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LONDOLOZI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Londolozi is set within the world famous Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, on the western border of the great Kruger National Park. The Kruger Park (a 5.5 million acre sanctuary for wildlife, bigger than Wales or Massachusetts) is widely regarded as Africa's premier game reserve, and animals move back and forth between Kruger and the Sabi Sand Reserve, unhindered by fences. The Sabi Sand Reserve is one of the most game-rich areas within Kruger, and is home to Africa's greatest diversity of animals.

Game-drive safaris at Londolozi are conducted in specially adapted open Landrovers carrying a maximum of eight guests, with professional guides and trackers to help find animals, and then provide interesting background information and facts about Africa's spectacular wildlife. Londolozi also offers night drives with spot lamps to view nocturnal species. Interpretive bush walks with your guide and tracker provide even deeper and more 'hands-on' insight into the many intricate eco-systems of the African bush. All guides and trackers are carefully chosen for their knowledge and experience of the bush, and receive extensive training to ensure that your encounters with the African wilderness are exciting, informative, and safe. Londolozi is particularly well-known for its leopard sightings, with a reputation as one of the best places in Africa to view these beautiful yet reclusive cats.

Accommodation at Londolozi is superb! It was the first safari lodge to be awarded Relais & Chateaux membership, a status which it maintains to this day. With five intimate camps spread across the Reserve, (Tree, Founders, Pioneer, Bateleur and Safari), the atmosphere is very exclusive.

Our favourite camp at Londolozi is Tree Camp, which perches seventy feet above the bush, cradled by an ancient ebony tree. The camp is architecturally interesting, decorated in a pleasing and creative African style. Materials are used purposefully and aesthetically to create great texture and contrast. In the open-air lounge heavy teak railway sleepers are used to construct solid dark geometric bookcases, tables, and other furnishings. Leather couches and carved wood lounge chairs with cushions in earthy fabrics and Zanzibarean lamps complete the effect.

The bedrooms are beautifully appointed in teak, suede, silk and linen. Each bedroom has its own cascading plunge pool and a private sala. The enormous en-suite bathrooms at Tree Camp are an experience in themselves. After your game drive, drift away in an oversized tub scented with bath salts in the flickering golden candlelight from a towering wrought iron candelabra. Herbal hand-made soaps, organic shampoos, conditioners and lotions in heavy glass bottles, as well as an abundance of thick cotton towels are provided.

Founder's Camp and Pioneer Camp are also lovely small camps. Founders has five chalets, one suite and a common area, all seculded on a thickly forested river bank. Pioneer Camp, situated upstream from Founders, also overlooks the Sand River, with a walkway leading onto a thatched viewing deck. The intimate guest area at Pioneer Camp provides a unique interactive experience with the kitchen, living and dining areas all being open plan.

Bateleur Camp is steeped in tradition, history and a sense of continuity. It is the largest of Londolozi's Camps, yet retains an exclusive atmosphere with only four suites, eight chalets and a spacious common area, raised on a wooden deck under thatch. There, Londolozi's seventy year history is celebrated with historic photographs of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and family protraits adorning the walls.

Safari Lodge is comprised of six chalets, all nestled in dense riverine vegetation. Each of the rooms is tastefully decorated and features luxurious en suite facilties, a personal bar, air conditioning, a ceiling fan and a private wooden deck. The main lodge has a gracious sitting and dining area leading out onto a large deck, which offers wonderful views over the lush bush. Elegant candlelit dinners are enjoyed there or in the boma. Additional features include a swimming pool and a small curio shop.

The pan-African cuisine at every one of Londolozi's camps is abundant, fresh, well prepared and satisfying. Home-made chutneys, relishes and marinated olives are offered to garnish every meal, and each camp boasts a notable wine cellar. At Londolozi the emphasis is on relaxation and rejuvenation of the body, mind and spirit, an effect it achieves admirably - no matter which camp you choose.

Ecotourism angle

Conservation is a very strong focus at Londolozi (the name itself means "protector of living things" in the local Shangaan language). Londolozi was one of Southern Africa's first significant private game reserves, and has developed a worldwide reputation for combining nature conservation, tourism, and local community empowerment.

It was the base from which Conservation Corporation Africa was to be born, and the model of ecotourism developed at Londolozi has been exported across Southern and Eastern Africa. Conservation Corporation Africa has used its presence across Africa to translocate game that is abundant in one area to other areas where these species have become rare or extinct. It is also highly respected across Africa for its efforts at community empowerment through its Rural Investment Fund. The program's goals are to facilitate social and economic infrastructure; to promote sustainable usage of available natural resources and to encourage the establishment of small enterprises linked to eco-tourism. Londolozi has received numerous international awards for its conservation efforts, including the Travel Trade Gazette's "Best Game Lodge Award", and is a former winner of the British Airways "Tourism for Tomorrow" Award. Perhaps the most glowing tribute to the model of ecotourism developed at Londolozi comes from Nelson Mandela who declared that, "Londolozi represents a model of the dream I cherish for the future of nature preservation in our country."

To find out more about Londolozi Private Game Reserve, or to make a reservation, call on 27-11-463-7889 or email us.

LIYATSHWA SAFARIS PORTFOLIO - Kruger National Park