By JUDITH NAMUTOWE? –

ZAMBIAN tour operators have scooped 10 awards in the recently held 2015 Safari competition held in London.
The Zambian tour operators scooped the awards in the categories of best safari experience in Africa, best walking safari, best new camp in Africa, best value safari property, African Park.
Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) managing director Felix Chaila named the winning tour operators as Norman Carr Walking Safaris, Chinzombo Safaries, Flat dogs Safaris, Old-Mondoro Safaris.
Norman Carr Walking Safaris won the Best Safari Experience in Africa, 2015, African-Parks managers of Liuwa National Park in Western Province scooped the Best Wildlife Conservation organisation award.
Chongwe River House scooped the best safari house. The awards won by the Zambian tour operators were out of 20 categories that were contested for by various tour operators across Africa.
The2015 Safari Awards Results were announced on Tuesday evening at a gala cocktail event overlooking a firework-peppered London from the 31st floor Paramount Bar, West End.
Out of the 20 categories, Zambia scooped the 10 awards with Norman Carr Walking Safaris walking away with the Best Safari Experience in Africa, 2015.
The awards are held annually to pick the best Safari experience among other categories in Africa.
The awards were sponsored by the independent Good Safari Guide and led by a team of 13 highly respected independent safari specialists drawn from Australia, Germany, United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK).
Mr Chaila said the  Safari awards attracted 15,000 public and travel trade nominations for more than 365 safari properties, guides and operators being whittled down to 20 award winners representing the future of wildlife tourism and conservation of wildlife in Africa.
Mr Chaila said that further 14 safari lodges, houses and mobile organisations were honoured for their achievements in areas such as contribution to local communities, ecological sensitivity, safari?guiding and cuisine, along with three individuals for their achievements in safari tourism, guiding and conservation as well as two charitable organisations.