Photo: DDniki /Shutterstock
A Zambian Reserve Is Attempting Something Never Done Before: Rewilding Captive Lions
Often, the news about wildlife that makes headlines isn't positive — think polar bears on melting ice, or elephant herds shrinking due to habitat loss.
But not everything is doom and gloom. And that's true at one wildlife reserve in Zambia, where a partnership between the reserve owners and Zambian Department of National Parks is trying to do something never before pulled off: rewilding once-captive lions. If successful — and for now, it's still an "if" — the pair of lions will make history, and could help establish a framework for how to introduce other captive animals back into the wild.
Here's why these two lions might be the most important cats in Africa right now.
See you out there,
Suzie Dundas, commissioning editor
R O A D T R I P
The Most Spectacular California Deserts to Visit on a Road Trip
Photo: Dan Sedran/Shutterstock
The Mojave and Colorado Deserts cover up to 25,000 square miles of terrain that only looks barren at first glance. Beneath the surface, these landscapes are teeming with life, history, and some of the best trails, camping, and stargazing in the state.
Here are the national and state parks worth building a road trip around.
G E A R
Happening Now: Save Big on Outdoor Gear at the 2026 REI Anniversary Sale
Photo: Seyfi durmaz /Shutterstock
The REI Anniversary Sale runs May 15 through May 25, and it's the biggest discount window of the year. Members and non-members both save 25 percent on REI Co-op gear, plus up to 25 percent on brands like The North Face, Smartwool, KEEN, and Garmin.
These are the items we’re most excited about.
G U I D E
Why Casper, Wyoming Deserves More Than a Drive-Through
Photos: jamescphotography/Shutterstock; jennascaliciphotography/Shutterstock; Visit Casper
Most people know Casper as a highway exit between Denver and Yellowstone. That's a mistake. The North Platte River, Casper Mountain, a thriving downtown, and an unexpected beer culture add up to a Western weekend worth staying for.
T R A V E L
4 Picturesque Towns in Puebla, Mexico, That Prove You Need to See This Lesser-Visited State
Photo: Lduarte/Shutterstock
Puebla sits just south of Mexico City and doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves. It's the birthplace of mole poblano, home to stunning colonial architecture, and packed with pre-Hispanic history.
Here's what to explore whether it's your first trip or your fifth.
O U T D O O R
National Parks to Visit in 2026: Phong Nha-Ke Bang, Vietnam
Photo: David A Knight/Shutterstock
Home to Son Doong, the world's largest cave by volume, Phong Nha-Ke Bang is one of Vietnam's most spectacular and under-visited destinations.
Beyond the headline cave, the park offers riverboat tours, mud baths, multiday cave expeditions, and single-day hikes through a region that feels worlds away from the country's busier cities.
Where to Stay
Travel Well
The Matador Editorial Team
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