Ensconsed deep in the savannah, and teeming with animals Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa is a super summer destination for wildlife enthusiasts. This completely family-run business has come a long way from when it started with bare minimum amenities, and charged guests a mere amount of three Rand per day for a visit. May, June, and July are the best months to visit the property during the year, and the ongoing winter calendar ensures that visitors are offered a horde of activities to indulge in. Start your day with bushwalks, bush breakfasts, and adventure picnics in the wild, or choose to take a refreshing nap while cradled in the branches of a 1000-year-old ebony tree. You can also head out to track wild animals on foot, and finally end the day surrounded by a warm campfire, as mythical stories the mysteries and adventures of safari and red wine are passed around in equal measure. Visitors who want to explore a bit more of South Africa can opt for a Platinum or Gold tour: an 8-10 day excursion (organized by Londolizi’s representatives in collaboration with other tour operators) that circles different cities, and includes Cape Town, Kruger Park, Victoria Falls, Bazaruto, Botswana, and Quirimbas in its itinerary. The most luxurious package is the 11-night Platinum tour ($15,000 per night) that commences from Kruger Park, moves on to Victoria Falls, and finally, ends in Botswana.
After an exulting day (or night) of spotting and capturing the wild cats on film, return to the comforts of any of the five luxurious camps, three of which now hold Relais & Châteaux status. These camps’ are private suites, varying in décor and facilities according to the themes based on the five elements of wood, fire, earth, water, and rock. The most exclusive are the three Private Granite suites (priced at $1,390 per person, per night) that have been created on the huge granite rocks, with uninterrupted views of the perennial Sand River. Guests can opt to book each suite individually or all three, as a private camp for six guests. A palette of silver, charcoal, and grey dominates the interiors, with a major emphasis on space, light, and privacy. In addition to a glass-encased en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower, and heated swimming pool, each suite has a private outdoor river bath overlooking the batholite slabs of the riverbank. Apart from this there are four kinds of camps, namely the Tree Camp (six private suites), Founders Camp (10 superior chalets), Pioneer Camp (three suites, which is the most secluded of all the luxury camps and can be converted into a private family homestead for a group of 12), and the Varty Camp (eight chalets and two superior chalets).
No request is too small or obscure for the friendly staff of Londolozi, who can tailor each trip as according to the wishes of their guests. “A picnic lunch on a deck high up in the ebony trees as elephants drink in the river below, a private dinner under the stars surrounded by hundreds of candles and the lions roaring in the distance are our stock in trade at Londolozi,” smiles Dave Varty, CEO of Londolozi Game Reserve.
www.londolozi.com; +27 (0) 13 7355 653
Text by Treesha Datta