US wildlife volunteer, Kari, turned her dream of volunteering with lions into a reality after being diagnosed with brain cancer before she even turned 30.

“I have officially checked a major one off my bucket list and would do it again in a heartbeat.“ Kari Crawford, Lion Breeding and Release Program.

Kari turned her dream of volunteering with lions into a reality after being diagnosed with brain cancer

“Going to Africa has been a dream of mine for many years, especially to be around lions. I thought it would always remain a dream until I was diagnosed with brain cancer before I even turned 30, which changed my entire perception of life.

With that, I began to do my research and landed on Amanzi Travel‘s website that brought me in. When I asked which of the lion programs would have the closest interaction with the lions, I was told the Lion Breeding and Release Program. They were not joking.

The program overall was everything I could imagine and more.

Kari on her own Pride Rock

I got to walk right alongside majestic lions that see you as one of their own pride and sometimes even rub their gorgeous faces right up against you. Not only do they have the lions (cubs and adults) to interact with between walks, enrichment, cleaning, and feeding, but also four elephants that have been rescued and horses that you get to be involved with.

I feel that the volunteer work there was valuable as I got to do a lot of different things in just two weeks, including helping put out a major bush fire that wasn’t even on the project’s property, but still had to be put out. Lions certainly need their walks and enrichment, which I absolutely adored being able to do.

“I was diagnosed with brain cancer before I even turned 30“

The entire trip was simply amazing. Great people working there, beautiful animals that you get to help hands on and new forever friends from all over the world.

I have officially checked a major one off my bucket list and would do it again in a heartbeat.” Kari Crawford, USA

Elephant Close Up in Zimbabwe

Beautiful face of a lion cub on the conservation project

All photos were taken and sent in by Kari, from her time volunteering at the Lion Breeding and Release Program, in Zimbabwe.

What’s on your bucket list? And when do you REALLY intend to do it?