More than just a luxury safari

A Londolozi safari extends far beyond exclusive wildlife encounters and moments of peaceful stillness in nature. Your stay creates powerful ripples – transforming neighbouring communities through education, healthcare, agriculture and conservation. The first quarter of 2025 has been extraordinary, with flourishing farms and educational breakthroughs reaching more students than ever before. By choosing Londolozi, you’ve already contributed to meaningful change that continues to spread.

Let’s explore the highlights from the Ripple Fund in 2025 so far…

Bridging Communities

The Londolozi team recently rolled up their sleeves and worked side by side with a few of the incredible projects we support, and had such fun doing so!

Our team;

• Brightened up Nhlalala Preschool with fresh paint
• Got their hands dirty planting thousands of seedlings with local farmers David and Nkhensani
• Shared stories and smiles with elders at Hlayisekani Nursing Home
• Visited the Good Work Foundation campuses to connect with students and staff
• Supported Charles Mdluli’s plant nursery

These connections aren’t just about giving back – they’re about creating a shared ecosystem where true conservation includes uplifting the communities that protect our natural heritage.

As Margaret Mead wisely said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Foundations of Change – Our NGO Partners

Lessons in Conservation (LiC)

Our partnership with Lessons in Conservation (LiC) is back and better than ever! Now focusing on Grade 7 students, we’ve already reached 60 students from Nembe Mhlaba School and plan to reach another 200 students this year.

Improvements to this year’s program include:

• Reliable transportation for students
• Londolozi trackers are now integrated into the lessons to enhance language support
• Bringing in inspiring role models showcasing different conservation career paths

Digital Futures with the Good Work Foundation

The Good Work Foundation (GWF) continues to nurture future leaders across rural South Africa and in the communities surrounding Londolozi.

Their 2025 goals include:

• Leadership development programs championed by CEO Kate Groch
• New campus recycling initiative in partnership with Fibre Circle
• GWF staff like Ally Hlatshwayo are driving sustainability efforts
• Digital literacy, coding & robotics programs for rural learners
• Hospitality and conservation training creating employment pathways

In 2025 so far, Londolozi has hosted two days of game drives for Good Work Foundation school safari teams, supporting the broader conservation education efforts in our community.

Tracker Academy & Rhino Guardians

Tracker Academy continues to make incredible strides in training the next generation of keepers of the ancient art form of tracking and guardians of the wilderness. Recently honoured with the prestigious SanParks Kudu Award for Environmental Education, Tracker Academy trained 54 trackers across three specialised programs in 2024 alone.

After the trailblazing success of Tsundzukani Whati, the industry and Londolozi’s first female tracker, we are delighted to share that Tracker Academy, together with Londolozi, are pioneering the first-ever class of female trackers training at the Tracker Academy campus at Londolozi! This groundbreaking initiative opens new doors for women in conservation, and we look forward to updating you on the progress of this moment in history.

Farm Fresh Success Stories

David’s Green Revolution

David’s square-foot gardening approach is yielding impressive results! With 7,000+ new seedlings and 6 tonnes of organic compost, his farm is thriving. The best part? He is teaching agricultural skills to Madlala High School students – talk about paying it forward!

Nkhensani’s Growing Empire

After three years of infrastructure investment from the Ripple Fund, Nkhensani’s detailed production planning has positioned her farm for major growth in 2025. New irrigation improvements are on the way and will take her farm to the next level.

Egg-citing Developments

Both the Mathebula Family and Frank’s Farms are rebuilding after the challenging double whammy of the bird flu crisis and severe weather storms in 2024. With our strategic phased approach to chicken installations throughout 2025, each farm is projected to house 600-800 hens and produce between 3,570-4,760 eggs weekly by year-end!

Charles’ Nursery

Charles’ indigenous plant nursery continues to flourish – approximately 60 of his cultivated plants were recently purchased for a local preschool during our staff immersion program, creating a beautiful full circle of community support.

Charles Mdluli and Jess MacLarty

The Farming Ripple Effect in Numbers

Since 2022, Londolozi has purchased R730,470.79 worth of produce from the Rippe Fund farmers! This is a direct economic impact supporting local livelihoods and a tangible result of guests staying with us at Londolozi.

Community Cornerstones

Hlayisekani Nursing Home

Honouring our elders has always been an integral part of Londolozi’s history. Hlayisekani Nursing Home now cares for 80 elderly residents with 28 dedicated staff members. We’re focusing on completing their second building in 2025 – a project that needs just R180,000 ($9,500) to finish. Your donations could make all the difference in providing quality care for our community’s treasured elders.

Nhlalala Preschool

Nhlalala Preschool got a complete refresh! Our immersion team repainted the gym and sand pit! We’ve also provided educational materials, toys, sports equipment, and more to enhance their learning environment. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and play in a supportive, enriching space.

What’s Next for the Ripple Fund in 2025?

As we move into the second quarter of the year, we’re focused on:

• Supporting farm sustainability through mentorship and infrastructure
• Reaching 200+ students through conservation education with Lessons in Conservation
• Completing the second building at Hlayisekani Nursing Home
• Continued support of our NGO partners

Your continued support, simply by choosing to stay at Londolozi, makes all of this possible. 

How to Contribute

If you would like some more detailed, one-on-one information, or if you would like to make a donation to the Londolozi Ripple Fund and start your own ripple effect, please reach out to us at ripple@londolozi.co.za

Stay in the Ripple

To stay connected, we have established a Londolozi Ripple Fund Impact site where you can follow regular updates on projects and donations as they unfold and follow work that has already been successfully completed. If you would like to receive the Londolozi Ripple Fund newsletter, please let us know at ripple@londolozi.co.za and follow us @ripple_fund

Every contribution creates waves of positive change. Whether you donate or simply spread the word, you become part of this beautiful ripple effect.

“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” – Howard Zinn