Londolozi

Londolozi has set the standard for the African luxury safari lodge, recognized by membership in Relais et Chateuax and Small Luxury Hotels of the World.  Londolozi was named Top Safari Resort in ondé Nast Traveler’s 2000 Readers’ Choice Awards.  Londolozi is an unashamedly exclusive and luxurious safari destination covering 14,000 hectares in the heart of the wildlife rich 56,000 hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve. 

Londolozi began more than seventy years ago when  Charles Varty and Frank Unger in 1926 at a tennis party decided to buy, sight-unseen, a remote piece of bushveld. The intrepid pair set off into the Transvaal  (now Mpumalanga) Lowveld armed with two rifles, a compass and a rough sketch map of the area. After an  arduous trek, they found themselves on the banks of the  Sand River, where they lit a fire and set history in motion. Sparta camp was formed and used as a wildlife retreat by Charles. He passed it on to his son, Boyd, who used Sparta as a private sanctuary for hunting and elaxation. In 1969 Londolozi  passed to Charles’ two conservation-conscious  grandsons, John and Dave Varty.

Initially, the camp consisted of only four rondavels – still intact at Londolozi Bateleur Camp . The camp began by offering wildlife trails and safaris with an emphasis on conservation awareness and education. Word spread and Londolozi grew. In 1980, Londolozi Bush Camp opened now split into Founders and Pioneer Camp) Tree Camp opened eight years later.    These were the first two game lodges in the world to be awarded Relais et Chateaux status. 

Gameviewing

Londolozi offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. The reserve is internationally recognized for its far-sighted and progressive management of land and wildlife rehabilitation as well as productive community involvement.  Indeed the photographs on this site are a small sample of what was taken by Barbara Levedahl while visiting Londolozi and Ngala last year.  Activities include day and night wildlife viewing drives in open 4x4 vehicles and professionally guided walks. Big cats are especially plentiful and you are likely to be able to spend time observing and tracking lion, leopard and cheetah.  Because of the common boarder with Kruger, game is plentiful and of great variety.  Other common sitings include elephant, zebra, rhinoceros, wildebees, kudu, impala, giraffe.  

Londolozi offers one lodge and four private camps and one lodge - Safair Lodge, Bateleur Camp, Tree Camp,   and the two Bush Camps Founders and Pioneer.  Each has a riverside location.The Bateleur, Tree,  Pioneer and Founders are secluded in dense riverine forest on the banks of the Sand River, in the  northern section of the private reserve. Safari Lodge is located in a secluded spot along the Usutu River in the southern section of Londolozi Private Game Reserve.

Tree Camp - Each of the six air-conditioned luxurious suites has its own cascading plunge pool, outdoor shower and en suite bathroom featuring a huge, inviting tub. The private decks with plunge pools and outdoor shower overlook the lush banks of the Sand River.  Capturing the essence of total relaxation are the private salas, found in three of the suites. These  intimate covered decks extend into the treetops by  short elevated walkway. The deck floors feature inviting chairs and comfortable foot-stools. 

The tree-shaded teak decks and private outdoor showers lead into sumptuous interiors of soft silks and suede lit by carved Zanzibari lamps. The spacious en suite bathrooms have heated cobblestone floors, inlaid with pebbles from the Sand River. Tree Camp takes its name from the ancient Ebony Tree shading the camp.  Small and exclusive, Tree Camp is surrounded by large, shady trees and offers wonderful views of the Sand River. The camp has a lounge area with guest library. The main sitting area leads out onto a large wooden deck, raised on stilts and elevated over the river. 

There is a large swimming pool set in the camp's garden.

Varty's Camp   -   There are eight luxurious chalets and four gracious suites in this historic camp. All the chalets and suites have a plunge pool and wooden decks, with  air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms with bath and separate shower. 

The focal point of each luxurious bathroom is a capacious tub. The essence of relaxation is to gaze from your bath over uninterrupted views of the surrounding bush. Also, the suites have underfloor heating and an outdoor shower as additional features. Underfloor heating takes the edge off chilly winter nights, or rising or dawn game drives.

Striking African designs offset the opulent hues of teak and velvet in the eight private rooms. The handsome suites with billowing drapes, canopied beds and inlaid mosaic floors recreate a bygone world of tactile pleasure. 

The shared living spaces exude the warmth and hospitality of the  Londolozi legacy. Historical photographs of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve add to the congenial atmosphere. Sepia family portraits on the walls speak of the adventure and hardships that laid the foundation for the present-day luxury.

Bateleur Camp was built on the site of the original hunting camp in tribute to the early beginnings of Londolozi, which has been in the same family for over seventy years. The lounge area at Bateleur Camp has  magnificent views over the Sand River. Four rondavels dating back to the the original Sparta Hunting camp are a special feature of the camp. One has been turned into a traditional bedroom and the others are now a museum, a  well stocked wine cellar and an Internet centre. The camp also offers a swimming pool and a curio shop/gallery. 

Leafy tranquillity pervades the camp. The enormous boughs of an ancient Ebony Tree emerge through the main deck, towering above the thatch roof. This organic compilation of deck and living wood epitomises CC Africa's concern for "treading lightly" and building around natural features.

Founders Camp -  Five chalets and one suite secluded in dense riverine forest overlooking the Sand River. The air-conditioned chalets feature an en suite bath, shower and a wooden deck. The suite has a stone-laid outdoor shower as  a refreshing additional feature. 

 The north-facing chalet rooms are a sand colour with mudcloth bed spreads and raffia inset cupboard doors with linen curtains, slate floors and hand-picked African wall sculptures. The artefacts are largely West African in origin. The bathrooms reflect a modern African theme with the use of wrought iron. The suite also exudes an African  feel with sand colours and leather with black metal lights.

You can take a stroll down the walkway leading to a secluded thatched sala (intimate covered deck) lookout point for unobtrusive game and bird viewing. We invite you to peel off your safari attire and float in our swimming pool or socialise in style under our covered lounge area. Founders is a self-contained camp. 

Pioneer Camp - situated upstream of Founders Camp and consists of three suites and three chalets. The exclusive suites are all air-conditioned and feature a hearth, en suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower plus a romantic sala (intimate covered deck). The three river-front chalets are air-conditioned and have an en suite bathroom and an outdoor shower.

 The chalets are a sand colour with mudcloth bed spreads and raffia inset cupboard doors with linen curtains, slate floors and largely West African artefacts. The decor of the chalets presently mirrors that of Founders Camp's halets, but there are plans for renovating these rooms to reflect the pioneer spirit of the suites at Pioneer Camp, which display fascinating old fashioned pioneer pictures reflecting the Varty family heritage. An interesting feature of the suites are their chandeliers. There are heavy wooded beds, bay windows and seating built out from the fire place.

The intimate guest area at Pioneer Camp provides a unique interactive experience - the lounge, kitchen and dining areas are all open-plan. The swimming pool is a welcoming treat on warmer days. Pioneer Camp is completely self-contained. Guests are welcome to visit Londolozi Bateleur Camp's curio shop and orientation centre.

Granite Private Suites offer an extraordinary experience for no more than six guests, making it ideal for honeymooning couples and intimate family celebrations. The design of the Granite Private Suites uses bold materials that 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 volume, light and privacy while blurring the barriers between inside and out. A seamless integration with nature is achieved with large doors and windows all opening directly onto the river.

Each suite has a private, unique swimming pool.