Londolozi Private Game Reserve is a large game reserve, with 15 000 hectares (150 km
2) / 42 000 acres (58 sq mi) of land in South Africa. This means 1 bed per 167 hectares of land. Londolozi Rangers are not bound by Kruger Park rules and can therefore drive off-road on safari and conduct comprehensive bush walks into the wilderness.. The reserve is part of the
Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve
Sabi Sand Game Reserve is located adjacent to the Kruger National Park in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga, South Africa. Officially named Sabi Sand Wildtuin, the Sabi Sand Game Reserve consists of a group of private game reserves. The Newington Gate ...
, situated on the western border of
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is a South African National Park and one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa, and extends from north to south and from ea ...
, which together with some other parks make up the
Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park is a 35,000 km² peace park that is in the process of being formed. It will link the Limpopo National Park (formerly known as Coutada 16) in Mozambique, Kruger National Park in South Africa, Gonarezhou Nation ...
. Londolozi is a
Zulu word meaning "''Protector of all Living Things''". Wildlife in this reserve includes the
Big Five of Africa (lions, leopards, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant and African buffalo).
The reserve was established in 1926 by Frank Unger and Charles Boyd Varty. The land, named Sparta Farm, was bought from
Transvaal Transvaal is a historical geographic term associated with land north of (''i.e.'', beyond) the Vaal River in South Africa. A number of states and administrative divisions have carried the name Transvaal.
* South African Republic (1856–1902; af, ...
Consolidated Investments (TCI). Sparta was used as a hunting farm until 1971 when Charles Varty's two sons, Dave Varty and
John Varty
John Varty (born 27 November 1950) is a South African wildlife filmmaker who has made more than 30 documentaries and one feature film. Varty is an author, singer-songwriter and activist. He co-owns Londolozi Game Reserve and Tiger Canyon - A ...
, shifted the focus of the property to
ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving responsible travel (using sustainable transport) to natural areas, conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local people. Its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds ...
and photographic safaris instead of hunting. Londolozi is part of the GLTFCA - the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Association
The game reserve has five camps situated next to each other along the banks of the Sand River. In 2014, Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Londolozi as the best hotel and resort in the world. The reserve has been lauded internationally for its far-sighted and progressive land and wildlife management, as well as its productive community involvement. In 1993, Londolozi became the first game reserve in the world to be accorded
Relais & Châteaux
Relais & Châteaux is an association of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and restaurants. The group currently has about 580 members in 68 countries on five continents. Predominantly represented in Europe, the association is grow ...
status
In 1992,
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (; ; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist who served as the President of South Africa, first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1 ...
visited Londolozi for a period following his release from prison.
["Remembering Madiba" - Londolozi Blog Post in tribute to Mandela.https://blog.londolozi.com/2013/12/06/nelson-mandel/]
References
{{reflist
Game reserves of South Africa