Borders are opening, restrictions are easing and people are travelling once more. It’s been nearly a year since we reopened our camps, and over the last few months we have welcomed pioneering travellers from across the globe. The great news is that with recent developments in covid testing technologies, it is getting easier and easier to travel to Londolozi and spend a bit of time in nature with us. 

Step off the vehicle and experience a deeper connection with nature on foot

The last 18 months have been incredibly difficult for so many. While international lockdowns caused economic strain, local lockdowns separated families, and friends, and caused mental stress. However, amidst the challenging times, a positive reconnection was surfacing:

A reconnection with nature.

The world over people started spending more time outdoors, from reading in the garden to walks in the park. We started waking up to the wonders of the natural world and the positive impacts it has on us, both physically and mentally. 

This year we have been striving to inspire ways in which anyone can Reunite With Nature anywhere in the world. For us now, the most exciting thing is that South Africa’s borders are open and we have been able to once again ignite that connection with our guests here within the wilderness of Londolozi. 

Although the feeling of Returning to the Classic Safari at Londolozi remains unchanged, the travel industry itself is rapidly evolving to adjust to new health and safety protocols.

Since we published the blog on everything you need to know about South African borders being open the CDC announced that negative rapid antigen tests will be permitted for reentry and so this has opened up the door for U.S citizens to travel with their own “at home” testing kits. We are positive that other nationalities will soon follow suit, so please do your own exploration on this technology wherever you are based in the world.

Necessity breeds creativity and so there have been some great developments in terms of covid testing options for the adventurous travellers ready to explore the world again. This is where companies such as: eMed, Abbot, United, American and Delta Airlines are really stepping up to the plate.

Abbot’s new NAVICA™ app is a digital platform that allows users to upload, manage and share covid-19 testing, while eMed has partnered with United and American Airlines making it more cost effective and easier to deal with testing requirements while travelling. Delta has a similar partnership with AZOVA and their Ellume COVID-19 Home Tests 

*Quick Side Note: United Airlines now offers direct flights from New York to Johannesburg.  #justsaying…

JFK – JHB (16hrs) Customs (1-2hrs) JHB – LDZ (1hr) You can be in the wilderness in less than 24 hours.

Essentially how it works is as follows:

1. When booking a round trip with either airline, you can order the covid-19 rapid antigen tests on eMed.com and their tests will then be shipped to your home address. Make sure to download the NAVICA™ app, pack 2 rapid antigen tests, and obtain a negative COVID-19 (SARS-CoV 2 RT-PCR) test, taken 72 hours before departure (this is currently required to enter South Africa).
2. Then if Londolozi happens to be your last destination en-route home you can virtually connect with a eMed certified guide online that will take you through the testing process in the comfort of your luxury suite at the camp. You will get you results in 15min and they will display on your NAVICA app within 24 hours. With a negative test result the QR code on your app will enable hassle free travels home.
3. All that remains is to enjoy the rest of your safari at Londolozi.

Having seen several sets of Londolozi guest successfully use this technology, we are now entering a new era in global travel, and as technologies like this improve, the hope is, freedom of movement will only become simpler, and so there is no better time than now to book your next safari.

Testimonials:

“Having the option to have my Covid test done at Londolozi before flying home – took away the stress of organising this myself and made me feel at ease knowing it was ‘taken care of’ by the Londolozi Camp Managers. The test took about 5 minutes and was done in the comfort of my suite, there is no waiting around and I was able to enjoy the full safari experience. My results were back within 24 hours and were printed by the Camp Managers for our departure ” ~ Londolozi Guest

“Recently we had some US guests who brought with them their own rapid tests. They said these tests cost them $25 each and were very worth while due to the multiple African countries they were exploring. It saved them plenty of time and gave them the control to test themselves when it suited them. The tests are linked by a QR code to a doctor who chats to you virtually over Zoom. The guests conducted the COVID tests over the video call. 15 minutes later they have their results and they are verified by the doctor – and this result is accepted by the US for travel.” Jenna Ziegler, Tree Camp Manager

Reunite with Nature.

*Terms and conditions – The above information is the most up to date information that we have available to us concerning entry and travel requirements. This will change from time to time and in different areas of the respective countries of origin, transit or destination. The above measures and requirements may or may not be applied uniformly. If there are any changes to this information we will endeavour to update you via this blog post as soon as those changes become apparent to us. However, Londolozi cannot be held liable for any impact to your journey should these be changed by the authorities or measures and requirements are not applied in accordance with the advice Londolozi has been given, or if there is any delay in the communication of changes to these measures or requirements to you/your guests or any members of the travelling group.

* Disclaimer: Please note that travelling during a worldwide pandemic is done so at your own risk.