Hi,

I'm exploring african lion safari's. Now i have heard that kenya,
tanzania and south africa are the popular detinations. I live in the
US and have little idea of reliable safari's. Which safari would
provide the best value for money for a 7 day trip? I have also heard
that you generally don't get to see lions during these safari's? Is
this true? Please guide me on this.

I took a tour with Abercrombie and Kent in the late 1990's.  They did
a fantastic job of getting us where we needed to go safely.  It
certainly is a place you would not want to go without a guide!  The
tour we took was called the "Hemmingway Tour."  It was good for
adventurers - we camped out in the brush.  (if you are less
adventuresome, the Mount kenya Safari Club was a nice place to stay). 
At night you could hear the lions grunting very near the campsite.  We
did see all of the "big 5" animals.  You sould be happy with a trip to
Kenya.  Our guide took us to Tanzania (although I don't think he was
supposed to).  We had a picnic in the Serengetti, but were told that
if we saw the authorities coming we should pack up quickly and cross
back into Kenya.

We went to a preserve and there were some lions with tracking devices
for a research project.  Our guide drove to the site where the lion
was supposed to be.   The brush was thick and he actually got out of
the vehicle and started beating around the brush with a stick to roust
the lion!  They cannot guarantee that you will see all of the animals,
but they certaily did everything they could to try to make it happen.

When you go, there are lots of opportunities to purchase souveniers. 
Take some trinkets to trade.  We took basketball cards.  Anything
American brand name would be popular.  I had one guy to literally
offer to buy the shirt off my back.  We traded our watches and
sunglasses for Massai jewelry and knives.  I suppose the weapons would
be harder to get home with now after 9/11.

It was the trip of a lifetime. Not cheap, but well worth the cost.