Londolozi Varty Camp

8 chalets which can all become inter-leading to accommodate families sit in a row, set back from the banks of the Sand River. All the chalets have a fresh atmosphere to them, they are bright and elegant, with soft fabrics and furnishings throughout the room. They all come with exposed thatch ceilings which add traditional safari character and dimension to the space, and blend in well with the soft, light colours of the chalet.

The open plan bedroom and bathroom area includes a large cosy bed, covered in crisp white bed linen and sat opposite wooden framed sliding doors, which fill the space with bright, natural light, and fresh breezes when they are open. The bathroom sits to the side of the bedroom area and there is a curtain which can be pulled across for privacy. A deep, freestanding egg bathtub sits in the centre of the area, in front of double handbasin and a modern mirror. To the side lies a spacious walk-in shower, and a unique copper outdoor shower sits to the side of the pool.

All these chalets come with a spacious decking area which is split into two sections. Half the decking is a covered verandah space, where you will find a comfortable cushioned sofa, perfect for unwinding with a drink from your in-room minibar. The other half is an open-air decking area, where guests can relax on the sun loungers or grab a refreshing dip in the private plunge pool, surrounded by the vivid beauty of the bushveld.

There are two superior chalets at Londolozi Varty Camp. These are perfect for couples on honeymoon or seeking a romantic getaway. Decorated in the same chic and modern style as the standard chalets, they include an enormous cosy bed, sitting opposite sliding doors which overlook the beautiful surroundings, meaning guests can gaze at the phenomenal vista without having to leave the comfort of their bed.

The dining at Londolozi Varty Camp is as much an experience as heading out on a game drive. Guests can make their way to the main decking at Varty where delicious and inventive food will be served under the shade of a huge tree, lit by lanterns at night. The decking also offers sweeping views of the surrounding bushveld and nearby Sand River, which sparkles in the distance.

The food at Londolozi Varty Camp is always fresh and sourced locally, with dished crafted by talented and professional chefs who work under the ethos of ‘simply sophisticated.’ Grab a drink from the bar or enjoy recommendations of which vintage wine pairs best with your meals.

Hop inside a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle and adventure through the pristine wilderness of the Londolozi Private Game Reserve. This is a traditional safari activity and one that is bound to leave you with long-lasting memories of seeing some of the amazing animals of this area up close and personal.

You will be led by a professional and passionate guide who was trained in this wonderful area of South Africa, and they will be able to take you to all the best spots for animal sightings. Every game drive is a unique experience, so it is recommended that you go out more than once during your stay.

Explore the Londolozi Private Game Reserve on foot and spend time immersing yourself in the very heart of nature. This is an intimate way to explore the bush, begin your walk by following a game track and then follow your knowledgeable and friendly guide down to a riverbank or into the thicker areas of trees – which are off bounds to a game vehicle.

Your guide will be able to track animal footprints, and specialised tracking walks can be arranged. This offers you the opportunity of seeing some big game or some of the smaller animals and micro-ecosystems of the reserve.

These walks are also the perfect time to enjoy a relaxing afternoon birding. There are over 450 species of bird in this area which can be found anywhere, from resting on the riverbanks, nesting in the trees, to flying through the air. Your guide will be able to point out birds that may be missed by a less untrained eye.

Inspire the next generation of conservationists at Londolozi with their children’s activity. Unstructured exploration through the near bush will teach your children all about the bush and the various species of wildlife who call it home in a fun and engaging way.

Wellness is emphasised at Londolozi as they believe you cannot truly appreciate the wonders of the surrounding nature if you cannot connect to it. For gym loving guests there is a fitness room where you can enjoy a workout to start your day. Guests can make their way to the unique open-air yoga deck where you can enjoy a rebalancing yoga practice surrounded by beautiful trees and fresh air.

Indulge in some self-care and look after your mind, body and soul in the healing house. Relax with a stress-relieving massage before you head out onto the decking with a refreshing drink to unwind in a gentle meditation session with nothing but the sounds of the bush to keep you company.

Grab a hot drink after dinner or make your way to the campfire with a glass of smooth red wine. Cosy down around the campfire and listen to your fellow guests recount their stories of the day before you share yours. This is also the perfect time to look to the skies and gaze at the wide, starry, unpolluted night sky.

When Nelson Mandela visited Londolozi in 1992 he was impressed with what he saw. To commemorate his visit an art installation has been erected along the path he trod whilst he was there. Guests today can wander along this path viewing the art, learning about Nelson Mandela and his life, and speaking to locals.

The path goes through a few surrounding local villages, so this is the perfect activity for guests who wish to engage with the local culture and speak to members of these communities.

Renowned for its amazing photography opportunities, Londolozi has its very own photography studio where guests can book to go and edit some of the pictures they have taken out on safari.

Guests can also specifically arrange a private game drive for the express purpose of trying to capture the perfect image. Your guide will be able to take you to some of the best photography spots in the reserve. Guests can be paired with a photography expert if they wish, who will be able to help them capture the image and then edit it in the photography studio.

Londolozi was founded in 1976 and since then it has created a reputation for itself as a leading example for conservation, as through the Londolozi Conservation Development Model it was shown that ‘people and wildlife could live and work together in harmony.’ The model has gone from success to success due to ‘its ability to produce long-term returns for investors whilst simultaneously ensuring sustainable conservation and community upliftment’ and its endorsement by Nelson Mandela.

The blueprint for this model was founded on three principles; the first being to work with nature, restore damaged land and create safe havens for wildlife. The second founding principle was the desire to ‘create a place in the world to showcase African excellence.’ And the third principle was the protection of the local communities through social and economic integration which ‘up-skills and uplifts rural people.’

There are many companies and organisations who have been inspired and guided through the work of Londolozi to create their own conservation development programmes. Phinda and Zuka Game Reserve was created after a conversation around the fire at Londolozi; the safari operator Singita had a similar origin; the creation of Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve was inspired by Londolozi; Caiman Ecological Reserve in Brazil was begun after a trip to Londolozi; the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in India has been inspired by Londolozi; as has Leopard Trails in Sri Lanka and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya.

At Londolozi, their aim is to go above and beyond to try and create a new way of life within the environment and community where they operate. They aim to create a way of village life which is futuristic, sustainable, and with opportunities in health and education with their overarching aim being to create a community where everyone belongs.

To create their ‘futuristic African Village’ Londolozi aid in the building and upkeep of local schools, health centres, sustainable initiatives, gardens, and buildings. Whilst creating this infrastructure they make sure to respect the local culture and build with harmony to nature in mind as well making sure all they do is sustainable for the future. Londolozi aims to be ‘a working example of how technology can be utilised to reduce impact within a wilderness reserve and lower demand on finite resources,’ as well as trying to shift mindsets and embrace ‘a lower impact lifestyle.’ Heartware is promoted at Londolozi, and villagers are supported and encouraged to be uniquely themselves, creating a world where people can live ‘connected to each other, our shared humanity and the planet we call home.’

Many of the initiatives wouldn’t be possible without guests’ help and support. 280 breadwinners are employed ‘who support over 2800 dependents on a daily basis’ just by guests choosing to safari at Londolozi lodges. Staff are treated as part of the family, with annual training programmes which are ‘designed to support self-improvement and individual advancement within the industry.’ Every night spent at Londolozi by a guest contributes to ‘the employment and welfare of 5 employees, 8 dependents and the protection of 6 rhino’ as well as ‘8 children and 1 adult receiving access to digital education as a result of the visit.’

The Londolozi Social Investment Programme currently reaches 26,500 students who are enrolled in the ‘Satellite Learning Centres’. This programme has gone from success to success and is currently a ‘subject of a Stanford University Research Project’ which may lead to it becoming ‘the guiding principles for innovative learning programmes in other emerging countries in the world.’

The Good Work Foundation began as a ‘prototype digital learning centre in the Londolozi Village’ and has since expanded to deliver education to many remote and rural villages in South Africa. These digital learning campuses have led to 240 rural adults graduating with qualifications in subjects such as IT, English, and Hospitality – which are all internationally recognised. 10,000 children were enrolled in 2020, and they will not just gain an education but also take part in Rhino conservation programmes, and awareness-raising courses.

This is one of the mantras that flows throughout Londolozi’s operations. With a respect for the people from local villages and the people who work for Londolozi, they aim to maintain the ‘harmonious village life’ they have created. Training programmes and opportunities are offered to staff at all levels of employment, which ‘allow for the continual succession and incremental advancement of each and every individual within the organisation.’ In a push to create an excellent quality of rural life Londolozi have established support systems which include a medical clinic and educational provisions.

In 2010 The Tracker Academy was founded. This is a ‘non-profit organisation which trains disadvantaged rural people in the traditional skills of tracking.’ This academy has been highly successful, with 94% of the graduates being currently employed in the tourism industry in South Africa.

Londolozi is a co-signatory to the GLTFCA, which is the ‘largest transfrontier wildlife sanctuary in the world.’ To help the vision of the GLTFCA become a reality Londolozi partnered with Thebe Corridors Company to promote training, a transformation of the safari industry and land regeneration to establish a corridor of wildlife ‘linking Londolozi and the Kruger National Park to the Drakensburg mountains in the west’ and ‘reinstating the historic migratory wildlife movements of the past.’

Elusive and rare, Leopards were hardly sighted in the early days of Londolozi. Over time, and through the use of ‘sensitive techniques’ in regard to the first leopard that was spotted, leopards are now more frequent in the area. The first leopard that was spotted was a female, and through creating a positive relationship between man and leopard, she filtered down a relaxed nature around humans to her cubs ‘and successive generations.’

At Londolozi, they grow their own vegetables in specially built vegetable gardens, and each year ‘half a tonne of vegetables are grown’ and all of these vegetables are purchased by Londolozi which helps to support micro-businesses. To reduce their waste Londolozi sends all the food waste to the local pig farmer, and staff are encouraged to grow their own vegetables at home, recycling all their fresh waste by using worm farms. 80% of the food used at Londolozi is organic, and Fair Trade coffee is used. Sustainable practices even extend to the seafood they use, with all seafood they resource having followed the ‘WWF SASSI guidelines.’

Leading by example, Londolozi is at the ‘forefront of renewable energy’ including solar power – of which the lodge gets up to 80% of its energy from – and battery-powered safari vehicles, with the whole fleet of vehicles aiming to be battery-powered beginning in 2020. These vehicles move silently through the wilderness, which causes less disruption to the animals, and have a much lower carbon footprint than a petrol vehicle.

Londolozi also has their own solar farm, which is the first in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and have made this land dual-purpose as a parking spot for their game vehicles, which means no land is wasted on building a car park. Solar power is not the only energy-efficient initiative they are using, with a push towards ‘energy-efficient cooling and efficient LED lighting.’

The lodge has ‘one of the most advanced’ water recycling plants in the Southern Hemisphere, and they have an eventual goal of achieving ‘closed circuit consumption models’ to reduce their waste and the negative impact it has on the environment. Londolozi works with the belief that they ‘should become an example of using modern technology to support the new systems for living and a lighter footprint on the land.’

This is an initiative which staff and guests alike are aware of, and it helps to reduce water usage and electricity usage. Consciousness of how much water is being used is encouraged, as well as guests trying to limit the air conditioners usage, and turning off the lights when not being used. In much of the lodge, low energy fans are used instead of air conditioners and maximising natural airflow is a major factor when building new areas of the lodge, so air conditioning can be used less.

Other initiatives to help limit their impact on the environment include only using indigenous plants in their gardens, running sustainable training programmes among the community, putting pressure on delivery services to remove all packaging before arriving at Londolozi and organising monthly community tree planting expeditions and litter picking walks.

All water at Londolozi is drawn from a borehole and all greywater is recycled through two water-recycling plants and ‘re-used for irrigation.’ They created their own bottling plant for bottled water, to provide guests with still and sparkling water in glass bottles, which reduces the waste that comes from single-use plastic bottles. To help save and recycle as much water as possible staff shower over buckets to collect the greywater, the water from the air conditioning units is used to water the vegetable garden and plants around the lodges, and there are storage tanks which collect rainwater to be used in the village.

At Londolozi the 5 Rs are followed, these are ‘reduce, recycle, reuse, refuse, and rot.’ 250kg of waster every week has been eliminated through buying things in bulk, eliminating single-use plastic, using refillable containers and using reusable wax wraps instead of clingfilm. Londolozi works with local community businesses to create a total of 678kg worth of waste being recycled per month. In terms of ‘rot’ – worm farms are used to break down organic waste ‘to create compost for our vegetable gardens.’

In a way to reuse even the small items of single-use plastic that Londolozi still has, they create eco-bricks, an innovative and creative way to re-use the plastic. Any left-over single-use plastic which cannot be recycled is pushed into a plastic bottle, which when full, ‘can be used to build with.’ Printing is now actively discouraged, and sharing information in other ways such as over apps or dropbox is now encouraged. Eco-friendly cleaning chemicals are used and are delivered in bulk, with containers that the staff reuse once empty.