The Design category of the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards celebrates groundbreaking innovations in sustainable architecture and eco-conscious hospitality. Each finalist exemplifies how thoughtful design can foster harmony between luxury, environmental regeneration, and community development.
WINNER: Few and Far Luvhondo: A Biophilic Wonder in South Africa
Set within South Africa’s UNESCO-designated Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Few & Far Luvhondo is a groundbreaking eco-lodge scheduled to open in early 2025. The lodge is seamlessly integrated into the dramatic Soutpansberg Mountains, a region boasting biodiversity greater than that of Europe. Its design draws from the principles of biophilic architecture, connecting guests deeply with the natural surroundings while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint.
Luvhondo features six cliffside suites, each offering expansive views of the wilderness. The lodge utilizes locally sourced materials such as sustainably harvested eucalyptus wood fabricated on-site by local artisans. This approach minimizes environmental impact, supports regional craftsmanship, and empowers local communities. A highlight of the lodge is the innovative “Solfari” experience—a solar-powered aerial cable car inspired by the nests of weaver birds. This silent journey over the treetops offers guests a rare and immersive perspective of the surrounding ecosystem. Paired with luxurious spa treatments and the tranquil meditative labyrinth, Luvhondo promises a holistic retreat.
Luvhondo’s impact extends far beyond guest experiences. As a Verra-registered carbon project, it aims to offset more than 100,000 tons of carbon annually through rewilding initiatives, including planting thousands of native trees.
Few & Far Luvhondo’s focus on environmental restoration, coupled with their ability to create meaningful, immersive experiences, establishes Luvhondo as a shining example of regenerative luxury tourism. Guests will be captivated by the land’s raw beauty and deeply moved to take action in support of conservation and renewal.
Click here to learn more about Few and Far Luvhondo.
&Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge: Harmony with the Sea
Perched off Zanzibar’s coast, &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge is a testament to how design and conservation can merge to protect fragile ecosystems. The lodge’s rebuilt bandas take inspiration from the elegant curves of a nautilus shell, creating immersive spaces that honor the island’s pristine beauty. These open-plan, solar-powered structures maximize ocean views while reducing energy use.
Mnemba Island’s conservation efforts are equally transformative. The lodge plays a pivotal role in protecting endangered green sea turtles, with over 60,000 hatchlings recorded since 2001. Its coral nursery, aptly named “Corals of Opportunity,” has regenerated over 7,000 colonies, restoring vital reef habitats. Newly designed artificial reef structures now offer homes to thousands of marine species, mitigating the effects of coral degradation.
Guests are immersed in the lodge’s conservation ethos through activities like snorkeling among thriving reefs, witnessing sea turtle hatchlings, or exploring indigenous tree nurseries. Mnemba showcases how regenerative hospitality can safeguard both marine ecosystems and local communities.
To learn more about &Beyond’s Mnemba Island, click here.
Emboo River Camp: Off-Grid Innovation in the Maasai Mara
Nestled within Kenya’s iconic Maasai Mara, Emboo River Camp sets a new standard for off-grid sustainability. Completely powered by solar energy and biogas, the camp features electric safari vehicles, delivering noise-free and pollution-free wildlife experiences. Its closed-loop system ensures zero waste, with water sourced from nature and fully recycled.
Rebuilt in 2024 after heavy rains, Emboo enhanced its infrastructure to deepen its environmental impact. Expanded solar capacity now powers all operations, while new composting systems eliminate waste entirely. Guests are invited to join eco-tours, showcasing how sustainability can be effective, economical, and inspiring. These tours have sparked real-world change, with organizations like the Belgian Embassy adopting Emboo’s regenerative systems.
The camp also strengthens ties with the Maasai community, creating jobs, empowering women, and fostering leadership in conservation. Emboo River Camp proves that luxury and regeneration can thrive together, offering a model that restores ecosystems and uplifts communities.
Learn more about Emboo River’s off grid camp here.
Ila Safari Lodge: An Infinity of Regeneration in Zambia
Set in Zambia’s Kafue National Park, Ila Safari Lodge’s newly rebuilt boma represents a bold reimagining of eco-luxury. Following a fire, Green Safaris took the opportunity to build better, employing innovative construction techniques and nature-inspired design. The new boma, shaped like an infinity symbol, reflects harmony and regeneration.
Constructed from materials that actively support the environment, the design incorporates blocks made from termite mound sand, drastically reducing reliance on concrete. Walls are woven with African bamboo, sustainably grown by local communities, and natural sticks sourced responsibly from the Kafue ecosystem. The structure integrates biomimicry, blending seamlessly into the landscape while celebrating nature’s cycles.
The lodge’s impact goes beyond design. It employs electric safari vehicles and boats, providing silent, low-carbon wildlife experiences. Reconstruction created jobs for over 20 community members while upskilling local workers in sustainable building methods. A true model of regenerative tourism, Ila Safari Lodge inspires the industry by merging luxury with a deep respect for nature and communities.
To learn more about Green Safari’s Ila Safari Lodge, click here.
Manta Resort: Oceanview Villas on Pemba Island
Set on the tranquil shores of Pemba Island, Manta Resort’s Oceanview Villas redefine coastal luxury with sustainability at their core. Each villa features a spacious, open-plan design with private balconies and plunge pools that overlook the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Locally sourced materials, such as coral stone and thatched roofing, combine with indigenous landscaping to create a harmonious connection to the island’s natural beauty.
The resort’s cooling system, EveningBreeze, ensures guests stay comfortable without the environmental cost of air conditioning. Through the Kwanini Foundation, Manta has spearheaded initiatives in coral reef restoration, education, and healthcare, benefiting the island’s ecosystems and communities. Its coral nursery has regenerated over 7,000 colonies, sustaining marine habitats critical to biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Interactive experiences, such as snorkeling along thriving reefs or participating in conservation tours, invite guests to engage deeply with Pemba’s environment. By preserving the island’s culture and ecology, Manta Resort embodies the philosophy that true luxury lies in harmony with nature.
Learn more about Manta Resort here.
—
These finalists demonstrate that regenerative design is more than just sustainability—it’s about actively enhancing ecosystems and uplifting communities. From the savannas and mountains to turquoise waters, these projects are reimagining tourism’s relationship with the planet.
What are the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards?
The Impact Awards celebrate people and projects that embody the spirit of regeneration—improving people’s lives, our communities, and the world around us.
We search the globe for inspiring changemakers working to solve our biggest challenges and inspiring positive action, both inside and outside of travel.
Our judging panel was handpicked based on their exceptional expertise, achievements, and diverse backgrounds. With their collective knowledge in marine ecology, social entrepreneurship, travel journalism, sustainability, visual storytelling, tourism policy, hospitality, and impact investing, the judging panel is well-equipped to identify innovative ideas that have the potential to advance regenerative travel.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Email Address
*By signing up for this newsletter I consent to receive the weekly newsletter from Regenerative Travel including travel guides and inspiration.
Discover our Regenerative Travel™ hotels
Rubondo Island National Park, Lake Victoria, Tanzania
Africa
Safari
