About Steve Kelly – Founder of Wild World Tours

In 2010, Steve Kelly began a journey that would change the course of his life forever. Driven by his passion for lions, he started volunteering at a Lion Park in the Free State. Very quickly, he realized he had a rare ability: to connect with predators on a personal, hands-on level. From lions to leopards, cheetahs, caracals, and even tigers, Steve learned to build trust and form bonds with some of the world’s most powerful animals.

For years, Steve balanced two worlds—working weekdays as a successful Sales Manager in the telecommunications industry, while spending his weekends with the big cats he loved. But his true calling was always the wild.

In May 2015, tragedy struck when Steve’s father, Maynard Kelly, passed away from a stroke. This loss became a turning point. Soon after, Steve met Craig Busch, the star of Animal Planet’s The Lion Man, and began moving away from the captive lion industry. It was then that Steve’s vision shifted—away from working with lions behind fences and towards protecting and showcasing Africa’s last truly wild lions.

Guided by mentors like “Mad” Mike Penman from Animal Planet’s Mad Mike & Mark, Steve transitioned into the safari world and eventually founded Wild World Tours. His mission: to share Africa’s predators with people in their natural environment, not in captivity.

Today, Steve is recognized as one of South Africa’s top lion experts, with over 15 years of experience working with and studying big cats. He has lived and worked in eight different countries, guided thousands of guests through Kruger National Park, and built a reputation for delivering authentic, once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters.

But for Steve, this journey is about more than lions—it’s about legacy. As a proud father to Callum (17) and Jasmine (7), Steve is driven to create a life story that inspires them. His children are the reason he works so passionately to protect Africa’s wild spaces: so that one day, they—and generations to come—will still be able to witness the roar of a lion echoing across the savannah.

Through Wild World Tours, Steve combines his unmatched knowledge of lion behavior with his passion for storytelling. His safaris have attracted everyone from families and adventure seekers to celebrities from around the world. With Steve, it’s never just a safari—it’s a journey into the heart of Africa, guided by someone who has dedicated his life to its most iconic predator, and to leaving a wild legacy for his children.

Mike passed away on the 4th January 2018 but the lessons and stories of lions he passed onto Steve will forever be imprinted on the WILD WORLD PRIDE to share with guests to make sure Mikes legacy with lions lives on …