Five weeks into hard lockdown in South Africa, I wrote an open letter to guests explaining how much I miss Londolozi and understand their pain of not being able to return for now.
Although there are still some travel restrictions in place in what has become a pandemic we will never forget, things are slowly starting to open up again and soon much like me, you’ll be back too. Let me tell you one thing, its good to be back.
So here’s my sequel letter…
Fording the Sand River at Finfoot crossing; one of the funnest parts of the drive.
Dear Guests of Londolozi,
I was patient, as have you been, but as the world slowly opens up to what we knew as normality, your visit to this beautiful land within South Africa isn’t far off. Every blog you read, every hour spent watching virtual safaris, every dream waking up and wishing you were on Londolozi wasn’t all a waste; it gave you this sense of belonging, it maintained your craving for the wild and keeps you glued to the passion and desire that drives you to a place we have all fallen in love with.
The rains have arrived just before you will, filling the pans and wallows and flushing the land with different hues of green. The flowing Sand River means that it’s an even more exciting river crossing into the north, where you hear the sound of new impala lambs calling for their mothers. The early sunrise will awaken you as the recognisable calls of the still-territorial Birmingham males remind you that this is still their territory. That same Jackalberry tree you saw a year, years or months ago provide the same shade as your friendly tracker and ranger await you at the Land Rover, ready to go on drive.
Ranger and Tracker team under the Jackle Berry Tree in front of Varty Camp.
Some of the best leopard viewing in the world hasn’t changed, but that cub you once saw, now has a litter of her own. The prides you once knew have split and the prides you once thought decimated have been re-ignited.
Your favourite rocky outcrop bursts with vegetation as it breaks the outline of the skyline, and from its high point you can see for miles, until the land fades into a hazy distance, holding untold stories and teeming wildlife between.
That same spot you remembered sharing a drink with someone special and watching the African sunset from is now overgrowing with wildflowers where your feet once stood.
Ximungwe female and the Ximungwe young male (right) who is now independent and still seen from time to time in the central parts of Londolozi.
The crackling wood fire in the boma you long to have dinner in has been lit once again while lanterns light every path you will soon walk; light at the end of the long dark tunnel of 2020. Butler Tami Nlovu is ready to greet you with that welcoming smile, and the call of the Scops owl trills from the leadwood tree overhead. You are going to find yourself enjoying a dance with the beautiful Londolozi ladies choir. The goodnight calls of Hyenas ripple through the stillness of the night and your room pool lies transparent under the Milky way.
I am ecstatic to be back.
Londolozi and its wildlife look forward to welcoming YOU back.
One of the things I have learned anew is that travel is a privilege and not always a right .
That good health should never be taken for granted and when faced with the drudgery of Lockdown 2 that the memories and photographs of trips to Africa are priceless
I wish I was with you
Hi Dean, Your “Welcome Back Letter” is “rubbing salt in the wound”. Why? I am stuck here in the UK, which Government has no comprehension of its actions. Although, I have never been to Londolozi and, perhaps regrettably, not ever will (note trying to avoid the trap of “never”) because I like to have a 4×4 with rooftop tent and a camper (as a base) behind me. I suspect that combination is not welcome in Londolozi. However, I hope those comments will not stop me receiving the daily “Londolozi Blog”, a very welcome view of my home. I merely exist here. Best wishes.
Dean, I loved all the pictures, especially one with all the rangers🤗
Well said. We are excited in returning soon. Very grateful for the blogs that kept us up to date on the activities at Londo. All the best & stay safe.
Wonderful letter! Thank you so much!
Really lovely story Dean, you are a skilled writer!
Best,
Wynn
The perfect antidote to the past 9 months. Keep the daily reports going for those of us 6000 miles away and unable to travel. It’s a lifeline. Thank you and dankie.
Welcome back Dean! Your first photo here includes the Knopik family from Sarasota who have incredible (albeit sad) connections to Londolozi and the Good Work Foundation. I have written about the Londolozi/GWF/Sarasota connection previously.
https://blog.londolozi.com/2019/11/21/the-londolozi-gwf-sarasota-connection/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sharpspring&sslid=MzMysTAxNzQ0NTIzBwA&sseid=M7SwNLMwNzcwtQQA&jobid=61ad6174-1992-4036-b14b-87c51b03b7de
Cannot wait to return someday to Londolozi!
Beautifully written..and so pleased to see the terrible pandemic has not changed the most important things in life …life at Londolozi in all its forms.
I so wish I could turn back the clock and be in the Landover again watching JV and Elmon film the magic… I do have the memories of that time which I am so grateful for. I commend all you special people at Londolozi keeping it alive
I live in a beautiful place now, New Zealand which God has placed me..I have been very blessed. One day I would love to get back to the beauty of Londolozi the very special place on earth 🌎
Just a wonderful welcoming letter to Lucky Guests! I only can wish that I would be one of those Guests but since I will not be for a myriad of reasons, I have your wonderful Londolozi Blog. I felt your joy and happiness as you rode around in your jeep and the words you wrote drew me in and I enjoyed every bit of it. Thank you for taking me albeit not in reality but I am grateful for this experience.
Beautifully written, Dean. And yes, I am looking forward to returning to Londolozi. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will really happen, because the outlook here is not too positive.
I can feel it, smell it and hear it all …thanks Dean for the beautifully written reminder if what we hope to share with you in the near future 🙏💕
And that one actually made me tear up! Dreaming of the day I am back, but until then waiting patiently and hanging onto the blog for dear life.
And I am so looking forward to be back – your words brought some tears…. God-willing, my fellow citizens will finally have paid heed to stop-the-spread-advice, international travel restrictions will have been lifted and my new medical challenge will be behind me by our April reservation date!!
I really appreciate the daily blog….but this one breaks my heart. I should be with you today celebrating my 85th birthday and I’m 12 time zones away. Hamba kahle and hugs from Hawai’i.
WONDERFUL!!
The blogs from Londolozi have been what I looked forward every day since March! Thru all the horrors if the pandemic and the awful hours of the presidential campaign followed by the post election you have given me a bright moment. As you probably know we are in the middle if a surge of the virus and we are not sure if we will ever be able to go anywhere as Americans are pretty much pariahs in the rest of the world. so please keep the blogs coming and we will eventually be able to return ! Thank you all for all moral support!! Victoria
I was very happy to see the news that we can all now travel into South Africa. All I need now for my trip to Founders in February is to be able to get OUT of the UK! As an aside, a friend of mine lives in Hermanus and said recently how much the international tourism ban has affected the area – it must also have hit the whole safari business (and of course anyone involved in the hospitality business) very hard.
Okay, the tears have been wiped from my eyes so I want to thank you for such a heartfelt message of joy in returning to your happy place. The past several months have been devastating for everyone and for some of us, we’ve entered another Covid storm.
Your words were encouraging and uplifting. I’m so looking forward to my April arrival, as long as the borders are open for me to leave and arrive there. Welcome back!!
Thank you for your lovely letter Dean!
Dean, Welcome back and thanks for sharing the wonderful photo of the Knopik family crossing the river! One of our favorite memories!
Wonderful letter👌