It may well be that in the future, the only place you might see a lion in the "wild" could be on a reserve or in a zoo. These magnificent beasts are struggling to maintain strong population numbers in the wild; a legacy of progress I guess but the good news is that there are programs in place to ensure they survive well into the future. So if you have been thinking of taking that planned african lion safari, now may be a good time to do it.

Let's face it, safaris conjure up all sorts of exciting images and exotic destinations but would any safari be complete without at least one glimpse of the king of the beasts, the african lion? From the magnificent Okavango Delta to the wilds of the serengeti, lions have captured our imagination yet, despite their obvious predatory instincts, it's not hard to understand why humans hold them in such awe and esteem. The flip side though is human intervention could very well be the reason why their numbers are on the decline.

It's ironic isn't it, we admire lions because of what they are and what they're capable of, yet, for reasons why they are struggling to survive in their own environment, well, need I say anymore. The prime reason for their loss of habitat has been because of agricultural expansion and human population growth. More radical procedures have seen poisoning programs put in place to diminish the instance of lion attacks on livestock.

Did You Know?

During the past 50 years, lion numbers in Africa have been cut by more than half. At last estimate, their total numbers are struggling to reach 20,000.

Will I See Lions On Safari?

An African lion safari for most with an adventurous spirit would mean "getting down and dirty" in deep, darkest Africa where lions roam free yet, today, it's more than likely you will be part of a well organised tour to a major reserve or conservation park. For safety sakes, the latter certainly will appeal to the majority of safari seekers.

Being well versed and prepared on safari is just common sense and any reputable tour operator will have a strong set of do's and don'ts in place. Before booking your trip, be clear on exactly what is involved. I've heard a few horror stories about people dead set on seeing their first king of the jungle in the wild, yet when returning home, found their lion safari may have meant something else. Again, be clear about what your itinerary involves.

Did You Know?

A male african lion has been know to reach a height of four feet. They range in length from about 6-8 feet and the males can reach weights of between 500 to 600 pounds.

What Does The Future Hold?

The African lion is not yet on the endangered list unlike his Asiatic cousin but at the rate agricultural progress is taking place in Africa, there is a distinct possibility it could happen. Lions are rapidly diminishing in numbers in these areas simply because human inhabitants have no reason or benefit to co-exist with them. That sounds harsh I know but with education programs currently in place, this trend will hopefully be slowed down and eventually halted.

Until then, an African lion safari is still very much the closest thing you'll get to a controlled adventure and with continued proper maintenance, it's an adventure many will be able to take well into the future.