A Londolozi article from Vanity Fair UK – Sept 2012
All the luxuries you would expect from a Relais & Chateaux property, but what really sets Londolozi Private Game Reserve apart is the way the staff make guests feel. It’s like a home away from home, and once guests arrive they don’t ever want to leave.
The Londolozi Family in Vanity Fair UK – Sept 2012
It is often said that a house is not the same as a home, and the challenge lies in understanding the fine tuning of moving from the former to the latter. More challenging still is finding that home away from home.
Londolozi Private Game Reserve in South Africa is about as close as you can get, excelling at all the modern comforts and conveniences that make a des-tination stand out—such as creating a unique dish in the kitchen to match each day of the week. When we talk about feeling “at home”, what we really mean is that we feel at ease, that we are surrounded by people with whom we feel comfortable and whom we trust. And that is what guests can expect at Londolozi. “The Londolozi family is a collection of people who are passionate about the safari experience. We have families within our family. We have an accountant who plays moonlight saxophone solos. We have an artist in residence capturing nature’s divine harmony in paint-frozen moments.
We have a filmmaker, a sculptor, philanthropists and a girl from Chicago who never left,” says Boyd Varty. “Over four generations we have realized that the most valuable things in this world can on longer be bought, they have to be lived, that’s what we do” says Dave Varty with a smile. The Varty family, who
own Londolozi, have developed their signature-style of eco-luxury. In addition to first-class surrounds at the Reserve, Londolozi offers guests spellbinding landscapes replete with leopards, rhinos and lions, as well as exotic birds and mesmerising flora. And with over 16,000 hectares of wilderness at your disposal, no two game drives are ever the same.
Keeping in mind that the root of the word Londolozi is Zulu and means “protector of all living things”, Londolozi’s commitment to working with and cherishing the diverse wildlife, truly does go right to their core. The diverse team of experts who lead guests on their safari experience boast a combined guiding and tracking ex-perience of over 100 years, meaning they not only love but also have an intimate knowldge of the surrounds.
Unwind after the splendours of a game drive with a downward dog, practicing yoga in this picturesque setting, or with a massage from the skilled on-site practitioners who will soothe tired muscles with Londolozi’s 1926 Private Collection body range. Relaxed and rejuvenated, guests will leave Londolozi with only one concern—when they can return?
5 days 4 nights…and it was home. Now it’s the home for which my heart yearns. We LOVE Londolozi and everything we experienced and EVERYONE we met. They welcomed us, embraced us, introduced us to their surroundings, culture and lives. The most AMAZING experience we have ever had…
Love it!!! Miss it!!! and WILL return!!!!!
That is wonderful to hear Geri and we so look forward to welcoming you back soon! Thank you for your comments.
Had the most amazing holiday at Londolozi – what a wonderful place – the people, the memories, the feeling that you belong. Totally agree with what other guests say, you truly feel like you are with family. Africa is still our home, and will always be, regardless of where in the world we now live. So, a massive thank you to everyone who made our visit so memorable, especially Tom and Jerry….. We will be back!
Fabulous new promo video!! It’s great to see you all.
We will be back 3/2013 –would love it to be forever instead of 5 days!
We loved it in the early ’80s….I loved it in 2010 and we both are counting days till December 2012 when we’ll be back again to this very special place.
The most soul stirring, life changing week EVER. Truly madly deeply in love with Londolozi. Looking forward to another embrace by your beautiful family again next year!