Over the past thirty years the leopards of Londolozi have developed legendary status, owing to the truly remarkable partnership between the leopards and rangers and trackers. These naturally elusive creatures have become Londolozi’s icon species and guests regularly witness remarkable leopard sightings.

The relationship between man and leopard began with a brief meeting in a dry riverbed.

John Varty was trundling his battered Landrover through the thick sand when to his absolute astonishment he spotted a young leopard casually sharpening her claws on the bark of a thorn tree, unfazed by his proximity. For what seemed like both an eternity and a fleeting moment he sat captivated, incredulous.

In the days that followed he and master tracker Elmon Mhlongo fervently searched for this young female who had been so calmly confident under his watchful gaze. Their joy when they found her, and she allowed them into her presence for a short while, was inexpressible.

In the five years of careful land management and conservation that had preceded this sighting leopards had remained almost entirely elusive. The appearance of this young female – who was to become known as Mother Leopard and produce nine litters of cubs – was the beginning of a relationship between man and wild leopard the likes of which the world had never seen.

Mother Leopard was the matriarch of the Leopards of Londolozi – now famous around the world – and today guests are privileged to experience the same heart stopping intensity when one of her progeny steps suddenly and silently into view.

This partnership of man and animal, which has endured over the decades, has become symbolic of a search for a new way forward. While the lessons learnt have ostensibly been about leopards they are simultaneously about humility and respecting sanctity – recognising a world where it is possible to share each other’s space in harmony and for mutual benefit. Through the revelations of Mother Leopard the Londolozi family have moved towards a deeper understanding of sustainable future for all.

Adapted from The Way of the Leopard by Gillian van Houten

Authenticity Leadership Transcendence

At Londolozi the Varty family values are everywhere in evidence; in the personalised service, the commitment to conservation, the ambience of simplicity and elegance, and naturally, in the welcome received on arrival.

Socially, economically and environmentally responsible; Londolozi is a privately owned game reserve built on solid foundations and almost a century of family history; welcoming to all, exploring new frontiers and exceeding expectations.

True to its name Londolozi has become fertile ground for enkindling aspirations for a better future for all, for a planet abounding in open spaces, wild animals and people living together in dignity and harmony.
The Londolozi Intentions:

• Redefine the essence of a safari to Africa
• Build corridors of wildlife to the high rainfall mountain regions that lie to the west of Londolozi and continue to campaign for more space for animals to roam
• Seek greater protection and reverence for our rivers from our leaders
• Create opportunity for relief from poverty for people who remain caught in the economic disempowerment trap caused by ill-conceived land use practices
• Contribute in a small way to the success of our beautiful country and her people
• Be of service

The history of the Varty and Taylor families – the conservation dynasties who have dedicated their lives to saving a small part of Africa’s Eden – is the history of Londolozi.

The first stirrings of Londolozi were felt over eighty years ago when two friends and the great grandfathers of the Varty and Taylor clans, Charles Varty and Frank Unger, stood for the first time on the banks of the Sand River. The vision they saw in the virgin bush turned out to be as solid and enduring as the granite rocks anchored in the river.

On the banks of the Sand River, where the water runs clear and cool over the granite rocks and the bushveld stretches to the horizon, is where they made camp. It was from here, where that first campfire was built amidst the roar of lions that Londolozi evolved into one of the most sought after ecotourism destinations in the world.

For two generations the family hosted presidents and princesses and sacrificed its wild beasts to the hunter’s gun. This came to an end thirty-five years ago when it passed into John, Dave and Shan Varty’s care. The family shared a dream – to build a world icon destination and create the blueprint for modern day conservation in southern Africa.

The farm was renamed Londolozi, derived from the Zulu word ‘to protect’. The new name symbolised the family’s aim to provide a sanctuary for all living things.

The guiding principle for Londolozi in the 70s and 80s was to demonstrate the economic viability of wildlife in a land torn apart by racism, fences and division.

The 90s brought new hope and a belief in unity, trust and harmony. It was also a time in which Londolozi was able to send her message of partnership between wildlife and people across the African continent.

The new millennium poses new challenges and opportunities and Londolozi will, as in the past, seek to make its small contribution to seeking a new order, one that is rooted in the laws of nature.

This fresh chapter is defined by the intention to be of service and to create a place and a space quite unique in the world. So that visitors, guests and friends of Londolozi are profoundly moved by their experiences.

“ During my long walk to freedom, I had the rare privilege to visit Londolozi. There I saw people of all races living in harmony amidst the beauty that Mother Nature offers. Londolozi represents a model of the dream I cherish for the future of nature preservation in our country.” Nelson Mandela

Man and the land are inseparable – this has been the long lesson of conservation – and consequently man is obliged not just to protect but also restore the land. Indeed, this responsibility extends beyond the land and the creatures it supports to all vestiges of natural and cultural heritage.

At Londolozi the care of the land has been an enduring theme and one where human intervention has proven sound and beneficial.

At the outset a primary objective was to demonstrate that man and wildlife can interact on a sustainable basis. The approach was to create a model of wise land management by using the many qualities of the natural systems and by integrating visitors, local people and the environment – to the benefit of all.

The Londolozi land was nurtured back into abundance through an ambitious programme to recreate the river systems, restore natural drainage lines and rebuild the productivity of the land. The results are truly remarkable: Londolozi is a uniquely diverse reserve supporting a dazzling array of animals. The Varty’s have discovered that if you work with nature, her bounty is never ending.

The most stylish family run camp in Africa with Six Private Suites.

Tree Camp embodies the very essence of Londolozi’s continuous striving to transcend and redefine the journey to the wilderness.

This is a place of connoisseurship, leopards, orchids, lanterns and lead wood trees. Guests spend lazy afternoons on their decks, champagne in hand as they survey the ancient landscape, elephants feeding below in the river.

Elegance and simplicity are the hallmarks of the Tree Camp sanctuaries. In every detail and feature, from the private
swimming pools and contemplation decks (salas) to the Ralph Lauren wallpaper and chocolate plaited leather beds, this exclusive camp provides a matchless showcase of African excellence.

Honouring the past, celebrating the present, Seven Chalets

Founders Camp honours past Guests and staff who have contributed to building Londolozi. It is their efforts which have distilled the legacy of the past 30 years into a common mission.

Enchanting and intimate, Founder’s Camp is ideally situated to provide an insider’s view of the secrets of river life. Seven idyllic chalets, repose in the shade of ancient ebony and matumi trees along the banks of the Sand River.

This is safari in the classic style, replete with classic black and cream ticking fabric and original mahogany beds. Deep leather couches, military chests, compass safari lamps and a riverside lounge sala, create a mood of easy luxury and laid back welcome for discerning families and travelers.

Four exclusive camps and the private Granite Suites are secluded amongst towering trees on the banks of the Sand River.

Every living space and room has recently been completely refurbished to create an environment of experiential and meditative luxury. In creating each unique sanctuary we have kept the need for an authentic bush experience as our primary guide while catering for the full spectrum of imaginable services. Every space blends seamlessly into nature’s organic design and celebrates the beauty of the location and bushvel d surroundings.

For those looking for authentic experience and engagement with a light touch, Londolozi Camps are the ideal setting, providing a combination of superb design, natural materials and an unmatched pristine environment.

Set amongst some of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the region are our exclusive camps; Tree Camp, Pioneer Camp, Varty Camp, Founders Camp and the new Private Granite Suites.

A private river affair

Three Private Suites

The Private Granite Suites offer an extraordinary
experience for the exclusive use of six Guests.

Bold, inspiring materials mirror the extrusion of granite rocks that flank the camp while conveying the raw essence of Africa. A palette of silver, charcoal and elephant grey in a
range of sumptuous materials creates an elegant and contemporary setting in each expansive suite.

The emphasis is on space, light and privacy while blurring the barrier between inside and out. A seamless integration with nature is achieved with large doors and windows all opening directly onto the Sand River.

Each suite has a private, heated swimming pool.

Private Granite Suites can be booked individually or as a private camp for six Guests, making it ideal for honeymooning couples or small groups celebrating special occasions.

The heart and soul
of Londolozi
Eight Chalets and Two Superior Chalets

The campfire has burned here for over 82 years making Varty Camp the symbolic heart and soul of Londolozi.

The décor echoes tones of the owners private homes and their continuing love affair with the earth.

All rooms have private swimming pools framed by timber decks that overlook the riverine bush. The living spaces are raised off the ground and shaded under a cathedral of trees. The camp has a pleasingly down-to-earth quality and the emphasis on family heritage means that children always have a place at Varty Camp.

Varty Camp is also home to the original Sparta Hunting Camp, our boutique, the Cardio Vascular Room, Massage Treatment Room and our Library. Guests from all Camps are invited to make use of these facilities.

The story of adventurers in a bygone era, Three Private Suites

Pioneer Camp is steeped in the early history of Londolozi. Eighty years ago, the Varty and Taylor ancestors arrived after three days of hard travel by rail, wagon and foot. They pitched their tents in the failing light. When the dawn broke, they beheld an ancient land of breathtaking beauty. Unique, peaceful and remote, this untrammelled wilderness is still the defining essence of Pioneer Camp.

A 500-year-old riverine forest throws dappled light on the three exclusive suites and provides a dramatic backdrop for the camp’s celebration of the past.

The Old English indulgence reflects our heritage with an African twist.
The influences are evident in the elegant cream interiors,silver teapots and
Portmeirion crockery. Guest suites are themed with historic memorabilia, telling a story of a bygone era and furnishing an environment of leisurely indulgence

All activities at Londolozi are geared for personalisation and customisation, ensuring that every guest is able to enjoy their optimal balance of rest and play.

At Londolozi each day is a new adventure and here are just some of the experiences on offer.
Game drives
Londolozi is blessed with spectacular game viewing areas. Two game Drives are scheduled daily, at dawn and dusk, each approximately three hours.

John Varty Cinematography Centre

One of the rondavels which makes up the original Sparta Hunting Camp reflects the passsion and energy that John Varty contributed to our Londolozi phylosophy. Conservation films are available upon request.

Shangaan cultural experience

Daily lectures and tours of a model Shangane Cultural Village include a visit to the Craft Centre, our Learning Centre and pre-school.

Londolozi Living

A carefully selected range of Safari clothes, and luggage, African artifacts, Ashanti bracelets and necklaces, Admore pottery and Ingewne glass art piecies are on display for our Guests.

Londolozi Wild

A programme has been developed to compliment yet reach beyond the game drive experience. Activities include: full moon walks, clay pigeonshooting, bush running, tracking adventures, all day walking expeditions, overnight bush sleepouts, deep ecology discussions, fishing on the Sand River.

Londolozi Wild comes from four generations and 82 years of bush living. It comes from the wisdom of knowing that the best way to explore Africa is to understand her seasons.

For rare and humbling moments of reflective solitude, long walks or early morning yoga are intended to free you from the material limitations of the five star bush lodge.

Londolozi Wild allows you to experience the wilderness connection once integral to the human spirit.

This experience is a journey of renewal and restoration in quiet communion with nature. Poetry, silent moonlit walks, tracking and sleep-outs under the clear skies are what Londolozi Wild would like to share with you. Nothing about Londolozi Wild is standard. Each experience is crafted by nature herself and the guide who chooses to share his bushveld learning with you.

If you are ready to go beyond…
Londolozi Wild is calling you.

Our wellness centre – Londolozi Life – is designed to reflect and harmonise with the rhythms and cycles of nature. Londolozi Life offers the means of creating balance – in body, mind and soul – through the understanding that living in nature promotes healing and harmony.

Londolozi Life is an integral part of the Londolozi philosophy of facilitating a deep engagement with nature and providing the tools for a wider exploration of either yourself or the environment.

The Londolozi Life concept is unique, drawing inspiration from ancient healing methods and marrying the philosophies of East and West within an African context. Moreover, Londolozi and the Life Centre fall squarely within the base area of the Nilotic Meridian (a line running north-south from pole to pole at 31 degrees East longitude) – known as the line of first time – which ensures that is a place of great energy and significance.

As Londolozi Life is designed to create balance – in body, mind and soul – providing yoga was almost a prerequisite.

Yoga means ‘union’ in Sanskrit referring to the bringing together of mind, body and spirit. Asana, also a Sanskrit word, are the poses and postures developed in India thousands of years ago to join mind and body in spiritual awareness.

At Londolozi we have added the powerful elements of nature to the yoga experience with the location and the custom developed postures, creating a yoga form that is suitable for beginners and intermediate level.

Yoga in Africa

You could choose to enjoy the experience indoors or opt for a private session on your deck or sala, and perhaps most inspirational of all are the yoga decks. These are mobile yoga floors, which are set up to best celebrate the awesome spectacle of nature and the rhythm of the day and season. So, join us to greet the sun or strengthen the vital life of the body alongside the cool rush of the Sand River.

Massage has been practised as a healing therapy for centuries – it is even considered by some to be the oldest form of medical practice. The proven powers of massage to provide release from stress, promote increased blood flow and healing make it a wonderful addition to any holiday.

Massage in Africa

The massage space at Londolozi Life was designed by a holistic therapist to create a space in harmony with the elements, ensuring a meditative experience that quietens the mind, rejuvenates energy and creates inner balance.

Therapies on offer in the centre include Swedish massage, aromatherapy and reiki healing. All therapies are also offered in the privacy of your room or deck.

Fitness in Africa

Bringing balance and fitness to the safari experience requires not just a deep inner focus but also the opportunity for maximum physical cardiovascular workouts. And it is this need that our fitness expert has met in the creation of unique routines inspired by animal agility.

Using balance balls, bikes and running machines the Londolozi animal series provides a fabulous workout at every level of fitness.

The exercise room overlooks the serene Sand River and is shaded by the ancient forest. Outside the west windows the enticing stretch of swimming pool promise sweet relief from any degree of body heat.

“Bear in mind that you should conduct yourself in life as at a feast.”
- Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD)

At Londolozi, superb cuisine is considered a essential part of the experience and a vital component of our holistic philosophy. We choose every ingredient with care, favouring organic produce, free range game and herbs from our kitchen garden to create dishes that are irresistibly delicious and promote health.

As our intention is always to honour the earth, in our cooking we ensure that our seafood dishes are guided by the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative and that the number of imported ingredients are kept to a minimum.

Our recipes are a source of great pride as many have been handed down through generations or were created in the Londolozi kitchens, which are the domain of world class chefs.

Londolozi meals are a feast for the senses, whether in the camp dining room, around the boma campfire or in the bushveld under a starlit sky.

By Road:

• Two and a half hour transfer from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) to Londolozi on request
• 500KM from Johannesburg, an easy five-hour drive on National Roads
• The Sabi Sand Reserve levies a cash vehicle entrance fee of ZAR80.00 (subject to change)

By Air:

Schedule Flights

• Federal Air flights operates a daily flight from Johannesburg International Airport to Londolozi Airstrip, which is a five-minute drive to the camp.
• Scheduled flights from Durban and Cape Town to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA). Transfers from KMIA to Londolozi airstrip.

Charter Flights

• Private charters on request
• Helicopter transfers on request

Privately owned aircrafts

• Indemnity Form to be completed prior to arrival.

Complimentary transfers between Londolozi Airstrip and the various camps at Londolozi.

Nature is the great educator and the outdoor classroom is a place that enables young people to discover themselves and their true potential.

Nature challenges young minds and is a doorway of discovery through which we should pass on our journey through life.

The Londolozi Cubs Programme and the Future Nature Bushschool Programmes take learning into one of Africa’s remote and unspoiled wilderness areas. Every day is filled with fun and fascination in which learning is part of a
great new experience.

Through participation, our young rangers of the future gain far more than an understanding of their role in managing and conserving Africa’s incredible biodiversity.

They learn about themselves, other people and other cultures, about building friendships and trust and about survival in the timeless wilderness - a skill that applies equally to today’s living.

Londolozi Cubs

Ages: small kids kept enthralled at the “den” during game drives

Activities:

Paper mache, candle making, baking, spoor ID, jungle gym, bird watching, bug catching, African dance, sing.

Future Nature

Ages: 6 – 16 Bushschools

Added value educational interventions.
Tailor-made interventions - “Future Ranger” Courses.
The Future Nature course includes: mammal behaviour, bird identification, plants and their medicinal uses, know your Land Rover, understand your weapon, Shangane lessons, ecology and conservation, the human place in nature.

Included for all Londolozi Guests.

Costing for 2009
R3540 per family (up to 6 kids)

Rates are per person, sharing a room, per night
single supplement + 50%

Guests occupying a room on their own, will be levied a single supplement of an additional 50% of the rate. This will be waived for a stay of four nights and longer

Inclusive:

• Accommodation
• Three meals daily
• Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers
• Teas and coffees
• Two game drives daily in open landrovers
• Refreshments on game drives
• Nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers
• One daily group yoga class
• Cardio Vascular Room
• Children ø Cubs programme
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance
• Laundry
• VAT (Value Added Tax)

Exclusive:

• Londolozi Wild Adventures and specialist activities
• Private yoga classes (on request)
• Londolozi “Life” Treatments
• Telephone calls
• Londolozi "Living" purchases
• Champagne, cognacs, cellar wines, premium brand spirits, cigars and cigarettes
• Transfers to and from the lodge
• Gratuities
• Government bed levy
• Self drive park entrance fee
• Noise Impact Levy (where applicable)
• Airport taxes or land fees where applicable (where applicable)
• Private Landrover (subject to availability)