A tale of two safaris
World Lion Day comes around every year on August 10th. This year we’re looking at the Brits’ obsession with these big cats. We’ll be taking you on a lion statue safari in London and then talking about how you can view these magnificent beasts in their natural setting in South Africa.
The Brits Obsession with Lions
One of the four 'Landseer Lions' guarding Nelson's Column. Thought to have been sculpted using dead animals as a guide, their paws and the arch of their backs are not anatomically correct.
So why is International Lions Day so important? Let's start by looking at the special place that the lion holds in the UK's national psyche. Even though the lion has not lived wild in the UK for over 14,000 years, the use of the lion as a symbol is widespread. Lions can be found on the logos of our national sports teams, in heraldry and on the royal coat of arms. Look around you; you’ll find them everywhere. Not bad for a cat from Africa!
Left: The magnificent South Bank Lion which can be seen on Westminster Bridge was originally a brewery mascot. Right: A lioness hunting a kudu. A scene straight from the plains of Africa, but in Grovesnor Park, near Victoria.
Lions have been important to many cultures all over the world across the span of human history. They can be found in Greek mythology and were mentioned in the bible. However, here in our lion-free corner of the world, our love of lions began with heraldry and the moment when King Richard I added three lions to his coat of arms. In the process, he became Richard the Lionheart, beginning our love affair with lions and putting Panthera Leo on the path to becoming our national icon.
Left: Along the north bank, just near Cleopatra’s Needle, you’ll find lion head mooring rings. These were placed there as part of the Victorian sewage works programme in 1868 and double up as a flood warning system. It’s said that ‘If the lions drink, London will sink’!
The Lions of London
The great thing about a stroll around London is that you will never run out of things to discover. The capital is packed with history, art and unusual features, including plenty of things that will please fans of the ‘king of the jungle’. In fact, it would be impossible to avoid bumping into a lion statue on a visit to London. There are some very prominent and famous lion statues in London, such as the four ‘Landseer Lions’ in Trafalgar Square. Did you know that there are estimated to be as many as 10,000 lion statues and sculptures in London? These range from ancient historical lions in museums to the more modern and dynamic 'Lioness and Lesser Kudu' statue in Grosvenor Gardens.
Left: Once you get your eye in, you’ll discover lions everywhere in London. Including the Royal coat of arms..
The London Pride
For a few months, this summer, the regular lions of London will be joined by a new pride. And all for an excellent cause. It's a sad fact that for such a powerful, graceful, and globally revered animal, the number of wild lions is in serious decline. Conflict with humans has been driving down their numbers for many years now; this has been caused primarily by poaching and their natural habitat coming under pressure from agriculture.
This year, in London, World Lion Day marks the beginning of an extraordinary exhibition of life-size lion sculptures created by artists, musicians and sportspeople. Called the Tusk Lion Trail, these artworks will highlight the threats 'the King of Beasts' currently faces and aims to raise vital funds to support community conservation and livelihoods impacted by Covid-19 across Africa. The exhibition supports Tusk, an organisation that supports forward-thinking and successful conservation intervention in Africa.
Look out for artworks from some internationally recognised faces including Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, wildlife photographer David Yarrow, artists Ian Davenport, Gavin Turk and David Mach, and actors John Cleese and Noel Fielding. Prowling through the heart of London, the City's pride will take you on a walking trail past some of the West End's most iconic cultural landmarks and bring to life the stories of these iconic predators as well as the people who work tirelessly to protect them.
Safari
Ask anyone who's been to Africa, and they'll tell you that it was one of their most incredible travel experiences. That's because Africa gets to you like nowhere else on Earth can. We don't know why that is, but maybe it's got something to do with watching nature play out as it has done for millennia. Or perhaps it is the experience of being in the wide-open space, under those beguiling African skies, along with the sights, the sounds, the smells, the diversity of its cultures and peoples. Maybe there's something deeply spiritual about being in the cradle of mankind.
The best way to see a lion in the wild is to go on a safari holiday. Pick one of our camps in South Africa's wilderness and witness for yourself these magnificent beasts in their natural habitat. Your first sight of a lion will stay with you forever. Whether that's a lone male prowling his territory, a mother with cubs, or a large pack drinking at a waterhole. You'll get to see them feasting on a kill, sleeping off their dinner in the shade of the midday sun. Witness their behaviour, how they interact with everything around them, and that roar that can be heard for miles in the African night. Unforgettable, beautiful and life-changing.
Many of our safari holidays occur in the Kruger National Park, one of the world's most spectacular nature reserves. Set off on a Kruger National Park holiday and take in the awe-inspiring landscape and scenery of the South African wilderness. Make the most of a luxury Kruger safari, perfect for nature lovers or those looking for an adventure,
For your London lion safari, the Tusk Trail launches on World Lion Day, August 10th, 2021. Follow #TuskLionTrail and #TheLionsAreComing to see the artworks come to life and to find the latest artist announcements as they happen.
For those looking to head to Africa, start your adventure on our South Africa holiday pages.
