A Dream Takes Root

Londolozi quietly transforms from a modest safari operation into something extraordinary. These formative years, filled with equal measures of challenge and laughter, weave together to create Londolozi’s unique spirit – a tapestry of resilience, innovation, and deep connection to the land.

First Tender Shoots

“From the beginning, our R3-a-day safari business was a disaster. Londolozi’s assets consisted of four mud huts, a team of Shangaan men including Winnis Mathebula, our master lion tracker now turned guide, Two-Tone Sithole who knew all about tracking and lion hunting, but nothing about the hospitality business, and Spook Sithole – our resident cook.” – Dave Varty

This small band of dreamers, with precious little beyond their passion and knowledge of the bush, somehow creates experiences that touch hearts deeply enough to draw people from across oceans. Winnis Mathebula’s gentle shift from tracker to guide mirrors the larger transformation unfolding – ancient skills finding new purpose in conservation rather than hunting.

Finding Beauty in Challenges

The early safari experiences bloom from necessity and improvisation:

“If our one and only Land Rover broke down – as it frequently did – we took guests on walking safaris. Once our Land Rover caught fire, sending guests scattering in all directions. But, within hours, we managed to get it going again.” – Dave Varty 

Each unexpected challenge becomes a doorway to innovation. Walking safaris – now treasured as the most intimate way to experience the bushveld – begin simply as a creative response to mechanical failures. What might sink an ordinary business instead becomes the very magic that sets Londolozi apart.

A New Vision Emerges (1976)

In 1976, Dave, Shan and John Varty created a new vision influenced by the guiding hand of Ken Tinley, an ecologist years ahead of his time. This new vision spelled out the details of the Londolozi Conservation Development Model, marking a pivotal shift in their approach to the land and wildlife.

That same year, Varty Camp expanded with the addition of eight new beds, bringing Londolozi’s total accommodation capacity to sixteen guests – a significant step forward from the original four mud huts.

Currents of Change

While the Varty brothers navigated their wilderness adventures, winds of change swept through South Africa and beyond. The Soweto Uprising of 1976 awakened deeper resistance to apartheid. Across oceans, Apple Computer took its first breath, planting seeds for a digital revolution that would one day touch even the most remote places. Environmental awareness began to blossom, with whispers of “climate change” entering scientific conversations.

The Mother Leopard (1979)

In 1979, a legendary era began with the first sighting of the Mother Leopard – a magnificent female who would become the cornerstone of Londolozi’s extraordinary leopard dynasty. This sighting would prove transformative for Londolozi’s identity and conservation focus in the coming decades.

Growth and Evolution

As the early 1980s unfolded, South Africa found itself increasingly isolated on the world stage, while globally, conservation movements gathered strength as more hearts opened to the plight of endangered species and vanishing wild places.

In 1982, the construction of Bush Camp (now Founders Camp) added eight more luxurious beds to Londolozi’s portfolio, expanding the reserve’s total guest capacity to twenty-four. This growth reflected both the increasing popularity of Londolozi and its commitment to responsible development.

Rooted in Values

What gave Londolozi its unique resilience during these challenging years was the clarity of its values. The love of land, wildlife, and family that Boyd Varty gently planted in his sons’ hearts guided their every decision. The shift from hunting rifles to cameras represented far more than a business choice – it embodied a profound reorientation toward stewardship and protection of life.

The Shangaan team members brought gifts beyond measure – cultural wisdom and tracking skills honed over generations. Together, they created a cross-cultural family that offered a different vision of relationship than typically seen in apartheid South Africa – one based on mutual respect and shared purpose.

By 1986, those humble mud huts had evolved into something more substantial, yet the soul remained unchanged. The quiet lessons gathered during these formative years – adaptability, resilience, honoring traditional knowledge, and the power of authentic connection – continued to nourish Londolozi’s journey.

From these simple seeds, something remarkable continues to grow – a haven where wilderness and humanity meet in harmony, where ancient wisdom and innovation dance together, and where every challenge becomes an invitation to deeper understanding.