Conservation | Safari Creators

Living Conservation

Being involved in the tourism industry is about so much more than business for me. It's about promoting responsible & ethical tourism, creating awareness, making a difference. It’s about conservation, saving our wildlife, preserving our heritage; our future.

Lion Conservation Project
“I want to do my bit”

I’ve been in love with lions ever since I was a little girl, in fact ever since I can remember. I spend many, many hours sitting with this beautiful species, observing their behaviour; fascinated by their strength, their magnificence, their beauty. My friends and family always joke and say, if I could spend every moment of my waking life in the presence of lions, I’d be at my happiest.

Since I began Safari Creators, I have always prided myself on promoting responsible and ethical tourism, but I also wanted to do more for conservation. I wanted to find a project that would be near to my heart.

I have been doing my research through the year on various conservation projects, and the truth is, it’s been a tricky decision to just choose one – as there are so many with good causes. I left it to the fates and said, ‘the right one will fall into my lap, and I’ll just know which one to choose.’

And then recently I took a trip to Northern Kruger and was incredibly privileged to spend a short time out in the field with a lion conservationist. In that moment, it became very clear to me, that this was the project I wanted to and needed to support. It was life changing, and the experience really touched my soul.

So, in partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, I am so thrilled and so proud to announce, that I will now be supporting their lion project- Protecting lions from targeted poaching in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.

For every booking done through my business I will be donating approximately $21 (R400) to them, and my lovely clients will be given the option to match my donation or donate more should they wish to do so.

Here's the facts:

The sad truth is the lion population is declining rapidly. African Lions’ historic home range has declined by 75% in the last 50 years and their general population by an estimated 42% during the past two decades, and what’s even more shocking is that only 32.2% of lions in Southern Africa are free roaming while 67.8% are in captive breeding facilities.

The Southern African lion population is estimated to make up 35% of the global population, mainly living in protected reserves, such as the Kruger National Park. The most recent South African lion population estimates (2013) indicated a total of 9 127 lions. Is that not absolutely shocking? Imagine visiting Africa, and not seeing lions? I cannot actually bear the thought.

Over the past several years, the African Lion has joined other iconic species, such as Elephant and Rhino, on the list of species threatened by illegal wildlife trade. As Tiger populations have dropped, and measures to protect them have risen, Asian markets have turned to the African Lion to feed the demand for felid products, including Tiger bone wine and cake. In addition, the local and international market for skins, claws, and teeth is booming.

To acquire lion parts, poachers are now targeting Lions using poison. Poisoned carcasses have horrific, widespread impacts on ecosystems. Scavengers, such as Jackals, Leopards, Hyaenas, and Vultures, become gravely ill or die after feeding on a poisoned carcass; hundreds of these animals can be killed in a single incident. These events are steadily increasing in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), which includes Kruger National Park in South Africa and Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.

Urgent action is needed to stop this particularly destructive form of poaching. To combat these threats, the Endangered Wildlife Trust is developing on the ground anti-poaching and poison response strategies, strengthening law enforcement through targeted training, and understanding and breaking the supply chains for Lion products.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust is a truly incredible organisation. They are a non-profit, public benefit organisation dedicated to conserving species and ecosystems in southern Africa to the benefit of all people. The most kind-hearted, wonderful group of people all living with the same motto, “To leave the world (Africa) a better place than what they found it”

Every little bit helps – so please join me in supporting this wonderful project – Let’s make a difference, together, even if just a small one.

Yours in travel,

Dani x

Looking for a different kind of safari experience?

How about joining members of the EWT on a conservation safari trip, where you can learn about lions or wild dogs:

Lion Experience

Wild Dog Experience

Enquire Now

Facts supplied by The Endangered Wildlife Trust: NPO Number: 015-502, PBO number: 930 001 777, Member of IUCN - The International Union for Conservation of Nature

I've taken the ‘Born to Live Wild’ tourism pledge for wildlife.

I pledge to:

To not knowingly book or otherwise support any breeder or operator that contributes to the cycle of breeding, exploitation and senseless killing of predators. This includes all petting and ‘walking with lion’ facilities.
To continue our support and promotion of the formal conservation community in their endeavours to secure the survival of Africa’s predators in the wild. Without wild lions and the rest of the predator guild extant in functioning ecosystems, there will be no African tourism industry; a calamitous situation for many economies.
To continue in our own endeavours towards wildlife conservation and economic development wherever we operate across Africa.
To continue supporting an ethical and responsible interaction with Africa’s wilderness and wild animals.
To continue promoting Africa as an authentic, wild and rewarding tourism destination.