In my four years at Londolozi I have seen a number of rangers say goodbye. I always wondered what it must feel like to leave: the mixture of emotions that must churn inside. The excitement of a new chapter, combined with the daunting realization that your time in this particular paradise is over. A sudden slap back into reality. A bursting of the most wondrous bubble. Well, this time it is I who am the one to be saying goodbye… and believe me it is hard!
What a sensational ride it has been. I have been working here for four years, but in reality this place is a very part of my DNA. My parents first came here in 1976 and, since then, the Bannister family has been intertwined with Londolozi. Whether it be my father sitting beside the camp fire playing guitar, my mother drawing the original road maps back in the 80’s, or my talented brother designing the Christmas trees; this place is a second home, a support team and a stand-in family.
Those of you who have been privileged enough to visit Londolozi will have a taste of the family feeling that I speak of and may have an understanding of the amazing sense of togetherness that envelops this place. You will have an inclination as to what goes on here behind the scenes. Londolozi is not just a luxury game lodge, it stretches far beyond that…it is a lifestyle. There is no doubt that this is a special place on planet earth.
To leave Londolozi was no easy decision, I can promise you that. Change, however, is good and I leave in search of new adventures, challenges and self-growth. I leave with a smile on my face, aiming to journey into the unknown with my head held high. The Londolozi family has been incredibly supportive over the years and has allowed me the space and flexibility to grow, to experiment with ideas and let me guide the way I want to guide.
My job has extended way beyond the realms of merely a guide, and so too has my appreciation extended beyond the bush. It is the layers and the other aspects which warm the heart and make it so rewarding to work for, and so incredibly hard to leave: the touch rugby, the blog, the photography, walking to work, the lunch time banter, the spirit level, the general manager, the red wine, the Spaza, the village, the learning center, the good work foundation, the braais, the mad new years parties, the friends, the waka-waka, the rain, the walks, the STAR, the children, the Christmas soccer match, the gin and tonics, the valentines movies, the birthdays, the cooked breakfasts and the dinners under the stars…
When people ask me why I feel Londolozi is so successful I have a very simple answer: It is a feeling! A feeling that is brought about by the immaculate combination of energetic, caring people and the raw simplicity and truth of nature.
The wilderness heals the soul and gives perspective.
There is no doubt that the wildlife and game viewing at Londolozi is unparalleled anywhere else in Africa and one simply cannot forget the animals. In a place that is world renowned for its leopards it may come as a surprise when I say that it is the lions I shall miss the most. Over the years I have developed a deep respect and understanding of these magnificent creatures. The words ‘friendship’ and ‘respect’ are best suited. They have changed my life. To track and find a pride of wild lions and to view them undisturbed is mind blowing. To be allowed into their day-to-day lives and to be trusted is the most indescribable of feelings. From seeing them giving birth to a litter of cubs (a life form at its most vulnerable) to watching the cubs grow, watching them kill for the first time and witnessing them improve their skills. To be able to watch them kill a buffalo (the ending of a life) and then onto watching them mate. Finally, to watching them carefully select their den-site and deliver into this world the most precious of lives. A complete cycle…now that is REAL!
Just the other day I was backing up the thousands of pictures I have taken over the last four years at Londolozi. I spent hours going through images that captured moments in time forever; memories rushed back. I have been so lucky to call this home and to be allowed to learn a healthy trade and capture so many wonderful pictures. I decided that I would give myself the impossible task of selecting a handful of pictures that would best sum up my four years as a guide at Londolozi. Not necessarily my best photos, but the ones that bring a lump to my throat as I look at them. Pictures that may well provide you all with a snapshot into what it means to be a game ranger at one of the best places in the world.
I want to say thank you to the staff at Londolozi Game Reserve for everything you have done and for all the great times. Memories have been banked away deep in my heart and will be cherished for years to come. I also want to thank the guests whom I have driven over the years… every one of you has made an impression on me and has taught me something new. There are many of you whom I shall stay in touch with and will journey with in this lifetime. And lastly, to the readers of the blog: the platform that allowed me to grow so much in terms of my ability and myself. In the last three and a half years I have written just under 200 pieces. Thank you for taking the time to read what I wrote. Your comments and support have made it all the more special. I am glad that I could convey my interpretations of Mother Natures at work, or should I rather say Mother Nature at play?
I will miss you Londolozi.
Adam Bannister
The Scar-Nose Majingilane crossing the river at the old Finfoot Crossing. He was my favourite of the four males that have been so dominant over the last two years. I could happily watch this male every single day.
My passion for tree climbing grew. I even got to the level of having drink-stops in the the trees!
Photography became a major factor in my life. Prior to my stint at Londolozi I had never even picked up a camera. I have been privileged to have learnt numerous tricks and tips from various guests and fellow rangers along the way.
I loved being given the opportunity to learn to drive the most awesome of 4 x 4 s. It is true what they say…a rental, or a company car can literally go anywhere. Even through a river..or not!
The group I did my training with. I will never forget these very special days. A very special group of like-minded people all with their hearts in the right place.
Every sighting of a cheetah was cherished. This animal was very unusual during the earlier stages of my guiding career. Fortunately a single male moved into the area in 2012 and provided us with some extraordinary moments.
Every opportunity was taken to get a different picture from a fresh angle.
Even the World Cup of 2010 caught on in the lowveld of Londolozi. This was a major moment in my life and I will cherish moments from that month.
Myself, and rangers from three lodges in the Sabi Sands did a two day trek along the entire length of the Sand River.
My first pair of mating leopards.
I learnt so much out of my experiences with the various STAR groups that I was a part of. A huge thank you to Martha Beck for all she taught me.
One of the few jobs in the world where you get to watch the sun both rise and set everyday.
A fascination of lions developed…
and years later I published my first book: The Lions of Londolozi
Londolozi sent a few of us rangers to go on a Kruger Trail to gain even more experience and exposure to walking.
For a few months the lodge had a little Banded Mongoose that used to enjoy the attention and playtime.
As part of the christmas spirit Londolozi painted a Land Rover bright red and delivered presents into the surrounding communities.
Every once in a while the rangers would head out in the late afternoon to clear branches of the road, bond and have a few drinks…incredible team spirit!
Being able to witness the growth of the Tsalala Young Male over four years has been an honor.
Tracking with Solly Mhlongo has been fascinating. This man taught me so much about the ways of the wild. A most unlikely friendship developed over the years.
Using the fire hose to clean off some kids after a messy, but hugely entertaining, mud fight.
An amazing mixture of emotions felt. Births and deaths all rolled into one. The Nyeleti Female watched this impala being born. She then casually walked up to it, played with it, cleaned it and then killed it.
I savoured every moment that I got to play soccer here at Londolozi. Here is the 2012 addition of the Hyenas…an exhibition team that competes in the annual Staff Christmas Party.
Rifle training
I was lucky to be a part of the Mapogo saga.
Sitting around the braai with mates, guitars and good stories.
The Dudley Riverbank Female…the legacy of the 3:4 female lives on.
The ladies from the Londolozi reservations team, based in Johannesburg, take a deserved weekend away in the bush.
The famous Sycamore Fig: sadly washed away in the January 2012 floods of the Sand River.
The area of the reserve known as Open Areas. Pure magic. Simple Beauty!
Incredible leopard viewing on a daily basis: the Nyeleti Young Female drops an impala carcass.
Fighting bush fires was also a new adventure and experience for me.
My favourite male leopard: the Marthly Male.
Driving with Solly.
The morning mist bathes the western boundary of Marthly.
A Londolozi staff outing to watch South Africa against Niger in Nelspruit.
Following Wild dogs must rank as the most exciting experience for any ranger.
The smaller things…
and then the babies…
My most extreme and emotional sighting during my time as a ranger at Londolozi
Moments of energy and pure magic. Images engrained forever in my mind.
My most special family of lions at their den.
The same lions grow up a little and swim across the Sand River.
My friend – Solly Mhlongo – you have been a huge influence in my life and you will be missed. The hours we spent in the bush together have been magic. Thank you
I will follow the blog with interest and look forward to watching it, the Londolozi Family and the experience grow and flourish – Adam
Good luck Adam.
Best of luck Adam. Been great reading your posts for Londolozi as well as to going out on game drives with you when we visited a few years ago – was a wonderful experience and we thoroughly enjoyed your hospitality.
Thank you Adam!!!! You will be missed by me very much! Hope you have many great adventures and blessings ahead.
God Speed son, thanks for reigniting the passion in so many of us through your posts…
Good luck to you in your future endeavors.
I’ve only seen Londolozi through the camera and words of you and the rest of the staff at Londolozi yet because of this great blog I have felt like I was there in person. I thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with us and hope that will continue with wherever you end up in the future.
Thank you Adam for all the wonderful pictures and for bringing the bush to my computer! Good luck in your new venture.
Thank you very much Adam for letting us participate in your daily adventures over the last years. Your blogs will be missed! All the best and good luck for whatever you will be doing moving forward.
Wow Adam! What amazing stories you have brought to life and such precious memories shared. Your blogs will be sorely missed! I hope your future endeavours stir as much passion for each day as seems to have been the case at Londolozi! Best wishes for the future!
Good luck in whatever is coming next for you Adam. It’s been amazing reading your blogs and looking at your pictures, the way you have brought Londolozi alive for us has been fantastic ! You’ll be missed !
You have been so special. Your live updates mixed with emotions and suspense, lion warfare and many more will be missed! Wish you good luck whichever career path you take!
Thank you Adam for an incredible soul stirring STAR adventure, your spectacular photos, and sharing the Londolozi magic with us through this blog. Life changing encounters for which I will be forever grateful.
Thank you Adam for this wonderful article and for these beautiful photos. The first time I came to Londolozi in 2009, you were my ranger and I keep great memories from this trip. Good luck.
Thank you Adam for your blogs, your photographs, but most importantly your stories and your passion for all that is Londolozi. Good luck with your next adventure!
Adam, very few people will truly understand the mix of emotions you are going through. Londoz gets into your soul. Thanks a mill for all the blog posts and all the best for what the future holds for you.
The only thing that made this farewell tolerable (almost tolerable) is having the pleasure of seeing some of your favorite memories. Best of luck in whatever life has in store for you.
Thank you Adam for all the info, moments and pics shared with us along these years.
Your last blog is fantastic with pictures full of emotion.
I wish you the best wherever you. Greetings from Spain
Sad to see you go but I’m am sure your next chapter will be just as exciting. Has been an absolute pleasure working with and I am sure we will see you back here soon.
Doyle
We were privileged to have come to Londolozi last year as a 50th birthday surprise and lucky to have had you and Solly to be our Ranger and Tracker. I will miss your blogs like many others but am so fortunate to have my first hand memories and photographs to relive my experiences.
For me my personal favourites with you were our mad off road journey (some of which I videoed) to see the 2 Mapogo at the giraffe kill with the watching leopard, our Majingilane sightings and your stories about them (I love the lions best too) my walk in the bush with Paul, you and Solly enjoying the little creatures, (so special), our silent 15 minutes on our first night on the runway with Janet in her “net outfit” listening to the bush and watching the stars (emotional and indescribable) and the morning we sat in the jeep with you in the river bed as Camp Pan walked up to us stopped, looked up then carried on and we could hear his footprints in the sand as he walked (a life’s magical moment).
Whatever you will be doing Adam and wherever you may go good luck
Carpe Diem x
Adam, thank you for all the enjoyable articles over the years – I will miss them. I hope to see you personally before you leave. Go well.
Goodbye and good luck Adam ,the stories and the pictures you have shared with us have been fantastic I for one will miss them ,I wish you success in whatever you do in the future thanks again .Keith
Beautiful post … good luck with your new adventures!!
Farewell Adam. It was a priveledge to get to know you on my visits to Londoz and yours to Phinda. Awesome photographs and well written articles. I hope you continue having fun on your many future adventures. All the best wishes to you
Go well Adam, your blog was fantastic and was a welcome break during the dreary Joburg work day.
Is your father Anthony Bannister? One of my first wildlife books I got as a young boy was done by him:)
Cheers
Adam, its been an amazing journey having you contribute to the blog and develop as a writer, photographer and filmer. I hope to continue to watch your creativity and outlook on life evolve even further. Rich
Thank you for the wonderful post, also for your blogs at Londolozi. I enjoyed it very much. Goodbye and goodluck.
Hi Adam,
it was a pleasure meeting you and Solly last October at Londolozi.
And your contributions to the blog were always very inteesting with great fotografs.
Wishing you all the best!
Cheers
Armin
I wish
Great blog posts. Thank you. Good luck on your new journey. I can’t imagine how exciting and how hard a decision it must have been for you to take the step! All the best.
I will miss you. Xoxo
Spread your wings young man – and fly – the world is yours
A sad goodbye for sure. I’ve loved all the blogs/photos & updates. Please keep in touch.
I’m sure the future will bring you great things.
Cheers
What a joy it has been to see your pictures and read your words over the past years! You have reawakened, for me, the sounds, smells and sights of Londolozi every time! Thank you!
Can’t say ‘Goodbye’! How about….
Good luck! Best wishes! See you again!
Cheers!
i sit here across the atlantic in usa, unable to join the many who have been fortunate to visit africa , and be able to see the wonders of africa through your eyes I want to thank you for all of your stories and pics and may your new adventure be joyful, safe and full of wonderful surprises.
Life is a journey – good luck to you as you continue your journey.
Wishing you all the luck in the world, Adam, as you set off for your next adventure. Thanks so much for all you’ve given Londolozi, and to the STARs, too.
God bless you Adam. You are one amazing man, guide and mentor to many I am sure! I only hope our paths cross again somewhere in this world. I have so enjoyed your blogs and photos! You and Solly were one hell of a team and will forever be in my memory of our time in the bush at Londolozi!
Thank you also for your expertise and Londolozi spirit – truly a most special place in the bush! Whatever you do, wherever you go……I am sure the entire Londolozi team with always be with you!
You are simply the best Adam……….may your footsteps now lead you in a direction of further discovery. All best best.
You photos just show the true passion and love for the bush by you as well as all other staff involved. It is an absolute pleasure to see such a great group of people doing what they do best. Cannot wait to get back into the sabi sands asap after reading that and scrolling thru your pics. Best of luck!
I wish you all the luck as you journey forward for yet more adventures in your life. I feel privileged to have ad the pleasure of meeting you and having you as my guide twice. Your writing is engaging and captures the essence and the emotion of the bush. Your photographs just make me want to come back and see what you get to see on a daily basis.
All the best,
Irene
Thank you SO MUCH for being such a wonderful guide during our STAR last June! I remember the time you drove us around to a shack where we watched the elephants walking down to the water – what a magical moment!!
I wish you all the best in your new adventures!! If your travels ever take you to California, let me know. We’d be happy to host you and show you around.
Sending you big hugs and lots of good luck,
Benay
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Those words just don’t seem adequate somehow, to express the joy you have given us who follow you blogs. We always wait with anticipation for the next.
We appreciate the time you have shared with us and you will be sorely missed.
Have a wonderful journey and may you find your hearts desire.
Thank you so much that you have shared your passion, your stories and your photos.
Will miss it for sure!
I want to wish you all the best and good luck for your future!!
Adam,
Thank you for all the memories. Your love for this magical place has shown through in every word, photo, and track you’ve followed. I am grateful to have been a passenger along for the ride. I know this is a bittersweet goodbye.
Many new adventures await. Sending you off with so much love and appreciation.
denise
Adam, I have long enjoyed your blog posts, and I was so thrilled to be able to see Londolozi with you and Solly when we visited in August. We were overwhelmed with all that you showed us (the tailless female’s cub, the Dudley Riverbank and her cub, a charging hippo, a very active hyena den and a million other things large and small). I loved that I learned so much! You were a wonderful teacher for us, and I wish you the very best.
Christine
Tjhank you isn’t enough. Wishing you the joy & happiness you have brought with your heart-warming comments and breathtaking vistas. Good luck in all your journeys–and if you ever get to Northern California, we have acreage for you to explore.
Adam, once again thank you for your amazing photos, looking back at them is great, the one story that stays in my mind was your write up on the Lost cub, it was a very moving story and one I will remember. It would be hard to leave all this hehind, all the best
All the best, Ad-man!
Some awesome pictures which brought memories flooding back. Not a day goes past in which I don’t think of and miss that special place: the animals, its people and ‘the feeling’.
Famba kahle!
Hey Bro!
So much love! Love and respect that You have given and give to the bush and those that inhabit it, and to us few privileged to experience it with You. And You see it here in these comments. Love is a good thing. It has been said that we are but mirrors … You are a great mirror then!
My mother cried today, but we agreed not to fly the flag half-mast … but chose to celebrate at full mast. All the best in all Your wanderings on the great Walkabout that some call LIFE!
PLU,
c
and Pauline.
Adam, Thank you for the way you have kept us up to date and inspired with the goings on at Londolozi through your stories and photos. As our guide, you showed us the special magic of Londolozi and helped connect our family for life to that beautiful place. You taught us the “way” of Londolozi. We will be sad not to see you again next August when we will be back, but hope to see you in the States sometime. We will think of you often and hope to see you again soon!
Michael, Terri, Max & Mikayla Klauber
Thanks Adam for being a great ranger and for all your blogs and photos.
Enjoy your future travels. I am sure you will have plenty of excitement and fun.
Hope to catch up with you later this year.
Best of luck in your new adventures – where ever they may take you.
Marilyn
Adam…you just couldn’t wait…until me and my friends, Mike & Judy, returned to Londolozi this December. I was going to insist upon on meeting you, to thank you in person for all the wonderful blogs and photos you have shared. We seem to share a special fondness for trees (stationery). That’s my specialty. I leave photographing the animals (moving) to my friend.
You’ve made me understand your feeling of family.
I’m so sorry I won’t get to meet you…but I do feel I know you….And as far as I’m concerned you can always come back to the Londolozi blog to say hello and let us know how and what you’re doing.
God speed. All the best in the future!
Adam, I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to go on game drives with you during my short stay at Londolozi and to hear all of your stories and insights, especially about the Lions. Your contributions to the blog and the Londolozi family will surely be missed. Best of luck to you on your next adventure!
Thank you for your time with us when we were there. And for extending our experience with your words and images on the blog. May we always have our lions, leopards and cheetahs!
Best wishes on the next stage in your journey. Be generous with sharing what you have learned at Londolozzi!
Adam,
Your final blog brought tears to my eyes. Tears of sadness at Londolozi’s loss of “a most special” ranger; tears from the sad realization that this will be the final blog from you; bittersweet tears of joy and awe in your final, stunning collection of photographs and musings.
Adam, your excitement and unbridled joy at showing us the animals, the terrain, indeed Londolozi, infected us with the same excitement and joy with every game drive – no matter what the sightings were – we could barely wait to see what the next drive would bring and what you would share with us. The countless, unbelievable memories trip over themselves in mind. You made our time at Londolozi beyond compare.
And when we returned home, out of sorts at having left such a magical place, the gift of your heart felt, exqusite and touching blogs kept Africa, Londolozi and your beloved lions vibrant and alive for us.
Thank you for giving us the experience of a life time and for keeping the memories alive.
Godspeed and good luck. You wil be missed.
Janell & Bob
With an experience like what you’ve had at Londo, you will never be far from it I’m sure. In this sense, good-bye’s are relative. I only spent five glorious days there and it still lives with me everyday. I’m sure it will live in you everyday too. Thank you for making my experience at the June 2012 STAR so incredibly awesome! I will never forget the wild high speed river bed drive with you and the other STARs. Off the charts! My guess is another fantastic adventure awaits you. A pleasure to know you and thank you for your writings, it has helped me feel connected to Londo after I returned home. Best of luck to you Adam!
Thank you Adam, for all your wonderful blogs and photos. You kept Londolozi alive for all of us. I hope to meet you someday, and wish you all the best I know the people, land and creatures of Londolozi will always be with you
Adam, you are a true poet. Your pictures and heartfelt accounts have made me fall in love with the families of Londolozi — human and otherwise. I hope you will share your next adventure and open a new world of me. Thank you for sharing your experience with such passion.
Adam will miss all your pictures and stories!!! Thank You.. I wish you all the Best!!!!!!
Thanks Adam and wish you the best of luck in your future. Because of you and the Lion Warfare series, I also developed a fascination with lions, dynamics of lion prides and male coalitions. Now I am an avid follower of lion blogs and Facebook pages…all thanks to you, Rich and the rest of your colleagues. You will be missed!
it is with tears in my eyes and a catch in my throat that I post my comments . . .
everything at Londolozi is special and I feel blessed to have been a witness to its spiritual magic for several days in the summer of 2011 (we were part of the Klauber group from Sarasota FL) thru your efforts of postings words and pictures I have continued to feel the magic most every day thank you for that I know how difficult was my leaving, I cannot imagine your deep feelings at this point
go in peace, Adam, and know that memories are forever
hey Adam what going to be doing now?
Adam,
We’ve enjoyed your posts, pics, insights, stories, etc. Thank you so very much!
We wish you all the very best!
Avi & Sandy Hahn Ghosh
Oh, Adam. Even though we don’t know each other in person, I will sorely miss you. Your writing, photography and sensibilities are beyond compare. Wishing you fabulous happiness in the next phase of your journey…
Dear Adam, thank you ever so much for teaching us so much about the Londolozi world, the animals, the nature and the LIONS especially. You will be missed !!!!!!
We wish you all the best for your future.
Wherever you go, go with all your heart
Your old friends Gustaf and Elisabeth
Unfortunately never managed to get to meet you although feel as if I know you well through your wonderful blogs. Best of luck in your future endeavours.
What a beautiful and emotional letter Ad. It is impossible to capture the feeling and power behind a place like Londolozi. Even with a thousand photos and a hundred stories, you cannot describe the sensation of actually being here. You have been an incredible part of sharing this feeling, not only with the staff but with people from every corner of the world. You will be missed by everyone and we wish you the best of luck on your new adventures in life.
Adam, I enjoyed reading your blogs so much. Great success in your future endeavors. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the bush and the animals that live there and the awesome pictures. You will be missed.
Adam
We’re going to miss you and your blog! Obviously the game viewing was spectacular but its the other activities that stick in the memory. Boules in the river bed and tree climbing to name but a few. The banter with Byron was another highlight. All the best and come and visit in England if you have a chance.
Adam, I feel so fortunate to have crossed paths with you on the STAR retreat. You are an incredible man and have lead an incredible life thus far. I can only imagine what wonderful things the future holds for you. All the best!!
Adam! What a beautifully written post. We certainly loved having you as our guide, and I am sad that we won’t get to have you when we come back. Our time at Londolozi provided fantastic memories that we will cherish forever. I wish you the best of luck and hope you will stay in touch. Let me know if you want to go to that game! Best of luck to you on your new adventures.
Iam a chinese reader.
Your article always make me think a lot about nature，about the animals…
My heart always get touch from them.
Now you will leave，sad…
THANK YOU！
Adman Still in denial We miss you already your energy
and i miss your hugs
Shanny V
The blogs you have written have been incredible and awe inspiring. They have made me more and more eager to visit Londolozi one day, especially to see the Tsalala pride. Thank you for all you have done and good luck with your next adventure. You will be missed 🙂
Reading your blog, I am truly inspired by your tales of the lion coalitions and the daily happenings of those magnificent creatures. Thank you Adam and best of luck.
Although we spent only 4 days with you, we both agreed that it was our greatest vacation ever. This news is so sad but we of course wish you all the best. Your enthusiasm and continuous wonder of all that was around Londolozi imbued us all with the same spirit and we regularly tuned in to the latest news. We realize how privileged we were to be with you. Let us know if you ever return as a guest and maybe we will make that our return trip too!
Ray & Janet
Thanks Adam you have been a huge part of my addiction to Lions!
Dear Adam,
Wow, what a surprise to read about your departure!
Although you have never driven me at Londo’s, I have known you for the times we have interacted during my many visit to the lodge, as well as reading your regular blog as well as your insightful information on the lions.
I wish you well and hope that your new venture will be rewarding and successful.
God speed and best wishes.
Kind regards,
Ted.
Wonderful send-off, Adam. Thank you and all the very best to you!
Regards,
Alex
Hello Adam
Your story and beautiful photos have transported me into the bush in the middle of my work day and reminded me through my misty eyed response to your work of how the bush can move, inspire and heal. I wish you well as you move into the next stage of your journey and anticipate that you will once again have extraordinary stories to tell .
All the best Tracey
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