FHS Africa 2026 announces awards: Vimbai Masiyiwa and Colin Bell honored in Nairobi | News
FHS Africa, organized by The Bench, is proud to announce the winners of the prestigious 2026 FHS Africa Awards.
This year’s winners are Vimbai Masiyiwa, co-founder and CEO of Batoka Africa, who will receive the Leadership Award, and Colin Bell, CEO of Natural Selection and former CEO of Wilderness, who will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality Award.
Both awards will be presented in Nairobi during FHS Africa 2026, taking place from March 31 to April 1, 2026. The recipients will be celebrated as part of the program of events, including exclusive one-on-one interviews in which they will share reflections on their life stories, leadership journeys and the milestones that have shaped their impact on African hospitality.
Vimbai Masiyiwa – Co-founder and CEO, Batoka Africa
As co-founder and CEO of Batoka Africa, Vimbai Masiyiwa is shaping a new era of African hospitality. The company operates a portfolio of luxury safari properties in Zimbabwe, based on conservation, sustainability and community empowerment.
Under her leadership, Batoka Africa has championed responsible tourism that protects biodiversity while creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities. Masiyiwa is recognized for advancing gender inclusion in leadership and building an African-owned brand that competes with confidence on the global stage while remaining deeply rooted in shared value and local impact.
Commenting on the award, Vimbai Masiyiwa said: “I am deeply honored to receive the FHS Africa Leadership Award. For us at Batoka Africa, hospitality is about stewardship, about land, about culture and about opportunity. This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams and the communities we work with in Zimbabwe. I look forward to sharing our journey in Nairobi and celebrating the continued evolution of African-led hospitality.”
Colin Bell – Safari legend, author and co-founder, Wilderness Safaris & Natural Selection
Colin Bell is one of the most influential figures in African conservation tourism. Through his leadership at Natural Selection and previously at Wilderness, he helped shape a model of high-quality, conservation-focused safari experiences that balance commercial success with environmental stewardship. Over the course of his career, Bell has played a central role in expanding conservation tourism into new areas, strengthening partnerships with governments and communities, and demonstrating how hospitality can directly support biodiversity protection and local livelihoods. His work has positioned African safari tourism as a global benchmark for sustainable luxury.
Colin Bell said: “I am deeply grateful for this recognition from FHS Africa. Hospitality at its best connects guests to wild places in meaningful ways, while protecting these places for generations to come. I look forward to reflecting on that journey in Nairobi and celebrating the collective effort of so many people who have shaped the story of conservation tourism in Africa.”
Matthew Weihs, Growth Director at The Bench, added: “Vimbai Masiyiwa and Colin Bell are two exceptionally worthy winners. Both have redefined what leadership in African hospitality looks like: purpose-driven, commercially astute and deeply committed to community and conservation. We can’t wait to present their stories and personal journeys on stage in Nairobi at FHS Africa 2026.”
FHS Africa 2026 will bring together investors, owners, operators and hospitality industry leaders from across the continent and beyond for two days of forward-looking discussion, high-level networking and celebration in Nairobi.
