The Disney classic The Lion King comes to theatres this weekend with much anticipation for the star-studded cast. While we will all be feeling the love from the live-action rendition of this musical film, you will also be leaving the theatre with a bit of wanderlust wanting to explore the Pride Lands for yourself. Original Travel has pulled together a Luxury Simba Safari to see some of the sights that inspired your favourite areas of the film.
Where was the Lion King filmed?
The Pride Lands from “The Lion King” is modelled after many different areas of Kenya.
Where does the Lion King-themed safari travel too?
Original Travel’s “Lion King”-themed safari includes stops in Nairobi, Giraffee Manor, Masai Mara, Laikipia, Samburu and Diani Beach.
Giraffe Manor
The start of the “Lion King”-themed itinerary features a breakfast that no one will forget in a hurry. While staying at Giraffe Manor, travellers will have the opportunity to join these long-necked residents for breakfast as they regularly pop their heads through the windows of the manor, with the perfectly understandable expectation of a treat. Afterwards, travellers can enjoy a tour of the Giraffee Sanctuary, meet Pumba’s family and take a trip to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where they will watch baby elephants interact in the wild.
‘Pride Rock’ in Laikipia
Coveted as one of “The Lion King’s” most iconic features, travellers will have the opportunity to enjoy an authentic bush breakfast or watch the vibrant sunset from atop the real-life Pride Rock. Feeling like Simba, travellers will have the opportunity to see everything the light touches including Masai Mara’s rocky ridges, Laikipia’s plateau and the majestic Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-largest mountain.
Ndare Ngare Forest
After a morning of game driving to spot Pumba and his pals, travellers will head to the ancient and beautiful Ngare Ndare forest with a picnic in tow where they will enjoy an afternoon of jumping into waterfalls and finding the exact spot where Nala and Simba reunited in the film. That evening, travellers will head to Samburu where they will stargaze just like Simba, Timon and Pumba did, and if you listen carefully, you might just hear Mufasa’s voice or Rafiki rustling in the long grass.
What makes this Lion King safari so true to the film?
Original Travel’s “Lion King”-themed itinerary is so true to the film because it features all the Kenyan filming locations and real-life animals behind the film’s starring roles. In addition to seeing Simba’s real-life kingdom, travellers will be able to trace the path the film takes by stargazing in the Samburu, just like Timon and Pumba and visit Ndare Ngare Forest, where Nala found Simba, among other authentic “Lion King” experiences.
