Sundowners with Lucille

March 8th is International Women’s Day, and we are recognizing some African women who inspire us. 

CEO of The Travel Corporation’s Africa Division, Lucille Sive, who oversees safari outfitters Lion World Travel and African Travel, Inc., shares her top five female heroes in Africa who are changing the game in the male-dominated food and wine industry.

By Lucille Sive

I recently returned from an amazing trip to South Africa. This was the first time I have traveled in 18 months.

Observing International Women’s Day this month, we explore our CEO, Lucille Sive’s journey and the African women who inspire her. Coincidentally, Lucille shares her birthday with International Women’s Day on March 8th.

Our love for Africa is embodied in our name and mascot. For us, nothing captures the essence of Africa more so than the symbol of the lion. To celebrate World Lion Day, whichs occurs every year on August 10th, we wanted to share 12 interesting facts about lions. Read on for more amazing lion facts.

Dear Traveler,

For those of us who love to explore the world, friendship and travel are intimately connected – asking a traveler about friendship is like asking a fish about water. It’s all around us. There are the friends with whom we set off on our journeys and fellow travelers we befriend along the way. There are guides with whom we build relationships and locals who we meet as strangers and leave as friends. 

In celebration of Father’s Day on Sunday June 21st, Lion World Travel would like to celebrate some of the less spoken fathers in Africa with our Top 7 facts about Africa fathers (Number 5 will surprise you).

We are proud to share the recipe of Nelson Mandela's favorite cake: Estelle Brand's famous fruit cake. The cake was smuggled into Robben Island prison by Christo Brand, who shared it with with Mandela and other political prisoners. It quickly became a sensation in the prison and was frequently requested by Nelson Mandela. 

Looking for a good read to keep you company during these longer days at home, whilst also dreaming of  your next trip to Africa.

Lion World Travel has put together our own Top 10 African themed books list, which includes everything from inspiring autobiographies to stories of heroism and overcoming systematic adversity.

Take a look and start reading!

You've probably heard of the "Big Five" – a must-see list of animals to look out for whilst on safari: (Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard, Lion and Rhino), but did you know Africa also has a "Little Five"?   Here is the other must-see list, the “Little Five”. They are the Elephant Shrew, Ant Lion, Rhinoceros Beetle, Buffalo Weaver and Leopard Tortoise.

Africa’s big game is awesome, but there is also a wealth of interesting smaller species including remarkable birdlife, small game and strange insects.

A bush walk is the best time to try to check these interesting creatures off your safari list.

April 2020 marks 50 years since Earth Day was established as a measure to shed light on the global environmental decline. On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, let’s focus on progress and hope.

Here are the 5 reasons why Earth Day was started.

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2020, we shine a spotlight on one of the travel industry’s most beloved, dynamic and accomplished women, Lucille Sive. International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8, is also Sive’s birthday.

By Lucille Sive

As a woman who regularly travels alone, I am not unique! Whether it is for business or pleasure, thousands of women travel solo every year. While all travelers should take precautions, women travelers are a distinct demographic in terms of their safety.  Couples or groups have safety in numbers, while single women are easier targets than men for theft and harassment and are exposed to gender inequality prevalent in many countries.

In the annual “Best in Travel” Awards, renowned guidebook publisher Lonely Planet awarded Cape Town the number two position on its top cities in the world list. The honor is just the latest accolade for South Africa’s “Mother City”, after being named a World’s Best City by Travel + Leisure earlier this year. So what exactly makes Cape Town such a must-visit destination? Here are three reasons: food and wine, culture and scenery, and social responsibility.

In this guest blog from our friends at The Oyster Box Hotel in Durban, South Africa, we invite you to get to know Skabenga, the hotel’s resident feline who seems to have a penchant for adventure ...and trouble! This adorable cat has made headlines in South Africa thanks to his incredible feats and famous birthday parties.

By Lucille Sive

With so many majestic animals that call Africa home, it is little wonder that wildlife enthusiasts from around the world visit Africa to witness its abundance of beautiful creatures. One of the most iconic animals is, of course, the zebra. This wild, horse-like animal lives in harems and large herds across Southern and East Africa. But did you know that there are three species of zebra? Read on for more amazing facts about zebras, one of our favorite animals to see up close on safari.

By Lucille Sive

Africa is home to many iconic animals, but one of the most fun species to see on safari is none other than the giraffe! With their long necks, fun spots and graceful movements, the giraffe is always a treat to witness in person. But there is more to this exciting animal than meets the eye. Did you know, for example, that a giraffe's hair-covered horns are actually called ossicones? Giraffes, it turns out, are one of a few species that are born with a set of these "hairy" horns. Read on for more fun facts about the world's tallest land mammal.

By Brett Tollman, CEO, The Travel Corporation (TTC)

This month, some of my family and I were privileged to go on an incredible “purpose driven” trip to Kenya. My wife Miranda, two of our kids Ella (17) and Jake (14), my sister Vicki, her partner Francoise-Eric and my niece Kelley (22) all shared this week of truly life changing memories.

By Lucille Sive

I am excited to reveal Lion World Travel's newest video! This exciting video highlights the luxury and beauty of my home town, Cape Town.

By Lucille Sive

We are excited to unveil our latest video featuring Shamwari Game Reserve, one of our absolute favorite safari destinations in South Africa.

By Lucille Sive

We know you will fall in love with the spectacular wonders of South Africa on this one-of-a-kind luxury tented safari vacation. We invite you to check “safari” off of your bucket list on our popular Tented Safari in Style, a 5-star package with stays in captivating Cape Town and the untamed wilds of Shamwari Game Reserve. From amazing wildlife to incredible wines and spectacular food, here are 5 reasons why we think you need to experience this extraordinary vacation.

Recognized for her tireless efforts in supporting the People, Places and Wildlife of Africa, our own Lucille Sive recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Travel Corporation.

In 2017, our partners at Shamwari Game Reserve will be celebrating their 25th year “conserving a vanishing way of life”. Shamwari’s story is a remarkable one that shows the impact that travel can have on supporting wildlife sustainability in Africa. Since Shamwari opened, they have grown from a small reserve, to one encompassing 25,000 hectares of protected land. Conservation remains at the heart of everything we do at Lion World Travel, which is why we are excited to announce that we will be building a new rhino boma at Shamwari's Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

On March 3rd, we celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants with World Wildlife Day.

Celebrating 10 years of working to #MakeTravelMatter with our not-for-profit partner The TreadRight Foundation, TreadRight Ambassador Céline Cousteau and a group of influential storytellers recently joined us on a journey of exploration and discovery in awe-inspiring Jordan, where we visited the Iraq Al-Amir Women’s Cooperative outside of Amman.

We are excited to launch the grand prize round of the 2018 #LionWorldTales Photo Contest! Vote for your favorite "animal fun in the wild" photo taken by three outstanding finalists. The lucky winner will be going home with bragging rights and a GoPro camera!

By Lucille Sive

The African buffalo is a member of “Big Five” group of African animals. But how much do you actually know about one of Africa’s largest and most common herbivores? I invite you to learn more about the African Buffalo in the latest edition of our animal facts blog series!

Celebrating Nelson Mandela's Centenary

Wednesday, July 18th marks the 100th birthday of South Africa’s inspirational leader, Nelson Mandela. This milestone is the perfect time to reflect on Mandela’s incredible legacy of ending apartheid and creating positive change in the world. It's crucial that we take the time to be a part of Madiba's living legacy by giving back and lifting up our communities.

By Cris David

It's official: the Cape Town and South African governments have confirmed that "day zero" has been pushed back beyond 2020.

By Brett Tollman, Chief Executive, The Travel Corporation (TTC)

I recently attended the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) 18th Global Summit with 800 other delegates from across the globe. This year’s theme is: “Our People, Our World, Our Future”. The summit asked challenging questions facing our travel industry today and how we can work together towards a more sustainable future.

We are proud to announce that, in partnership with the TreadRight Foundation, Lion World Travel is launching a new conservation initiative to protect Africa’s big cats, just in time for Earth Day 2018.

By Lucille Sive

Meerkats are one of Africa’s most well-known small mammals. Meerkats are sometimes hard to see on safari, but when you do, they always make for a fascinating sighting. Their fun social behaviour and iconic stance (resting on their hind legs to survey the terrain around them) is always a delight to behold. I invite you to learn more about marvelous meerkats on our blog!

By Lucille Sive

One of the animals you absolutely cannot miss when you go on safari in East Africa is the wildebeest. These large, brown herbivores move in vast herds across the plains of Africa, always on the look out for food and water. But there’s more to these antelopes (yes, wildebeests are antelopes!) than meets the eye. We invite you to learn more about the wildebeest on our blog.

By Lucille Sive

The hippopotamus is one of Africa's most iconic creatures and one of Earth's most enduring animals, with ancestors dating back over 155,000 years. There's more to these 'river horses' than meets the eye and we invite you to get to know the hippopotamus on our blog!

By Lucille Sive

Visiting Africa is always a thrill: there’s the majestic wildlife safaris, exceptional accommodations, and, of course, the five-star service you receive from some of the friendliest people in the world. My most recent trip to Tanzania and Rwanda featured all of these aspects in abundance. From my luxury safari in Tanzania to my time trekking with the gorillas in Rwanda, I came home with unforgettable memories. Equally important to me is how Africa is embracing sustainability and social responsibility to build a better future. Here are three projects in East Africa that are taking sustainability and social responsibility seriously.

By Lucille Sive

On my most recent trip to Africa, I realized one of my dreams: trekking with the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. These gentle creatures are stunning to behold and I feel privileged to have seen them in their natural habitat. As an experienced African traveler, I am no stranger to the majesty of Africa: from the spectacular Victoria Falls to the extraordinary animals such as elephants, lions, leopards and more, Africa is truly a destination of wonders. Even those incredible experiences, however, did not prepare me for my time with the mountain gorillas of Rwanda, a magical experience I am delighted to share with you now.

By Lucille Sive

On July 18th, we celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday to highlight his incredible life and the inspirational legacy that he left behind. This year’s theme is Action Against Poverty and I am excited to feature three of my favorite sustainability projects in Cape Town.

We are delighted to announce that we have been named Luxury Travel Guide's Unique Tour Operator of the Year for Africa & the Middle East!

Celebrating in Cape Town and Kapama

By Jordan Knoll

After visiting Tanzania in 2015, South Africa shot to the top of my travel bucket list. I was so blown away by what I experienced in Tanzania that I knew I needed to see more of Africa. In particular, I wanted to visit Cape Town and experience what a safari would be like in the Southern region of the continent. In November, my dream became a reality: Erin, my new wife, and I packed our bags for our dream honeymoon to South Africa!

It’s time to choose the grand prize winner of the 2016 #LionWorldTales Photo Contest! Each of the remaining three photos have won a previous round of the contest this year and the lucky winner of this round will go home with a GoPro camera.

We continue our celebration of Africa's wildlife with the “Animal Fun in the Wild” edition of the #LionWorldTales Photo Contest. Help us choose the winning photo by voting for your favorite!

By Lucille Sive

On the front cover of the Lion World Travel brochure we proudly state “We love Africa”. From the incredible scenery of Table Mountain and Victoria Falls to the breathtaking wildlife of the Maasai Mara or the Serengeti, Africa is a destination that travelers of all types fall in love with. At Lion World Travel, we make it our goal to share our love for Africa with our guests and our work isn’t over until you love it too.

By Lucille Sive

This past week, Travel + Leisure announced the winners of their 2016 “World’s Best” Awards and I am excited to announce that Lion World Travel was recognized as one of the World’s Best Safari Outfitters of 2016!

We’re celebrating the wildlife of Africa with the “Animal Fun in the Wild” edition of the #LionWorldTales Photo Contest. Help us choose a winner by voting for your favorite fun animal photo.

By Lucille Sive

I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape on my recent trip to South Africa. I was absolutely blown away by what I experienced there—the stunning landscapes, big game, 5-star service and luxurious accommodations all exceeded my expectations. But what really excited me about Shamwari was their commitment to wildlife preservation and conservation. They are an example of successful sustainable tourism that I found truly inspiring and I think you will too!

The penguins who call chilly Antarctica home may be the most well known of the species, but did you know that Southern Africa has its own penguins? African penguins live in colonies along the Western coast and islands between South Africa and Namibia and one of their colonies, Boulders Beach, is a popular attraction for travelers visiting Cape Town. Read on for more amazing African penguin facts as we celebrate this incredible species for #WorldPenguinDay!

By Lucille Sive

It’s always a joy for me to return home to Cape Town. I love to catch up with friends and family, enjoy South Africa’s delectable food and wine and take in the always-thrilling sights of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and Table Mountain. On my most recent trip home this month, I visited two organizations that support sustainability and conservation: the Amy Foundation and the Cape Wheel. Both organizations do incredible work to give back to the Cape Town community and protect the environment and I wanted to share my experiences visiting them with you!

Welcome to the first #LionWorldTales Photo Contest of 2016! For this year's contest, we are focusing on animal welfare by asking our guests to share photos of animals enjoying the "freedom to have fun" in the wild.

We are excited to welcome Jean Kadenhe to the Lion World Travel team. Jean is originally from Zimbabwe, but has spent time living and traveling all over Africa. She has worked in the travel industry for the past 8 years and, as she puts it, has enjoyed selling Africa to anyone who sits next to her. We sat down with Jean to learn more about her background and her favorite safari experiences.

From gorilla trekking, to going on safari in Akagera and hiking in Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda is an incredible destination that offers something for even the most seasoned African traveler. Make sure your trip to Rwanda includes some of our favorite experiences.

This week we take a look at Societi Bistro, a hip urban eatery popular with the locals that offers French and Italian inspired dishes with South African influences.

How The TreadRight Bat Hawk Patrols the Shamwari Game Reserve

By Lucille Sive

Lion World Travel has partnered with the Shamwari Game Reserve to provide a key tool in Shamwari's fight against rhino poaching.

On September 9, Travel Weekly announced the winners of their annual Magellan Awards. The Magellan Awards are the travel industry's premier awards and the winners represent the best that the industry has to offer. Lion World Travel, we are proud to share, was among the winners for our 2014 campaign “Name the Little Rhino”, which won a Gold Magellan award in the "Tour Operators - Marketing - Marketing/Advertising Campaign" category.

An Ndebele Fable

In the beginning, Serval used to be the same tawny colour as lion, but he was much smaller and nowhere near as strong. The other animals often teased him, calling him “Lion’s Little Cousin.”Serval dreamed of having a magnificent coat like Leopard or Zebra. If he could not be big and strong, he could at least be handsome.

By Lucille Sive

I have been on numerous safaris over the past years and I have my packing down to a fine art! So I thought I would share some of my suggestions and packing experience with you.

If you have experienced a safari you are certain to agree that it is a magical journey of discovery into Africa’s true miracle of nature.

While all of Africa’s wildlife species have their own allure and attraction, for me it is perhaps rhino sightings that are most poignant because of the enormous threat to their existence due to the substantial amount of rhino poaching currently occurring in Southern and East Africa.

By Lucille Sive

While some road journeys in Kenya may be a little rough and dusty, it’s well worth attempting at least one trip, as the sights along the way definitely contribute to the charm of this nation and provide insight into its culture and local way of life.

By Lucille Sive

On a recent trip to Kenya I had the opportunity to enjoy outstanding accommodations, conversations over sundowners watching dramatic African sunsets and of course thrilling game drives in the Kenyan bush.  Watch for the next few blogs about my travels in Kenya.

Sundowners at Lake Elmenteita