In 2015 the Londolozi family set off on a journey to build a self-sustaining Futuristic African Village. We dreamed of evolving the Londolozi model into an icon of “New Systems For Living”, a place where people from all cultures live in harmony with each other and the natural world; a place that married together the ancient wisdom of nature with cutting edge sustainability technology, and a place that inspired and showcased African leadership.
We called it Vision 2020. Little did we know at the time what an important decision it would be…
In 2020, as the world locked down and borders closed, the Londolozi Family lived the 2020 vision. We ate food out of our gardens and maintained the camps powered by our solar farm. We were shown time and time again how nature is an enduring partner as we recycled water drawn from the river and watched in rapture as nature continued, uninterrupted and unconcerned, on the land around us.
Very closely allied to our Village Family of Londolozi is, of course, the ever-growing Good Work Foundation (GWF) family who have had to be innovative over this year, with the help of many Londolozi guests who generously donated and simply postponed their stay with us. As the founding patron to the GWF, we feel immensely proud to have witnessed GWF adapt to the restrictions of Covid:
- Covid 19 videos were created in seven languages
- 1000 food parcels were delivered to the most vulnerable communities surrounding the Kruger National Park
- Adult leaners gained access to sim cards and digital devices for them to work from home
- Access to online doctors and coaches was created
- The ability to retain the entire GWF team
As a result of these efforts to continue access to quality learning, these vibrant young learners now enjoy the opportunity to establish meaningful careers thereby enabling them to contribute in a meaningful way to society.
Incredible sightings were shared with people all over the world as we beamed daily virtual safaris to all corners of the globe.
Leopards slept calmly in trees as the world struggled with the challenges of the crisis.
A honey badger became famous overnight as a video of his rescue from being stuck in a tree went viral all over the world.
2020 was the first time Londolozi has not had guests since its ragged inception in 1971! We missed our friends and extended family from all over the world dearly.
In an effort to share the deep feeling of connection and stillness that so many people describe when they are at Londolozi, we launched our online Wellness Challenges. From New York to New Delhi people sat in silent meditation in their homes, attuned to a shared nature frequency the calming healing power of Londolozi as they participated in the online course.
2020 was the year that showed us in the face of uncertainty to turn to what is truly important.
The macro global crisis showed us that micro investments in sustainability are truly the path humanity needs to adopt in order to restore our relationship with the planet.
In the midst of all of this, South African-born Master KG launched the song Jerusalema which became the world’s most watched and danced-to song ever. All over the world people found their African rhythm.
“Jerusalema ikhaya lami
Ngilondoloze
Uhambe nami
Zungangishiyi lana”
You may have noticed the lyric “Ngilondoloze” or “I will protect you.” In the year of a global pandemic we couldn’t help but feel like some unseen force was holding us as people as all over the world danced and came together.
Ngilondolozi… I will protect you.
Jerusalema wasn’t the only South African smash hit. Craig Foster’s documentary My Octopus Teacher became a global sensation showing a deep desire for something Africa is truly the home of: a place where we discover the depth of who we are in our connection to wild animals and wild places.
In 2020 we learned the value of community as the Londolozi Family stood together in the face of adversity. We saw the strength of our relationships with our travel partners, guests and all South Africans as together we weathered the storm.
It is in our most challenging times that we learn who we are. In tremendous uncertainty it is our values that hold us strong.
In the year that our 2020 Vision was realised, we deeply understood you will never regret turning to nature.
We also learned that one of the great joys of what we do is sharing Londolozi with all of you. With the camp closed we missed your energy. Your absence showed us that the essence of what we do is about is about being together in nature.
We so look forward to welcoming you back to Londolozi.
Was 2020 a dark year? No just a passage to the light.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving as we celebrate the light…
All our love,
Boyd Varty and all of the Londolozi Family
Enjoy the Londolozi Song thanks to Londolozi Guest Reini Adelbert
![Hamerkop Diving For Plattana [rcb] (26)](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10105855/Hamerkop-Diving-for-Plattana-RCB-26-280x178.jpg)
Happy Thanksgiving and Everyday! Thankful for family, friends and Londolozi’s daily Blog, Brilliant thought…Covid darkness but passage to the light. Enjoy your beautiful world!
Thank you for your good wishes. Please stay safe in your wonderful estate.
Your vision is an inspiration and I hope it continues to spread around the world. The daily blogs have continued to be my favorite daily ritual while eating breakfast (is it strange I can eat breakfast while watching lions tear apart a buffalo?). The virtual safaris have stirred up every kind of emotion within me. I often dream of the Tsalala lioness and her daughter. The weekly videos have brought me such joy. The two wellness challenges brought moments of such divine connection and clarity. Those moments have become some of my favorite memories of the year. You are changing the world and I am so glad to have experienced it first hand. I don’t know when I’ll be back, but I know in my bones I will be. Londolozi has become a part of me I never want to live with out, and for that, I am truly grateful.
Beautiful Boyd!! Our very first stop when this pandemic settles will be Londolozi. The beauty of what you have created and shared over the past months has brought us even closer to the special place you are lucky enough to call your home. We ALL cannot wait to visit soon! Today I am thankful for you and your light.
Very touching thanks! I’m looking forward to visiting
Boyd, I loved the video🤗
Dear Londolozi Family
Thank you all so much for all the photos, videos, stories and virtual safaris that you have shared with your friends and guests around the world on a daily basis. Your blogs have been the highlight of my day every day since the lockdown here started.
Let’s hope that the passage will soon be over.
Thank you, Boyd. Londolozi holds my heart gently and I treasure my time there. I send love and wishes for a truly NEW Year in 2021.
Thank you for this wonderful review of 2020. I started getting your blogs early on in the pandemic and I read them every day and find so much joy in them. Today you posted 2 of my favourites…the honey badger rescue, and the Londolozi dance to Jerusalema. I downloaded the song to my playlist and listen to it almost daily at my gym while working out. It always gives me energy and makes me smile. I hope to be able to dance in Londolozi one day.
Beautifully written Boyd…may Vision 2020 be just the beginning of a far bigger picture. Personally you daily streaming of virtual videos has brought warmth when all felt so difficult to comprehend and made the days in lockdown far more manageable. As we go into our second it continues to keep me focused on the brighter, lighter picture of tomorrow 🙏💗💗
And to the Londolozi Family, Thank You for keeping us connected to the place we love so dearly. Thank you for encouraging our souls to find and keep their connection to Nature, and please know that what you do touches so many of us every day in every corner of the globe.
Boyd, What an awesome post. So happy to see you on the blog! Don’t forget about your 40 days and nights! We listened to every one! The Wellness Challenges were amazing too – just when we needed them! We are looking forward to our time with all of you in July. Our best to all of your family and the Londolozi team!
Boyd this is a heartwarming blog. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and watching the videos. The entire world has been turned upside down and there has been much sadness. I agree with you that it is in times like these we seem to revert back to the “good old days” where we shared with our neighbours, grew our own food and were grateful for all that we had. Thank you so much. You are all wonderful people at Londolozi and I wish each and every one of you good health , safety and much happiness.
Beautiful letter Boyd, and it has been quite a year! One of the brightest spots is the year has been this incredibly valuable virtual relationship with Londolozi!! Besides reading your two books and enjoying your dispatches (including the 40 days and nights), the wonderful challenges the daily posts have been literally lifesaving bright spots!! All love and gratitude for the brilliant light you shine!!
Boyd, I loved the videos (2)
Boyd, what a beautiful heartfelt post that certainly brightened my Thanksgiving day here in California lockdown, once again. Whilst these 8 months have been difficult, thanks to the Londolozi family I greeted each day with anticipation knowing there would be a new post, as well as the virtual videos. Thank you James for this new addition that I hope will continue.
I had to postpone my March trip but have booked my place for April ‘21. In the meantime, keep the light burning brightly and continue Londolozi’s journey into a sustainable future.
Words can’t adequately express the place Londolozi holds in my heart and soul as I am sure it does for all other visitors to this most special place on earth. The effort made to keep us connected during 2020 is an example of the care bestowed on you and the village you will always feel a part of once you have experienced it. My time in quarantine was truly bearable due to the enthusiastic virtual safaris , calm was brought through the mindfulness challenges and Boyd’s 40 Days and Nights podcasts were my morning coffee companion-inspiring and thought provoking. GWF‘s innovation and students continue to amaze me and will always have my regular support. I can’t wait to step back on to these hallowed grounds again and truly want to express my appreciation to all who send out these beacons of light.
One of the things that made enduring the past year palatable, was the hope that we would be able to maintain our scheduled trip in July. Now, with the contributions of scientists around the world, our trip is very likely.
Wonderful to read about all that has been accomplished and celebrated in 2020’s chaos.
Thank you Boyd. Part of me is always in Londolozi – I just close my eyes and I’m back in my room in Founders, and every time I do yoga at home I play the dawn chorus blog (from June). JT’s virtual safaris are always wonderful in connecting us all to you. I so hope I can make my February booking (postponed from this month).