Safari Par Excellence in association with African Encounter has established Victoria Fall’s first “Lion Encounter”. This activity offers a once in a lifetime insight into the behaviour and social aspects of one of Africa’s most sought after photographic subjects, the Lion.

The training techniques used by the Lion Encounter team are based on years of experience gained by the management and staff from African Encounter who have been walking and interacting with lions for over 20 years.

Trips available
Half day, either morning or afternoon on Masuwe Estate, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Morning, mid morning or afternoon from the Thorntree lodge Livingstone, Zambia

Availability
365 days a year

Morning Safari
Pick up from Victoria Falls accommodation: Between 6.00 - 6.15
Drop off at Victoria Falls accommodation: Between 9.30 – 10.00
Morning walk is from 06.30 – 06.45, returning to Livingstone town by 10.30
Mid-Morning walk is from 10.30 – 10.45 returning to Livingstone town by 14.00

Afternoon Safari
Pick up from Victoria Falls accommodation: Between 14.45 – 15.00
Drop off at Victoria Falls accommodation: Between 18.45 – 19.00
Afternoon walk is from 14.30 – 14.45, returning to Livingstone town by 18.30

Custom Designed Safari
Incentive and Corporate Groups – availability on request.

Clients travelling from Zambia into Zimbabwe and vice versa
Clients staying on the "other side of the Zambezi border" will be catered for on request at an additional transfer/border crossing fee.  (transfers, visas, not included and will be for the client’s account )

Walking with Lions at Victoria Falls

Upon arrival at Masuwe, biscuits/scones, tea, coffee and cordials will be served – after which the guide will give a short introductory talk including safety aspects of the adventure. The guests will then be walked to an isolated area in the bush where they will be introduced to the lion cubs and their handlers.

On meeting the lion cubs, the Encounter begins. Each lion is under the charge of a handler – the guide carries a first aid kit and handheld radio.

During interaction, the guide will give an informative talk on the lions and their relationship with man. Above all, guests will be advised about Safari Par Excellence and African Encounter’s long term plans for rehabilitating the lions back into the wild.

Morning Trip
The Encounter ends with clients being walked back to the starting point and from there being transferred to Masuwe Safari Lodge where the clients have a continental breakfast. Clients then view their video of their personal “Lion Encounter”, before being transferred back to town.

Afternoon trip
Snacks are served during the Safety talk and when the Encounter ends, clients are walked back to the starting point, and from there transferred to Masuwe Safari Lodge where the clients then view their video of their personal “Lion Encounter”, before being transferred back to town.

Videos are available for purchase and will be delivered to guests’ hotels that evening or the following morning (depending on which Safari is booked).

Lion Conservation

A portion of your trip cost is treated as a contribution towards research and conservation.
Lions, (Panthera Leo) are listed in the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix II and are regarded as ‘vulnerable’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and as such have been placed on their Red List [Version 3.1 2001].

 

Age Restrictions
Participants must be over 16 years of age. There is also a height limitation of 1.5 metres. Anyone shorter than this will not be permitted to participate in the Lion Encounter.

Health Requirements
There are no specific health requirements for this activity, and physical disabilities will be considered on an individual basis. If a guest has any medical condition such as epilepsy, diabetes or dangerous allergies etc, please ensure that Safari Par Excellence is informed at the time of booking.

Public Liability
The Lion Encounter is covered by a US$ 1 500 000 Public Liability Insurance.

Medical Air Rescue Service
All clients travelling with The Lion Encounter are covered by M.A.R.S. in the unlikely event of an emergency.

What to bring / wear
Please bear in mind that guests will be responsible for carrying their personal effects while on the walk. It is therefore advisable that belongings are kept to a reasonable limit. Bottled water and other refreshments will be available, so it is not necessary for guests to bring their own.

We recommend that guests do bring the following:

• Sunblock Binoculars
• Cameras Personal Medication
• Glasses or sunglasses Insect repellent

Guests should wear neutral coloured clothes. Wildlife may be encountered and therefore whites and bright colours should be avoided. Also note the bush may be wet from dew in the early morning and thus trousers and suitable shoes are recommended.

Recommended clothing as follows:

• Long trousers with closed, comfortable shoes
• Long sleeved shirt, especially in the summer months
• A wide brimmed hat
• A sweater is recommended for the months of May to August

Custom-designed trips and Corporate Groups
For group bookings, Safari Par Excellence will make every reasonable effort to accommodate the needs of large groups.  Advance bookings are essential

Lion encounter in Zambia

Lion Encounter operates stage one of the African Lion and Environmental Research Trust‘s four stage Rehabilitation and Release into the Wild Program. The first stage of the program involves the young lions being taken out into the Bush, allowing them to build confidence in their natural habitat and practice their hunting techniques before being released into stage two of the program.

By joining the lions walks you are actively assisting in the pre-release training for the cubs as well as giving funding for ALERT to; develop all stages of the release program; implement conservation and research programs to protect Africa’s precious habitat and wildlife; and engage in a variety of community development and empowerment schemes for those living in and around wildlife conservation areas.

The guest experience…

Lion Encounter Zambia can host up to 6 walks a day. Each day can see 2 morning walks, 2 midday walks and 2 afternoon walks. For each walking session there is a minimum of 2 pax and a maximum of 24 pax. (Please contact us if you have more people than the stated maximum as we may be able to accommodate you!)

Guests will be collected from their lodges and comfortably transported the short distance to the Boma - our hospitality suite overlooking the Zambezi River within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park – where our friendly hospitality team is waiting to greet them with a welcome soft-drink, (or teas and coffees for those early risers!), after which they will be shown to their seats.

The guests will enjoy a short film (7 mins) to give them information on our lion release program. It will explain why it is necessary to facilitate such a project, but will also show the guests some “behind the scenes” footage regarding ALERT’s other efforts, which benefit communities bordering conservation areas (run by the ALERT Communities Trust – ACT) and its other wildlife conservation and research programs through the Conservation Centre for Wild Africa – CCWA.

All participants of the walk then receive the all important do’s and don’ts in a safety talk delivered by their guide. Guests are then ready to meet the lions who are already waiting for them in the Bush.

During the walk itself guests will be accompanied by our experienced guides, handlers and scouts that ensure that our rigorous safety procedures are upheld allowing guests to enjoy watching the lions play, hunt and enjoy their natural habitat. At times the lions may rest allowing guests for some close encounters and opportunities to get a photo with the lions. Guests experience will be enhanced by hearing about the lion as a species as well as receiving the latest updates on the progress of the release program.

After the lion walk, which lasts approximately 1hr to 1¼ hr, the guests are welcomed back to the Boma by the hospitality staff, who will be waiting for them with a hearty breakfast or drinks and snacks. The guests will have the opportunity to watch the footage of their lion walk, with the option to purchase a DVD of their walk and other merchandise which helps support the lion release program.

Encounters for Cubs…

When the parents depart for their lion walk our friendly guides will take the children on a short walk to introduce them to the many wonderful sights and sounds of the African Bush. This learning trail will lead them to one of enclosures where they will have a chance to meet and hear about our lions. Please see below on whether participants will be permitted a supervised interaction with the cubs inside the enclosure. Your children will arrive back at the Boma at the same as you to tell you all about their incredible experience.

Height and age restrictions

Lion Encounter & Encounters for Prides

Minimum age for Lion Encounter’s “Lion Walk” is 15 years.
Minimum height restriction for Lion Encounter’s “Lion Walk” is 1.5m or 5 ft.

Encounters for Cubs

With cubs aged 3, 4 or 5 months old:
Minimum age for Lion Encounter’s “Encounters for Cubs” with cub interaction is 10 years.
Minimum height restriction for Lion Encounter’s “Encounters for Cubs” with cub interaction is 1m or 3ft 4”.

With Cubs aged 6, or 7 months old:
Minimum age for Lion Encounter’s “Encounters for Cubs” with cub interaction is 12 years.
Minimum height restriction for Lion Encounter’s “Encounters for Cubs” with cub interaction is 1.2m or 3ft 11”.

Children not meeting these restrictions will only be allowed to view the cubs from outside the enclosure. Call us for cub ages at the time you want to come.
 

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International (Zambezi UK Office)

Victoria Falls

 Zambia

Telephone: +44 845 2930512
Fax: +44 870 0941881
E-mail: safaris@safpar.com

Tel: +263 13 4 4424, 4 2190, 4 2054
Fax: +263 13 44510
E-mail: ziminfo@safpar.com

Tel: +260 332 0606/7/8
Fax: +260 332 0609
E-mail: zaminfo@safpar.com