See 'The Lion King' cast for real in Africa

See 'The Lion King' cast for real in Kenya

IN THE REMAKE OF THE CLASSIC - THE LION KING

From Banzai, Simba and Shenzi to Pumbaa, Timon and Zazu, the characters of The Lion Kinghave captivated millions, both young and old, since the original animated feature was released 25 years ago. With the live-action remake out on 19 July, we thought we’d reintroduce you to some of the species featured in this famous film and provide some advice on the best places to see them in the wilds of Kenya.

Kenya being the inspiration behind the locations in the movie, the Unilad Adventure channel travelled to Kenya and explored the best things to do in our magical country –

Check out the video here!

Follow the trails of Simba and his friends to witness them in their own home in Kenya! Be it adult male lions like Mufasa & Scar, or lion cubs like Simba & Nala, Pumbaa the Warthog, or Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, the hyenas - you'll find them all here! Get a first-hand experience of The Lion King by booking an unforgettable safari with Adler Tours & Safaris today...

One of the properties mentioned in the video is the stunning Ark Lodge.

Set in the heart of the Aberdare National Park, The Ark overlooks a floodlit waterhole and salt lick, which attracts a host of awesome wildlife. Resembling and named after Noah's Ark, The Ark comprises of three decks from which numerous balconies and lounges provide a superb location for wildlife to be seen. So that you don't miss any animal sightings, the night guard will buzz your room when special animals come to the waterhole. One ring for Elephant, two rings for Rhino, three rings for Leopard and four rings for other unusual sightings like the Giant Forest Hog. The choice is yours - and you can turn the buzzer off if you like!

There is also a ground level bunker - the perfect hideout for the discerning photographer. This is a circular pillbox-like structure, and it is from this vantage point that pictures of animals on the salt lick only yards away may be taken through the view holes in complete safety.

 

The waterhole is the premier attraction and center of attention at the lodge. Unlike game drives where one merely drives right through, at The Ark, you have the time and safe vantage to observe and study the animals unhurried. You get to see and appreciate the uniqueness of each of the animals that come to the waterhole.

Accommodation in The Ark is in the form of cabins that are self-contained with an en-suite bathroom. The rooms are on three levels - Deck A, Deck B and Deck C.

Deck C is the main deck where all the main lodge facilities are located, including the restaurant, cloakrooms and bar. There is also access for wheel chairs, for those who require it.

From the safety and comfort of all the four decks, one can watch the wild animals visiting the water hole in front of The Ark. There are: 6 single bedded rooms, 37 twin rooms with two single beds in each room, 10 double rooms with one queen bed in each room, 7 triple rooms with three single beds in each room - perfect for families.

The restaurant offers excellent cuisine for dinner and breakfast, either as a buffet or set menu, depending on the number of guests. There is also a well stocked bar with a variety of wines and liqueurs available. The food is fresh with organic vegetables and spices picked from the Aberdare Country Club gardens accompanied by fruit which are brought in daily from the village. The Chef is always on hand to cater for special dietary requirements. A collection of fine wines is available from The Ark cellar.

There is a library and a gift shop in the premises. Other activities during a stay at the Ark include game drives in the Aberdare National Park, guided bush/ nature walks, bird watching, visit to the moorlands and trout fishing.

Tanzania Safaris

TANZANIA SAFARI DESTINATIONS :-

• The national parks and conservation areas of Tanzania are the ultimate safari destination. They are unique, diverse and overflowing with natural beauty and wildlife surprises.
  Adler Tours & Safaris (ATS) specializes in affordable wildlife safaris to the richly diverse northern areas of Tanzania.

We offer:4X4 vehicle safaris - walking safaris - canoe safaris
volcano hiking - cultural visits

• One-quarter of Tanzania has been set aside to preserve the countries rich natural heritage. The protected areas provide secure breeding grounds that allow flora and fauna to thrive.


• Within these areas are an estimated 20 percent of the African continent's large mammal population, 1,500 recorded bird species and a naturalists feast of over 10,000 plants.
  Tanzania has National Parks with UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status. The most famous are the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
  
  
  Serengeti National Park
  Tanzania's first National Park and the eighth wonder of the world, is famous for it's vastness and the spectacle of predator verses pray, a theme which particularly dominates the annual wildbeast migration.

In Massai language Serengeti means 'endless plain'. The plains were formed millions of years ago from volcanic ash exploding out of the Ngorongoro highlands, which served to establish the rich soil of the southern grass plains. The arriving colonists in the early part of the 19th century found a virtually untouched land which they exploited for it's huge hunting potential.

• The Serengeti National Park itself covers an area of 14,763 square kilometers but is also central to the more expansive Serengeti ecosystem, a buffer zone which serves to protect the annual wildebeest migration. This liberating sense of space holds upwards of 3 million large animals. For three to four weeks in February to March, 90% of the female wildebeest 'flood' the plains with thousands of new born calves. The largest animal migration on earth starts here (May to June) when herds of wildebeest, gazelle and zebra instinctively move en-masse to the Massai Mara (in Kenya) in search of water and fresh grazing. Highlights: The natural wildlife spectacle and the Serengeti's diverse habitats (the western corridor, northern woodland, southern grass plains and the Seronara valley). Visitors should plan to linger as long as they can. Serious game viewing takes patience.

Ngorongoro Crater
The world largest un-flooded and unbroken caldera is one of the worlds greatest natural spectacles and home to many big game animals.

• A natural amphitheatre, the crater is 19.2 km in diameter, 610m deep and covers an area of 304 sq km. This ever changing ecosystem supports numerous grazing animals, such as Thomson gazelle, predatory animals such as lion, leopard, cheetah, and scavengers such as hyena.
  
• As a direct result of successful anti-poaching patrols, there is an increasing rhino population and lions now number five prides of between 10 and 20 animals. Each pride defends it's own territory.
  
• Old bull elephants descend to the crater floor to find food. The elephants destruction of yellow acacia trees is much in evidence.
  

Highlights: Hiking around the crater rim gets you even closer to this diverse environment.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area :
Bursting with wildlife, the Ngorongoro Conservation area lies between the Great Rift Valley and the Serengeti Plains. The area is claimed to be the 'cradle of mankind' after traces of early man were found.

• A vast 8,000 sq km of varying habitats virtually guarantees sightings of the big five - lion, rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo. The reserve has pioneered multiple land use, integrating Massai pastoralists, conservation and tourism.
  
• Millions of years ago nine volcanoes were formed in the Ngorongoro highlands. The very climbable Oldonyo Lengai (Mountain of God) is still active.
• Footprints found preserved in volcanic ash at Laetoli and fragments of early man at Olduvai gorge, have made the Conservation Area palaeontologically and archeologically important.

Highlights: Visiting a Massai boma and bush walking with a local Massai guide.

Lake Manyara National Park :-

Famous for tree climbing lions and pythons and superb birdlife, especially flamingoes.
Nestling between the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment on one side and the white hot shores of an ancient soda lake on the other, the park is noted for it's incredibly beautiful landscapes and abundant wildlife.

• Streams and waterfalls from the escarpment support the lush forest, woodland and grassland habitats which are home to huge herds of elephant and buffalo. The acacia woodland is where the lions can be found languishing in the trees during the heat of the day.
  


• The 200sq km soda lake attracts over 400 species of birds. Further into the park, hippo can be seen near to the bubbling hot springs.
  

Highlights: Lake Manyara offers a compact safari experience if you have limited time.