Walk With Lions Encounter – Victoria Falls
The Walk With Lions Encounter in Victoria Falls could be seen as being another expensive and elaborate tourist attraction. It is in-fact an active conservation program that is committed to ensuring a future for the potentially endangered African lion. The species across the continent has seen a dramatic decline in the past 20 to 30 years.
The conservation effort aims to ethically re-introduce the offspring of captive-bred African lions back into the wild. The Lion Encounter, close to the busy town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, offers it’s guests the chance to interact and walk alongside these magnificent animals.
It’s an amazing experience to get this close to such incredible and often mis-understood animals. However, it’s not cheap!
The whole encounter will set you back around $150 with a hotel pick up and drop off service included, as well as breakfast and refreshments. The first hotel pick up is usually scheduled for around 6am.
The actual encounter won’t start until around 8-9am, as you’ll be briefed about the rules of engaging with wild animals for your own general safety. There will be several disclaimer forms you’ll need to sign. Basically, if you get hurt by a lion it’s not their fault! It’s all part of the experience i suppose.
For me, the overall encounter was quite amazing. To be able to get this close to wild animals, as close to their natural habitat as possible, without boundaries is something worth more than $150. Also, for the peace of mind knowing this is a conservation effort, not a callous tourist attraction where animals are sedated for the chance of a quick Tinder profile pic. There is a real sense of ethical animal tourism and responsibility by the conservation program.
Photos taken with Panasonic GH5 with LUMIX G VARIO 14-140/F3.5-5.6 & Panasonic G9 with LEICA DG 100-400/F4.0-6.3
