AFRICA'S LION POPULATION

Where: Kruger National Park, South Africa

What's at stake: The king of the jungle. In 2006, it was estimated that fewer than 50,000 lions remained on the entire African continent—down from 200,000 three decades ago. There are several factors to blame for the decimation. Ranchers are killing lions who prey on their livestock; poachers and hunters are taking them for sport and profit. Even the lions that live in national parks and preserves are endangered by disease and inbreeding, matters made worse by chronic underfunding and corruption among park officials and rangers. Some governments are trying to convince livestock farmers that lions are worth more alive than dead, encouraging them to build game lodges on their properties. But it is an uphill battle.

Get thee to: South Africa's Kruger National Park or one of the private game reserves nearby, such as Londolozi or Sabi Sand. Lodges such as Singita offer personalized game drives that will have you staring wide-eyed at Africa's beautiful landscape and its natural—if still endangered—population of elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, and lions.

For more information: Read Susan Hack's illuminating report, "Where Have All the Lions Gone?" in Condé Nast Traveler's September 2006 issue.

Singita
Tel: 27 21 683 3424
From $1,133 per person, all-inclusive

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