“I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of stars makes me dream” Vincent Van Gogh
As predators patrolled the banks of the evergreen Sand River and birds began to roost in the trees above, the camps ignited in celebration of Christmas eve with hues of red and gold. Laughter, smiles and family gathered in each of the camps.
With lots to prepare, the kitchen was buzzing early to avoid the midday heat that was looming for a typical Christmas Eve day in the Lowveld. This, our first Christmas in the new Londolozi kitchen was very exciting and with the carols on and chefs singing, so the day unfolded.
Souffles were weighed out, soup was made, salmon and asparagus prepared, chalmar fillets massaged with homemade masala spice rub then skewered and grilled, all while Pastry Chef Liveness Mgiba lovingly made the Amarula Panacottas and honeycomb for the dessert, and portioned the creamy pistachio and cranberry fudge for the tables.
Golden lights tied in the set pieces for the night and created an ambiance that energised the mood of the evening.
Tables laden with copper bowls of cherries, pistachio & cranberry fudge, red roses and raw wood, glistened with candle light. Colours of the bush tied in with hues of red & gold created the theme through all five camps
Executive Chef Anna Ridgewell together with the Tree Camp Sous Chef Thoko Ngobeni and Nomsa Madubula brace themselves before the celebrations begin.
The annual Londolozi Christmas Trees. This year the giraffes wore red and gold.
It truly is something different that can have an impact on it all. A little magic can take you a long way. The set piece for the evening.
Granite boulders nestled in the Sand River provided the perfect Christmas Eve view from Granite Camp Deck. Dramatic skies, elephants below tied into a magical evening that unfolded.
David Dampier, Will Ford, Duncan MacLarty GM and Chris Kane-Berman came together to taste Granite Camp Manager Victoria Hughes Christmas Cocktail – The Parma-Granite which resulted as the winning cocktail of the evening.
Varty Camp Butlers Midah Tshiseve, Colbert Mdluli and Phindile Mazini place their Christmas wreaths on their heads and with big smiles are ready to welcome their guests.
Varty Camp Manager Tippy Brewitt and Greg Minters-Brown ready to mix up the Christmas Cocktails
The ranging team had another incredible magical Christmas Eve safari with amazing sightings under beautiful starry skies. James Souchon, Alfie Mathebula, Nick Sims and Guy Brunskill
The Londolozi Team amplified the magic of the evening, by customising their camps to create tailor made evenings throughout.
Varty Camp Manager Phil Selwyn-Smith shakes up their Cocktail which came in as a close contender to Granite Camp.
Theres no better way to start a festive evening than a selection of carefully thought of cocktails. A splash of vodka, champagne, cranberry, elderflower, berries and fresh sprig of rosemary was all that was needed to cheers the start of the evening
Anna’s three-cheese souffle with a fondue sauce and micro greens was the second starter of the evening
Slow Roasted Tomato, Basil & Coconut Soup with a Caprese Toast and micro basil – deliciously fresh for a hot evening!
Seared Salmon with vanilla dressed fresh asparagus, avocado & tomato salsa with a fresh squeeze of lime
Last touches of prawn and the dish is complete. A fresh selection, beautifully paired with some of South Africa’s finest wines.
Dining worked to perfection. Ingredients carefully hand selected to tie the evening together, generate smiles and laughter and what more to do that than with finishing the evening off with a deliciously smooth Amarula panacotta with fresh berries and honeycomb.
Wishing you all a wonderfully magic festive season and always remember a little magic can take you a long way…
![Kambula Pride Playing On Riverbank (6) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/13085423/Kambula-Pride-playing-on-riverbank-6-RCB-280x178.jpg)
Amazing! Stunning! Magical! Anna the food looked delicious. Beautiful. Londolozi magic.
Thanks Marinda – hope you had a Merry Christmas
Amarula panacotta, yes please!!
Merry Christmas Gregg – yes it was delicious!
Happy Christmas “Chef Anna” from your Sarasota fans, V&M!
See you in July!
Merry Christmas Vin & Michelle! So looking forward to seeing you both again
Merry Christmas, Anna, to you and all your staff for the magic you make year-round!
Merry Christmas to you too Mary Beth! look forward to seeing you in 2019?
All looks great Anna. Hope you had a merry Christmas and all the best for 2019.
Happy Christmas Al! Look forward to seeing you in February!
What an evening of celebration – fabulous food and companionship! Just fabulous – well done to the Londolozi Team,
Thanks Jenny, Happy Christmas to you too!
Phenomenal! Closing my eyes I can feel the magic and having spent a few days at Founders Camp in November, I know how delicious the food would have been. Bravo to you and your team for making the Londolozi Xmas special.
Seriously I would love a tour of the kitchens!! That was truly magic. Victoria
Thanks Victoria – anytime on your next visit, you are most welcome!
That looks incredible!!! I hope that you all had the Merriest Christmas possible!!
Thank you Callum – yes we did! It was a somewhat steamy Christmas but as always loads of Fun!
A truly delicious blog Anna – you have made my hungry. The food and drinks look wonderful. I wish all at Londolozi a belated Merry Christmas and a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous 2019. A big thank you to all who participate in the blogs, I truly appreciate being able to read them and learn about the great country of Africa.
Thank you Leonie – we hope you are also having a fun festive season!
We never should be jealous about something – for sure not on Christmas. But seeing the pics and knowing how wonder filled it was to have dinner on Londolozi it is very difficult to stand this 😉 I never was around on Christmas eve. But just the daily breakfast – plain, inviting, highest quality and served with so much kindness is worth to come over. Thx for each moment we had the pleasure to experience the cooking, the many details of caring and community.
Anna, we arrive at Londolozi the afternoon of January 12 and are there until the afternoon of the 17th. I hope I can find a time that works for you to see your new domain and learn to dance while cooking. ? Victoria