Tag: Sabi Sands

Simbambili: The Heart of Leopard Country

Posted on by James

Simbambili Game Lodge is found right up in the northern part of the world-renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve, a wilderness area renowned for its intense game viewing and prolific leopard sightings.

Set amongst the old Knobthorn and Jackalberry trees, Simbambili offers sophisticated safari accommodation that reflects its unspoilt landscape. The lodge overlooks a waterhole which attracts a plethora of wildlife; game drives are often delayed as guests are so unwilling to remove themselves from the spectacle in front of them.

The Simbambili lodge team are loved for their warm, friendly approach and personal attention to detail. Many have worked there for years, and one gets a real family feel upon arrival.

The lodge has seven stylish suites and each one has a private deck, plunge pool and shaded Sala bed. The large thatched suites have been elegantly designed to blend in with the environment and carefully positioned to enhance privacy.
While the shower, free-standing bath, his and her sinks and modern finishings are impressive, it’s the outside deck our guests love most.
The Honeymoon and Waterhole suites are located on the far sides of the camp’s main area and are more spacious and private for couples and newlyweds.

These romantic suites are slightly larger and come with added amenities. They have a shower, free-standing bath, his and her sinks and modern finishings as the other suites, but come with an added lounge area for more space.
The outside deck, however, is still what our honeymooners love most. The extensive bush-facing deck, with a plunge pool and shaded sala bed, is the perfect place to spend a hot afternoon in the sun.

Each suite has its own spacious riverbed-facing deck with a plunge pool and sala bed under shade to laze away a perfect afternoon. All nine spacious suites face the riverbed and woodlands and each one comes with its own private deck and plunge pool, sala bed and a free-standing bath. The Waterhole Suite overlooks the lodge’s active waterhole.

The food is fresh and delicious, and made with fresh ingredients from the Thornybush Community Garden and our local suppliers. Menus vary from à la carte dining to boma barbecues, and the staff will treat you to a leisurely bush breakfast and dinner.

At Simbambili, the highly skilled guides and trackers have an incredible wealth of bush knowledge that leaves lasting impressions on all our guests around, whether on game drives, guided bush walks or chatting round the fire at night.


This truly is wildlife viewing at its finest, and only a short flight from Johannesburg and then a lodge transfer through the reserve gets you to Simbabmbili in time for lunch.

If you want to find our more about rates and availability, get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start planning your safari…

Lion Sands River Lodge

Posted on by James

It’s hard to say enough good things about Lion Sands.
For years one of our favourite lodges in the world famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Lion Sands has been wowing guests from all over the world with their incredible wildlife sightings and close attention to detail on the guest service front. The sheer amount of repeat business speaks for itself.

Lion Sands River Lodge is, as the name suggests, situated on beautiful river frontage. The Sabi River separates the reserve from the Kruger National Park, but being unfenced, still allows for free movement of wildlife. Elephants wade across the current, leopards leap between the rocks, and in the winter months the water levels are generally low enough to allow most creatures to cross without too much trouble.
The life-giving water attracts creatures great and small during the winter months in particular, when surface water is scarce across the reserve, and the density of game along the river banks is as high as could be wished for.

And then there’s the lodge itself…

The lodge’s style has a wonderful sense of brightness and space, yet remains understated. Wooden walkways lead off to a spa, gym and pool, and back to the main lodge, where the deck’s connected water features give the impression of floating on the river. Whether you enjoy your time together socially or quietly, the running theme here is simple and natural luxury living.

The lodge’s eight Luxury Rooms, six Superior Luxury Rooms and four River Suites are spaced along a path to reveal splendid river views and make for a very personal stay while on a luxury African safari stay. This is where couples, families and friends come together to reconnect with one another and Mother Nature.

The River Suites, each fronted by a plunge pool and set further away from the main lodge, are the most spacious and private – and also include a Family Suite for a relaxed family safari. It’s for you to choose which accommodation best suits you – but the extraordinary view comes standard. Relax at the guest pool or in the spa, get active in the gym, or browse the MORE Gallery. Turn your wildlife photography into artful souvenirs in the Creative Lab.

Bright, airy and contemporary are the three words that immediately hit you as you arrive at the lodge, and the feeling of deep well-being remains with you as you head out on safari to track down a leopard or to sit with a magnificent herd of elephants.

Lion Sands is in high demand amongst our guests from both Africa and overseas, so if you are interested in a stay, don’t wait to get in touch.

Mail us on info@iconicafrica.com to start planning your safari…

The Best Places to View Elephants in Africa

Posted on by James

Although Elephants are prevalent in many of the more famous game reserves across Africa, they are seldom the reason to visit a specific park or area. The spotlight is generally reserved for the big cats or some other nuanced factor like a rare species or specific behaviour that occurs there.
A lot of the time, as spectacular as they are, the presence of elephants can almost get taken for granted by visitors to Africa, and the viewing of them seen as a guaranteed byproduct of a safari.
Yet there is a tremendous amount of variability in elephant populations across the continent. In some areas they are scarce and nervous of vehicles, in others they are massively overpopulated, sometimes their presence is seasonal, and they are hardly to be found during certain months of the year…

If it is elephants that you want to see, it is imperative that you know where the best places are, and what to expect once you are there.

Here a few of our favourite places to view elephants in Africa…

MANA POOLS

As unique an elephant experience as you’ll get, if you visit between June and October. The local elephant population congregates along the Zambezi River to take advantage of the availability of water at the height of the dry season, and to feed on the pods of the Ana Trees that fall to the ground during this time of year.

The true magic of Mana Pools lies in the freedom guests have to go on foot whenever they wish (although the uninitiated should only do so when accompanied by a professional guide). Mana Pools is the only National Park that allows its visitors to alight from their vehicles and approach wildlife whilst walking.

As a result, the local animals have grown used to seeing humans on foot, and as long as respectful distances are maintained, accept people’s presence. 

Being 40 metres from a large African Elephant bull when on foot is just as if not more exciting than having one brush right past your safari vehicle.

With amazing accommodation options on some of the more exclusive concessions on the east and west sides of the park, as well as a couple right in the heart of it, Mana Pools is there to explore…

AMBOSELI, KENYA

The true Giants of Africa live here. Famous super tuskers like Craig and Tim – old bulls carrying some of the biggest ivory in Africa – call this ecosystem their home, and what could be more iconic than an enormous elephant bull with a backdrop of Africa’s tallest mountain, Kilimanjaro?

There are few images that are as quintessentially Africa as this.

Photo Credit: Jeff Wendorff

Between the Amboseli and neighbouring Tsavo ecosystems there are a number of super tuskers (elephants classified as carrying tusks of over 100 pounds) with even more so-called emerging tuskers – younger individuals who are on track to carry enormous ivory – so one’s chances of seeing a truly spectacular elephant are high.

Alongside the rest of the resident wildlife like lions, cheetahs and a whole assortment of the weird and wonderful, the Amboseli and Tsavo regions provide some of the best elephant viewing on the continent.

SABI SAND, SOUTH AFRICA

Plenty of relaxed elephants, plenty of lodge options.. The Sabi Sands is one of Africa’s best places to view wildlife. Known particularly for its leopards – the reserve boasts the densest population yet recorded in Africa – this is one place where elephants almost are a by-product of looking for big cats.
Non-impactful viewing practices over the last fifty years have resulted in local wildlife populations that are completely relaxed in the presence of a vehicle, and close-up sightings of elephants are commonplace. Being completely surrounded by a herd is not at all unlikely, and an experience like this will quite simply take your breath away.

With a wide variety of accommodation options catering for a range of budgets and needs, the Sabi Sands is an excellent place in which to get cloe to elephants, and at the same time enjoy some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing on the planet…

NAMIBIA

Namibia is one of the most unique places you can see elephants, and one small population in particular.

In the far north-western corner of Namibia lie the Kaokaveld and Damaraland regions, which are home to the fabled desert elephants. These animals have adapted to survive in the harshest environment, sometimes walking round trips of 70km in their search for water.

The lunar landscape is the last place one would normally expect to view elephants, and it is the setting itself that makes sightings that much more spectacular.
There are a few isolated yet luxurious camps tucked discreetly away in this desert wilderness, the guides of which know exactly where to find the herds at different times of year, so despite the elephants being few in number and the wilderness so vast, encountering them is still a likelihood.

Ultimately, elephant viewing in Africa is as diverse as the continent itself, and our feeling is that it almost doesn’t count as a safari unless elephants are part of it. Almost…

Get hold of our safari consultants through info@iconicafrica.com to start planning your elephant safari…

3 of Africa’s Best Hidden Safari Gems

Posted on by James

One of the hardest things about choosing a safari destination is simply wading through the huge amount of choice you get given. Literally hundreds of lodges and camps spread all over the continent, from desert to mountaintop and everything in between.

Yet every now and then a really special place pops up on one’s radar, somewhere that immediately gets you thinking about a return visit.

We’ve picked three that we’ve come across on our own travels that we simply cannot recommend strongly enough…

Kicheche Valley Camp

There are few safari camps out there that give you an overwhelming feeling of “Yes!” when you walk onto the deck for the first time. Kicheche Valley Camp is one of them.

Tucked discreetly between two acacia-covered hills in the Naboisho Conservancy of the eastern Maasai Mara in Kenya, the camp has a wonderful simplicity to it that instantly draws you into a slower pace of life. Zebras graze within metres of your tent, lions (of which there are plenty in the area) roar in the distance at night, and the camp staff’s warm smiles and enthusiasm for their work are clearly genuine.

Kicheche have a number of offerings in the area (Bush, Mara and Valley Camp), but Valley has to be our favourite; the intangibles there make it evident that nothing is forced, everything is done at your pace, the food is excellent, the drinks are cold, the accommodation makes you feel like are part of the environment instead of excluded from it – whilst still being incredibly comfortable – the guides are excellent, and of course, the wildlife viewing is utterly spectacular.

For those looking for a wildlife destination in East Africa that ticks all the boxes, but most importantly the one about feeling at home, look no further than Kicheche Value Camp.

Notten’s

Neighbour to some of the biggest name lodges in the South African safari industry, Notten’s has been quietly in operation since the 1980s, conducting Big 5 safaris with their own special brand of charm and hospitality.
As part of the Sabi Sand Reserve, Notten’s boasts just as high a density of big game as any other lodge in the area, with a particularly high number of leopards and lions calling the area home. The Sabi Sands is in fact home to the densest population of leopards yet recorded in Africa.

Notten’s has a family feel to it; it is family run and many of its staff have their own families living and working there. This is reflected in the warm welcome that everyone receives, and the level of repeat business that Notten’s can boast (among the highest in the greater reserve) is testament to this fact.

Whilst other destinations close by might be better known, it is Notten’s that will have us going back time and time again.

Nxai Pan

When the Okavango Delta, a world-heritage site and one of the most sought-after safari destinations in Africa is only two hour’s drive away, it’s hard to compete.

Yet Nxai Pan offers a completely different type of safari experience, a highly concentrated one that is difficult to find anywhere else on the continent.
Set in the vastness of the greater Kalahari Desert, the pan itself – and accompanying pans to the south – offer an incredible open reprieve from the surrounding scrubland.
Short grass plains and salt pans stretch as far as the eye can see, presenting incredible game viewing opportunities.

Water is everything here, and with only one or two permanent water sources in the dry season, incredible concentrations of wildlife – most notably elephants – are to be found coming to slake their thirst each day.

Nxai Pan is a unique ecosystem that will leave you in awe at its scale. Baobabs dot the area, and a trip to this part of the world would not be complete without a day trip to the world famous Baines’ Baobabs just to the south.

Although open year round, the game-viewing at Nxai Pan tends to be seasonal in response to water availability, so be sure to connect with one of our travel consultants to find out about the best time to visit.

And with the Okavango just a short safari stone’s throw away, this reserve offers the perfect place to incorporate into the wider Botswana safari circuit…

 

Singita Castleton: Leopards, Luxury and Lawn Tennis

Posted on by James

Whilst many would have played a casual game of Sunday tennis and wandered off the court to drink a refreshing post-game G&T, very few would have done it with a pride of lions in attendance, or served for the set with an elephant casually feeding from a nearby marula tree.
Yet both scenarios are a distinct possibility at Singita Castleton, an exclusive-use camp in the heart of South Africa’s Sabi Sand Reserve.

The former home of Luke Bailes’s (Singita’s Founder) Grandfather, Castleton Camp combines the most refined elements of a private safari lodge with the rustic charm of a country farmhouse.
The property sleeps up to 12 people, perfect for larger and extended families, or travelling groups who would like a camp all to themselves. Two Land Rovers would cater for a full camp, covering twice as much ground with double the chances of finding the wildlife for which the area is famed. Of course one doesn’t even have to leave the camp to enjoy spectacular sightings. A large waterhole at the end of the clearing in front of the swimming pool ensures a constant stream of wild visitors, with a resident waterbuck population always in attendance, elephants and rhinos moving through daily to quench their thirst, and the predators often skulking in the shadows nearby. Singita Sabi Sand, of which Castleton Camp is a part, forms part of a greater leopard population that is the densest yet measured in Africa, and sightings of these often elusive cats are common, even from the verandah.

Whats The Difference Between Game reserve And National Park Leopard

The layout of Castleton is a main homestead area flanked by six double en-suite cottages. The extensive wine cellar, country style kitchen and tennis court, as well as state-of-the-art wellness facilities such as a fitness centre, yoga pavilion and double and single massage treatment rooms ensure that guests lack for nothing that is to be found in the larger camps further north towards the Sand River.

The outdoor boma is partially open to the surrounding bush, so dinner under the stars is alive with the possibility of spotting a nocturnal visitor.

Exclusive-use camps like Singita Castleton are swiftly gaining in popularity throughout the industry, and are redefining what the idea of “luxury” is. It’s not just about thread-count, the exclusive wine list or the wifi speed, but rather it’s the ability to have only you and your closest friends and/or family sharing an intimate wildlife experience second to none.
One of the first exclusive-use camps of its kind, Singita Castleton has had years to refine its offering to a point where it really is the industry leader, and one would be hard-pressed to find an offering of similar quality anywhere in Africa.

 

Lion Sands: Where Nature and Luxury Meet

Posted on by James

Nestled on the southern edge of the world famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve sits Lion Sands, an exclusive lodge run by the More family, that just happens to boast some of the best game viewing in the world.
Leopard, cheetah, elephant, wild dog and of course lions… there is no shortage of high profile game in this reserve that adjoins the Kruger National Park, with only the Sand River (that gives the Sabi Sands its name) in between.

The Lion Sands offering in this part of the world has expanded in recent years however, and the brand has now extended its offering, operating a private concession within the Kruger Park itself, meaning guests have the choice of four different lodges over a much bigger traversing area.
Ivory, River, Narina and Tinga lodges all offer different yet opulent accommodation options, and all have access to a world class wildlife experience.
Whether on honeymoon, travelling as a family, as a first timer or in a big group, Lion Sands has an experience for everyone.

Although the usual safari experience of two game drives a day comes standard at Lion Sands, it is through their specialised offerings that they start to really differentiate themselves.

Sleep outs in a lantern-strewn treehouse; Fish Eagle and Hi’Nkweni villas that offer exclusive use accommodation (two bedrooms each), and a whole host of tailor-made experiences add that extra touch of magic to a safari that has guests returning time and time again.

Being in such a game-rich area, photography is a key component of safari at Lion Sands. Incredible sightings seem to fill up your memory card faster than you can download your images, with the big cats taking centre stage and an incredibly diverse supporting cast backing them up. With this in mind, Lion Sands has developed a fantastic photographic studio, in which guests can edit their safari images with their ranger or one of the in-house photographic specialists, and what’s more, print their photos on canvas to take home as a special memory.

A picture tells a thousand words…

For years now, the More brand has been amongst the leaders in the Southern African safari space, with their lodges continuing to help raise the bar of what luxury safari truly means.
The Sabi Sands is where it began for them, and their offerings in that reserve as well as the neighbouring Tinga concession of the Kruger Park are certainly their flagship locations.

The constant rave reviews we get from guests about the properties – the game-viewing, the food, the guiding, the accommodation – continue to place Lion Sands right up there in our “Must Visit” category…

 

The NEW Dulini Moya

Posted on by James

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa is world-famous for its wildlife viewing – particularly of leopards – and there is now a new jewel in its crown; Dulini Moya, tucked away on the banks of the Mabrak River in the western sector of the park.

Whether it’s a luxury escape you’re after, tranquility, time in nature, or some of the most exciting game viewing on the planet, Dulini Moya has it all.

The boutique lodge, with only six beautifully appointed chalets, blends so seamlessly with its surroundings that at no point do you feel as if you’re removed from the wilderness in which you find yourself. Leopards are known to wander right through the camp, elephants are regular features in front of your room, and with each suite having its own private viewing space, you may well feel as if it’s just you, the wildlife, and no one else for miles around.

Private plunge pools on the deck of each suite allow for a cool refuge in the summer, and romantic room interiors are the perfect place to snuggle up in the chill of a winter evening, with the Scops owls calling from the canopy of an overhanging leadwood tree and the southern skies shining overhead in all their glory.

Game drives of course, are one of the main reasons of anyone’s visit to the bush, and Dulini will deliver. With one of the highest recorded leopard densities in the world, the Sabi Sand reserve is the place to view these big cats, and their Big 5 brethren are never far away. Lions, elephants, buffalo and rhino are all regularly encountered, with a myriad of other mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians completing the ensemble.
And when arriving back at the lodge after drive you will be greeted by warm smiles and laughter.
As Dulini say themselves:

The safari may be at the epicentre of Dulini offering, but care and the touch of personal relationship are at its heart.

The leopard viewing at Dulini is nothing short of spectacular.
A lioness closes an eye to avoid a wayward tail from one of her cubs.

Dulini Moya promises to break new grounds in the luxury boutique lodge space. Their emphasis on sustainable conservation, local community empowerment and ethical tourism is fast becoming the new normal in the safari industry, and this is certainly one property that does it with aplomb.

Feel free to get in touch if you want to know more about Dulini Moya, or indeed the rest of the Dulini Collection.
There are some spectacular specials on offer right now, so don’t wait too long…

 

The Best Lion Viewing Destinations in Africa

Posted on by James

Lions are one of, if not the, main reason people travel from all around the world to partake in an African safari. Apex predators in every environment they inhabit, they are the epitome of the wild nature of the continent itself.
Sadly, the reality is that over the last century, lion numbers across Africa have dramatically declined, primarily because of human encroachment and the subsequent loss of habitat for the big cats. Yet in major game reserves in a number of countries, their populations are stable if not recovering.
And lion viewing in one part of Africa may be very different to another.
Here then are our 5 suggested lion viewing destinations, chosen for their variety…

A lioness in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater

Serengeti/Masai Mara

For sheer numbers and scale, the great open plains of East Africa simply have no equal. Apart from the huge herds of wildebeest that make their way through the ecosystem as part of the Great Migration each year, every other animal seems dwarfed by vastness of these grasslands, the king of beasts included.

The scale of the landscape is what makes much of East Africa’s lion viewing special.

The contiguous Serengeti and Masai Mara ecosystems boast roughly 4000 lions between them, and unlike the wildebeest herds that move between the two in a great loop, the lions – being territorial – are around all year, meaning viewing is constant and incredibly varied depending on which season you are in.

You won’t ever forget viewing lions with the endless grasslands of Africa stretching out to infinity behind them…

Duba Plains

Situated right up in the north of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Duba Plains became famous a few years ago for the specialised lion prides inhabiting the area, that had learnt the knack of using the Okavango’s myriad water channels to hunt buffalo.
Huge cats, developing much thicker than normal upper body muscles from wading through the water courses, these lions use special tactics to isolate individual buffalos – even the big bulls – and drive them into the water where the bovines’ manoeuvrability and ability to defend themselves is greatly reduced

Duba Plains lions face down their eternal enemy. Photograph courtesy Leigh Kemp
The lions of Botswana’s northern waterways have learnt to use the channels to their advantage. Photograph courtesy Ed French.

There is of course no guarantee of witnessing such amazing buffalo/lion interaction, but for idyllic habitat and lions that have the know-how, look no further than this destination for your lion fix.

Sabi Sand Reserve

South Africa’s world famous wildlife reserve in the north-east of the country is essentially the big cat viewing destination against which all others are measured.
Not only does it boast a particularly high density of both lions and leopards (the leopard population is reputedly the densest in Africa), but the guides have an intimate knowledge of the prides and the individuals they contain. This means that sightings take on a life of their own as it isn’t just lions you’re viewing; it’s these lions…
Individual life stories and entire family trees are accessible through the guides and trackers, so even a sleeping cat can become the most fascinating creature on earth as its trials and tribulations are revealed to you.

Cubs like this will be known to local guides and trackers, and descriptions of the complex make-up of the pride will all be part of the fascinating viewing.

As the Sabi Sand is all privately owned, off-roading is allowed (conditions depending), so one is able to get intimate views of all wildlife, not just the local lion population.

Incredible lion viewing at Londolozi Game Reserve.

Click here to view some of our favourite lodges in the Sabi Sand Reserve…

Ruaha National Park

South-centrally situated in Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is one of only six reserves that can boast a population of over 1000 lions. It is part of the greater Ruaha Landscape, a 50,000 square kilometre section of East Africa that serves as one of the continent’s most important wildlife areas.
Its rugged scenery, prominently featuring the iconic baboab tree, is a haven for predators, particularly in the dry season (May to October), when wildlife centres its activities around the Ruaha River where the remaining water supplies are, and the lions in particular take advantage of the weakened state of the herbivores to hunt along the river fringes.

 

Ruaha is defined by spectacular landscapes…

Although not as well known as its sister reserves further north, Ruaha’s wildlife viewing is just as spectacular in its own right, and a multitude of luxury safari options that generally fly below the radar are available to those wanting a safari a bit more off the beaten track.

North-West Namibia

You are less likely to see lions in this inhospitable part of Southern Africa, but if you do manage to get a sighting (and many of the specialised camps are masters at finding where the roaming prides of desert lions are to be found), it will be like no other you’ve ever had.
Lions plodding their way over soaring sand dunes; lions threading their way along long-dry desert watercourses; lions on the beach…
The uniquely adapted desert lion population of north-west Nambia is highly specialised for their environment.

 

A lioness reclines on a sand dune. An incredibly special sight. Photograph courtesy Wilderness Safaris.

Some hunt the giant desert giraffes, some have been known to hunt seals on the beaches of the aptly named Skeleton coast, and some lions have even been known to eat the desert-growing Tsama melons.

Just a chance to see these unique cats is well worth looking into Namibia as your next safari destination with a difference…

 

A lion pride in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater

The beautiful thing about Africa is its sheer diversity of wildlife offerings. If lion viewing is your main reason for visiting, be sure to get in touch with our sales representatives, and we can start planning your dream lion-viewing safari…

Londolozi: A Return Home

Posted on by Terri

It has been 26 years since I first journeyed to Londolozi Game Reserve, yet every time I visit I still feel the same sense of giddy excitement I did on that initial visit so long ago, the same sense of nostalgia when I climb up into the Land Rover for the opening game drive of the trip, and the same overwhelming sense of sadness when I leave.

It’s not just the amazing sightings of leopards in trees, lions wading through the Sand River, or being surrounded by the 7th herd of elephants for the morning. It’s far more than that.
This for me was where my true love for the bush began, as I began to see exactly what type of experience it could – and should – be.

My first visit to Londolozi, 26 years ago (I am standing centre). Ranger Julius Ngwenya (sitting in front) has his son now working as a tracker at Londolozi.
And our latest trip, out on game drive waiting for lions to wake up in the evening.

This is what Londolozi does so well. There’s no formula. That went out the window long ago. Yes there is a framework within which the lodge operates – out before sunrise each morning to catch the dawn chorus, night drives following lions on the hunt, bush walks to make you touch, smell, and truly listen – but the reality is that each safari, each time you venture out of the camp gates in fact, is tapered to suit your specific needs.

One of the many herds that inhabit the reserve wade across the Sand River (Pioneer Camp is just out of picture to the left).
The winter months are an especially good time to see elephants in the South African bush.

Birding is your thing? No problem; the focus shifts to the myriad different habitats that the reserve features, with the guide and tracker fully aware of which species are to be found where. Photographically inclined, wanting to capture that magical silhouette shot of a leopard outlined against the vivid reds of an African sunset? The tracking team will find that leopard, and – conditions permitting – the ranger will know exactly where to position the vehicle and what camera settings to use to make sure you nail the shot. There is no such thing as homogeneity in the Londolozi experience. It’s always unique and always special.

You never know what will be around the next corner at Londolozi…

I try to get back there once a year, except these days it’s not just me and my husband but my kids as well, and my brother and his wife regularly accompany us.
We try to stay in Pioneer Camp each year, the most westerly of the Londolozi camps. One of Londolozi’s three Relais and Chateaux camps, Pioneer only has three rooms, perfect for a family of our size. The adults go into two of them while the kids squeeze into the third (which is connected to ours by a discreet walkway).
And for a magical ten days, the camp becomes home.

The camp manager this year was Shannon Dawson, the most wonderful person you could ever wish to meet, and she shares a similar history with us in that she has also been visiting Londolozi with her family since she was small. And now she calls it home too.
Nothing was ever too much for Shannon, and her delightful smile was always there to welcome us home after game drive, morning and evening.

This leopard was waiting for us just off the edge of the Pioneer Camp deck as we returned from game drive one evening!

Travelling out from Atlanta, GA, where I live these days (having moved from South Africa in the 90s), it makes far more sense for us to come for a longer trip, so ten days is usually the least amount of time we will stay. I cannot emphasise enough the value of a longer stay. It allows one to truly sink into a place, to adjust to the flow of the African bush, and get to know the ranger, tracker and camp staff far better than one would in what would traditionally have been a three night adventure.

Our coffee stop one morning in a treehouse overlooking the Sand River.

 

A young leopard cub peers down nervously from the boughs of a marula tree, still uncertain of the best way to descend.

Particularly for those coming from further afield, long stay safaris are slowly starting to replace the three night visits, which travel trends are definitely starting to reflect. The idea it seems, is to go deeper, not broader. Rather than hopping between lodges, discerning travellers are preferring to remain in one place, getting the absolute most out of a visit that they can.
This is certainly what we try to accomplish each time we visit Londolozi.

Tiny wild dog pups emerge from their den as their mother calls them out.

This was our first time back in a couple of years, Covid-19 and other circumstances having prevented us visiting since July 2018.

The best thing for me was just how easy travel was in these times: flights were not a problem, covid-compliant and everything almost seemed easier than normal, especially given that airports are far less crowded. A hop, skip and a jump, and back in Londolozi we were…

And what a return it was.
Lions taking down a buffalo on our first morning, male leopards roaring back and forth at each other, a female leopard with her cubs just learning how to climb, wild dog pups emerging from their den for the first time… The sightings were incredibly varied and seemingly endless.
And in between them was the Londolozi fun; Wimbledon-themed dinners, soccer games for the kids, tracking lessons from Joy Mathebula… Whenever we least expected it, there was something new and exciting on the cards.

Tracker Andrea Sithole – who our family have known for years – celebrates a goal with my daughter Brodi in a soccer game organised for the kids staying in camp.
One of the dominant male leopards that Londolozi is so famous for, drinking only a few feet from our vehicle.

Londolozi doesn’t just thrill with the wildlife. They take you into their world and open your eyes. You get to see what this one wild life we have all been given should really be about: fun, connection, intimacy with nature and ultimately finding the best version of yourself.

I know I find that person whenever I’m at Londolozi.
And you can too…

 

 

The Beauty of the Sabi Sands

Posted on by Lexi Hall

Not only did our director John Holley spend two wonderful years working at Londolozi in the Sabi Sands but our team is often there visiting. In fact, we just can’t seem to stay away! Here are a few reasons why this wonderful place holds a special place in our hearts. 

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve was the first private game reserve in South Africa, founded in 1948 and now forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. 

Sharing a 32-mile unfenced border with the Kruger, wildlife can traverse freely creating an exceptional opportunity for big game viewing with some of the world’s finest rangers and trackers. 

The Sabi Sands is one of the most sought-after private game reserves for safari and this comes as no surprise with the unforgettable luxury accommodations available. 

This 65, 000-hectare wilderness should definitely be on your travel bucket-list – a destination that will see your many returns once you get a taste of all its magic! 

Here are some of our favourite luxury accommodations in the reserve; from romantic escapes to family retreats, there is the perfect bush escape for every reason, season and occasion. 

Singita

Singita means “place of miracles,” which truly embodies everything for which this incredible brand has become famous. Known for astonishing game viewing, Singita has won “Top Hotel in the World” more than 16 times.

Dulini Lodge 

Sheltered beneath the shade of ancient trees and embraced by the riverine setting, the tranquil haven offers a five-star luxury experience.  The subtle blend of pan-African art and the traditional safari theme creates an enchantment while ensuring Dulini feels like a home away from home. Dulini Lodge is also world-famous for its leopard sightings. 

Londolozi

Three of Londolozi’s five lodges, namely Granite, Pioneer and Tree are Relais & Chateaux properties and these lodges are true to the elegance and attention to detail that this world-renowned signature embodies. The remainder of the five, Founders and Varty are not to be overlooked. Varty Camp is adored for its deep history and endearing charm; and Founders is equally deserving of complimentary adjectives: sophisticated, warm and classic.

Kirkmans Camp 

This opulent Victorian-themed masterpiece conjures an atmosphere of bygone luxury and calm on the banks of the Sand River.

Chitwa Chitwa 

The sophisticated lodge is set amongst towering Acacia and ancient Ebony trees, overlooking the Sabi Sands largest waterhole. 

Lion Sands  

Lions Sands’ pride of four ultra-luxury lodges, all perched along the Sabie River, are a testament to a family’s passion and admiration for their pristine piece of wild Africa. It is nurtured as a gift passed down over four generations and each lodge endeavours to share its story and its beauty with everyone that visits. 

These properties are world-contenders for the best hospitality, food, architecture and luxury. But it is not only the lodges that provide the avid traveller with a lifetime of memories. 

The ultimate bush experience is made distinct by the quality of game viewing. The Sabi Sands is one of the best places to view leopards – on exciting night drives, the Big Five and other game. On a single outing, you may even get to see up to 10 different animals and birds and observe their habits. 

With hundreds of bird species and tons of recorded mammal species, you won’t have to leave your lodge to see a plethora of plants and animals, especially being close to either the Sand or Sabie Rivers – perennial water sources that attract herds of animals to their water source year-round. Watch hippos cool down in the water while you take in the lush surroundings in summer or watch how the wild bring new life to this unspoilt corner. During the winter months, wildlife are more active and you have a greater chance of seeing big cats on the hunt or young cubs playing. 

In addition to the safari classics; the giraffe, zebra and hyena, you could spot a rare pangolin if you’re lucky. And the best part is that your experienced guides will be able to drive the vehicle off-road to follow any tracks and get up-close and personal with some of Africa’s finest wildlife. 

The easiest way to optimise your time in this prestigious wilderness is to catch a flight from Johannesburg or Kruger Mpumalanga International airport or to an airstrip in the Sabi Sands and have a transfer take you directly to your lodge. 

Take the necessary precaution and get vaccinated. Speak to your doctor or travel clinic about anti-malaria tablets and pack in your long-sleeved tops, long pants, socks and closed shoes. 

First-time safari-goers and regulars always return time and time again. This private game reserve is always in high demand, so book your Sabi Sands safari now!

 

Londolozi’s Lovely Revamp

Posted on by Lexi Hall

Londolozi effortlessly exceeds all expectations of a luxurious, hospitable, wilderness getaway and as you all know – it has a very special place in our hearts! Therefore we are incredibly proud to share with you the most recent updates including the new Varty Camp which reopened its doors to visitors on the 24 March 2018, the introduction of a completely new addition to the Londolozi family – the Londolozi Healing House, which was unveiled in April and the rejuvenation of the famous Private Granite Suites.

Our director John Holley recently returned from Londolozi, and he says“…the new Varty Rooms are exceptional! Light years ahead of the previous rooms and now a greater experience and great value for money.” “They have also made amazing little touches to the Granite Suite and really completed the whole experience.”

With elevated chalets thoughtfully merged into the beautiful riverine forest alongside the Sand River, Varty camp has refurbished the living spaces of each chalet without producing any unnecessary construction. The architectural vision remains conscious of the importance of creating simple, elegant rooms that could be havens for stillness – crafted as spaces for contemplation and where one could find time to enjoy an intangible connection to nature.

Each accommodation emulates Londolozi’s mantra of simplicity, tranquillity, peace, harmony – where guests can create quiet and deep connections with the 6 million acres of wilderness that the camp remain subordinate to.

The refurbishment of the existing chalets has placed the emphasis on outdoor living – still boasting its own private plunge pool and expansive wooden deck, looking out into the riverine bush and the abundant wildlife that roams the riverbed below.

In addition, an outdoor lounge area, outdoor shower and outdoor dining sala have been added to complement the existing symphony between man and nature. The room interiors are dressed in shades of white, grey and oak, whilst wall-to-wall mirrors reflect the riverine forest that surrounds. The footprint of the buildings, the meandering paths and old dolerite stone walls remain unchanged since their original construction, and the authentic look and feel of Varty Camp has not only been maintained but enhanced.

The brand new Healing House at Varty Camp has crafted specific treatments with the combination of bodywork and alternative wellness which offer guests the opportunity for true relaxation that will restore and transform mind, body and soul. The resident Wellness Practitioners and Therapists are trained to facilitate an unprecedented, integrated holistic nature-based experience which is unparalleled in Southern Africa.

And not forgetting Londolozi’s Private Granite Suite that pulsates romance and moulds seamlessly into the surrounding environment. The granite surfaces jutting out in front of your private deck are playgrounds for herds of elephants – so close you could almost touch them.

Set as a refuge in the inner temple of Londolozi’s five camps, the accommodation has been further enhanced by the addition of a sunset river bar and sunken cocktail lounge suspended high above ground. The Private Granite Suites themselves have been refurbished to Londolozi’s highest standards and the décor continues to honour the rooms’ proximity to the river and the daily visits by elephants in front of the camp.

For more on this – one of our most exceptional camps click here.