Londolozi and South Africa journey together through seasons of profound change. While the young democracy finds its wings, Londolozi transforms from humble safari camp into a globally cherished sanctuary.
Echoes of Earlier Days
The soul of early Londolozi still whispers through the trees:
“Imagine an authentic Shangaan tracker and 20-year-old university students armed with pangas and guns, tracking lions on foot on a crisp winter morning, taking you on a wild adventure through virgin bushveld.”
Those four mud huts without electricity or running water shelter dreams that will one day reshape conservation across a continent.
A Nation in Bloom
As Londolozi nurtures its growth, South Africa undergoes its own metamorphosis. By 1990, President F.W. de Klerk lifts the ban on anti-apartheid organizations, and Nelson Mandela walks free after 27 years. Four years later, as Mandela becomes South Africa’s first Black president, a nation begins to heal and rejoin the international community.
Mandela’s Vision Affirmed (1992)
In 1992, Nelson Mandela visits Londolozi upon his release from Robben Island and endorses the Londolozi model:
“During my long walk to freedom, I had the rare privilege to visit Londolozi. There I saw people of all races living in harmony amidst the beauty that Mother Nature offers. Londolozi represents a model of the dream I cherish for the future of nature preservation in our country.” – Nelson Mandela
This powerful endorsement from the future president highlighted how Londolozi’s approach to conservation and community embodied the very ideals South Africa was striving toward in its democratic transition.
Breaking Down Barriers (1992)
That same year, Londolozi campaigns successfully for the removal of the Kruger National Park western fence line, which would open up Londolozi to 5 million acres of wild, free-ranging landscapes. This physical dismantling of boundaries mirrored the social and political walls falling throughout South Africa – a powerful symbol of connection and freedom replacing separation.
Conservation’s Gentle Revolution
Within this atmosphere of renewal, Londolozi deepens its identity as a conservation pioneer. What begins simply—putting down hunting rifles and picking up cameras—blossoms into an approach that embraces community involvement in protecting wild places.
Dave & John Varty
International Recognition (1993)
In 1993, in a groundbreaking moment, Londolozi became the first game reserve to be awarded Relais & Chateaux status. This prestigious recognition, typically reserved for the world’s finest hotels and restaurants, acknowledged Londolozi’s pioneering fusion of wilderness conservation with luxury hospitality. The accolade cemented Londolozi’s position as a global benchmark for excellence in hospitality and conservation.
Economic Impact (1996)
By 1996, across its three camps, Londolozi’s accommodation capacity reached forty-eight beds, generating daily revenues of up to R60,000. This success created a thriving economic ecosystem, directly employing 150 people while sustaining many more families through indirect employment opportunities within the surrounding communities.
The Heart Remains
Even as Londolozi grows in sophistication, the warm, familial atmosphere remains unchanged. By the mid-1990s, Londolozi sets new standards for luxury ecotourism while creating meaningful connections between people and the natural world.
The Varty family’s vision aligns beautifully with South Africa’s journey of reconciliation. Like the nation it calls home, Londolozi transforms while holding true to its essence—a place where healing happens, where barriers dissolve, and where hope takes root in ancient soil.