OurAfrica.Travel announces Cause Champions for 2026

Every year since its inception in 2020, OurAfrica.Travel gets its community to look beyond the meetings, diaries and networking opportunities to  “Nominate a Cause” and then vote for local grassroots charities and projects within the tourism ecosphere that are close to their hearts - quietly doing extraordinary work across Africa.

This year, in partnership with Africa’s Eden, organisers Storm Napier and Allie Hunt invited the wider tourism community, including Africa’s Eden’s Community & Conservation Network and partners, to nominate locally led community and conservation causes making a measurable difference across Africa.

Not only does this give these wonderful charities and projects a much-needed spotlight to showcase their invaluable work during the digital trade show itself, but it also gives two causes the opportunity to win a R20,000 donation on behalf of the show.  

Following the vetting process, eighteen exceptional organisations were selected for consideration. A round of applause for all our 2026 finalists... but it gives OurAfrica.Travel great pleasure and pride to announce its two champions!

Conservation Champion - Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust South Luangwa Valley, Zambia

Chipembele has been quietly changing the story of conservation in Zambia for years - not through fences and rangers alone, but through classrooms and communities. Based in the South Luangwa Valley, they run environmental education programmes for local schoolchildren and communities, with the belief that the next generation of conservationists should come from the land they're protecting.

“It is especially meaningful that our environmental education work in the South Luangwa Valley has been acknowledged. We firmly believe that lasting conservation success depends on empowering local communities and inspiring young people to become active stewards of their natural heritage, and we are grateful that this vision resonates with your initiative.” 

- Evie Ndhlovu, Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust

Congratulations to the Chipembele team - your dedication to education as a conservation tool is exactly the kind of thinking this initiative was built to celebrate! 

Community Champion - Uthando (Love) South Africa Cape Town, South Africa

Uthando - meaning "love" in Zulu - does something beautifully simple: it takes the power of tourism and points it directly at communities that need it most. Through curated social tours and partnerships with over 65 grassroots initiatives across Cape Town, Uthando channels visitor time, attention and money into real, lasting change.

“We will allocate R10K to the 4th Pitch for Peace that is being built in Hanover Park. A Few weeks ago we held a massively successful Mini World Cup between all of the schools with pitches. The children and staff were overjoyed. The other R10K will buy a tyre for Phase 3 Goal50 which we are launching this week. Thank you again for this great honour.” 

- James Fernie, Uthando

Congratulations to James and the Uthando team. You've shown what it looks like when tourism truly gives back 🧡

A sincere "Thank you" 

Choosing two champions from eighteen deserving causes was not easy. We want to make sure every finalist is recognised - each one was vetted, credible, and doing work that matters. Conservation finalists included The Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Conservation Travel Foundation whilst Community finalists included the Surfpop Foundation and Travel for Impact, in collaboration with Impact Fund.  An Honourable mention also goes to Jafunta Foundation - a rare cause that bridges both categories, working at the intersection of community, wildlife and conservation in Victoria Falls.  You can find out more about all these worthy causes on our website. 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate. You all made this possible!  As always, we remain #StrongerTogether! 

Looking ahead to OurAfrica.Travel 2027

Stay tuned for our 2027 dates announcement, coming very soon. Please head over to ourafrica.travel to register your interest and be the first to know.