After about the third request for a pangolin-like piece of art or keepsake at the Living Boutique through the course of one morning, I became unusually suspicious about the morning game drives on-goings. My intuition was correct, and soon Wanda, Delly and myself were shown images of the Pangolin sighting that occurred off of Dave’s Road- with rangers Shaun, Kelsey, Reece and Alfred and their guests witnessing one of the world’s rarest mammals in full glory;  foraging in full sight. Considered one of the most elusive creatures in the wild, a pangolin sighting at Londolozi Game Reserve is a story our guests carry with them for a lifetime.

Captured by Shaun D’Araujo, at the sighting in question!

After seeing some photos of the sighting, both by the guests and by the rangers who wait patiently (some for years) to get an image of its kind, I took a moment to reflect and appreciate the pangolin- for both its physical features and the characteristics it embodies on a more spiritual level. Pangolins have inspired artists, sculptors, and crafters for centuries, their distinctive scales and curling forms often a subject for creativity. 

The Living Boutique at Londolozi pays tribute to many animals in various forms and fashions, but there are very few Pangolin artworks, and somehow I like that that draws parallels to the rarity of the creature and sightings of it in the wild. And with that, the privilege of a pangolin sighting sparked inspiration for this blog post!

Charles Mduli

Charles Mduli is one of our local artisans that lives in eMakhazeni, a neighbouring community to the Sabi Sands, and is a well known wood carving artist. He has been supplying Londolozi with little wooden sculptures for many years and his pangolin piece is one of our favourites- coming in many shapes, sizes and positions. Charles makes use of wood from the alien species, Jacaranda mimosifolia- which is light and easy to work with. I love that Charles has decided to take wood that is not indigenous to South Africa and put it to good use when it is cut down. Charles also makes use of natural techniques, such as fire and charcoal, to give some of his sculptures a more lifelike and textured appearance. 

Charles Mdluli’s wooden sculptures.

One of my favourite things about working with Charles is that I have to use a translator, Cry Sithole, to ensure that both Charles and I are on the same page with what sculptures are needed for Living. The interaction and logistics behind getting items from Charles excite me and feel like a throwback to the old days, where there were many hands at play at procuring items- with no emails in sight. This is a rarity in today’s day and age- much like a Pangolin sighting might I add. 

Ardmore

Ardmore is a South African studio and brand known for its vibrant, hand-painted ceramics and home wear- inspired by African art and nature. It was founded by Fée Halsted in 1985 and it is a true privilege to showcase Ardmore at the Living Boutique.

Pangolin and Pango-pup Sculpture Made by Abraham Mofokeng and Painted by Relebohile Tjakata

One of the reasons why this is a stand out piece for me, not that I should have favourites, is because it depicts the pangolin and pup in full sight. Most guests have never seen or even heard of a pangolin, and likening it to an Armadillo is the closest we get to an understandable comparison. It is quite hard to explain what a scaly mammal might look like. As such, having this artwork displayed in the boutique proves to be a very helpful visual tool. 

Given our long standing relationship with Fee and the team at Ardmore, I reached out them for more information of this piece, and received the below: 

Abraham’s hand-sculpted pangolin pair is a tender tribute to the quiet strength of maternal love, capturing a mother closely attending to her young, embodying protection, connection, and care,  a moving symbol of the bond between parent and child. Yet, beneath this gentle scene lies a powerful message: pangolins are among the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world, threatened by the illegal wildlife trade. Through this work, Abraham calls for awareness and action to safeguard these elusive, endangered creatures and their fragile place in nature. 

Painter Relebohile enriches the artwork with a palette of charcoal greys, her textured brushwork adding depth and grounding the sculpture in the earthy hues of the African landscape. Together, their collaboration creates a striking work of art, one that inspires admiration while reminding us of our responsibility as stewards of the wild.

Bruce Little 

Bruce Little is a renowned sculptor specializing in wildlife art- particularly bronze sculptures of animals. He is known for capturing the spirit and movement of his subjects, rather than creating purely anatomical replicas. It is for this reason that his sculpture, Armour, often garners the attention of those who are unsure as to what it might be- the truth only being revealed at closer inspection. 

Armour is an intricate piece inspired by the pangolin’s unique ability to curl up into a ball for defense. This behavior is both fascinating and symbolic, representing the fragility and resilience of life.

The sculpture was cast in bronze using the lost-wax method, which allows for intricate details and a high level of realism. There were only 100 of its kind made, with 30/100 being the one available at the Londolozi Living Boutique.

Pitchford Art + Design

Jane Pitchord is the artist behind all the small prints available in the shop, and in all of the Founders Camp rooms. Jane has been drawing and painting tiny illustrations since 2008 and has a passion for all things tiny- with all prints measuring no more than 8cm. Each of her drawings provides an opportunity for a detailed study of the subject-more often than not, wild animals. 

Jane Pitchford’s pangolin piece, is sadly no longer available, as this was a limited edition. 

“I only printed 50 due to the endangered nature of the pangolin, which I thought was a special ode to Pangolins and their endangered status. I was amused at the thought of the rarity of the animal running a parallel to the rarity of the print itself.”

Patrick Mavros

The Patrick Mavros Pangolin Collection was launched in November 2016, and since its launch, the Living Boutique has had the privilege of being a stockist of this exclusive range.   

“The Pangolin is an incredibly rare and secretive mammal. Most people who have spent their entire lives in the wilderness of Africa have never seen one and the sighting of a Pangolin is considered to be a great privilege and the luckiest of all experiences to have in the bush. I hope that this collection captures the extraordinary beauty of the Pangolin, and encourages all of our friends and clients to spread the word of this little-known but critically threatened species” – Patrick Mavros 

The Patrick Mavros Pangolin Rolled in Siver Sculptures.

Seeing a pangolin in the wild is at the top of many safari wish lists. Their secretive, nocturnal habits mean that encounters are few and far between. When guests at Londolozi are fortunate enough to witness one, it’s a moment that often feels more like a privilege than a mere sighting. 

I patiently waited for 4 years, for my very own pangolin sighting and the moment was filled with excitement and awe.

At The Living Boutique, we celebrate the wonder of every encounter- small, chaotic and rare, and the hope is that our collection of art, artefacts, and keepsakes allow guests to take home not just a souvenir, but a tangible reminder of nature’s treasures. While not every guest may cross paths with a pangolin on safari, everyone has the chance to take a piece of that story home.

For some, the Londolozi Living Boutique is an added experience, a bonus to the wildlife sightings. To others, a practical stop when needing a hat for the sunny days or a warm jacket for the colder mornings. On this day however,  I was reminded that there is an intricate relationship between my role as the merchandiser and the guest experience out in the African wilderness. What a privilege that is!