There are many unsung heroes in the Londolozi Family and our reservations team must without a doubt, be some of them. These ladies work tirelessly to ensure that all guests visiting Londolozi are carefully booked into the lodge of their choice and given the unique safari experience that they are after. And so…without any further delay, allow me to introduce you to the Londolozi Reservations Team…
Chantel is a Joburg girl through and through having been born and raised in the city. This however, has not stopped her from taking road trips through the country and its wilderness areas such as the Kruger National Park. Chantel is interested in social relevance and development as well as alternative healing therapy. With her creative imagination, her most memorable moment at Londolozi was standing on the deck at Varty camp and looking out into the vast open bush. She describes it as ‘instant soul renewal’ and an ‘AHA’ moment of note.
Vida has been the backbone of the Londolozi reservations team for many years and is one of the original members of the Londolozi family. Apart from her love of Londolozi, her passions also lie in her family, friends, the ocean and horseriding. Vida has one of her most memorable experiences at Londolozi in November 2009 when she went out with Julius and Richard for an extensive big cat experience with what she describes as ‘the most awesome leopard and lion sightings I have ever experienced in my life’.
Born in England before moving to Scotland and then South Africa for good in 1980, Linda is a travel expert. Having been in the industry for over 30 years, she recounts her most interesting trip as going to Rio de Janerio for the weekend. When it comes to Africa, Linda loves the quote by R Eliot which says “If you only visit two continents in your life, visit Africa twice.’
Leighanne grew up all over South Africa from East London to the Free State, Pretoria and finally Johannesburg. Her passions are nature, family and a well cooked pizza. She is known as the joker in the office owing to her wonderful sense of humour and imitations of people. Leighanne recalls her favourite Londolozi experience as hearing and seeing a pride of 12 lions surround the vehicle and all roar at the same time.
Elsje is one of the early members of the Londolozi Family, starting in 1978 where she was involved in every aspect of the running the camp until 1980. She returned to join the reservations team in 2007 and has been a valuable asset ever since. Elsje gets excited every time a reservation is confirmed as she knows what a wonderful experience the guests have ahead of them…she has even mentioned that she is envious that they are going and not her! Since first visiting Londolozi, Elsje says that "every visit to the bush is different and exciting, there is always a new experience, but best of all for me is when the lions roar at night."
Born and raised in Natal, Nichola studied Tourism at the University of Pretoria before heading to the UK for 9 years where she worked in the Travel Industry doing Marketing for an Africa Tour Operator. She has travelled extensively whilst overseas and experienced many memorable locations and adventures! Nichola has just returned back to SA and is ecstatic to be home! Her passions are travelling, baking, family & friends and having fun wherever she is!
Photographed by: rich
What a group! There job should be easy…..Londolozi visit is a no brainer :>)
Sorry…I know better. I teach English. It should read their not there…..job. My bad.
Nice to meet you ladies, and oh how I hope to be in touch in the not too distant future…….
Fantastic to hear Sheena, we look forward to seeing you back at Londoz!
All the best to the team !
What a wonderful team. Miss each and every one of you.
WOW beauty and brains ! what can i say THE A TEAM!
Great to put faces to the voices and emails, than you for all your help over the years , in particular Linda and Chantal, catch up soon x
siete bellissime!!
am interested in how John is doing having just recently been injured….I’ve followed his career and
enjoyed his documentaries, photography etc. Cannot get any current information…its now June and
wondering how he’s feeling. I inteend to visit Londolozi reserve sometime in the near future..
rhonda bonifede.