Have you ever wondered what the word ‘Londolozi’ means? While many of you have probably become familiar with our name after following us on the blog and maybe visiting us, but have you discovered the meaning behind ‘Londolozi’? While we on this topic, we’ve had such fun looking at the misspellings of Londolozi – we’ve seen the following recently Londolozi, Londalosi, Londelozi, Lonndilozi…

Londalosi, Londelozi, Lonndilozi, Londlozi, Londo Lozi, Londoli, Londollizi, Londolosi

These are all such wonderful attempts, and we do realise it is a tricky word to spell.  We thought this would be a great opportunity to re-share with you the story behind our logo and translation of our name to start off the New Year.

What does the word ‘Londolozi’ Mean? 

Londolozi, derived from the Zulu term meaning “Protector of all living things” – embodies a profound sense of global responsibility. Our commitment extends beyond safeguarding the animals and the land that sustains them; it encompasses all inhabitants of this planet. Our name epitomises an ambitious conservation ethic, reflecting a dedicated relationship with the natural world.

Established in 1976 as the inaugural safari lodge in South Africa, Londolozi Game Reserve showcased that coexistence between people and wildlife is achievable to the mutual benefit of all. Evolving into a destination of exceptional beauty, Londolozi became a Safe Haven for wildlife, operated by an extended family committed to fostering right relations across races and cultures continually.

“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope” ~ Wendell Berry

We have come to believe that the path to healing the planet begins with healing ourselves. Only by choosing to transform our individual relationships with Planet Earth can we initiate the reversal of the environmental destruction before us. Londolozi stands as a healed landscape, a wild place restored. From a depleted cattle farm overwhelmed by scrub, it has been rejuvenated into a flourishing wilderness. This spirit of restoration and healing emanates from the land, showcasing Londolozi as an exemplar of nature’s innate impulse to heal.

What is the meaning behind our logo? 

The Leopards of Londolozi will always be at the heart of our brand, this iconic photograph taken by Lex Hes remains the centre of our brand DNA. This logo photograph symbolises our first animal ambassador. It also highlighting our many years of leopard habituation and incredible photography opportunities that stand true to this day. From a brand point of view, as Londolozi entered its 5th decade we wanted to ensure that we modernised and stayed digitally agile – we needed our own Nike tick.

Have you ever seen a Leopard Orchid, Ansellia africana, before? This extraordinary flower is a captivating symbol intricately woven into our identity. This endangered orchid, characterized by leopard-like rosettes on its petals, peacefully thrives on tree surfaces as an epiphyte. Revered for its beauty, it shares a harmonious existence with the trees at Londolozi, occasionally gracing us with its spotted gems.

A leopard orchid in a dead knobthorn

Londolozi, Londalosi, Londelozi, Lonndilozi

Bronwyn Varty-Laburn explains:

After having lived in the African bush for so long, one becomes very connected to seasons. There are certain plants and birds that appear with the onset of rains – it’s these new flushes of life that mark the changing of a season. These indicators let us know what is coming, from weather and landscape transformation, to the species which will start frequenting us. This full circle of change was the inspiration behind our current logo.

The Leopard Orchid that flows over the waterhole as you enter camp is in full bloom. It is hard not to stop and admire it for a few minutes as you leave and enter camp. This morning there was a Cattle Egret perched next to it for a perfect photo opportunity.

The Leopard Orchid holds a special place in our logo, representing a connection between the human spirit and the natural environment. Inspired by the changing seasons and the iconic leopards of Londolozi, our logo, featuring the leopard’s face in the shape of an orchid, signifies a renewal of connection and a return to family. The four quadrants of the logo symbolize The Mind, The Heart, The Body, and The Spirit, aiming to provide guests with a holistic experience, fostering relaxation and a deeper connection with nature.

Originating in 2007, the logo’s design reflects a renaissance and a commitment to modernization while staying true to Londolozi’s core values of being the “Protector Of All Living Things.” The Leopard Orchid, a source of passion for individuals working at Londolozi, adds a unique touch to Londolozi’s landscape. The intentional addition of a leopard face in the logo, Dave Varty’s favourite animal, combined with the Orchid inspiration, has created an iconic symbol that resonates with the Londolozi Family.

While the logo was not initially designed to resemble a butterfly, the interpretation gained popularity for its fitting symbolism of transformation. Reflecting the seasonal occurrence of butterflies at Londolozi, this unexpected association aligns with the brand’s core values of transforming perceptions of wildlife and the planet. As Leopard Orchids bloom in our spring season (August/September), we eagerly anticipate sharing the beauty of these moments with you, inviting you to be part of our full circle of change at Londolozi.

The Leopard Orchids that are scattered around Londolozi will come into bloom, with either fragrant yellow or spotted brown flowers, during our spring season (August/September), a beautiful time to be at Londolozi whereby a full circle of change has occurred. We look forward to sharing some of these beauties with you then. So even if you’ve spelt Londolozi incorrrectly (Londolozi, Londalosi, Londelozi, Lonndilozi) we are so glad you’ve found our page – pop us an email to get in touch about any queries you may have.