When one looks at the safari industry, it is difficult to find a brand more iconically representative thereof than the Land Rover.
For decades these faithful vehicles have been carrying visitors to Africa through some of the harshest terrain imaginable, and although many other 4x4s have now also carved themselves niches in the industry, the Land Rover Defender has – at least for me – been the embodiment of the African Adventure.
Now, sadly, it is time to say goodbye.
At 09:22 English time at the West Midlands’ Solihull factory, the last ever Land Rover Defender, number H166 HUE, rolled off the production line, and the sun set on an era.
John Varty, powering across the Sand River with a loaded vehicle of guests.
Things may have changed in terms of the style of the vehicles or the number of guests we put on them but the Land Rover Defenders continue to perform just the same today as they did many years ago.
That was quite a confusing paragraph though, wasn’t it?
Moving on…
Londolozi has a long history with Land Rover, with the first clapped-out vehicles being purchased by an almost broke Dave and John Varty in the early days at the lodge. The first one they owned would invariably breakdown on almost every safari – providing a convenient excuse for a bush walk – and Dave Varty once famously took an entire game drive in reverse, after the gear lever snapped off in his hand.
Slowly but surely Londolozi grew, and with it the land Rover fleet and hopefully the chances of making it through a game drive without some sort of mechanical failure!
Either the suspension had gone or the vehicle was a little back-heavy. Needless to say, the Land Rover Defenders we use today are an improvement on the vehicle in this photo.
An early morning sighting on the Londolozi airstrip, with guides Lucien Beaumont and Rex Miller. The shape of the Defender is incredibly iconic.
Land Rovers line up to pick up a group at the Londolozi airstrip.
I, like many guides past and present from Londolozi, feel a deep sense of nostalgia towards the Defender. I have been stuck in them, I have broken them down (and they have almost broken me down once or twice), I have marveled at their unbelievable ability to growl their way through seemingly unnavigable terrain, and I have loved every second of it.
Whether their future replacement will evoke quite the same kind of emotive attachment remains to be seen, but personally I doubt it. You can’t easily go up against 69 years of history.
Be that as it may, just because they are no longer being produced doesn’t mean we have suddenly done away with all of ours. We still drive them at Londolozi, they still take us through deep sand, oozing quagmires and up the steepest inclines to get into positions from which we can view the splendour of the African bush. That in itself is more than enough to be thankful for.
Land Rover Defender, we salute you and all that you represent. For the sightings, the tractor extractions, the hours in you under the hot sun, the slow trundles in low range along the dry watercourses, the shared Gin and Tonics around your bonnet and the warm cups of coffee sipped while watching the African sunrise, hands sometimes pressed to the hood above your engine to capture some slight extra warmth on a freezing winter’s morning.
Out of production but certainly not out of action. Still creating lasting memories, hopefully for a long time to come…
We have safari’d many time in one of these and have to say they’ve been hardy safe and remarkable. Through dry sand river beds tracking all manner of animals, to the heavy water flooding the rivers, and bouncing along over rock even with a sore back. We hope to have at least one more drive before they are retired.
And a damned sight more comfortable than a Land Cruiser.
I have a picture of my father driving a Special Air Services Recon Land Rover in 1963 during the Dhofar War, it is an 88 inch short wheel base, with every reflective surface removed , an anti bomb cage over it and re-inforced against I.E.D.s
It is so recognisable with the Land Rovers that are used in Londolozi today – an absolute icon.
It is a shame that today so many of Land Rover’ products do not get the usage they were built for, hence the nickname Chelsea Tractors
Reminds us of the time you got stuck in the Sand River with all our kids! Priceless photos of all of you trying to move the vehicle in vain – a pink pouch endeavor for sure James!
Wonderful tribute to the Landy Defender!