Game Reserve
Soulful, conservation-led luxury. This is four generations of a single family hosting guests in the African bush — campfire rituals, ranger-guides who know every animal by name, and an ethos that puts the land first. Expect genuine warmth, not corporate polish.
Book Tree Camp for the best romance and river views; Pioneer Camp for the most seclusion with just three suites
Why It Matters
First game reserve in the world to earn Relais & Châteaux status (1993). Voted #1 Hotel and Resort in the World by Condé Nast Traveler readers (2014) and #1 Resort in South Africa by the same publication (2023). Nelson Mandela visited and called it a model for nature preservation in South Africa. In 2026, Londolozi celebrates its centennial — 100 years of continuous family stewardship.
Londolozi is the Zulu word for 'Protector of all Living Things' — and the Varty family has lived up to that name since 1926, when they first pitched camp on a bend of the Sand River in Sabi Sand. In 1993 it became the first game reserve in the world to receive Relais & Châteaux status. Five distinct camps string along the same riverbank, each with its own personality: Varty Camp is the warm, family-hearted original with a campfire that has burned for nearly a century; Tree Camp is the romantic one, elevated on stilts above the river; Pioneer Camp offers three near-private suites deep in 500-year-old ebony forest; Founders Camp suits multigenerational families with its interconnecting sky-walk suites; and Private Granite Suites can be bought out for just six guests. The leopard viewing is the headline — Londolozi has tracked individual leopard dynasties here since 1979 and the reserve covers 14,000 hectares of unfenced wilderness that bleeds straight into Kruger.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
Founders Camp Chalet & Family Suite
From USD1,924 / nightTen chalets in total, split between couple-oriented units and interconnecting family suites linked by glass sky walkways. Described as 'bush bohemia' — swathes of soft-toned fabric in the riverside lounge, a young and slightly laid-back energy compared to Varty. The yoga deck, shaded by a 500-year-old ebony tree directly on the riverbank, is one of the finest spots on the property. Floor-to-ceiling glass everywhere. Private plunge pools, king or twin beds, heated decks, en-suite bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers. Family chalets have interconnecting bedrooms sharing a lounge and dining area.
King or twin (family suites interconnect)
Pioneer Camp Suite
From USD2,364 / nightThe most secluded camp on the reserve. Only three suites, each 138 sqm, set among 500-year-old ebony trees with sweeping river views from elevated stilted decks. The aesthetic is Ralph Lauren-meets-African safari: faithfully restored colonial memorabilia, old photographs, gramophones, silver teapots, and a bespoke wallpaper in the bar telling the story of safari pioneers. Victorian-style bathrooms finished in marble, chrome, and mahogany with both indoor and outdoor showers and a freestanding tub. Four-poster king beds with mosquito netting, underfloor heating, fireplace, private plunge pool. Two suites interconnect via glass sky walkway — ideal for travelling with a companion or family. Bookable individually or exclusively for the whole camp (up to 12 guests).
Four-poster king · 138 sqmPrivate Granite Suite
From USD2,970 / nightThree suites designed for the most demanding guests, built for exclusive use by a maximum of six people. The palette is deliberately bold — silver, charcoal, and elephant grey in sumptuous materials that echo the granite rock extrusions flanking the camp. Large doors and windows open directly onto the Sand River, achieving that rare thing: a genuinely seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Contemporary and sculptural in feel — no colonial nostalgia here, just clean lines and outstanding materials. Can be booked as individual suites or taken as a complete private camp. Ideal for honeymooners, small groups celebrating something significant, or anyone who needs total privacy.
KingTree Camp Suite
From USD2,660 / nightSix suites in a small, intimate camp named after the ancient Ebony tree that anchors it. Elevated on stilts above the Sand River — the views from the private deck are genuinely spectacular at sunrise. The main lounge opens onto a large wooden deck that appears to float over the water. Often cited as the most beautiful of the five Londolozi camps: simple, elegant, romantic. Private plunge pools, outdoor showers, and the kind of river-and-wildlife theatre that guests photograph obsessively. Adults only in spirit — Tree Camp does not actively cater to young children.
KingVarty Camp Chalet
From USD1,545 / nightThe oldest and most family-oriented camp on the property. Eight standard chalets and two superior chalets sit raised off the ground on timber platforms under a canopy of ancient riverine trees, each one separated by about 15 metres for privacy. Classic Londolozi palette — whites, earthy tones, owner's-home warmth. Standard chalets have indoor showers and a freestanding bath; superior chalets add outdoor showers. Every unit gets its own private plunge pool, timber deck with outdoor sala, and bush views. King-size beds, mosquito nets, 100% white cotton linen, air-con, fans, minibar, tea and coffee. Family-friendly for children 6 and over.
King (some twin configurations available)The Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A dedicated activity programme for children at Varty Camp, teaching young guests how to track animals, identify birds and plants, and engage with the bush in an age-appropriate way. Children over 6 are welcome at Varty, Founders, and Pioneer camps.
One group yoga class per day held on the Founders Camp yoga deck, shaded by a 500-year-old ebony tree directly on the banks of the Sand River. Open to guests of all five camps.
An educational visit to the Good Work Foundation's operations based in the Londolozi village — showcasing the lodge's long-running investment in education and community upliftment for the surrounding rural communities.
On-foot walking safaris led by experienced rangers into the surrounding wilderness. Slower and more intimate than drives — ideal for learning about plants, insects, tracking signs, and the smaller details of the bush that you miss from a vehicle.
Twice-daily game drives in open Land Rover vehicles across 16,000 hectares of private wilderness. Rangers and trackers — with a combined 350+ years of experience between them — are not bound by Kruger National Park rules, so they can drive off-road, follow animals through thicket, and position vehicles for the best sightings. Trackers sit at the front reading fresh spoor; the radio network between camps means vehicle limits at sightings are enforced to keep encounters exclusive. The legendary leopard tracking programme, running since 1979, means guides know individual animals by name and lineage.
Spotlight-assisted drives after dark, targeting nocturnal predators and rarely-seen species. Not always automatically scheduled — confirm with reservations when booking.
A professional on-site studio where guests can edit and print safari photographs with expert guidance. Equipment rental and tuition are available but charged separately from the standard rate.
Informal star-gazing in an area with virtually no light pollution. The Milky Way is visible on clear nights, and rangers can guide guests through the southern hemisphere sky.
A guided visit to the local Shangaan village to learn about the community's culture and traditions. Often includes a stop at the Good Work Foundation literacy programme and preschool — one of Londolozi's most significant conservation development initiatives. Guests consistently rate this among the highlights of their stay.
Private wine tastings and pairings with the in-house sommelier, highlighting boutique South African family estate wines and occasional French Champagne selections. Available on request for special occasions — charged separately.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Wi-Fi available across all lodges — but connection speed in the bush is what it is. Most guests spend their screen time uploading photos rather than working.
Traditional boma at Founders Camp and other camps — a reed-enclosed outdoor dining and socialising space set beside the pool, used for evening campfire dinners and gatherings.
A fully equipped fitness centre at Varty Camp, accessible to guests across all camps.
An on-site kitchen garden supplies fresh herbs and produce to the camp kitchens.
Daily laundry service included for all guests.
Elevated lounge areas at each camp with curated libraries — a mix of African wildlife literature, photography books, and fiction. Well-suited to the long afternoon quiet period between game drives.
In-room minibar and tea/coffee-making facilities in all chalets and suites.
All chalets and suites are fully air-conditioned and have ceiling fans.
An on-site boutique at Varty Camp stocking locally crafted art, curios, photography equipment, and Londolozi merchandise. Purchases are charged separately.
Londolozi produces its own still and sparkling water in glass bottles from a borehole, eliminating single-use plastic water bottles entirely.
All five camps have their own main pool in addition to private plunge pools. Pioneer Camp also has a full-length lap pool.
Every chalet and suite across all five camps has its own private plunge pool on the deck.
Londolozi has its own private airstrip — a 5-minute drive from the main camps. Federal Air and Airlink operate scheduled daily shuttle flights from OR Tambo International (JNB). Soft bags only, 20kg limit.
BUILD YOUR LONDOLOZI GAME RESERVE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning