Sundowners with Lucille

The Lion World Travel Blog

Welcome to the blog of Lion World Travel's President, Lucille Sive. In this space, Lucille shares stories (both her own and others) as well as insight from her extensive adventures in Africa.

A sundowner, in colloquial British English, is an alcoholic drink taken at sundown. Think of "Happy Hour" while in Africa. It is common on the evening safari to stop for sundowners as the sun sets. Your guide stops at a scenic spot for everyone to enjoy drinks and snacks while enjoying the sunset and chatting about the day’s events, before continuing with a spot-lit night drive and heading back to camp. Stay tuned to this space for all you need to know about traveling to Africa, including casual chats with Lucille, expert travel tips, and recommendations.

Meet the Inspiring All-Women Guiding Team of Chobe Game Lodge

March 7, 2018

Botswana’s Chobe National Park is one the premier safari destinations in Africa. Featuring one of the largest concentrations of wildlife on the continent, Chobe is an ideal destination for safari travelers eager to see Africa’s animals in abundance. Situated in the north east corner of Chobe National Park sits the Chobe Game Lodge, an elegant five-star retreat that’s also home to Botswana’s only all-women safari guiding team. We invite you to learn about the journey of these incredible women on our blog.

March 6, 2018

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.

Lucille Sive: Empowering Women on International Women's Day

Lucille Sive at eKhaya eKasi Centre in Cape Town

March 5, 2018

Now, more than ever, issues facing women are gaining momentum worldwide. With the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements spurring activism in the US, #PressForProgress – the call for gender parity championed by International Women’s Day 2018 (March 8) – couldn't come at a better time.

February 20, 2018

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!

January 30, 2018

By Lucille Sive

I have just returned from a fabulous two week trip to Cape Town and I have to say that if you can, you should come and enjoy this exceptionally beautiful city. I stayed at The Table Bay Hotel and the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa during my trip. As you have probably seen, everyone is talking about the water shortage in Cape Town and both these hotels are clearly giving their guests peace of mind that every drop of water is being used responsibly. My experience was very positive and I felt very comfortable at both properties.

January 25, 2018

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.

Related Safaris: Platinum Tanzania

What Travelers Need to Know About Cape Town’s Water Shortage

January 23, 2018

By Cris David

In light of the news that Cape Town is experiencing a water shortage, we have been receiving questions from our guests about the situation. Given the unprecedented drought that the area is experiencing, the questions are absolutely valid. That’s why I wanted to take some time to address those questions here, based on my own experience of visiting Cape Town over the holidays, from late December to early January.

January 15, 2018

By Lucille Sive

During my recent trip to Tanzania, I was fortunate to stay in some of the most luxurious lodges Africa has to offer. The great migration is synonymous with traveling to East Africa and many people think the only time to see animals is from July-August. My visit in November definitely proved otherwise. The Serengeti was teeming with animals and their adorable babies.

Related Safaris: Gorillas of RwandaPlatinum Tanzania

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda: An Unforgettable Experience

January 8, 2018

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.

Related Safaris: Gorillas of RwandaPlatinum Tanzania