Spectacular Lion King-themed wildlife and safari tours offered by luxury travel operators

Luxury travel and conservation companies are offering spectacular, lion-centred wildlife tours and tailor-made safari packages. These tours were crafted in homage of Disney's much-awaited live-action release of The Lion King, which is slated to roar through Singapore cinemas on Thursday, July 18.

[caption id="attachment_148473" align="aligncenter" width="521"] Photo:The Lion King official poster/The Lion King Facebook[/caption] Experience "hakuna matata" (no worries) as you take in the breath-taking African landscapes, witness the most majestic wildlife you've ever seen, and take a break from everyday life in gorgeous lodges overlooking unbeatable views in the African continent.  

The Lion King in Real Life by Scott Dunn

[caption id="attachment_148368" align="aligncenter" width="518"] Photo: A roaring lion/Vim and Vigour PR[/caption] Award-winning luxury tour operator Scott Dunn, which has been curating exceptional bespoke holidays to amazing destinations around the world for over three decades, presents the ultimate family adventure through Kenya — a firsthand, real life experience of the king of the jungle and his friends. Visit Pride Rock and be transported to The Lion King's most iconic moments, and go on private drives and walks to see the magnificent African landscape. Keep your eyes open for Simba, Nala, Timon, Pumba and the rest of The Lion King gang, all while experiencing unparalleled luxury. [caption id="attachment_148365" align="aligncenter" width="521"] Photo: Lion cub and lionness/Vim and Vigour PR[/caption]

This brand new itinerary takes you and your family on a journey across the jaw-dropping Kenyan landscape, providing you with a luxurious, one-of-a-kind experience in the most tasteful lodges and in partnership with wildlife conservation centres.

Begin your tour in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, with an unforgettable stay at the world-famous Giraffe Manor, where guests have the pleasure of enjoying the company of the friendly Rothschild giraffes who roam around (and are cheeky enough to poke their heads through windows to share a bite of your breakfast!). [caption id="attachment_148453" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Photo: Rothschild giraffes at Giraffe Manor/Scott Dunn website[/caption] [caption id="attachment_148452" align="aligncenter" width="519"] Photo: Giraffes sharing your breakfast/Scott Dunn website[/caption] Visit the renowned Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (an elephant and rhino orphanage) and don't be surprised if you see Pumba (the warthog) running around.

Travel to the luxurious Borana Lodge in the Borana Conservancy in Laikipia, Northern Kenya, home of the legendary Pride Rock where Mufasa presided over the land and presented Simba as his heir.

[caption id="attachment_148458" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Photo: Pride Rock/Scott Dunn website[/caption] [caption id="attachment_148454" align="aligncenter" width="518"] Photo: Laikipia Safari/Scott Dunn website[/caption]

Scott Dunn destination specialists are available to cater to your every need and request, such as private bush breakfasts or drinks while witnessing unbelievable sunset vistas.

[caption id="attachment_148449" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Photo: Borana Lodge/Scott Dunn website[/caption]

And now for the grand finale of this incredible tour, a visit to Maasai Mara, where the landscape is as close to The Lion King as it gets in real life. Enjoy a luxurious stay at the Mara House, the perfect luxurious destination for your family.

[caption id="attachment_148457" align="aligncenter" width="519"] Photo: Mara House/Scott Dunn website[/caption] [caption id="attachment_148456" align="aligncenter" width="521"] Photo: Mara House/Scott Dunn website[/caption] Go on a privately-guided tour and see how many of the film's lovable characters you can spot. Enjoy sightings of red-billed hornbills, wildebeests, cheetahs, elephants and zebras, and prepare yourself for the experience of a lifetime — meet the king and queen, Simba and Nala, in person. [caption id="attachment_148467" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Photo: This majestic lion could be Simba of The Lion King/Scott Dunn website[/caption] [caption id="attachment_148469" align="aligncenter" width="518"] Photo: Elephant/Scott Dunn website[/caption] [caption id="attachment_148468" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Photo: Wildebeest/Scott Dunn website[/caption] [caption id="attachment_148365" align="aligncenter" width="521"] Photo: Lion cub and lionness/Vim and Vigour PR[/caption] TOUR DETAILS: Seven nights | S$8,600 per person* For more information, visit the Scott Dunn website, read up on the tour itinerary or call + 65 3165 4050 to speak with a Scott Dunn destination expert for the most bespoke wildlife experience.  *Prices are based on a family of four with inclusions of internal flights, accommodation, private transfers, full board and activities, daily experiences and daily breakfast.

Scott Dunn's Top Eight Places in Africa to see The Lion King cast in real life

1. PUMBA (the warthog) - Victoria Falls at The Royal Livingstone Resort, Zambia
2. TIMON (the meerkat) - Makgadikgadi Salt Pans at San Camp, Botswana
3. NALA (the white lioness) - Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Tanda Tula, South Africa
4. ZAZU (the hornbill) - Tafika, Zambia
5. THE WILDEBEEST MIGRATION - Northern Serengeti, Serian’s Serengeti Mobile Camp, Tanzania
6. SHENZI, BANZAI AND ED (the hyenas) - Kicheche Mara’s, Maasai Mara, Kenya
7. RAFIKI (the baboon) - Ruaha at Kwihala Camp, Tanzania
8. SIMBA (the lion) - Pride Rock, Borana Lodge, Kenya

 

Protecting the Pride by Singita

[caption id="attachment_148370" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Photo: Lion at the Singita Kruger National Park/Singita website[/caption]

Singita, which means "place of miracles", is a luxury safari operator and conservation brand dedicated to environmentally-conscious hospitality, sustainability and the preservation of African wilderness and wildlife across six regions of Africa.

[caption id="attachment_148371" align="aligncenter" width="518"] Photo: Three lionesses/Vim and Vigour PR[/caption]

Singita proves that luxury and conservation can go hand-in-hand, operating 15 award-winning lodges and camps with specialised safari tours that promise to deliver the most unforgettable wildlife experiences.

[caption id="attachment_148455" align="aligncenter" width="522"] Photo: Lebombo Lodge in South Africa/Singita website[/caption] [caption id="attachment_148460" align="aligncenter" width="522"] Photo: Sweni Lodge in Kruger National Park, South Africa/Singita website[/caption]

Ever since Disney released the original, animated version of The Lion King a quarter of a century ago, Africa’s lion population has been cut in half because of poaching and habitat destruction. Sadly, only approximately 20,000 lions remain in the wild.

[caption id="attachment_148364" align="aligncenter" width="522"] Photo: Lion cub/Vim and Vigour PR[/caption] Singita is a part of The Lionscape Coalition, a collaboration for the Lion Recovery Fund by Africa’s leading ecotourism operators that include &Beyond, Conservation Travel Foundation by Ultimate Safaris, and Wilderness Safaris. They have all banded together to help save Africa’s lions, with a goal of doubling the lion population in the wild by 2050. [caption id="attachment_148366" align="aligncenter" width="361"] Photo: Lion cub and lioness/Vim and Vigour PR[/caption]

In celebration of the upcoming live-action The Lion King, Disney has made a generous donation of US$1.5m (over S$2m) to the Lion Recovery Fund to support the protection of wildlife, habitats and education.

Conservation partners like Singita continue to work hard to deliver amazing wildlife experiences while working toward the preservation of the African wild. Animals deserve to feel "hakuna matata" just as much as humans do.

For more information on their packages and offerings, visit the Singita website or use this contact form to connect with a Singita tour specialist to plan your very own The Lion King safari experience.  /TISG