“In a world that spins ever faster, there remain sanctuaries of stillness – places where time seems to pool rather than flow, where the wisdom of the old ways still whispers through weathered walls, thatch roofs, and worn screeded floors. These are the last bastions of authenticity in an age of endless reproduction, where genuine connection has become as rare as true silence. The keepers of these spaces – the family-owned establishments, the centuries-old gardens, the village gathering spots – hold more than just memories; they preserve a way of being that reminds us why we yearned for progress in the first place. Their continued existence serves as both comfort and challenge: comfort in knowing that not everything must yield to the rushing current of change, and challenge in their quiet invitation to reclaim our relationship with time itself. These places call us back to a sincerity that feels almost foreign now, asking us to remember that all our striving and sacrificing was never about the endless pursuit of more, but about creating spaces where genuine human connection could flourish. They stand as living museums of intention, reminding us that we still have the power to choose how we move through our days – not as passive observers of our own lives, but as active participants in crafting moments worth remembering” – Amanda Ritchie 

There is a significant milestone for Londolozi on the horizon. This time next year, we will be celebrating our century year. It is safe to say that preparations for this important birthday are well underway. Just as one would move to contemplation on a new decade arriving on their own birthday, we have had some time to think about what it means to have been around for almost 100 years. Many words come to mind to describe the journey that Londolozi has taken since 1926 but one in particular continues to be offered up by many of you, our Londolozi Family from all over the world, who know and love this place.

An Original

What does that really mean? The word has become so overused and overtraded that it tends to lose its meaning and significance. Many tend to lay claim to being an original – a self-declared title. But true originality isn’t something you can proclaim for yourself – it’s a reflection in the eyes of those who have witnessed you walk a path that could only be yours because you were the one who walked it. They see something they’ve never seen before.

There is a burden and a blessing in being an original. It is both a privilege and a responsibility. It is not just about occupying the first position in time; it carries the weight of so many things. Like a river carving the first path through virgin terrain, being an original creates a channel through which future methodologies must either flow or deliberately diverge. The privilege lies in defining what something could look like in an untouched domain with no influence from anything else. The responsibility comes in maintaining that which others will measure themselves against. To be original is to be more than just first—it is to be foundational. The profound impact of being the wellspring from which similar endeavours flow.

Charles Boyd Varty and Frank Unger couldn’t have known that almost a century on, the bankrupt cattle farm that they purchased, sight unseen, and the spirit of adventure with which they first stepped foot on this land would enable a spark that would go on to shape a fully fledged conservation development model –  birthing an idea based on the care of land, wildlife and people. This created something different, necessary and valuable. As they settled under a jackalberry tree in the fading light on a winter’s evening in June 1926, they were oblivious to the legacy that would follow.

As we sit here at the beginning of 2025, Londolozi has weathered many challenging shifts and cultural changes in our 99 years. And yet so much of what was begun in 1926 still remains here. This accumulated wisdom – earned through trial and error, failures and successes and an immeasurable amount of courage and heart becomes an invisible but invaluable asset. It is through this original wisdom that the trust of generations of travellers has been earned.

If we fast forward to the present day, the search for authenticity has become something that is defining culture. The topic of AI is at the center of the conversation, and the various ways in which something could be replicated so easily are on everyone’s minds. As an artist, authenticity is incredibly important to me. The notion that these genuine forms of expression could be cancelled out by artificial intelligence is devastating. Happily, I share this fear with many people, not just in the world of art and creativity but in everything. The authenticity of an experience still holds great value. Travelling to a place that is genuine, that honours its history and protects its values is something many travelers still seek. Which, for places like Londolozi, is something to be grateful for.  

As humans, we possess an innate ability to detect what’s genuine from what’s manufactured, even as authenticity itself has become commodified. Our capacity to distinguish true originality from artificial imitation remains remarkably resilient. Research shows that authentic experiences and relationships lead to greater meaning and satisfaction in life. This explains our growing attraction to artisanal experiences, unfiltered human interactions, and unhindered access to wild spaces. The original and authentic captures our imagination not merely because it’s rare, but because it represents something fundamentally embedded in a shared humanity – the capacity for genuine creation and connection. This need for authenticity may become even more precious as artificial alternatives grow more sophisticated.

Where do we begin to look for a place that offers a canvas for genuine connection? For us, it has been in the honouring of the old ways of nature. In celebrating tradition from all cultures, honouring the elders, in rooting ourselves in an intelligent living eco-system and traditional ways of living. In returning to the simplest way of doing something because it works, it offers beauty and retains a sense of magic. We honour indigenous knowledge systems passed down through generations. We place value on local plants, our interconnectedness with the animals and our reliance on the brilliance of nature, her weather patterns and the phases of the moon. 

At Londolozi, you will find a place that understands the art of storytelling around a simple fire, where elders, raconteurs, and musicians alike can pass on their wisdom, personal anecdotes, and songs. Here, you will find a group of people who favour hands-on learning of traditional skills, apprenticeship and regular practice of tried and tested methods, even though modern alternatives exist. You’ll be surrounded by culture keepers, artists, and pathfinders of all ethnicities and backgrounds. You will hear the gentle lilt of the Shangaan language in our African Village and there will always, always be firelight. Where elsewhere there might be a thick glass wall and modern architecture that separates you from the natural world, at Londolozi we prefer to smell the nostalgic scent of a thatch roof and have only a screen door between you and the night air as you listen to a lion calling in the distance – welcoming nature in rather than shutting it out.  

An original knows the way that river sand moves beneath an elephant’s foot, and the way that the rhythm of the day affects your sleep. If you get quiet, and still, you will begin to hear your own heartbeat again. An original knows that hospitality is about genuine care and the welcoming of travellers into a family home. Here, you’ll make new friends and experience the joy of returning to visit old ones. You’ll recognise your ability to become the center point from which a greater ripple effect can flow and you’ll get the chance to really understand what it means to be in service of a quiet global force for good. 

You see, it’s these old ways – original ways – that guide us like a lantern guided our two adventurers 99 years ago to the fire that still burns under that jackalberry tree at the original Varty Camp. It’s in celebrating the simple, most basic things that connection truly forms. It’s in allowing nature to be the muse for our own creativity and making way for the expression of the best version of ourselves – not only as staff but as guests who visit – that allows us to remember who we truly are. An original way is about reevaluating what culture deems important and knowing – deeply knowing – what is actually important in our lives. Discerning what will keep us trapped and what will actually set us free. Uninterrupted time with family and friends. Access to wild spaces. Communion with animals. The passing down of ancient wisdom. The feeling of the air on your face as you drive through an ancient landscape in an open Land Rover. The genuine care with which your ranger, tracker, butler, or camp manager asks how you are that day. The space that is created for inner reflection and contemplation. The silence. The stars. All of this becomes food for the human spirit. And there are not many places left in the world where we can truly, authentically feed our spirits in this way.  

Perhaps the greatest paradox of being original is the challenge of remaining original. A century-old family organisation must constantly balance two competing imperatives: honouring the heritage that made it successful and innovating to remain relevant. This requires a deep understanding of which elements are truly foundational and which are merely historical artefacts. It requires the sensitivity of good leadership who maintain standards, who hold the responsibility of guiding the evolution of its field, who are in service of innovation as a progressive tool rather than a mere novelty, and who, most importantly of all, become the weavers of the old ways. The deep understanding that comes from having been there at the very beginning and deciphering what is a crucial building block to legacy  – what is fundamental that becomes part of the fabric of how things are done – and simultaneously maintaining the vitality to remain relevant and innovative – knowing what needs to fall away to make way for the changing landscape of what is to come. 

For us, the burden of being an original isn’t a historical fact – it’s a daily living practice. Our originality doesn’t live in our longevity. It lies in our ability to remain true to our founding insights while also making them relevant to the next generations to come. In this way, our daily work is not just to witness a matter of chronology but to continue to forge our character.

We have come to realize that an original way need not be complicated. In fact, it is in its simplicity that its beauty lies. Remember the old ways. Allow the part of you that seeks adventure and true connection to wake up. Lay culture down for a moment and listen to what true nature is whispering to you. And if you feel that tug towards time in nature – with yourself, with your family or your loved ones, – answer the call to adventure. Wherever you are and in whatever way you can. Seek out the old new ways. Allow yourself to be cared for. Eat nourishing food. Breathe in open spaces. Sit under ancient trees. Remove the barriers to the outdoors. Sit beside the warmth of a fire and speak of your history and your lineage. Share unconditionally. Give of your spirit with wild abundance. Remember what it means to be human.  

And, if your spirit so wishes, come and visit us. We know a way – an original way – and we will walk the ancient paths with you.