What a wild year 2020 was. We had many amazing photos and videos come in for the #LionWorldTales contest between October 2019 and February 2020. Then travel slowed down, and was put on pause. Still, you managed to share some great safari photos from years gone by, and we are thrilled to finally present these 12 monthly winners for you to vote on for the grand prize.
Whomever receives the most votes will will an Apple Watch, good luck to all!
There seems to be some more positive news in the past couple of weeks. With the continued good news on the rolling out of the vaccines, we are looking forward to a renewed interest and better peace of mind for our travelers as we all get ready to hit the road again in 2021. It would be nice to think that we are all seeing some green shoots of normality.
With the new year fast approaching, I think we can all agree that this year has not turned out the way we planned. Upon reflection, I also know that we have so much to be thankful for as well. During the past nine months, I have often thought about one of my favorite African proverbs, “However long the night, the dawn will break.”
It’s time to look forward cautiously and confidently. Although many of us have had to postpone our travels, dreaming about traveling has never stopped. Whenever you’re ready to travel, Lion World Travel is ready and waiting to help you plan the safari of your dreams.
Today is a very important date in the cat calendar. With less than 7100 Cheetahs left in the wild, they are not only the fastest land animal, but also the most endangered big cat species.
Did you know, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), more than 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery? Every year, December 2nd is recognized as International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
Travel has always been a big part of Thanksgiving across the US, as we want to celebrate and spend time with family members before winter arrives. This year is a bit different, as we may have to change some of our traditions to still enjoy a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Can you say HELLO in a few different languages? Can you say hello in any African languages? Saying hello is a common practice when we meet people. Be the first to say hello!
Random acts of kindness can have huge positive impacts on others, and World Kindness Day presents the perfect opportunity to do something good for others. Kindness, respect, and making travel matter is at the heart of everything we do here at Lion World Travel. I invite you to read more and learn about World Kindness Day and how "kindness counts" in Africa.
By Gavin Tollman, CEO of Trafalgar, Costsaver, and Brendan Vacations
No business makes it through a century without constant innovation, and that is especially true in the world of travel. The drive to innovate must be endless, which is why I keep an old roll of film front and center on my desk. This serves as a constant reminder to me – while Kodak made the best film, they failed to innovate as times changed, and ten years after the invention of digital cameras they went bankrupt.
Enjoy this post by our resident reptile lover, Leeann!
October 21st of each year is Reptile Awareness Day. This often much-maligned class of animal includes snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles and tortoises.
African Penguin Awareness Day is dedicated to raising worldwide awareness about the plight of the endangered African penguin, the only penguin native to the African continent.
This year we could all use a reason to smile, and today happens to be "World Smile Day"! Wherever you travel - Africa, or elsewhere, the language of a smile is universal.
On September 24th we celebrate World Gorilla Day which was started in 2017 to celebrate the gorilla and to take action in protecting them in the wild. That specific date was chosen as it is the same day that Dian Fossey established Karisoke Research Center in 1967.
September 21st is World Gratitude Day. For me, gratitude means thankfulness and counting your blessings, to focus on the abundance of what you already have in your life rather than what your life lacks.
Having been born a Tollman, I suppose it’s no surprise that travel has been such an important part in the first twenty years of my life. Though I grew up and currently live in Los Angeles – while Zooming into college at NYU – my earliest memories are of time spent with my family exploring the bush in South Africa, then later visiting cousins around the world and on family trips like the one above, in Paris.
On August 26 we celebrate Women’s Equality Day and acknowledge the achievements of women’s rights activists. The year 2020 is a pivotal year for advancing gender equality worldwide, as the global community takes stock of progress made for women’s rights. It is a day to commemorate what women have taught us about a future built on the values of kindness, care and trust along with resilience and strength.
On World Elephant Day and every other day, we must celebrate these magnificent creatures in non- exploitative and sustainable environments where they can live free and thrive.
Lion World Travel is happy to celebrate World Lion Day, with some amazing photography that has been taken at many of our partner hotels, lodges and from previous clients. For us, nothing captures the essence of Africa more so than the symbol of the lion. Below are some of the beautiful lions that are awaiting you on your next African safari.
It has been said that while appreciation happens in the moment, gratitude comes only over time. These days, those of us at TTC – like travelers all around the world are spending our time very differently than we had expected nor want to be doing right now.
Our friends at Kapama Karula have been treated to some amazing animal encounters recently. They were kind enough to share this selection of special videos.
Wherever you are, I hope you and your family are safe and in good health. This May is certainly different from ones we have known in the past, but one thing that remains the same is that numerous countries around the world will be celebrating Mother’s Day this month. Especially significant this year is the United Nations International Day of Families on Friday, May 15.
Africa has and will always be a spectacular site whether it be visiting the many beaches or private game reserves, there is always something to share or watch on social media when it comes to this beautiful continent.
Our guests often tell us that the food of South Africa is one of the things they miss most when they return home from their vacations. But just because you’re not in South Africa, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the delicious flavors that the country has to offer. In our latest recipe blog, you’ll learn how to create the divine Meringue Layer Cake that is a mainstay on the dessert menus at the 5-Star Oyster Box Hotel in Durban, South Africa.
As The Travel Corporation celebrates its first 100 years and Lion World Travel celebrates 55 years, we also mark the fiftieth anniversary of the first Earth Day, which was the seed that grew into Earth Month.
Anyone who loves cooking as I do will know what I have discovered, namely that having the right ingredients is essential. Having spent a life in food, I have found that recipes often call for a dash of something unexpected – a secret ingredient – that makes all the difference. This year, as we celebrate International Women’s Day and TTC’s first 100 years, I have been reflecting upon the secret ingredient that women bring to all that TTC does.
In my life, love and travel have long been – and always will be – inseparable. I will never forget the night I first discovered this, nor will I forget where that evening began – the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, outside of Durban, South Africa.
Lion World Travel is committed to being a responsible and sustainable tour operator. Together with our partner, The TreadRight Foundation, we have taken the Make Travel Matter Pledge, and we now invite you to do the same.
Before you embark on your next African safari, it’s good to know what kind of vehicle you’ll be exploring in. Depending on your safari location, your vehicle’s style will differ. Different parks have different rules, and some lodges add features to their vehicles that make your many hours spent on game drives more comfortable. Here’s a look of the safari vehicles you may be riding in.
It’s about that time again Lion Worlders; it’s time to cast your vote for the #LionWorldTales photo of the year! We received so many excellent photos this past year and we need your help choosing our 2018/2019 winner. The winner's fate is in your hands. Vote now to help one lucky person win an Apple Watch!
After viewing our fantastic finalists, be sure to cast your vote, in the poll, below the photos. Happy voting!
Scroll down to see all the nominees and get to the voting poll! And the nominees are ... (drumroll please)
How much do you know about Victoria Falls? Known locally as Mosi-oa-tunya, meaning "the smoke that thunders", this natural wonder of the world is a popular tourist attraction. Since 40% of our South Africa safari travelers book tours that include Victoria Falls, or add it as an extension to their Southern and Eastern Africa safaris, something special draws people to this magnificent waterfall.
Here are some Victoria Falls facts to help you appreciate this natural wonder even more.
Congratulations! You’re about to embark on an exhilarating African safari adventure to see your favorite wildlife. As you prepare for the exciting moments ahead, it’s important to know what to bring on your journey. If you’re unsure of what you need, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a list of the most essential items to take on your upcoming safari.
Flights are not always as comfortable as we'd like them to be. Take care of yourself, and your health, with these helpful airfare fitness and travel tips.
Mrs Beatrice Tollman is President and Founder of the luxurious Red Carnation Hotel Collection that includes three hotels in South Africa: The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa which we feature in many of our luxury itineraries, The Oyster Box Hotel and Bushman’s Kloof.
Bea Tollman has been recognized for unparalleled levels of service, excellence and luxury across all of the collection’s properties and is renowned for her outstanding recipes many of which are featured in her cookbook “A Life in Food”. This book is a celebration of recipes that have either been passed down in the family or discovered while travelling, and all have been perfected from her personal experience and expertise in the kitchen.
We are honored to feature her absolutely divine, but easy, Honeycomb Ice Cream recipe.
Endangered Species Day shines the spotlight on some of the world's most precious wildlife. We like to think of Africa as a wildlife paradise - it is - but even iconic species like elephants, lions and cheetahs are considered vulnerable.
With Earth Day fast approaching, our partners at the TreadRight Foundation have put together this helpful video to showcase the "Dos & Don'ts" of wildlife travel.
With convenient stops near Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks, the "Madaraka Express" is a new speedy, relaxing, environmentally-friendly way to travel in Kenya.
Looking for romance in your next vacation? Look no further than Africa. With options like sleeping under the stars among the vast sand dunes of Namibia, to experiencing a relaxing mokoro ride in the Okavango Delta or enjoying a secluded mountainside picnic in Cape Town, these eight romantic African experiences are not to be missed.
Céline Cousteau, filmmaker and granddaughter of famed French explorer Jacques Cousteau, sat down with Lucille Sive, President, Lion World Travel and the TreadRight Foundation’s Shannon Guihan to discuss the importance of social responsibility and sustainable travel.
With eleven official languages, South Africa is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world. In 1994, Archbishop Desmond Tutu coined the phrase “rainbow nation” to describe South Africa’s unique multicultural makeup. Needless to say, the phrase stuck and it serves as an excellent metaphor for travelers to discover the many diverse peoples of South Africa.
As difficult as it was to pull myself away from the magnificent views of Ngorongoro Crater, I was excited for the third and final leg on my safari in Tanzania: a stop in Tarangire National Park. En route I got a glimpse of the local culture in Karatu, and, in Tarangire, I experienced incredible elephant and bird sightings, learned about ancient baobab trees and stayed in accommodations that I can only describe as magical.
After experiencing wonderful game sightings on the Serengeti at the beginning of my safari in Tanzania, I wondered how other areas, such as Lake Ndutu and Ngorongoro Crater, could possibly compare. I didn’t have to worry. I was absolutely blown away by what I experienced in both Ndutu and Ngorongoro: the awesome landscapes and the diverse wildlife made the second leg of my Tanzania trip just as memorable as the first.
I thought I was prepared for my first African safari in Tanzania—I packed light, brought a good camera, and was ready to become very familiar with my safari vehicle, where I would be spending many hours watching animals. But what I wasn’t prepared for was the feeling of being on safari. It’s difficult to describe, but when you are sitting in your safari vehicle, mere feet away from a lion out on the Serengeti, you feel both tremendously excited and calm. Time seems to slow down, and you acquire a deep sense of connection to the natural world around you that is truly unique. It’s an experience I will never forget, and one that I am delighted to be sharing in this new series of blog posts.
You never forget your first safari in Africa. From your first early morning wake up call in the bush to the drive itself—where you encounter diverse wildlife that may include sightings of migrating buffalo, big cats, elephants and more—you’re in for an incredible experience. The safari guides and trackers that work at the lodges throughout Africa are instrumental in creating those first safari experiences for travelers. With their deep, local knowledge of the landscape and animals, they ensure travelers leave Africa with memories that will last a lifetime.
A game drive is the highlight of any African safari vacation. You’ll see magnificent local wildlife that may include lion, rhino, elephant, and more. And whether you find yourself in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Botswana’s Okavango Delta, or Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater, you’ll witness the natural beauty of Africa up close.
But how should you properly prepare for your safari? Here are 7 essential items to bring with you into the bush.
Vacationing can be hard work, so it’s important to take moments out of your busy schedule to sit back, relax, and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. Perhaps you’ve spent your morning trekking to the top of Table Mountain and now you’re looking for a way to unwind before you head out on your next excursion. What better way to refresh than to enjoy a peaceful and elegant high tea experience? Cape Town has plenty of excellent options available, but we’ve narrowed down our selection to our 4 favorites.
Rhino poaching has reached an unprecedented level: over 1,000 rhinos were poached in 2013 in South Africa, and current estimates indicate that more than 500 have already been lost in 2014.
At Lion World Travel, we want the rhino populations not only to survive, but thrive. That’s why we’ve been working to raise awareness about rhino poaching and its devastating effect on rhinos in Africa with our #ShareIfYouCare campaign.
Picture a faraway romantic setting nestled between the breathtaking Twelve Apostles Mountain Range and the azure Atlantic Ocean. The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, surrounded by indigenous vegetation of flora and fynbos, is the perfect venue for a romantic wedding, a place to make memories that last a lifetime.
