“Going on a photo-safari, being within touching distance of some of the most majestic animals in the world is an experience beyond description. If you decide to visit South Africa, you might want to consider visiting one of the most exclusive game preserves in the world, Londolozi. As you’ll see, it’s a magical destination where guests are treated to an experience that will literally change their lives forever.” – News Watch

Londolozi Game Reserve was host to the crew from News Watch TV a few weeks ago. Spending time in the wilderness, lodges as well as in the Londolozi Learning Centre, the below video is currently being featured across North America on News Watch TV. Enjoy…

If you enjoyed this video, please share it via one of the following social networks below.

A brand new electric Land Rover arrived at Londolozi over Christmas. Courtesy of Barker Performance Products and Land Rover, the electric vehicle was sent here to be put through a rigorous and rough field test owing to the success and pioneering development of Londolozi’s first three prototype electric Land Rovers. Having unveiled this new product at South Africa’s Tourism Indaba in May, Land Rover and Barkers Performance product have created a hugely impressive vehicle and when it arrived on our doorstep just before Christmas, we simply had to put it to the test!

Putting the Electric Land Rover to the test - Rich Laburn

Although we are testing the vehicle over a number of weeks, we decided to examine the performance through a few different disciplines: Acceleration & Speed; Gradient; Silence and Sand.

The Electric Landrover runs off an Air cooled AC Induction Motor with 330Nm of Torque and 59kW of Motor Power.  The batter is comprised of Air cooled Lithium Phosphate and has a voltage of 300V.  Ranging from 80km per battery on the open road and +20km through a game reserve, the vehicle is able to offer a game drive of approximately 8 hours.  The gear stick features Drive, Neutral and Reverse with 4WD and Low Range.

Land Rover's Electric Game Viewer

Londolozi has been at the forefront of pioneering the first ever Zero Emissions Safari Vehicle. The vision for this vehicle is to run purely on battery power which in turn is charged by solar panels. The carbon output would thus be zero, except for that used during the manufacturing of the vehicle.  Since 2009, when we unveiled our first prototype electric Landrover, the journey has been extremely fun yet also challenging. Our second prototype burnt down soon after completion, owing to an electric failure.  Yet with the help of Anton Komar and Sid from Green Rover we managed to achieve a reasonable level of success with our prototype number 3.

The Electric Land Rover going through Water - Rich Laburn

Our intention at Londolozi is to continue to be a leader towards a truly Zero Emissions Safari Vehicle and change our entire fleet to electric vehicles as soon as the opportunity presents itself.  This initiative, in particular, forms part of our broader goal to dramatically minimize our carbon footprint on the environment.

Written & Filmed & Photographed by: Rich Laburn

It’s been 5 years and at last we are DONE! Every camp at Londolozi has been refurbished, with the final phase being the complete overhaul of Varty Camp, whose roots go back as far as 1926. Reintroducing this “grand old lady” to our guests in March this year was a huge privilege. Varty Camp has enjoyed remarkable occupancies, tremendous support and amazing feed back from our industry partners, who seem to have really embraced the simplicity, tradition and return to old bushveld elegance that this Original Londolozi Camp offers.

The Brand New Varty Camp Deck

It continues to amaze us how our friends in the trade, and our extended Londolozi family, have responded to the improvements that have been made and continue to support all of our camps with strong bookings and many repeat visits. We extend to you all our sincere thanks and we assure you of our continued commitment to further improving the overall Londolozi experience.

It is because of this support that we have been able to push new frontiers in redefining the Londolozi Conservation Development Model. During 2012 we plan to actively engage with South African rural society in advancing green frontiers via the creation of Wildlife Corridors. These Corridors will link together the existing parks along ancient migratory roots, whilst allowing the economic benefits of the Economy of Wildlife to reach the wider rural community.

The dream is to not only restore nature’s original grand design but also to provide economic, ecological and social stimulus for over 600 000 people who live in the region where this Corridor is being planned.

Kruger to Canyons

In association with the Good Work Foundation, an NGO affiliated to Londolozi, we are in the process of establishing “leap frog” Digital Learning Centres along these corridors with an objective of addressing the needs of young learners and offering them a unique and new perspective to education, one which has never before been seen in South Africa.

Through the Good Work Foundation’s 4 Pillars of Literacy, enrolling students are invited to make the personal choice to equip themselves for a rapidly changing future such that they are able to participate in a modern African society with global reach, whilst also caring for the functionality and viability of their family.

The Learning Centres are founded on three core beliefs; the importance of ancient African wisdom; the quantum possibilities of technology and the enduring intelligence of nature. The vision is to redefine rural education and close the digital divide in rural Africa. Pioneering stuff with thrilling results!  Be sure to visit and Like the Good Work Foundation’s Facebook Page for regular updates.

An early Christmas, courtesy of the Good Work Foundation, at the Madlala Digital Learning Center

Therefore, as 2011 draws to a close, we look forward to embracing 2012 with the dawning of a new era, meaningful partnerships with our neighbours, the building of quantum “leap frog” Digital Learning Centres across South Africa and continued strong associations with our travel partners around the world.

What remains is for the Londolozi family to extend to you, and your loved ones, our best wishes for this year’s festive season, trusting that 2012 will be filled with many enquiries, plentiful bookings, healthy occupancies and lots of happy guests!  We look forward to keeping you entertained and up to date in 2012 on the Londolozi Blog and trust that you will continue to comment on and share the stories that you find interesting.

And so in accordance with tradition, and in appreciation of our strong and enduring association, without further delay, for your own personal enjoyment, for the fourth year running; the amazing… the incredible… one of a kind… not yet seen before on screen… cinematic master piece… THE 2011 LONDOLOZI CHRISTMAS VIDEO… starring the Lone Rangers, Father Christmas and the students of the Madlala Learning Centre. ENJOY and THANK YOU.

Best Regards,

Dave Varty

YOU are invited to join the Christmas Drive…

***It costs R150 per child per month to attend the learning centre classes (R1800 per annum). You are very welcome to sponsor a child who is keen to learn but not necessarily able to afford the fee.

Santa Claus at Madlala

In a recent interview with CNN’s Marketplace Africa, Dave Varty talks to Robyn Curnow about balancing profit with conservation and how he is pioneering Londolozi’s organisational model towards a Social Enterprise and what the definition of one is.

Today is about celebrating the magnificent Rhinoceros! These incredible creatures who grace us with their presence throughout much of Africa have become synonymous with the battle that they are currently enduring against poaching.  A complete lack of respect for wild animals and their well being; the separation of man from beast; the forgetting that we are all connected; that we are all part of the same canvas.

This day has been formed to increase awareness for the current plight of the rhino as their numbers continue to crash at the hands of a handful of poachers! All five species of rhino are currently being killed for their horns.

White Rhino cow and calf in black and white - Adam Bannister

Although the poaching epidemic is very serious, the video below shows a lighter side to the current rhino situation. It provides a breathe of fresh air and inspiration to ensure the survival of every individual. Simultaneously it also highlights the innocence and vulnerability of this animal and pleads out for every one of us to do our part. Here at Londolozi we are passionate about conservation of wild animals and will continue to do all in our power to ensure that great rhino sightings endure forever in this beautiful part of the world.

New hope and inspiration brought on by the sighting of a baby White Rhino - Adam Bannister

“World Rhino Day, a global campaign initiated by WWF, calls on all concerned citizens of the world to dust off their vuvuzelas, toot their horns, blow their didgeridoos and make as much noise as possible at 1:00 PM Central Africa Time (CAT), as a symbolic act to send a powerful message to leaders that the time to take serious and effective action against rhino poaching is now” – http://www.rhinoconservation.org

Written, filmed and photographed by Adam Bannister

A few weeks ago, Land Rover unveiled their brand new electric Land Rover at South Africa’s Tourism Indaba held in Durban. Their product is, quite simply, stunning and heralds a turning point in the era of sustainable tourism and zero emissions safaris. For us at Londolozi and, in particular, for our General Manager Stoff Kane-Berman, the commercial production of this electric Land Rover is the realisation of a three year dream pioneering this new aspect of the African safari experience.

Land Rover's Electric Game Viewer

Land Rover’s electric vehicle was developed in conjunction with Barkers Performance products and features a bespoke battery system which incorporates Axeon’s properietary Battery Management System (BMS). This system fits straight into area where the traditional engine would lie and allows for the same maneuverability and ground clearance through rugged terrain.

Says Kevin Flynn, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and Sub-Sahara Africa: “The Electric Game Viewer Concept is the perfect synergy of the Defender’s outstanding reputation as the definitive game viewing vehicle, as well as our drive to reduce emissions. The all-electric game viewer concept, has zero tailpipe emissions, thus offering a clean and silent operation, and reducing the impact on the highly sensitive environment in which these vehicles operate.”

Underneath the Hood of the Electric Land Rover

As for the drive itself, it is a silent and seamless experience with zero carbon emissions occurring at all. Charged from a conventional plug point or a solar charging unit, the vehicle can attest to truly emitting zero emissions except in its manufacturing. The vehicle handles itself with a sufficient amount of torque and power to go anywhere that the traditional Land Rovers can.

Londolozi's Fleet of Zero Emissions Vehicles: Golf Carts, Land Rover and Tractor

Here at Londolozi, we are still using Prototype number three of our own electrically converted Land Rover whilst we wait for our fleet to include a few of Land Rover’s electric vehicles. Fortunately our zero emissions Land Rover is not alone in the garage as our current zero emissions fleet also includes two solar-powered golf carts and a solar-powered tractor. Until then, the pioneering continues…

From the lush wetlands of Botswana’s Okavango Delta comes the suspense-filled tale of a determined lioness ready to try anything—and willing to risk everything—to keep her family alive. In the latest documentary by acclaimed wildlife filmmaker, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, The Last Lions follow the epic journey of a lioness named Ma di Tau (“Mother of Lions”) as she battles to protect her cubs against a daunting onslaught of enemies in order to ensure their survival.

The gripping real-life saga of Ma di Tau, her cubs, the buffalo, and the rival pride unfolds inside a stark reality: Lions are vanishing from the wild. In the last 50 years, lion populations have plummeted from 450,000 to as few as 20,000. Dereck and Beverly Joubert weave their dramatic storytelling and breathtaking, up-close footage around a resonating question: Are Ma di Tau and her young to be among the last lions? Or will we as humans, having seen how tough, courageous and poignant their lives in the wild are, be moved to make a difference?

Dereck and Beverly Joubert

It is the plight of big cats that attracts their major effort today. Dereck and Beverly established the Big Cats Initiative, a program with National Geographic designed as an emergency action fund to drive the world’s attention to big cats and to develop real solutions to stop the decline that has seen lion numbers drop from 450,000 to 20,000 in 50 years.
“We no longer have the luxury of time when it comes to big cats,” says Dereck. “They are in such a downward spiral that if we hesitate now, we will be responsible for extinctions across the globe. If there was ever a time to take action, it is now.”

Watch The Last Lions trailer above and National Geographic will contribute $.10 for each viewing until the video hits one million YouTube views. To find out more about The Last Lions as well as the declining population of lions in Africa, click here.

Filmmaking for them has always been a way to bring the message of conservation to audiences, and it is estimated that over a billion viewers have seen their film Eternal Enemies.
Their recent expansion into conservation tourism via their new company, Great Plains, is a venture into community/conservation partnerships in Africa, and Great Plains has received international awards for responsible tourism.

Great Plains Conservation

It is the Jouberts’ belief that while some areas need the wilderness to be maintained in isolation, other areas will disappear unless viable, extremely-light-ecological-footprint (low-volume, high-cost) benefits are generated for communities. The total amount of impacted conservation land under Great Plains influence is about 1.5 million acres (607,000 hectares). These projects all aim to rehabilitate the environment and return these vast tracts of land to nature.
To find out more about Great Plains, click here.

Most of all I encourage you to go and watch this profound movie.  The incredible storytelling and  wildlife sequences are combined with beautiful cinematography and a message which spoke directly to my conscience.  It is clear: lion populations are diminishing in Africa and we need to do something about it.  Both awareness and action are positive, vital steps in enhancing the awakening of a greater global consciousness towards our planet.  By sharing this and encouraging those around you to see this movie, you are part of the tribe building momentum towards this global brain.

If any of you have already seen the movie, I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

2010 was the year of the rhino for Londolozi.  6 members of our team partook in the greulling Challenge4aCause in order to raise money and awareness for the Save the Rhino Trust in Damaraland.  Now 6 months later, the cause for the protection of black and white rhino in Southern Africa is only getting stronger.  One such conservation initiative is the Black Rhino Range Expansion project in conjunction with the WWF and supported by the Mazda Wildlife Foundation.

The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project aims to increase land available for black rhino conservation, thereby increasing numbers of this critically endangered species. This is done by forming partnerships with landowners with large areas of black rhino habitat. Usually several landowners agree to remove internal fences in order to create large enough areas to hold a significant population of black rhino. The Project also supports security measures on important black rhino source populations.

The critically endangered black rhino continued to expand into its historical range when a founder population of 13 animals was released on to a new home in Limpopo province recently. The animals form the sixth founder population created through the WWF/ Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Black Rhino Range Expansion Project.

The recent surge in rhino poaching underlines the importance of conservation initiatives like the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project, WWF project leader Dr Jacques Flamand explained. “There are two sides to good rhino conservation. One is intensive security for existing populations. The other is managing to make sure that your population grows as fast as possible. If you do not manage for high population growth rate, then effectively over time you are losing a lot of animals that could have been born. Rapid population growth rate can mean the difference between survival and extinction for a critically endangered species.”

98 black rhino have been translocated through the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project so far, and at least 26 calves have been born on project sites. One site already has 11 calves, and 10 calves have been born in 2010. “We wanted a minimum of 5% growth per year, and now we’re reaching more than 7% on some of our project sites, which is very good to see,” says Dr Flamand. “Also, indications are that the growth rate is improving on source populations such as Imfolozi, which was a concern before.”

There are currently about 4500 black rhino left in Africa, up from the lowest point of about 2100 in the early 1990s. Black rhino have a reputation for being bad-tempered but in fact are just shy and nervous of strangers. New research suggests they have social structures that were previously not recognised.

The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project aims to increase land available for black rhino conservation, thereby increasing numbers of this critically endangered species. This is done by forming partnerships with landowners with large areas of black rhino habitat. Usually several landowners agree to remove internal fences in order to create large enough areas to hold a significant population of black rhino. The Project also supports security measures on important black rhino source populations.

Video and Copy: Rhinos are Critically Endangered from Green Renaissance on Vimeo.

The Sabi Sands WildTuin (Game Reserve) recently completed a massive census of the herbivore species that move freely throughout the reserve as well as in and out of the Kruger National Park. When the census came out, we were pleased and, of course, happy to report that many of the large densities of animals occur within the Londolozi property.

Sabi Sands Wildtuin

The long term land management of Londolozi has shown extremely positive results of the course of the last three decades. With yearly financial investments in developing, protecting and working with the habitats throughout Londolozi as well as following early guidance from ecologist Ken Tinley, there now is a significantly obvious trend towards how many of the herbivore species have been attracted onto Londolozi to graze, create home ranges and territories here. Naturally the predators follow the abundance of prey species (herbivores) and as a result the densities of Leopard, Lion and Hyena for game viewing are prolific.

See below the different density maps of the species:

Buffalo Density Sabi Sands Wildtuin

The big herds of buffalo are indicated on this map as being in our south eastern corner, very close to the Sand River.  These herds will, however frequently move along grasslands towards other sources of water both north and south from the indicated postions.

Impala Density Sabi Sands Wildtuin

Impala are frequently found along the Sand River as well as in the areas surrounding both north and south of the Londolozi Camps.  There is also a large portion on our eastern boundary.

Hippo Density Sabi Sands Wildtuin

Giraffe Density Sabi Sands Wildtuin

Dear Friends,

Despite the enormous changes in the economies of the developed world and the strengthening of our local currency, 2010 has been a great year with a welcome boost from the Soccer World Cup.  We particularly enjoyed presenting the luxurious and flexible New Pioneer Camp 1926 to our friends around the world.  In the true spirit of partnership you have supported us with bookings beyond anything we could have imagined.  Pioneer Camp has been well received by all who have stayed there so far.

In parallel with this new development the operational leadership team and our camp managers have been working closely with Shan Varty in a relentless drive to get, and keep, all the other camps into Picture Perfect (PP) order.  The so called PP program never sleeps and, so it seems, neither does the Londolozi management in their ongoing desire to continually “sharpen” the Londolozi Experience for our guests.

Chris Kane Berman continues to guide Londolozi toward cutting edge sustainable technology with the production of his third prototype electric Land Rover now in service.  Prototype No 2 caught fire one eventful evening leaving Kane Berman literally putting out fires…

We certainly see philanthropy as a growing global trend and in this regard the Good Work Foundation’s (gwf) footprint in the neighboring communities continues to grow.

During 2010 many graduation ceremonies have taken place as successful graduates completed courses in basic computer skills, typing skills, ICDL Certification, FGASA level 1 and 2, English literacy level 1 – 4, cooking, food and beverage, hospitality, game ranging and computer repair.

The gwf continues to apply its strategy of the 4 pillars of hope  (Digital, English, Creativity and Environmental Literacy ) in all its educational interventions throughout many of our neighboring schools.  Additionally, a number of teacher training workshops in creativity and First Aid have been held at the Londolozi learning centre.

The gwf results for 2010 speak for themselves :

• 30 teachers have received First Aid certificates.
• Training and resources have been provided for 20 Home Based care givers.
• A pilot Digital Literacy programme is operational at a local High School.  It is open to students, teachers and parents, many of whom have already obtained the ICDL qualification.
• Vibrant English Literacy teaching continues at the Sam Nzime School near Londolozi.
• The 4 pillars of hope guest tour, exclusive to Londolozi, includes lunch and entertainment at “Ma Public” and the proceeds from these tours continue to support four small yet sustainable businesses where the gwf provides ongoing guidance to these dynamic entrepreneurs.
• The gardens project has found its own way and is now being run as a co-operative with a number of individuals having gardens in their own homes and supplying the lodge with vegetables on an ad hoc basis. — Readers are warned —  ‘Spinach prices are set to plummet this season due to massive over supply in the local markets.’
• Finally my own particular favorite…… Londolozi buys 100% of all toilet paper used on site at the lodge from the Dabuka women’s co-operative – single and double ply available!  These ongoing training teaching and capacity support efforts are made possible because of you and your support!

'Reingers' Pulling Christmas Sleigh

And so, on behalf of 200 Londolozi staff members and at least 2500 of their extended family — THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! for being our partners in trade; choosing us as your safari destination and for making Londolozi happen.

IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR EFFORTS AND IN THE TRADITION OF OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS VIDEO: WE PRESENT………FROM THE  BUSHVELD FILM STUDIOS OF LONDOLOZI, SOUTH AFRICA ……. TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE TRADE ACROSS THE WORLD……..THE LONG AWAITED,  THE INCREDIBLE, THE  UNFORGETTABLE, THE UPLIFTING…….NEVER BEFORE SEEN ON SCREEN  —– “ LONDOLOZI …CHRISTMAS VIDEO 2010”

********We invite you to make a contribution to the gwf’s Christmas Drive - Simply make an online donation of any amount to the below bank accounts.  All Christmas donations will be used to purchase gifts for the children in our surrounding communities.   *********

Bank Details:

1.
The Good Work Foundation
Bank: ABSA Bank Nelspruit
Acc Number: 4066398366
Branch Code: 632005
Swift Address: ABSA ZA JJ
Web: www.absa.co.za

2.
Paypal account for International Donations
Click on this link to the LEAP website
Scroll down to the bottom of the page
Click on ‘Donate‘ button

NB: Please reference your payment with ‘Christmas‘ and ‘Your Name‘

“This is arguably one of the biggest problems in the world”

“Really?  How much of a problem can seafood be?” I thought to myself whilst beginning to watch ‘The End of the Line’, a brand new documentary written by British journalist Charles Clover.

Well it turns out quite a significant one….After seeing a sneak preview of this new film my eyes were swiftly awakened to the global issue of the steadily demising seafood industry.  What really made the doccie stand out however, was that by the end of it I truly agree that this is indeed arguably one of the biggest problems in the world.

Charles Clover was recently with us at Londolozi and believes that turning this problem around is possible with individual action: “As consumers we have the power to bring about a positive change at sea by demanding to know where our fish comes from, how it was caught and whether it is endangered.  Knowledge is power and what knowledge gives you is the opportunity to change the way you that you do things, to change the way you behave.”

This much is true at sea as it is on land.  As Dave Varty has said ‘The age of restoration will be born from the age of information” and with this information comes choice through which to channel your actions.  There are many more individuals and organisations like Charles who are actively striving to live with greater sustainability and reverence for the planet.  We are one of those organisations and our passion for implementing sustainability extends to both land and sea.

As such we would actively like to encourage you to go and watch this documentary whether you are in South Africa or in your own country.   It is profoundly interesting and will give you even more reason to live sustainably.  I would also like to encourage you to post examples in the comments below of how you have implemented sustainable living in your own life in any form.  I can humbly say that we have begun the journey here at Londolozi but still have a long way to go and are always looking for new ideas….

The End of the Line

For South Africa citizens, The End of the Line will be released in South Africa on the 22nd October at Nu Metro and Ster Kinekor cinemas in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Pretoria.

Nearly all of the articles I read about sustainability are toting ‘The Next Big Thing’.  They talk about developments in this technology, challenges in that research and results in others.  The sustainability revolution has gained massive traction over the last 4 years, however it has also demonstrated to me how much innovation we still need to create.

As an Eco-Tourism destination it is necessary for Londolozi to be at the forefront of sustainable tourism in Southern Africa and sustainable energy usage on site, in the natural environment.  Currently our most significant projects are the Vegetable Gardens and the Zero Emissions Land Rover.  The veggie gardens have been planted in the Londolozi village and communities surrounding the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.  The Zero Emissions Land Rover is a long running project aimed at developing the first electric Land Rover to allow guests an emissions free and silent safari experience whilst at Londolozi.

Not too long ago, we gained yet another sustainability project.  Waiting until the end of winter, when the water level on the causeway was at its lowest, Robert Sithole and the habitat crew installed a hydropump powered by the natural flow of the Sand River.

Hydropump Setup

Owing to a new dam which was built in Marthly to provide alternative locations for hippo populations to flourish, the hydropump had its first test:  Pumping water 2.5 kilometers uphill to fill up the new dam.  After a few test runs and small tweaks, the blades spun in the current, water was sucked into the pipes and a short while after began to gush out the other end into Mahlahla dam.

Hydropump Basic Device

As the pump is powered by 100% natural hydroenergy it also provides another alternative solution to electricity out here in the wilderness.  The next step for Robert and the habitat team is to see how the the hydroblades work as an alternative energy source for houses and eventually the entire lodge.  Some of the larger questions are significant and require long-term thinking to solve…How much energy does this hydroblade solution produces? Will it be enough power to run a house, a camp, a village or just the lodges?  Will we need to combine this energy source with solar power to get enough energy? What is the potential for charging the Zero Emissions vehicle from this natural energy source?

I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on what challenges towards sustainability you are noticing in your own country.  There has been a big focus on tidal turbine energy in the UK recently, whilst Solar Energy continues to gain momentum in the USA and the development of electric cars continues its trend in China.  What have you noticed in your home and country?

If you enjoyed this blog, please vote for us in the SA Blog Awards.  Click on this link and follow the instructions – Your vote makes all the difference to us.

Vegetables aren’t the first thing that come to mind when you think of an African Safari.  Wild animals, ancient trees and bushveld thunderstorms are perhaps more resonant with this much used term and yet the more I look at it, the more I believe that vegetables should be one of the instant connotations of an African Safari.

Recently I watched a documentary called ‘The Coconut Revolution’.  After falling victim to the profit driven motives of a massive mining conglomerate, a community of people on the island of Bougainville, south of Papua New Guinea, found their beautiful island being ruined by excessive mining.  As would most people, the islanders retaliated in defence.  Over the years, a bush war ensued in which their island became blockaded, forcing them to exist in true harmony with their environment in order to survive.  To say that necessity was the mother of invention for these islanders is a complete understatement….

To begin with, each family became responsible for growing and tending their own vegetable gardens.  This gentle immersion forced them to truly understand their natural world.  Out of this simple step the islanders grew to develop homeopathic bush medicine, generate hydroelectric electricity by combining waterfalls and derelict engines as well as to find a thousand and one different uses for the coconut.  In fact, more interesting than the use of coconuts to make bowls, soap, lamp oil, nutrient rich drinks, baskets, clothes and musical instruments was their ability to derive high grade coconut oil which could run their motorised vehicles.

What I find most inspiring about this story was the sustainable solutions that these people sought and accomplished.  It was my high school geography teacher who told me to “Act local and think global”.  I believe that this style of thinking is the groundswell momentum that signified the success of the Bougainville people and will give traction to the rest of the planets achingly slow movement towards sustainability.

At Londolozi, we believe that taking a leaf out of the Bougainville islanders hat is a great start to being the change we wish to seek in the world.  By creating vegetable gardens in our staff village and empowering our staff to create vegetable gardens in their own rural villages, we all take one step closer to living more sustainably.  We move towards being self-reliant and away from engaging our commonly used systems that are detrimental to the planet.

As with Bougainville, we wish these vegetable gardens to be the catalyst for developing a trend towards living in greater harmony with nature.  A harmony which works with us and a harmony which allows for the necessity of lessening our impact on the planet to drive invention further and further down the track.

So next time you see a small vegetable garden on your trip into the reserve or go on a visit in the rural communities that border Londolozi Game Reserve, take cognisance of the first small steps that are being laid to fulfill a much greater vision that will benefit all.

Written and Photographed by: Rich Laburn

Part of our big drive towards sustainability throughout Londolozi has been the development of a nursery and vegetable gardens in the Londolozi village.  These hotspots are the foundations of a greater goal to decrease our carbon footprint whilst increasing the sustainability of organic foods and local champions’ income.  The vegetables grown by the individuals at Londolozi are bought by the kitchen to ensure that fresh, organic produce is always being served to our guests.

Recently, Reel Gardening spent some time at Londolozi and the surrounding communities to help in the development of these vegetable gardens.  Reel Gardening is a simple, cost-effective and convenient means for people to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers from seed.  Their product is a pre-fertilised seed strip that encases seeds in biodegradable paper.  The strips indicate the correct depth that the seeds should be buried with a coloured line and the seeds are placed at the correct distance apart from one another inside the strips.

Sean and Nick from Reel Gardening spent two days working with local people to train and assists them in the development, planting and maintenance of their new vegetable gardens so as to ensure the greatest possible yield.  What makes Reel Gardening such a great idea for the development of local vegetable gardens is the ease and simplicity in which it empowers people to become managers of their own produce.

With results already evident, the success of this project looks certain.  We hope to continue to see the growth of these vegetable gardens both at Londolozi and the surrounding communities.

Written & photographed by: Rich Laburn

Robert Sithole, Londolozi Habitat manager, is pioneering local industry and a lighter footprint through the initiation of his nursery and vegetable garden.  Situated at the back of the Londolozi village, the nursery and vegetable garden have recently been restored and given a fresh outlook as a result of the planting and potting that has taken place over the last few weeks.

he development of both projects have been done in order to assist the entire Londolozi family in leaving a lighter footprint.  The vegetables grown here will be sold to the kitchen and the plants used throughout the camps as well as along Madiba’s Way, the walk that Madiba took when he first visited Londolozi upon his release from prison.

Guests at Londolozi will also have the opportunity to contribute to a greener planet by buying and planting a tree grown at the nursery along Madiba’s Way or in the camp in which they are staying.

With the assistance of Kenneth Jazi and Dave Varty, this model of sustainable development is also being spearheaded by Robert outside the reserve.  He is currently setting up a similar nursery/vegetable garden setup in a community called Huntington which includes a borehole for irrigation, a supply of seed and saplings and now, demand from the Londolozi kitchen for freshly grown local produce.

Well done Robert, we look forward to watching your vegetable garden and nursery expand as well as the continuing growth of the trees.

Written and Photographed by: Rich Laburn

The future in perspective

Being carefully turned in the candlelight, crystalline reflections were cast across the scroll strewn desk. Angular yet polished, shining yet black as the unlit night, the previously worthless anthracite was becoming the focus of one of the world’s greatest minds. A pair of well worn hands lightly followed the cleaved boundaries as the rock’s discovery was told by an immaculately turned out senator, his tunic golden in the dim illumination, aptly matching the fossilised amber hanging from the Emperor’s neck. Under the all too common canvas, the politician could feel the tangible weight of his superior’s intellect as the details of extraction and combustion were divulged, almost seeing the birth of industry dancing in those deep eyes; the visions of fully mechanised campaigns that would succeed success in Gaul, life for the populous of the Empire incomparably bettered through plenty and luxury, the spread of civilisation into the wild lands.

Had Marcus Aurelius discovered fossil fuels and thus stimulated an industrial revolution akin to ours, population numbers and moderation notwithstanding, the Earth would now be a very different place. A summer’s afternoon picnic would not blossom amongst the delicate flowers of an alpine meadow, but instead be hosted by a swathe of coarse hardy grass adjacent to some hulking shadow of former industrialised glory. Manufactured fungal protein would replace the sumptuous steak sandwiches, and there would be no orange, chocolate or coffee to amuse the palette. Satiated sunbathing wouldn’t be a temptation, the sky having been scorched by some overzealous geo-engineers a number of centuries ago; fruitless attempts to mitigate rising temperatures. Finally the children, instead of running barefoot through the woodland and gleefully shouting after the wildlife that issued from nearby hollows and boughs, would chatter quietly on the verge of the concreted vehicle bays, each with their virtual reality glasses on, taking the ‘Rainforest Experience’. On returning they ask their equally perplexed parents if they remembered what the forest smelt like.

In this parallel history, the short term decisions the Romans took to revel in a few hundred years of hard earned, high carbon opulence led to the eventual climatic collapse of various natural systems, bequeathing a forced synthetic future, characterised by grey squalor, to almost a millennia of their earthly descendents. If this parallel story was indeed ours, it is curious to think how history would remember the Romans.

If the international climate accord, activities and attitudes remain unchanged, the current cohort of powerful political leaders and subservient civilian voters may become bitterly viewed by the coming generations. The final outcome of the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen was a relatively inert agreement that was a last minute product of two weeks of negotiation; a fortnight dominated by self-service, short-sightedness and confusion. Although it was the first time that developing countries had found such a strong voice in the global arena, the resulting ‘Copenhagen Accord’ lacks any principled substance (such as global emissions targets and related timeframes) that could ensure an ambitious, fair and legally binding climate deal. It also is only “noted” by the UN, not actually adopted, so its function currently remains unclear. The USA, China, and Saudi Arabia are specific parties who have attracted significant criticism in the Copenhagen fallout, commonly being recognised for respectively ignoring their historic responsibilities, blocking the legal aspects of the negotiations, and making all possible moves to disrupt consensus amongst the parties. Rays of light in comparison to these inhibitory fossils were the nation of Tuvalu for strongly voicing the need for a comprehensive agreement, Brazil for volunteering significant finance when not obliged to, and (once again) the UN Secretary General for some remarkable diplomacy.

As a process, these are mere tips of the beautifully proverbial iceberg. There were many more relationships built and lost, hidden discussions, leaked documents and impasses than can possibly be described in a coherent text, and this complexity and inherent dysfunction is causing a number of parties to lose confidence in this entire practice, the faith ironically melting away with the diagnostic icebergs.

So what becomes of the world, particularly those whose ancestors have laboured to create the now drying Sub-Saharan Africa and the now sinking small ocean states, while all the talk continues? Given man’s significant exacerbation of the natural cosmic cycles that have dictated the Earth’s meteorology for billions of years, changes in our activities can genuinely change the climatic path of the world. We have two clear options. We can continue with business as usual, feeding insatiable consumer lifestyles, shying from political boldness and so condemning future humanity to a narrative of struggle in the spluttering world alluded to earlier. Alternatively the existing suite of world leaders, arguably the most powerful people who have ever lived, can use the insubstantial but not meaningless ‘accord’ as a basis for building a strong international treaty during the course of this year, swiftly incentivising all sectors to pursue holistic sustainability. Only with clear guidance within an accepted paradigm will developed society then consider forgoing their ‘rights’ to unlimited electricity, second cars, new shoes and beef Wellington, in so not jeopardising the longevity of folk capriciously born into less fortunate communities.

If we are able to transform our language from the dominating but narrow, short term economics to one that genuinely values natural and human assets, there is yet hope. This very possible alternative unfortunately won’t ensure the perpetual existence of the human race, though it would give foreseeable generations licence to exist more harmoniously amongst both natural and philosophically bright greenery.

The silence is profound but strangely incomplete, as the quiet thickness of the water carries the soft scraping of grazing creatures to your ears. The weightlessness is soothing but not quite total, the lethargic grouper gently bobbing with his mass, mirroring your own breath-induced undulations. The vivid vibrancy of the vital colors harks back to the delicate grandeur of the finest botanical gardens, though these winding paths, raised beds, fragile trellises and inviting bowers have been shaped by their own design, surpassing the wonder and finery of the most skillful hands with the simple passage of aquatic time. The minute coral heads stretch longingly into the passing waters. A group of young box fish pilot their yellow cuboid forms amongst some red-hued tentacles, clumsily foraging. The dark eyes of a spotted moray eel leer out from his calcified castle, matching his markings and giving him an even more mythological flavor. The magnificent but terrible form of a white-tip reef shark cruises above as an ominous silhouette, a shadow reminding you that down in this realm it is not man that rules.

With more sound but in the same manner, the elephant rule the plains. Journeying to the ends of their earth, they track the meandering rains and browse the life-giving greenery, their sonorous sub-sonic calls falling on all ears and announcing their lordly satisfaction. Carrying across the waters, their deep resonance prickles the senses of kindred kings, the big bears that rule their own wooded slopes. They consider everything to be both friend and food, and make stealth and oafishness their trade in equal measure. Relaying this message of majesty, their husky roars break out from the forest and rise up into the clouded kingdom of the warm mountains, the eerie elfin woodlands found rarely in this world. The calls drift around the dwarf trees, slowly moving through the mists and moss, looking in vain for a mighty sovereign. As it becomes almost a dying whisper, it is echoed from up on a deep green leaf, a short, shrill trill from a bright blue tree frog, a humble ruler more by default than by domination.

Such sights, smells and sounds are all food for the soul, boundless reflections of purity that offer the beholder more than just visual splendor. Their untold philosophical worth to our busy, troubled humanity is really without peer, while their role in the functioning of our still natural world has value greater than the greatest of all economies. The richest of ironies is the apparent neglect of this indescribable significance. Without being checked, our penchant for burning things will dangerously exacerbate any natural climatic trends through the greenhouse effect, and leave the reefs bleached and lifeless, the elephant diminished and wandering, the bears more confused and the cloud forests but a memory. The calls of nature’s kingship which carry the story of life itself will be resigned to sadly verbose descriptions in the books of our children. This brings us to the current tale, where the judgement of both ourselves and our environment lies in the hands of the political few, currently congregating in the Danish city of Copenhagen.

The sea chose to cloak the coastal city in haunting mystery during the opening hours of the UN climate change conference. Both the neo-gothic buildings and the rotating blades of the wind turbines periodically disappeared into the fog as we approached the Bella Centre on the unmanned electric metro, our charge presumably being powered by the spinning offshore sentinels. Taking stock as the freezing air drew away our morning vagueness, the homogenously well-shod characters in the registration queue revealed their true international identity, musical accents and strange dialects not heeding the hats, scarves and gloves that they hid behind. Steaming cups of fair-trade coffee were being shared by elaborately dressed activists while a few low budget climate skeptics waved printed handouts at the uninterested line of NGO members, at that point more interested in shelter than in dialog. Still, there remained an undeniable electricity in the air, an uncertainty that was quiet but not calm, the changeable tone of the voices revealing the magnitude of the occasion. Being admitted with our tattered nomination letters and filing past the courteous but edgy security guards, we were met with both an ecologically sensible temperature rise and a marvelously random drama: while a group of South American tribesman beat their drums and blew the horns of their forefathers, a pretty blond girl cycled leisurely past selling organic apples from a basket, a few suited and serious delegates were solving problems over some creamed caffeine, and the bright eyes of all the world were hurrying past to various side events, overflowing with the newfound hope and excitement that has been growing in the past weeks as momentum has built.

Some whispers say that this is the most important international meeting since WWII, while the more zealous insist it’s the most significant in the history of mankind. Whichever way, the negotiations between the plethora of countries that grace Bella’s halls will decide how the industrial world compensates the emerging countries for the climatic damage they’ve inflicted, what the flow of finances will look like to help the poorer countries conserve and adapt, and how these emissions cuts and responsibilities will be shared out. However, at present it, is looking relatively unlikely to draw together a proper, international, legally binding ‘Copenhagen Protocol’; we’ll probably see a ‘framework’ created, with the details filled in later next year. The preparatory discussions have primarily become mired around the responsibilities of the ‘North’ and ‘South’, the negotiations at times more closely resembling an unsuccessful children’s tea party than a progressive climate summit. This is where the magnificent power of true altruism, the selflessness that we witness at battle lines, in the family, and on the pavements, is entirely necessary to resolve this most challenging of problems. Greater harm to both humanity and the nature in which we reside will only be prevented by some level of self-sacrifice. These next two weeks will tell indeed.

Zero Emissions Safari Vehicle

Climate change, destruction of eco-systems, carbon emissions and natural disasters are increasingly more common.  How many of us set the intention to take responsibility for these issues?  We should act on Gandhi’s advice by being the change we want to see in the world.

Eco tourism is the most fitting place for a sustainable approach to be taken.  Yet still we all drive game viewers that emit fumes, utilize electricity powered with fossil fuels and use products that are nonessential.

Developing a sustainable lifestyle does not come about overnight though.  It is a gradual shift in thinking and requires all parties concerned to understand the higher ideal.  It is comprised of many small, achievable acts of kindness to the planet that generate momentum for the collective consciousness and culture.

Photographic Safari Vehicle

Our current driver in this movement is the Zero Emissions Safari vehicle.  The first of its kind, this electric powered Land Rover is now well into phase two of the project.  Using a recycled Londolozi Land Rover’s body, the vehicle runs smoothly, silently and with no emissions, other than that of the electricity used to charge it.  Costing six cents as opposed to six rand per liter is a further key element in this project’s contribution towards sustainability.

Harnessing the power of natural energy is our next goal.  If you can imagine solar panels charging long lasting lithium ion batteries, providing sustainable and free energy then you can imagine the future of this project.

This process not only sensitizes us to the needs of our environment but also to the needs of our guests.  With the wealth of affordable digital photographic equipment available and the appeal of wildlife photography, our specialized photographic safari vehicle is popular.  This modified Land Rover is designed to give photographers a unique opportunity to take great pictures.  Swiveling seats, Wimberley heads, video and SLR cameras, night vision goggles and a rifle microphone are there to enhance the safari experience.

Although there are many issues we can’t change, we are taking the journey of working towards the things that we can both for our treasured environment and for our guests.  We would love to hear what you think of the vehicles as well as any ideas that you think could make your safari even better.

Written, Filmed and Photographed by: Rich Laburn

The very next day, with the same honoured elderly guests, we bumped into a female leopard and two eleven-month old cubs on a midday hunt. Once again it was time to test the battery powered prototype Land Rover as we followed the mother leopard on her expert hunt.

The result was fantastic. As the beautiful female silently moved and changed her position, so too could I silently reposition the vehicle, keeping my guests in the optimum position without disturbing the hunt. The monkeys were onto her and their chatter set off the impala alarm call so the tension built. We were able to experience all of this uninhibited by engine noise, allowing my guests to enjoy the full spectrum of the subtleties of a great hunter at work.

The cubs showed themselves, compromising the entire hunt, which in turn brought on a heightened crescendo of alarm calls, squirrel chatter and anxious Francolin cries. We could appreciate all of this from our silent vantage point.

Verdict: The Battery powered, silent, prototype Land Rover brings many positive new dimensions to the game drive experience, particularly from an exciting audio perspective.

Dave Varty

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Last month, I took out Ross and Renee Parry Davies – guests who first visited Londolozi in 1974. The virgin bush is much the same but this time their game drive was in a solar-powered Land Rover!

In 35 years of guiding this was my first game drive in a vehicle that was being powered by renewable energy. I was entirely dependent on the power of ancient sunlight.

Horror of all horrors, we located a pride of lions sleeping deep within the Manyeleti River bed. Access into the sighting was a steep incline plastered with thick river sand. My guests were over 80 years old and completely immobile…getting stuck was just not an option.

How would this new, fandangled, battery-powered Land Rover perform? This old dog of a guide did not want to learn new tricks at this stage.

Unbelievably, we managed to maneuver into position. Moving slowly and silently with plenty of torque, the battery powered vehicle’scapability proved to be better than the traditional V8.

The lionesses and their eight cubs were totally relaxed and the adults soon fell back to sleep

What a great experience, a real window into the future of silent observation, to a lighter footprint and greater engagement with the sights, sounds and smells of a truly wild area.

Dave Varty