The world-famous Londolozi Private Game Reserve positioned on the banks of the Sand River is one of South Africa’s original private reserves, and is particularly well-renowned for its leopard encounters.
Londolozi is one of the oldest family-owned private game reserves in South Africa, with its beginnings dating back as far as June 1926, when Charles Boyd Varty and Frank Unger stood on the banks of the Sand River for the first time on what's now the site of Varty Camp. The property was a desolate cattle farm named Sparta, and the two men purchased it from Transvaal Consolidated Lands, with the intention to establish a hunting reserve before they’d ever even visited.
They caught a train from Pretoria to see the land for the first time utilising the Selati Railway, disembarking at a platform called Siding 61, which lies in the southern section of modern day Londolozi. The train was not due to return for a week; a local collected Varty and Unger with an ox wagon, and they set off for their new property until they reached the Sand River. Here they pitched their tents under a jackalberry tree, and set up a campfire in the same spot where the fire burns at Varty Camp today.
Sparta was used as a hunting farm, hosting presidents and princesses until 1969 when Charles Varty's children, Dave, John and Shan decided to alter the focus of the property to ecotourism and photographic safaris. The name of the farm was changed to Londolozi, which comes from a Zulu word meaning ‘protector of all living things’, reflecting the commitment to conserve this marvellous ecosystem. The following decades demonstrated that wildlife tourism was economically viable, and Londolozi became the first game reserve in the world to be awarded Relais & Châteaux status in 1993, a key indicator of the exceptional service delivered across its camps.
The reserve takes up an enviable position in the heart of the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve as the Sand River attracts a wealth of game to the area with the Big Five, cheetah and African wild dog regularly observed amongst a plethora of plains game, including giraffe, zebra and numerous antelope species. Populations of lion and white rhino are amongst the highest recorded on the African continent, however, it's the legendary leopards of Londolozi that take centre stage. Over the past four decades, the leopards have become habituated to the vehicles, rangers and trackers, meaning that these usually skittish felines are regularly observed at close quarters.
Londolozi isn't open to the public, so the lack of day trippers and self-drivers ensures an uncrowded and intimate experience. Only guests staying at one of the five exquisite luxury camps which offer stunning views, phenomenal service and exceptional cuisine are allowed to explore the reserve. All camps offer the same access to 5,000 hectares of the prime Big Five game viewing wilderness, guided by some of the continent’s finest rangers and trackers. Being a privately-owned reserve, it's possible to go off-road if necessary and to partake in night drives and bush walks.
View suggested itinerary
Luxury
