After being rescued from terrible conditions in France, where he was being illegally kept as an exotic pet, a lion cub known as “King” is now tasting freedom for the first time in South Africa. African Travel, Inc. is thrilled to acknowledge this accomplishment as World Lion Day approaches on August 10th.

The one-year-old lion is the newest resident of the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari Game Reserve in Eastern Cape, a haven for formerly captive lions and leopards. King's journey back to his ancestral home started in Paris, where he was rescued from a private apartment, and continued in Belgium, where he was temporarily housed before being flown to Shamwari. He now has acres of bush in which to roam freely, with plenty of food and water. More details about King's inspiring journey can be read on African Travel's blog, “Fit for a King.”

African Travel, Inc., which helped sponsor King's trip from Europe to South Africa, is pleased that he has found a home at Shamwari, a reserve that shares African Travel's deep commitment to wildlife conservation. Through its #AfricanTravelCares initiatives and partnerships spearheaded by parent company The Travel Corporation's not-for-profit TreadRight Foundation, African Travel is passionate about preserving, protecting and building a better future for the communities and environments that travelers visit. The company recently donated money to help build a rhino boma at Shamwari, to microchip rhinos, and to purchase a “Bat Hawk” sport aircraft for aerial anti-poaching operations. Additionally, TreadRight recently began supporting the Wildlife Conservation Society's Big Cat Fund, which works to conserve big cat species in 55 locations in 28 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Guests on African Travel's 'Majestic South Africa' itinerary stay at Shamwari and have the opportunity to visit King and other rescued animals at the Born Free Sanctuary. This thrilling 10-day journey combines the best of urban, cosmopolitan South Africa with the beauty and wildlife of the African savanna. For the first three days of the trip guests explore the vibrant sights, sounds and flavors of Cape Town. They take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, drink in picturesque scenery on a Cape Peninsula tour, relish breathtaking views along the legendary Chapman's Peak Drive, and visit the endearing African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. They stay at the five-star Table Bay Hotel on the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, and feast on African, Afrikaans and European flavors at the hotel's Camissa Brasserie. The next stop is Port Elizabeth, where guests are transferred to the malaria-free Shamwari Game Reserve, which encompasses 61,000 acres of vast, ever-changing vegetation and multitudes of different animal and bird species. They'll enjoy twice-daily game drives and nature walks, and stay three nights at the cliffside Eagles Crag Lodge, which offers the ultimate in luxury, privacy and breathtaking scenery. Priced from $4,899 pp, including airfare.

For more information or to book a trip, contact your favorite travel professional, call African Travel, Inc. at (800) 727-7207, or visit www.africantravelinc.com. CST 2071444-20