General Information
Leopards Of Londolozi
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
Our Values
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
About Londolozi
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
Land Care
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.