maasai people who live in the park and graze their animals here as they have done for centuries. The park is famous for the Great Migration , when thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle travel to and from the Serengeti, from July through October.
2. Amboseli National Reserve
Amboseli National Reserve is one of Kenya’s most popular tourist parks. The reserve is one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close. Other wildlife commonly spotted in the park includes big cats, such as lion and cheetah, as well as giraffe, impala, eland, waterbuck, gazelle, and more than 600 species of birds.
3. Tsavo National Park
Kenya’s largest park, Tsavo, is sliced in two:
Tsavo West and Tsavo East . Together these parks comprise four percent of the country’s total area and encompass rivers, waterfalls, savannah, volcanic hills, a massive lava-rock plateau, and an impressive diversity of wildlife.
4. Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba National Reserves
A top attraction in Samburu National Reserve are the Sarara Singing Wells , local watering holes where Samburu warriors sing traditional songs while hauling water for their cattle to drink. You might also be rewarded with sightings of big cats and wild dogs.
5. Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park, in Central Kenya, is famous for its huge flocks of pink flamingos. The park was established in 1961, and more than 450 species of birds have been recorded here, as well as a rich diversity of other wildlife.
©Planetware, World Travel Awards (WTA) .
