Londolozi Private Game Reserve

To call Londolozi the best holiday destination on earth is no exaggeration. This was my second visit, and this time I stayed at the newly renovated Founders Camp—it was truly next-level in every way. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by our ranger, Barry Bath, tracker, Tshepo Dzemba, and camp manager, Rob. From that point on, every need and every request was anticipated and fulfilled with remarkable care and attention. The service was impeccable, and we were truly pampered. Our accommodation was flawless, complete with a private pool and deck that offered an oasis of luxury. The wildlife sightings were nothing short of extraordinary, as you'll see from my photos. Every morning and evening drive felt like a magical journey, culminating in moments that seemed almost too good to be true—like the tortoise sighting I had casually requested! The guides’ expertise and passion made each outing a true adventure. What sets Londolozi apart, however, is its story and ethos. Having read Full Circle by Dave Varty three times, I deeply admire the vision and culture that Londolozi embodies. The respect for nature, the sense of community, and the genuine pride that every staff member has in their work create a truly inspiring environment. It’s a culture that many organizations could learn from. One special highlight was watching a rugby game in the staff communal area, a moment that made us feel part of the larger Londolozi family. I cannot wait for the opportunity to return to this extraordinary place. Londolozi isn’t just a holiday—it’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave.

We've had the great fortune of visiting Londolozi in the Sabi Sands over the years but this was our first trip with our children which made it the most memorable. They are now old enough to enjoy and appreciate all that this special property has to offer. The guest experience is superb; no detail is overlooked. From the gorgeous suite decor, fresh menu and exceptional programme of activities on offer. The warmth of the staff is genuine and makes for a really personal family safari. We had exceptional wildlife and birding sightings. Our guide and tracker (Tayla & Pens), camp managers (Chloe & Hannah) and Cubs Den manager (Terri) not only anticipated our needs but took the experience well beyond our expectations. The team were doting on our daughters (ages 6 & 7) who were kept engaged throughout the day in interesting activities; this is a learning opportunity and their imaginations and love for the wild were ignited. I highly recommend Londolozi to anyone searching for a wonderful family holiday destination. Days are full of wonder, sightings engagement and memory-making moments in the beauty of the South African wilderness.

The most special experience I’ve ever had on vacation. The property was divine—understated to stay aligned with nature but elevated through every turn and space you enter. The food was exquisite, not a single miss. Everything was fresh and delectable. The staff became family so quickly. We didn’t give them a night off as we enjoyed spending time with them. The rides are twice a day and you should take advantage of each one—they are all different and unique. Our guide Patrick and Dorian were the best to ever do it! Think about this trip often!

We stayed at Varty Camp for 4 nights in late Sept. 2024 as the center of our Honeymoon. Londolozi came highly recommended as it is known as the gold standard for safaris to tourists and locals alike. Pick the room the aligns with your budget, as we were thrilled with our room, private deck/pool, and central location of Varty. You’ll adapt the tempo of a morning and evening game drive, with the perfect amount of free time mid day to relax. Upon leaving it was clear that Londolozi prioritizes its people, their environment & wildlife, and guest experience over all else. A few highlights: Game Drives - the Ranger & Tracker duo that you will be paired with for your whole stay makes the difference. We saw everything we had on our list, which was very much by design of Bryce & Terrance. Food - Every meal was delicious, as they get to know each guests preferences, with plenty of options. We felt that our meals here matched some of the best dinning Cape Town had to offer. People / Service - They’ve set the bar extremely high by design. The small touches of our Boma dinners, morning coffee/sundowner 'Sonics', and attentive staff made all the difference. It was evident that much thought and planning went into making sure our experience was the best possible. Lessons Learned: -Shoulder seasons are a great time to visit, so research this before hand. We had perfect weather for our entire stay - cooler morning & evenings with pool weather mid-day. -Don’t overpack - like much of South Africa, it is casual - I wore flip flops, shorts, and a beach sun shirt for one of the warmer drives. A good safari hat, Sunblock, and bug spray is the key. 2026 is their centennial, which we hope to be back for!

I visited Londolozi/Varty in October 2023, my 5th visit to Londolozi. Our first visit was in 2011. Then, we thought we'd go on safari and say we were glad to have checked that box. Were we wrong. Londolozi was so magnificent, we decided to return every other year (it's a long journey from the USA). Each visit since has been better than the previous visit. On this visit in October 2023, I managed to view/follow 5 different leopards during one morning drive! That doesn't include the lions, giraffes, and other game we spent time with. My wife wasn't able to join me for this visit so Londolozi was my birthday present. Just cannot get better than this. Staff were amazing as usual. They remembered my favorite drink, kept me company at one dinner (rather than allow me to dine alone) and my vehicle mates, our ranger (Jess), tracker (Innocent) and the five of us enjoyed each other's company at dinner and cocktails. As I explain to friends at home, going on game drives is exhilarating, an experience to imprint in your memory forever and is seriously habit forming. Once you take this plunge, you're forever changed. So much so, that we're returning to Londolozi in a few weeks for our anniversary, and, we've finally got friends who now want to go if we'll return again in 2025 (which we are planning to do). I ramble on about exceptional service from people who care about you while you're there. It's true. That's why we've/we'll keep coming back to Londolozi. It's the Holy Grail....