Every Jungle Needs a King: Celebrating World Lion Day

Is it possible to imagine a world without lions, those all-powerful kings of the wilderness? Newmark Hotels & Reserves is intimately involved in lion conservation through our various safari destinations in Africa. This August 10th, on World Lion Day, you’re invited to be part of the journey.

Raise Your Roar for the Lions
Now more than ten years old, World Lion Day was created in 2013 by conservationists. This year, we reflect on the stoic power and profound significance of these animals in our environment. They are the guardians of the delicate ecosystems they inhabit, maintaining the balance in the food chain and ensuring grassland health by preventing overgrazing and contributing to biodiversity.

Following a stark decline in the population, approximately only 23,000 lions remain in Africa, and they are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN’s (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list of threatened species.

Top Threats
As invincible as they may seem, lions are under threat from various sources. Some of these are trophy hunting, poaching and illegal trade. These beautiful golden-brown creatures are hunted, and their parts are sold for use in traditional medicine despite efforts to stop this practice.

Many lions are bred in captivity for commercial purposes such as entertainment, hunting and trade, and sadly, these lions cannot easily be reintroduced into the wild.

Conservation Meets Slow Travel
Discerning travellers will understand that the true value of a safari lies in fostering a deeper appreciation for the wild. As this trend for more soulful safaris grows steadily, World Lion Day 2025 serves as a subtle reminder of the consistent efforts being made to help these majestic animals continue to thrive in their natural habitats. In this way, conservation is not a buzzword but an active preservation of wildlife.

At Newmark Hotels & Reserves, our safari lodges are operated by people who are genuinely committed to the custodianship of lions. From management to ground staff, vets and security guards, everyone is on board to protect the legacy of the lion, and responsible tourists play a vital role in ensuring that this work can continue.

Head Guide Damien Fourie at QWABI Private Game Reserve shared that there are currently two prides of lions on the reserve. “Our eastern pride, better known as the Serengeti pride, consists of two adult females, two sub-adult females and one sub-adult male. The sub-adult male is soon to be separated from the pride as he is coming of age now. We have seen the four females spending lots of time together lately without the sub-adult male. He is starting to find his way around the reserve without being accompanied by the rest of the pride.

Our western pride, better known as the Sand River pride, consists of two adult females. They are excellent hunters and definitely a force to reckon with. Having the smallest territory of the two prides, they do well to fend off the Serengeti pride by just their presence.

We have one dominant male in the reserve, who oversees both prides and roams the whole reserve on his own. He used to be accompanied by an older male up until about a year ago, but sadly, the older male passed on with a lung problem. He has got some beautiful dark mane, Kalahari genetics, so he is looking stunning and impressively big.”

Your Eco-Luxe Safari Awaits This World Lion Day
To celebrate World Lion Day, visit one of our private game reserves, Nkomazi, Motswari, Mount Camdeboo or QWABI, and discover how luxury accommodations merge with sustainability efforts in the wild.

Join Newmark Hotels & Reserves in making sure the lion’s roar will never cease to be heard. Book a safari at one of our conservation-focused luxury lodges to experience mindful travel with premium hospitality.