Simon, 45, splashed £1million on a private ranch two-hours from Nairobi in Kenya to take his pals for luxury holidays.

The TV boss treated himself to the 20,000-acre resort after the ratings success of American Idol.

The talent contest — which stars Simon Cowell — is America’s top-rated show and the fifth series launched with a whopping 35million viewers on Tuesday night.

Rich ... Simon Fuller

It launched last night on ITV2. A source close to Fuller — who is now on a swish African holiday with friends — said: “He’s very excited. He was over the moon about the ratings.

“He will obviously keep the reserve as it is and allow the public in — but the ranch will be for him and his friends to enjoy.”

It comes after Simon bought a Californian vineyard to make his own wine. And he already produces olive oil in France.

Last year Cowell reached a deal in a dispute with Fuller, who claimed X Factor copied Pop Idol. So maybe Cowell will get an invite to feed the lions ...