“Delight in the little things” ~ Rudyard Kipling
The bush has burst into hues of verdant greens and floral carpet areas, which were bare only a few months ago, a tribute to the unrivalled power of rain. This time of year makes us so much more aware and grateful for the abundance which Mother Nature has provided us this Festive Season. The theme for this Christmas Eve intertwined verdant greens and golds, a colour scheme celebrating this beautiful time of year and its magical hues.
As always, it began in the kitchen, with carols and singing, and of course, the preparation for the night ahead. As the rich aromas of beer mustard cream and Naartjie and Brandy infused Christmas puddings made their way through the camps, the Camp Managers began transforming their respective camps into a magical world of greens, golds, hues of mustard and sparkles.
Tomatoes and basil were blended, snoek was apricot roasted. Vetkoeks were rolled and nectarines were infused with rooibos. The East Coast lobsters were butter poached and the beer mustard cream simmered. And finally the naartjie and brandy infused Christmas puddings were drenched…
Gingerbread stars, delicious monster leaves and sparkly lights adorned the centre pieces of the tables this Christmas.
Tree camp chefs, Thoko Ngobeni, myself, Nomsa Madubula and Sendry Kubayi stand on the Tree camp deck ready to cook up a storm.
Simply sophisticated verdant greens and hues of gold reflect the bushveld this time of year.
Tree Camp butler, Matthews Machava, lights tea-light candles and places them on the tables for extra Christmas magic.
Tree Camp’s welcome drink: A spiced honey and saffron gin and tonic, garnished with cinnamon sticks, star anise and flowers.
A simply sophisticated and elegant Londolozi Christmas menu, designed by Londolozi graphic designer, Roxy Burrough.
Tree Camp hosts, Roxy Burrough, Jemma and Tippy Brewitt stand under lantern lit trees.
As the sun goes down the lights begin to sparkle against the green bushveld.
Varty Camp’s refreshing watermelon, pomegranate and cherry gin cocktail.
A Granite Deck table lit up against a twinkly Christmas giraffe.
Pioneer Camp designed an ice cold summery cucumber, rosemary, pomegranate and gin splash. Deliciously refreshing for what was a warm evening.
Londolozi staff members, Megan Tindall, Victoria Hughes and Cry Sithole ready for action on the Founder’s Camp Deck.
Pioneer Chef, Petunia Mahawle and myself in my Christmas Ardmore chef’s jacket creating magic together.
Slow roasted tomato and basil soup with caprese salsa and Rio Largo olive oil started the Christmas evening off.
The second course, apricot glazed snoek paté with rooibos poached nectarines, South African traditional vetkoek and wild garlic and parsley butter.
Pioneer Camp Manager Amy Veenstra and Petunia Mahawle, embrace the Christmas Eve magic.
Photographer of the evening, Matt Uys, and Pioneer Camp Manager Amy Veenstra pose for a Christmas selfie in-between courses.
Slow cooked leek, parmesan and fennel risotto with butter poached East Coast lobster – melt in your mouth, delicious!
Drizzling the beer mustard cream over the Chalmar fillet of beef served with masala spiced sweet potatoes, fresh asparagus and baby carrots from our local farmer.
A sprinkling of Maldon salt, and we are ready to serve!
As I always say, one must always satisfy their sweet stomach and this year it was in the form of a homemade Christmas pudding drenched in naartjie and brandy syrup served with honeycomb ice cream and gold dusted fresh berries…yum!
From the Londolozi Kitchen and the rest of the Londolozi Family, we wish all of you, our extended family, a wonderful Festive Season, full of abundance, deliciousness and of course, a little bit of magic…
Merry Christmas to the wonderful Londolozi family. Thank you for the daily sharing of your piece of paradise and sanity with the rest of us!
Thank you Penny
Thanks Anna for bringing the Londolozi holiday spirit across the miles! Looks like it was a magical (and delicious) evening. Hello to all–especially to Victoria & Cry!
Dear Vin & Michelle – thank you! Hope you both had a fabulous Christmas!
It was spectacular as always. Thank you Anna, Kim, Amy and the whole Londolozi team for making it a Christmas Eve we’ll remember forever.
Thank you Phoebe – as always, it’s fabulous to have you all here during this festive time (albeit so very hot!)
A very Merry Christmas to the entire Londolozi family. Wishing you all Peace and Happiness
Thank you! And to you.
Looks fantastic (which is a euphemism for lots of people working very hard).
Have a good day and my compliments of the season to you all
Thank you Ian, and to you!
Anna, I loved all the photos, especially the ones of the staff!
Thank you Joan! It was a magical evening!
Merry Christmas everyone and a Very Happy New Year!!!
Thank you Joanne
Merry Christmas to mid summer Londolozi from mid winter California!
Thank you Doug!
Happy Holiday to all of you. What you do for wildlife, each other and your guests is a most wonderful gift.
Thank you Kiki.
Amazing photos and menu – so wish I was there but I’ll be back in March. Wishing you all continued holiday blessings!!
Thank you Denise! Look forward to seeing you again in March
You are all having a delicious, glamorous and wonderful time. Merry Christmas to you all! You should be on the cover of an A One magazine. Victoria
Thank you Victoria! Hope you all had a magical day as well
A delicious blog Anna. My mouth is watering just looking at all that wonderful food. You all outdid yourselves. Nice to see pictures of the staff involved and thanks for sharing that. Am sure everyone was fully sated. Beautiful setting also. I wish all at Londolozi a very Merry Christmas and a safe, happy and healthy 2020.
Thank you Leonie!
How quickly a year flashes by since we sat at your wondrous Christmas extravaganza of a dinner last year and from these pictures it would appear that you have exceeded all expectations! Once again it also appears that your elves have done a fabulous job decorating everything from the tables & bars to the room to themselves as well.. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Thank you dear Bob & Lucie – can’t believe it’s been a whole year! Look forward to seeing you again soon for a 1926 burger as well!
Wishing you a belated Merry Christmas Anna and everyone at Londolozi. The food looks as wonderful as ever. Russ and I are finally returning after a three year absence on the 10th January so looking forward to seeing you again !
Hi Karen! I am so looking forward to seeing you again soon! Happy New Year!
Anna, Merry Christmas to you and our Londolozi family! What a beautiful spread you put out! We especially loved seeing you in the Ardmore chef’s jacket!
Happy Christmas Michael & Terri! yes, Ardmore said yes!