A Nature Reunion Ambassador is an individual from our very own Londolozi Family. Someone who, on a daily basis, interacts with the reserve, the wildlife and the elements and who truly understands nature and how intertwined it is with their being. If you follow us on Instagram you would have seen that we have introduced our next three people.
We’ve continued to spend one-on-one time with members of the Londolozi Family to get insights into their beautiful ways of spending time with nature. We have been constantly amazed by the unique and wonderful things people have been doing to maintain and feed their connection to the natural world. We hope that these tips from our Nature Reunion Ambassadors have inspired you to form a relationship with nature in your own way. We’d love to hear your nature reunions in the comment section below…
Here are our next three Nature Reunion Ambassadors who you might recognise from your trip to Londolozi or from the blog…
Simon Sambo, Founders Camp Manager
”One of the strongest relationships I have with the natural world is with bees. For me, beekeeping is simply providing these animals with a home. Over the years a serious love for bees has grown within me and now it’s my mission to make sure a swarm has the perfect home to thrive in. Being around bees and caring for them gives me an energy. There was a stage where I was looking after four hives at Londolozi. Opening all of these hives and having the bees surround me is an experience which is hard to explain…”
“When around 240000 bees encapsulate you, it almost feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere. The sound and sight of the swarm is energetic and therapeutic, almost meditative. I’ve even managed to hold a ball of bees while they were sleeping (as they do at 4am in winter when it’s cold). Understanding bees allows you to form these close relationships with them. Watching them collect pollen is amazing! These small creatures do so much work and every bit adds up. I find their team work inspiring.”
“For me, just standing next to a hive, observing their behaviour and listening to the hum from within the box makes me happy. The process of creating a home and making sure the conditions are correct for the bees is so satisfying. I have a respect for bees, not a fear. I know that I will be stung from time-to-time, but that is just the process and something they won’t do out of reason. Strangely enough I don’t eat honey, so it’s not about the honey for me, I give the honey away. Bees are almost like my children, they continue to teach me, fascinate me and trust me” ~ Simon Sambo
Bronwyn Varty-Laburn, fourth generation custodian of Londolozi.
“To reunite with nature, for me, is to re-experience some of my first memories with nature. One of my earliest stand-out memories was moonlight and the way the very sliver glow illuminated everything around me. At around four years old I LOVED two things: animals of all kinds and fairies. I remember building ‘full moon fairy rings’. This would entail gathering nature bits: a giant land snail shell, a hand full of river sand, pods, quills, rocks and wild flowers all to be placed in a circle under a rising full moon (in the hope that the fairies would bring presents).”
“Little did I know that some 30 years later this moon magic would stay with me. Throughout my life the moon has become a guide to the seasons and rhythms of how I live. Each stage of the moon cycle carries a different natural energy or rhythm. Sometimes it would be ‘trust your intuition’, ‘follow your heart’ or ‘act in authenticity’ to mention a few. From new moon to full moon each has a lesson or practice.”
“If you take the time to become still and connected, the moon is a wonderful way to always live in step with nature where ever you may find yourself in the world. If the moon runs the ocean tides why would it not have an influence on the everyday?”
“One of my favourite moon rituals is the New Moon Fast that signals ‘new beginnings’. A three day fast puts me in a state of recovery and quiet. I take time off from screens and devices for a three day window; I stay close to firelight in tranquil energy. As the moon reappears almost smiling in the night sky, I know it is time to gently move with creativity and curiosity as the moon waxes each day. When the full moon’s expression returns, I find myself watching a super moon raise off an African landscape and once again I am gathering nature bits with my children hoping for fairies. This phenomenon helps us know that we are loved by the universe and that we are as beautiful as the moonrise and as ancient as the stars. We are the spark of divine love in human form. Through us goodness and light can flow into this world.” ~ Bronwyn Varty-Laburn
Asheligh Chamberlain, Founders Camp Manager
“For me, nature connection has always been a subconscious thing. I’ve rarely thought of actively connecting to nature. At Londolozi you could say we live in nature, but a conscious effort still needs to be made to notice and truly appreciate it…”
“I recently met a guest after his morning drive and was shocked to discover him dismounting the vehicle barefoot. He then proceeded to dig his bare feet into the sand. I think my facial expression was telling of my thoughts and he responded with a simple “this is the only way I connect to nature”. This, along with our recent ‘Nature Reunion‘ campaign, encouraged me to do some thinking into the subtle and subconscious ways in which I connect to nature.”
“Initially I thought going on a game drive would be the most obvious one. But as I sat deep in thought, my eyes landed on my collection of dried plants.My collection of dried leaves, seeds and flowers is surprisingly my way of re-connecting to nature.”
“Other than being aesthetically pleasing, my collection often serves as a reminder to see and notice the beauty in everything – even things that seemingly have no more purpose. I find such beauty in connecting what once was, to what is and my little collection of dried plants functions as a tangible reminder to take note of this beauty.”
“Finding these dried plants along various drives (wild dagga and wild sesame), being gifted some (feather plumed chloris grass) and scavenging others after they were no longer in use in our Healing House (proteas) brings me closer to nature in an unconventional way. It brings nature, in all its forms, to my room and to my mind along with a reminder to think and be more mindful of the beauty of nature in each form/life phase. So, much like digging ones feet into the sand, having nature form part of my room’s decor connects me to nature” ~ Ashliegh Chamberlain
What is your Nature Reunion? Leave us some nature connection inspiration in the comments section below…
Bees, moon and plants with seeds… the basic agriculture, life and deep ecological needs and meaning. What more? I personally love the seaside and tide, the noise makes me feel anew, the moon reflects magically on the water surface with stars and listening for screech owls and seeing shags sleeping…. the tide is my lullaby. Thank you for sharing such beautiful intimate emotions and experiences!
Moonlight over the sea is one of my favourites too. We’re glad you are enjoying our series Francesca.
Hiking in the mountains, wading in a stream, long walks outside with my dog without my phone, weeding my garden barefoot so I can ground… even just opening the windows so fresh air can filter through my house on a cooler day does wonders for my body, mind, and attitude. Last night I went out and gazed at the Aquarius full moon before bed, and that was nurturing. I also collect natural curiosities that I find in nature: feathers, egg shells, stones, snail shells, bones and turtle shells, and snake skins. I love having these found treasures sprinkled throughout my home.
I love your list of ways to connect to nature Chelsea! Thank you for sharing them with us.
Beautiful ways of re-connecting with nature. I love all three of them.
For me it is to watch my owls , where they nest and to see how the baby chick’s learn to fy. Last year they had one chick and we saw the parents teach the chick to fly from one side to the other side. Now the female is breeding again and we sometimes see the male sitting in the tree opposite our house in the day. We can’t wait to see how many chick’s there will be this time. Also we have a few different types of birds here in our garden. Sugar birds, Robin’s, wagtails, black colored barbet , different dove species and much more. It is so rewarding to put fruit out for the birds and watch them come and eat. We also put sugar water out for the sugar birds and you will be surprised to see how many different birds come and drink this water.
Birding is a wonderful way to connect with nature. The simple act of noticing the birds around you, learning their names and watching their behaviour, forms a beautiful relationship with nature.
There are so many ways to learn and enjoy learning a lot the bush at Londolozi and each time we come we learn more! It is a wonderful place. Thank you all! Victoria
Loved your blog today Jenna. I have always found such a sense of peace with nature. As a child I collected seed pods of every description (which u still do today) Each so unique in its design to fly, drop or disperse to regerminate elsewhere. Having spent the best part of the last 40 years at sea , I’m now drawn to the night sky, the beaches which I comb for shells and unusual pebbles, drift wood and bird life. Put me on a beach and I can forget the time of day, happily walking the beach for little treasures that fill our home with wonderful memories of special places visited.
Thank you for your kind words Cally. Connecting with nature does seem to welcome peace doesn’t it? The sea and beaches are magical spaces – definitely one of the best places for a reunion with nature.
Wow, these blogs get better and better. I LOVE Simon’s bees, Bronwyn’s fairy rings, and Ashliegh’s dried plants! Three of my favorite things! I do shamanic ceremonies to thank Mother Earth and bring Her healing energy, Her and all of Her creation. I give water to the animals because of our Arizona drought. I learn of animal and earth ways and I donate to their protection. I am an activist for them, and I speak to the Moon and the trees and the saguaro cactus. I bless my desert and the rainforests of Belize and the bush of Londolozi. I have animal spirit guides and I apologize for the ways of humanity. I have sorrow and hope. And, again, I plant for the bees and set out houses for the fairies and bring in a dried plant from time to time. I love you guys!
We’re so glad to hear how much you are enjoying this series Linda. It’s wonderful how much each of them resonate with you. Thank you for being such a needed activist and so attune with the natural world around you.
I love all three thoughts on nature. Hard to pick a favourite. I did enjoy Simon’s thoughts on bees and I applaud him for providing a safe home and care for them. Bees truly are remarkable little insects and they need to be protected. Here in Canada we are losing bees to pesticide use and I find that very sad. Without bees we would have no food to eat as they pollinate the crops. However, the thoughts on the moon and appreciating nature in the form of a collection of leaves, grasses and flowers that have withered and died are also food for thought. Thanks to all three of you for your really interesting blog. Totally enjoyed reading them.
Hi Leonie, I’m so glad you enjoyed reading them. I totally agree, we really do need to start taking care of our bees – we need more people like Simon.
Thank you Jemma for the re-run of these 3 nature reunion ambassadors. I read their thoughts and ways they communicate with nature via Instagram but gained more insights by reading again. There’s always something to learn by looking again!
Jemma, We love this series! We are lucky to live near our beautiful white sand beaches in Sarasota, Florida. We tend to pause regularly to appreciate the beautiful sunsets. It’s that peaceful time and the beautiful scenery that keep us connected to nature. Wildlife along the coast is ever-changing, and we have brought back our love of the Londolozi birds – helping us to appreciate their uniqueness and comparing them to similar species here!
So glad to hear you are enjoying this series Michael and Terri – it’s been great showcasing all these ideas. Living close to the seas is always magical! Glad to hear you’ve taken your birding home with you.
i love Ashleigh’s description of finding delight and wonder in each form/life phase of plants and other forms of nature. I too gather up “treasures” from a walk in our urban neighborhood (pods from Magnolia trees) community garden finds( millkweed pods) or on the shores of my favorite beach, Sanibel (shells, dried seaweed, drift wood) hikes in the NC mountains (lichen on branches) and turkey feathers in a meadow….. all of which I display in my home at different times and in different ways.