Hallmark Channel ‘Love On Safari’ Movie Premiere: Cast, Trailer And Synopsis

Hallmark Channel’s kicking off its Summer Nights event with a new flick from one of its all-star actresses, Lacey Chabert. Saturday’s premiere of the South Africa-set “Love on Safari” will find Chabert joining forces with Hallmark newcomer Jon Cor.

While Cor is a fresh face on Hallmark, he’s been on other networks in shows like “Shadowhunters” and “Being Erica” and TV movies like “Sea Change” and “The Perfect Girlfriend.” Now he gets to start off his time on Hallmark with Chabert, who most recently was in “My Secret Valentine,” as his co-star.

In “Love on Safari,” web designer Kira Slater (Chabert) is just about to head out on a vacation to Scottsdale, Arizona when she learns she’s inherited Ukuthula, an animal reserve, in South Africa and must travel there for the reading of her uncle’s will.

“At the risk of forfeiting her inheritance, and despite protests from her steady (and bland) accountant boyfriend Brad (Jonathan Roxmouth), Kira travels to South Africa and is met by the handsome and rugged safari ranger Tom Anderson (Cor),” the synopsis shares. “She is also reminded of the magnificent beauty of Ukuthula she experienced as a child: the scenic savannah with its majestic animals – zebras, giraffes, hippos, lions and her personal favorite, the elephants.”

As much as Kira remembers loving the reserve, she strongly considers selling it to the Harringtons because the idea of having to own it and deal with upkeep is stressing her out.

Realizing what might happen, Tom decides to take Kira to the most charming spots on the reserve to try to make her fall in love with the place so she won’t sell it. As much as she wants to be able to handle something like this, she decides to meet with lawyers to talk about the sale.

“Not giving up, Tom takes Kira to the local village where he explains it’s common for a village to own part of the reserve, so they get invested in protecting the land and animals where it becomes a sense of pride for them,” the synopsis continues. “Kira then hears school children and Tom explains her uncle built the school knowing they were the future for Ukuthula. She also visits the herd of elephants she saw as a young girl and the effect of all this is magical for Kira.”

During this time, Kira not only starts to feel real sparks with Tom, but she also starts to get inspired to redesign the website, which would hopefully drive more business to Ukuthula, thus saving it. Meanwhile, back at home, Brad notices Kira pulling away and decides to make the trip to Africa to see her.

“Not only does he try to negotiate the terms of the sale with the Harringtons behind Kira’s back, he presents her with an engagement ring during her surprise birthday party,” the synopsis reveals. “Although Tom’s feelings for Kira get stronger, he feels helpless at seeing Brad with Kira and he submits his letter of resignation. And with her own feelings for Tom getting stronger, Kira is conflicted and confused about leaving the safety of her life in Chicago and risking everything for this new world.”

Eventually, Kira realizes that the safe choice isn’t what’s going to truly make her happy and that she must figure out what will.

“Love on Safari” premieres on Hallmark Channel on Saturday at 9 p.m. EDT.