10 ROARSOME SAFARIS FOR LION LOVERS

1 KENYA LAIKIPIA, SAMBURU AND THE MAASAI MARA

In celebration of The Lion King remake, The Safari Collection is offering an eight-day safari to the Kenyan locations that inspired the original film. Guided by Robert CarrHartley, who was closely involved in the creation of the first The Lion King in 1994, the itinerary includes two nights at Borana Lodge on the Laikipia Plateau, where he guided Disney’s animators in their quest for a location to inspire Pride Rock. During their stay, guests can enjoy sundowners on this very rock, overlooking the “Pride Lands” below. From Borana, guests fly to Samburu for two nights to meet the Ewaso Lion Warriors and learn how to track and identify lions as part of a successful conservation project. The following morning, guests will fly on to the game-rich Maasai Mara for two nights of game drives in classic lion country at Sala’s Camp, overlooking the Serengeti National Park.

Prices start at £8,309 (R155,000) per person based on two sharing, including full-board accommodation, game drives, conservation fees, private guiding by Robert Carr-Hartley, all local flights and road transfers in Kenya, and one night at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi. See thesafaricollection.com.

2 KENYA MARA NORTH PRIVATE CONSERVANCY

Adjoining the Maasai Mara’s border, Mara North and its neighbouring conservancies are one of the few areas where lion numbers are healthy and even increasing.

Six nights at Kicheche Mara Camp is from $4,036 (R62,000) pp from November 1 December 19. Includes local flights [Wilson/Mara/Wilson], full board with drinks, game drives and conservation fees. Excludes transfer from Nairobi and international flights. See kicheche.com. Packages also available through safari-consultants.com.

3 TANZANIA SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

First comes Namiri Plains, where it’s possible to see up to 60 lions in a day. Then move on to Lamai Camp, where the big cats keep watch from granite koppies when wildebeest herds pass by.

Eight nights, one in Arusha, three at Namiri Plains and four at Lamai costs from £6,295 (excluding international flights). Natural High Safaris (naturalhighsafaris.com).

4 TANZANIA RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

Home to 10% of Africa’s remaining lion population, Ruaha is second only to the Serengeti when it comes to numbers and Mwagusi has always been its foremost hotspot. The park has a range of accommodation options, from luxury (such as Jongomero Camp) to budget (Sunset Mountain Lodge).

Enquire through ruahanationalpark.com.

5 ZAMBIA SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

The luxuriously refurbished Puku Ridge overlooks the floodplains where Ginger and Garlic, Zambia’s most famous lions, compete for territory with the local prides.

From $450 (R7,000) per person through Siyabonga Africa (safari.co.za).

6 ZAMBIA KAFUE NATIONAL PARK

For great lion viewing, head for Busanga Plains, a Zambian Serengeti known for its tree-climbing lions. The park has several luxury and mid-range camps to choose from. See kafuenationalpark.com.

7 ZIMBABWE HWANGE NATIONAL PARK

Somalisa Camp is in the territory that was previously held by Cecil, the lion whose death at the hands of a trophy hunter outraged the world. His offspring are still there.

African Bush Camps (africanbushcamps.com) offers special SADC rates of $380 (R5,800) per person per night, plus $15 pppn conservation levy. Includes meals, house drinks and game drives. They can also arrange flights from Victoria Falls to Somalisa at $425 (R6,500) pp return.

8 SOUTH AFRICA SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE

Londolozi has an unrivalled reputation for leopard sightings, but lions come a close second thanks to impressive coalitions of males, notably the five “Birmingham Boys“. See londolozi.com.

9 BOTSWANA CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

In the wild heart of Chobe is Savuti Marsh, where filmmaker Dereck Joubert followed Ntchwaidumela and Maome’s Pride as they competed with local hyena.

Five nights at Savuti Camp in the Linyanti Wildlife Concession and two nights at Machaba in the Okavango costs from £4,370 (R82,000, excluding international flights) with Cazenove & Loyd (cazloyd.com).

10 BOTSWANA OKAVANGO DELTA

Mombo is Wilderness Safaris’ flagship camp in the Moremi Game Reserve. From $3,122 (R48,000) per person per night.

Inquire about packages through wilderness-safaris.com or see moremi.com.