Londolozi Private Game Reserve

For years, we had heard glowing recommendations from friends and colleagues about Londolozi, and our own experience exceeded every expectation. We were initially drawn by their mission: a deep commitment to sustainability and the ethical preservation of wildlife. But what we encountered was something far beyond a safari — it was a transformative, soul-enriching journey. Our trip began a little frazzled. We were traveling with a disabled family member and had invested in an expensive travel logistics company, Roar Africa, to help manage accessibility needs. Unfortunately, their service fell short, and we arrived at Londolozi feeling disheartened. But as soon we met our camp manager Kate, everything turned around. Kate is a beautiful soul! She is so capable, juggling everything seamlessly with serenity and grace. She exuded such positive energy that we were able to re-center and embrace the adventure of a lifetime! We felt nature not only around us but within us. As a private game reserve, Londolozi safaris are able to go off the beaten path, making for a more intimate connection with the landscape and wildlife. Our delightful guides, Meg and Atbert, coordinated with each other to ensure the most optimal viewing experience. We were able to observe the Big Five and the Ugly Five in their natural habitats. There is nothing more beautiful than witnessing these animals completely at ease, interacting freely. We loved the sunrise breakfasts, bush cocktail hours, and the nourishing snacks throughout the day. I especially loved being able to continue my yoga practice in their daily noon sessions, which helped me stay present in both body and spirit. Something that stood out to me about Londolozi—and frankly, is rare—was the absence of tipping pressure. While tipping is a strong norm in South Africa, the culture at Londolozi never made us feel obligated or uncomfortable. The entire staff is hard-working and never makes you feel like they are burnt out or your requests are too much. Whether you are a high-ranking manager or a house manager, you are able to work your way up. Everyone is treated with the same respect and valued, living harmoniously with one another. Londolozi is doing truly meaningful, ethical work, promoting a consciousness about food waste and sustainability. They are more than just a safari destination, they are a special place that stays with you forever.

Our holiday in Founders Camp at Londolozi was amazing. The camp is beautiful and so were our rooms and the views from the deck were magical. The service and hospitality at Londolozi is incredible. Every member of staff we met went above and beyond to make our stay the most comfortable and memorable experience. The food was all delicious, there was a wide variety of dishes to choose for breakfast lunch and dinner. The chefs at Londolozi catered brilliantly for members of our family who had allergies or dietary requirements. A huge part of what made our experience so unforgettable was our incredible driver and tracker, Nick and Joy. There knowledge and enthusiasm made each game drive full of excitement. They were amazing and made each drive that we went on so special. We were very upset that our holiday had to come to an end but it left us with so many incredible memories. I can’t recommend it highly enough and I hope I can visit again soon.

There are tourist destinations, where you rest, rejuvenate, or experience a new world, and there are places on earth that look into and speak directly to the deepest parts of your soul. Londolozi is the latter. I have never been anywhere on the planet where the core of my being and of who I am was stripped to its essence and touched more. The beauty of nature, the freshness of the landscape, the beauty of people, their kindness and originality, the attention to detail, awareness of our place in the world as well as our impact on it were crisp and impactful. We absolutely loved everything about our stay in Londolozi. The Varty Camp rooms are private, posh without being pretentious, and spotless, with fresh linens and turn-down service every day. The communion with nature is omnipresent - from the nature walk from the amenities to your room, all the way up to your private cottage patio whose view flows over the bush and opens up unencumbered into the Sand River valley at the bottom of the canyon. One of the most precious memories and gifts is the mini-community you form with the entire staff in your camp. This ensures that they learn your every need and cater to your inner-most dreams and wishes. People are kind and attentive without being intrusive. They are genuine and each one of them makes you feel like you’re the most important human on earth. We loved the togetherness we felt with the members of our staff during the meals and the pre-dinner gatherings in the Varty Camp boma; we loved the stories that every member of the staff imparted with us - they were unique and exuded a sense of pride of who they were, where they came from and who they have become throughout their rich history. Everything about our stay was top-tier: the food, the drinks, the comfort, the room bar, the private decks, the walks in nature around camp. There were several services we didn’t take advantage of that everyone around us raved about (the healing house services, the photo studio, the large pool, to name a few). And then, the absolute cherry on top: our two daily safari drives. Our ranger, Jerry, and our tracker, T.K, were the most amazing hosts - they taught us so much about South Africa, about wildlife, about community and being part of a bigger world. They made the best drinks in the “bush bar” at sundown and the best coffees and teas at the end of our morning drives. Jerry, our ranger, was fearless and made every effort to drive us closest to every animal sighting we had the opportunity to come across. While enjoying the best of what South Africa has to offer, we learned how to step on earth gently, with respect to every human, every animal, every blade of grass ... Nothing is ever random in the world - we, and everything else - impact one another in the most profound way. Londolozi is a living, breathing example of this mantra. They share this with their guests in the most selfless and genuine manner. We fed our bodies but most importantly we fed our souls, our consciousness, our humanity by learning about the Londolozi effort of keeping nature and the world as close as possible to its earliest times where everything was un-polluted, sacred, and fresh, their effort of respecting everyone’s and every thing’s individuality and gifts. Londolozi is Ubuntu in action. It is humanity, respect, beauty, and honesty felt in a real, palpable way. There is no way you would not want to go back again and again. When you leave, you feel like such a big part of your soul stays behind and you’ll come back later to find it, just as much as a huge part of its soul will follow you home and will remind you of a genuine, loving life well-lived. Thank you, Londolozi and Varty Camp teams for the most profound awakening of my life. You have made my 50th birthday truly, truly unforgettable.

Londolozi is the best luxury lodge of the several we visited in South Africa. The game drives are unique for their density and variety. We saw the big eight in our 4 night stay. Andrea and Sersant were an incredible ranger and tracker team. As well as being highly skilled they were funny and full of personality. The lodge is 5star plus with excellent food catering for every requirement. There is also an excellent gym and free daily yoga classes. If you want the balance between luxury and quality game viewing then Londolozi is the place for you.

The word Londolozi means “Protector of all living things” in Zulu, and as you embark on safari you feel this reverence from your tracker and ranger. We were fortunate to have Milton and Nic in these roles. The incredible knowledge they possess makes tracking to find an elusive cheetah a true adventure. As a Relais & Chateau lodge, luxury accommodations are assured. Our suite in Tree Camp was private and cozy with our own pool, deck and lounges area area overlooking the Sand River. The food was spectacular and customized to our dietary needs. This is a magical and nurturing environment that we hope to return to soon.