Londolozi Varty Camp

The campfire has burned at Varty Camp for nearly 100 years, making this place the symbolic heart of Londolozi.This original camp is a tapestry of brick paths, dolerite rock walls, waterfalls and tangled vines echoing simple spaces with unencumbered river view backdrops.

The tones of the camp reflect the owners’ almost 100-year love affair with this land and therefore place an emphasis on family and heritage. Children over the age of six are welcome at Varty Camp and with some of the chalets inter-leading, Varty Camp is perfect for families.

Each room has its own private swimming pool, outdoor shower and outdoor dining sala, framed by timber decks raised off the ground under the shade of an ancient riverine forest. Many guest activities can be found within the surrounds of Varty Camp.

These include the Guest Gym, Photographic Studio and Living Boutique as well as the restorative Healing House. The charming “original Sparta Camp” located in the heart of Varty Camp, represents generations of history which echoes a bygone era before Londolozi existed.

LOCATION
The lodge is situated on the Sand River in the very heart of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. This reserve forms part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a growing area that currently covers six million acres and incorporates the famous Kruger National Park.

Wild animals move freely across this vast space, offering spectacular game viewing and a true wilderness experience. Breeding herds of elephant and buffalo roam throughout Londolozi, while white rhino and lion concentrations are among the highest recorded on the African continent.

Yet it’s the leopards of Londolozi that make us world famous for wildlife, and lie at the heart of the Londolozi feeling. Over the course of more than four decades, a unique relationship has developed between our rangers and trackers and generations of wild leopards.

Intimate leopard sightings are frequent here, an experience that our guests agree is a pinnacle life experience. We believe in safari as a journey that immerses the senses and awakens the spirit. To have an encounter with wild animals in the African bush is to discover an essential truth about ourselves and our world.

For all of us who live the Londolozi feeling, our deepest wish is to give you the chance to experience this for yourself.

VALUES
As the original safari lodge in South Africa, Londolozi has fore the past 5 decades made use of the principles of ancient wisdom, technology and nature to become the benchmark for leading innovation in the industry

The Varty family values infuse every aspect of Londolozi’s service:

• Our personal approach
• Commitment to conservation
• The ambience of simplicity and elegance
• The warm welcome guests receive on arrival.

A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

We are a socially, economically and environmentally responsible business, representing the life’s work of a family-owned and run operation built on solid foundations and almost a century of exploring new frontiers, exceeding expectations, and welcoming all who cross our threshold.

True to its name, Londolozi has become a place that kindles the aspiration for a better collective future. It represents the dream of a planet abounding in open spaces, where wild animals and people live together in dignity and harmony.

FACILITATING AND INSPIRING THE NEW NARRATIVE IN CONSERVATION
Every night you spend at Londolozi you are contributing towards the welfare of 5 employees and their 8 dependents; the protection of 6 rhino and the education of 8 children and 1 adult

• Reducing operational footprint and human impact using closed-circuit design technology
• Pioneering the economy of wildlife as part of South Africa’s National Economic Agenda
• Founding Partner of Good Work Foundation that now annually invests $2.5 million in the establishment of digital learning centres adjacent to the Sabi Sand Wildtuin
• Investing $1.5 million in sustainable community partnerships
• Contributing $300 000 per annum to securing a safe haven for free roaming rhino

LONDOLOZI IMPACT: THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
True to its name, Londolozi has become a place that kindles the aspiration for a better collective future. It represents the dream of a planet abounding in open spaces, where wild animals and people live together in dignity and harmony.

PIONEERING NEW SYSTEMS FOR LIVING
A philosophy that realizes that Londolozi is a platform for advocacy of the restoration movement and the new consciousness. It is a Futuristic African Village that should inspire a desire in all to live in deeper connection with each other and the natural world.

COMPARE CAMPS
When our family returned to Londolozi in 2007 we wanted each of our camps to tell a story. The idea was that each camp should have its own personality ensuring that the bushveld space felt and looked like your version of an African home.

It was with this in mind that we remembered our dear friend Yvonne O’Brien. We had only ever seen her work in private homes and we knew that she would add the right sophistication and feeling to the Londolozi journey. Yvonne together with Shan Varty, created a vision and story that are the Londolozi camps today.

Yvonne creates rooms that are understated, what we would describe as ‘elegant simplicity’. Interiors are personal and in the case of Londolozi, close to nature and to her love of Africa. For Yvonne, a good room is richly layered while maintaining a simple restraint.

To walk into one of Yvonne’s rooms is to feel a personal touch and to observe every detail. Each piece that is used is handpicked and tells a story. From the African head masks, to the Horst Klem images seen in Granite to the glamorous ‘Out of Africa’ feel of Pioneer, each camp reflects the history of the place and the people who have played an important role in the Londolozi story.

Children under the age of 16 are not allowed at Tree Camp and the Private Granite Suites unless these camps have been reserved for exclusive use. These two camps offer a level of luxury on safari of the highest order.

The Tree Camp has 6 suites nestled in the leadwood tree canopy, serving as a sanctuary of elegance and simplicity. You can enjoy the African landscape in this opulent camp while relaxing on the Tree Camp deck during the afternoon as the wildlife pass through the river below.

The Private Granite Suites are a celebration of elegance and elephants. You can enjoy a luxurious private outdoor bath that looks over the river as elephants wander by.

Pioneer Camp can be booked by families and couples alike. This camp is the most secluded and flexible camp at Londolozi. The suites are superb for a honeymoon, each suite offering amazing river views.

For a different occasion, the camp can easily be converted into a homestead for families with children of various ages, having the ability to host groups of 6 to 12 people.

Varty Camp and Founders Camp are slightly larger and perfect for families and small groups going on safari. These camps accept children of six years and older. Families can request interlinked ‘skywalk’ rooms so parents and children can visit each other without venturing out into the bush.

Varty Camp is the symbolic heart of Londolozi, having existed for almost 100 years. Founders Camp, with its bushveld Bohemian feeling, has 7 Superior Chalets and 3 Superior Family Chalets, that pay homage to past guests and staff that helped build the Londolozi Game Reserve.

Some of the activities included during your stay at this camp are the Londolozi Photographic Studio, Living Boutique as well as easy access to the Yoga Deck at Founders Camp.

The Londolozi Experience
This is our adventure, come and live yours…
Londolozi offers the best luxury safaris in South Africa. Since its inception in 1926, Londolozi has always called people towards wilderness adventure. We believe in safari as a journey that immerses the senses and awakens the spirit. To have an encounter with wild animals in the African bush is to discover an essential truth about ourselves and our world.

For all of us who live the Londolozi feeling, our deepest wish is to give you the chance to experience this for yourself. Londolozi is not a game lodge but rather a platform for advocacy of the restoration movement and a living model that can be shared with layers of experience.

From our state-of-the-art Photographic Studio, our pioneering wellness offering – the Londolozi Healing House, to our Futuristic African Village, the Londolozi experiences immerse you in authentic African living.

Cuisine At Londolozi
We consider superb African cuisine to be an essential part of the Londolozi experience as well as a vital component of our philosophy. Much of the day revolves around specifically crafted culinary delights along your safari experience.

Start your morning off with home-made morsels on the game drive as we go in search of Africa’s finest wildlife. Before heading back to your camp to enjoy a fortifying breakfast followed by a lazy, al fresco lunch.

To bring the day to a close we have an indulgent high tea, as an appetiser before the evening game drive that includes sundowner treats. After the game drive we then sit down for a traditional fireside banquet or you could choose a private dinner to enjoy the tranquility of Londolozi. Safari cuisine is a key component to your experience.

ETHICALLY SOURCED CUISINE
The choice of ingredients reflects our efforts to establish a respectful relationship with the planet. Every ingredient we use is chosen with care, favouring home grown organic produce, free range game, and herbs from our kitchen garden to create dishes that are irresistibly delicious and healthy.

Our selection of seafood is guided by the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative and the number of imported ingredients is kept to a minimum. Something that you can be certain of while enjoying the cuisine while on safari at Londolozi is that our choices are all ethical and in line with our efforts to conserve the world that we treasure.

Fresh ingredients, sourced locally and served uncontrived, underpin the Londolozi food ethos of ‘Simply Sophisticated’. The Chef team of local Shangaan sous-chefs, bakers and bush banqueters produce a remarkable variety of meals with the dedication, passion and flair that epitomises Londolozi hospitality.

The lowveld region of South Africa is renowned for some of the country’s best fruit and vegetables, which are further supplemented by our very own Londolozi Village Gardens. Within our Family, we have over 30 independent gardeners who provide – fresh from the ground – rocket (arugula), spinach, mint, basil, lettuce and parsley.

The meat dishes are sourced from South Africa’s leading beef suppliers whilst our seafood selection is sustainably sourced. In line with our light-footprint approach – where practical – imported food is avoided.

LONDOLOZI FAMILY SAFARI RECIPES
We take great pride in the recipes for our safari cuisine; from the family recipes that have been handed down from Varty family generations to the incredible meals that are created in the Londolozi Kitchen.

The various dishes and refreshments that you enjoy while on safari are all made with love and kindness in the spirit of Londolozi. Guaranteeing the finest safari cuisine. We are happy to share these recipes with you should you request them.

We vary the menu in step with the seasons, ensuring appropriate dishes suitable to the time of year. Daily menus are laid out; however, we do understand that our Guests have individual preferences and, whilst we operate far from suppliers, we will at all times do our best to meet these requests.

LONDOLOZI FAMILY WINES
The wine selection at Londolozi is continually being crafted to ensure the inclusion of some of the best vintages in the country. It is always enjoyable to unveil the latest and best vintages that South Africa has to offer.

Kim Drake, our passionate WSET Level 3 qualified in-house sommelier, spends a considerable amount of time researching the latest offerings in the interest of bringing to you a balanced and varied selection.

Apart from our selection of quality French Champagne, we have dedicated ourselves to drawing almost exclusively from South African estates. As you can imagine, there is a wide range of choice; however, we tend to make use of the smaller but exceptional boutique family estates to be in keeping with our ‘family-run’ ethos.

These selected estates place emphasis on low-yield and high-quality grapes. They then make use of the best cellar techniques and farm terroir so that their independent specialities provide a diversity in cultivar, region, complexity and style.

All of our House Wines have received four stars or higher in John Platter’s Wine Guide and are diverse enough to cover most wine palates. We also stock a cellar of highly-selected Exclusive Wines which celebrate the amazing innovations in the South African wine industry.

Both our House Selection as well as our Exclusive Cellar Wines have been included in the Londolozi Wine List so please feel free to chat to your Camp Manager or Sommelier for recommendations.

Healing House
The Londolozi Healing House is a place of remembering, a shift from the world of doing into the world of being, a chance to re-discover your own nature and access a deep and natural intelligence which lies within the still core of your own wild self. At Londolozi, we believe in honouring ancient ways, harmony in flow and the rhythms of nature.

After four decades of delivering a photographic safari immersion to discerning international safari travellers, we believe that the time is now to create a new space which allows the Londolozi wilderness to become our enduring source of wellness.

Our hope is that at the Londolozi Healing House, situated at Varty Camp, you will rediscover what it means to be human, and attuned to the natural world.

The Londolozi Healing House experience will help you to combine the core safari excursions with artful resting, curated bodywork and yoga in the surrounds of the expansive wilderness presence of Londolozi. We have crafted some special activities for true rejuvenation, restoration and transformation.

Working with our trained Wellness Practitioners, Therapists and Wilderness Guides, we invite you to deepen your experience with the African wilderness and to find within you a sense of wellbeing. In the hurried world of today, true luxury is time to oneself in search of self-healing and connection to nature.

RETREAT

Over the last 12 years Londolozi has been a leader in connecting people to the natural world as a way to facilitate profound personal transformational and deep nature connection.

Through our wilderness retreats we have partnered with the worlds leading wellness experts, life coaches, wisdom keepers and shamans to craft experiential learning spaces that accelerate awakening and allow people to radically shift towards a mission oriented life.

At Londolozi we have long believed that the restoration of the planet will come out of a profound shift in human consciousness. Our retreats programs run in partnership with the resonance of the Londolozi land and the influence of its wild creatures to support you as a servant of this shift in global consciousness.

Personal transformation is an art form so we have curated highly selected experiences with practitioners that we trust that will serve to align you with your most authentic life, purpose and essence and personal restoration.

YOGA

The word yoga means ‘union’ in Sanskrit and is the bringing together of mind, body and spirit. ‘Asanas’ is also a Sanskrit word meaning pose and posture. These two philosophies come together during the yoga classes to train the body and mind and bring us into perfect balance.

The classes are suitable for beginner and intermediate levels and are conducted on the Londolozi Yoga Deck situated close to Founders Camp, a wonderful sanctuary suspended high in the arms of a 500-year-old ebony tree.

Inclusive daily classes are held whilst nyala, bushbuck and monkeys abound. On special occasions elephants will move through the riverine bushveld below. Join us to greet the sun or strengthen the vital life of the body alongside the cool rush of the Sand River.

Complimentary daily yoga classes are suitable for both beginners and intermediates and serve to enhance the Londolozi safari experience by offering another occasion to deepen your connection with nature and offers a wonderful opportunity to move the body after time in the safari vehicle as well as learn the importance of breath whilst accepting the invitation to slow down and remember.

Private yoga sessions are also available and can be arranged on the main yoga deck or privately at your room. This personalised yoga session is for those already on their own yoga journey and therefore the level of difficulty and length of class is paced to suit your preference.

GYM

Londolozi’s fully equipped gym allows for a perfect workout, complemented by a daily routine of eating well and relaxing into harmony with nature.

This facility has a range of cardio machines and free-weights including: treadmills; rowing machines; spinning bikes and ellipticals, and will allow you to enjoy your own fitness time in the gym. The gym is situated in Varty Camp and is open to all guests.

BREATH WORK

Private meditation and breath work practice can transform your personal quality of life and are a subtle way of educating the body to stay calm, recharge, and become energized with enhanced clarity.

Meditation at Londolozi is in itself an inspiration and source of wellness. Private meditation sessions need to be pre-booked before your arrival or with your Camp Manager at the lodge. These can take place either on the central yoga deck, at the Healing House or in the privacy of your room.

Photographic Safari
The ultimate African studio, Incredible light, diverse scenery and a plethora of African wildlife set the stage for unsurpassed photographic theatre. There are many ways to take advantage of this incredible location.

THE PRIVATE VEHICLE
For the photographic veteran, or anyone who is looking for privacy while on game drive, wanting a vehicle entirely to themselves. A private safari vehicle can be reserved for individuals and families.

A dedicated Ranger and Tracker team will focus on tailoring the safari experience around the guest’s specific needs and interests (e.g. birding, botany, big cats, photography, wilderness immersion, walking etc.). This is ideal for experienced safari-goers or those who enjoy a little more privacy.

INCLUDED

• One morning and one afternoon game drive per day
• A dedicated Ranger and Tracker team
• *This photographic safari experience is limited to six guests per vehicle and for a minimum of two nights. This safari experience must be booked prior to arrival.

THE LONDOLOZI WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE
Perfect for beginner and enthusiast photographers who are wanting to make photography the main focus of their safari. For this safari option, we will pair you with a photographic tutor who will assist you both in the field and in post-processing and editing.

Londolozi is known across the world as a destination which offers remarkable photographic wildlife opportunities and is the perfect place to learn and craft this incredible art form.

INCLUDED

• A private safari vehicle
• A professional photographic tutor with advanced knowledge in:
• The camera & best settings
• Vehicle positioning
• Expertise in the use of light (especially low light conditions)
• Post processing & image organisation
• A dedicated Ranger and Tracker team focused on getting you into the best photographic positions possible
• Full access to the Londolozi Photography Studio for post-processing and editing
• This safari experience must be requested and booked prior to arrival

24 Hours On Safari
No two days are the same while on safari at Londolozi and your experience is tailored to suit individual preferences and expectations. Still, there is a certain rhythm and pace to the experience that stirs a sense of homecoming on repeat visits and a pleasing sense of order for first time bushveld visitors.

Life at Londolozi is dictated by the seasons; the vegetation and the animal behaviour shift with the rains of summer and the chill of winter. What is unchanging is the warmth of the welcome by your camp manager and the opportunity to experience a deep and authentic connection with the natural world.

SUMMER RHYTHMS
This is a rough guideline of what to expect during the summer season. Each safari experience is tailor-made and may differ from day to day.

• 5:00 – WAKE-UP CALL
  The day begins with a dawn chorus of birdsong and the haunting calls of Fish Eagles, air rich with the night flowers’ perfume and a delightfully cool temperature.
• 5:30 – SUNRISE GAME DRIVE
  By 7:30am the magic hours have passed, and soon the animals will sink into the torpor brought on by the midday heat.
• 9:30 – BREAKFAST
• 10:30 – OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
  On returning from the game drive and fortifying yourself with breakfast you can either retire to the cool sanctuary of your suite or indulge in a myriad of bushveld activities which include the following:
• Bush walks
• The Photographic Studio
• The Futuristic African Village Experience
• A wellness offering ~ The Londolozi Healing House
• A community experience with the Good Work Foundation
• An inclusive yoga class
• Safari boutique shopping
• Children’s activities – The Cubs Den
• Storytelling in the Ubuntu Hut
• Sustainability Tour
• 1:30 – LUNCH
• 16:00 – AFTERNOON TEA
  In spring and summer, the early evening air along the Sand River often carries the nostalgic call of the African fish eagle signalling the start of your afternoon drive.
• 16:15 – SUNSET GAME DRIVE
• 19:30 – DINNER
  One of the great experiences in life is to dine under a canopy of stars. In Africa this is a common place as bushveld banqueting takes place in unusual locations.

WINTER RHYTHMS
This is a rough guideline of what to expect during the winter season. Each safari experience is tailor-made and may differ from day to day.

• 5:30 – WAKE-UP CALL
  We encourage you to rise before first light to join the early game drive – your every sense will be rewarded.
• 6:00 – SUNRISE GAME DRIVE
  As the sun rises, the booming snorts from the hippo fill the air, while lions may be spotted in pursuit of the last traces of nocturnal prey.
• 10:00 – BREAKFAST
• 11:00 – OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
  On returning from the game drive and fortifying yourself with breakfast you can either retire to the cool sanctuary of your chalet or indulge in a myriad of bushveld activities which include the following:
• Bush walks
• The Photographic Studio
• The Futuristic African Village Experience
• A wellness offering ~ The Londolozi Healing House
• A community experience with the Good Work Foundation
• An inclusive yoga class
• Safari boutique shopping
• Children’s activities – The Cubs Den
• Storytelling in the Ubuntu Hut
• Sustainability Tour
• 15:00 – HIGH TEA
  In autumn and winter, the early evening air along the Sand River often carries the aroma of baked potato. Although often mistaken as coming from the camp kitchens, this scent emanates from the tiny white flowers of a scrambling shrub called the Potato Bush. Breathe in this most distinctive bushveld smell and let it come to be associated with the anticipation of your evening game drive.
• 15:30 – SUNSET GAME DRIVE
• Winter evenings are also a feast for the senses. Drink in all the postcard scenes around you: the bare thorn tree, silhouetted against a vast red sunset as the first glimmering stars appear.
• 19:00 – DINNER
  One of the great experiences in life is to dine under a canopy of stars. In Africa this is a common place as bushveld banqueting takes place in unusual locations.

GAME DRIVERS

Game drives at Londolozi are taken by professional, passionate and knowledgeable rangers and trackers, who have 350 years of experience between them. With over 34,000 acres of traversing wilderness, no two game drives are ever the same.

Trackers sit up at the front of the Land Rover looking for fresh animal tracks, an ancient art-form living inside a human being that is magnificent to watch in action.

Rangers drive with astonishing skill into ravines and through thickets in pursuit of rare animal sightings, simultaneously astonishing guests with their outstanding knowledge and unforgettable stories. These naturalist teams go out of their way to showcase the remarkable intelligence of nature.

Londolozi’s rangers have a deep experience and connection to the land. All Londolozi guides have taken the time to immerse themselves for days in nature, creating a tangible passion for the conservation and the animals that call Londolozi home.

Our guides specialise in Photographic Safaris and, where possible, will position the vehicle for guests to get the best angle. They will also share advice and knowledge where they can so you can capture the moment in all its glory.

Many of Londolozi’s rangers and trackers grew up in this region, living close to the land. This gives them an unmatched knowledge of the terrain, flora and wildlife on the reserve. Londolozi boasts two of only 17 Master trackers in South Africa, resulting in world class game drive experiences.

Our rangers’ primary mission is to showcase the wilderness and bring you in tune with nature’s harmony.

Recommended Tours
Luxurious African Travel Ideas
With an astonishing continent at your doorstep, it is a good idea to make your time at Londolozi part of a larger African holiday. Guests often ask us to recommend unique and luxurious itineraries to other amazing African destinations.

Shan Varty is passionate and knowledgeable about African travel and has crafted an eclectic combination of tours to help you plan your next adventure. Our tours and experiences incorporate Cape Town, the Okavango Delta, Chobe, Victoria Falls, Mozambique and the Kalahari – all iconic African combinations.

As you probably know Cape Town is home to Table Mountain, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of The World. The city is a host to other wonders, from Robben Island to the cascading vineyards of the Cape Winelands.

A safari in The Okavango Delta or Chobe National Park will show you the very best of the wildlife in Botswana. In the Okavango Delta you can have the magical experience of traversing the waterways on a mokoro canoe. There is a rich tapestry of wildlife from hippos to giraffes to antelope to 530 species of bird in one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

Another Wonder of the World, Victoria Falls, lies on the border between Zimbabwe and Zamibia. For anyone wanting to visit Africa, this is an absolute must see. This pairs wonderfully with a visit to Londolozi as it inspires awe in the same vain, granting one a new appreciation for life and the world.

Alternatively, after a trip to our luxurious game reserve, winding down on the white beaches of Mozambique can be a fantastic addition to your trip. Our itineraries are divided into ‘Platinum’ and ‘Gold’ packages and all enquiries received are directed to our preferred tour operators.

The two categories accommodate different budgets, with prices reflecting the duration of the tour and the standard of the accommodation. The prices quoted are indicative only and depend on season and availability.

Cape Town – Kruger – Victoria Falls
Visit Africa’s top three destinations in a convenient tour that gives you a fabulous triple-layered African adventure. By far our most popular tour, this 10 day epic adventure through Southern Africa combines the most fabulous experiences.

From the splendour and excitement of one of the natural wonders of the world, the mighty Victoria Falls, to Africa’s most famous private game reserve, Londolozi, you’ll be hooked for life. Add to that the cosmopolitan capital of Africa, Cape Town, with her beaches, nightlife and natural beauty and you’re guaranteed the best of the best in one magical tour.

Cape Town – Kruger Park – Tswalu
This superb 10 night tour highlights some of what makes South Africa truly unique to anywhere else in the world.

Where else can one enjoy on the same trip, the vast untouched red soil of the Kalahari Desert in search of the famed pangolin, sighting the elusive leopard showing their spots a plenty and of course our Mother City Cape Town showcasing all her bountiful splendour of food, wine, oceans, mountains and of course the jackass penguin!

We live in the most wonderful part of the world and this tour allows you to enjoy elements truly exclusive to our land.

Kruger Park – Bazaruto/Benguerra
Starting and ending in Johannesburg, with easy logistics in between, this is perhaps the best of both worlds “personified”! With both land and water elements included herein, it a trip for all the senses.

Spending time in the wild game-rich lands within the glorious Londolozi reserve hoping to see the Big 5 and enjoying the smells of the bush as the sun hits the soil.

Tasting an always abundant supply of fresh and local foods throughout your trip, ending with the sound of the gentle lapping waves on the beach and of course the feel of white sand through your toes. With some adventure and excitement followed by time spent relaxing in barefoot magic on a gorgeous beach, this tour has something for everyone… Bliss!

Kruger Park – Victoria Falls – Botswana
This 11 night adventure can only impress and astound its participant. Starting with your quintessential, and best example of a Big Five safari reserve, namely Londolozi. In fact no better place on earth to spot the typically elusive leopard and enjoy game drives in the care of expert rangers and trackers.

Followed by time spent alongside the Zambezi River, upstream from the mighty Victoria Falls, a world heritage site. Ending within the picture postcard setting of wild Botswana.

Here, your once in a lifetime opportunity to explore channels, lagoons, marsh’s and forests, in search of our indigenous creatures via both boat or safari vehicle as well as on foot. What an all encompassing exploit!

Website: www.londolozi.com

Rooms: 10

Price: from 1.984 EUR per night