Safari Luxury: A Stay at Londolozi Game Reserve in Sabi Sands
by Krish Patel
Are you looking for one of the best safari experiences in South Africa?
Look no further than the Londolozi Game Reserve in Sabi Sands of Kruger National Park. With several amenities in a peaceful environment surrounded by endless nature and excellent safaris, this is the lodge to stay at during your safari trip. Every room is a spacious suite with thoughtful touches that enhance the guest experience.
Londolozi Game Reserve Location and Convenience
The nearest airport to Londolozi is actually an airstrip located within the game reserve (LDZ). Domestic charter flights to and from Johannesburg depart and arrive on the air strip daily, making it very convenient to reach the safari lodge.
I was flying into the town of Skukuza (the nearest actual airport) from Cape Town. Skukuza Airport is a one hour and 20 minute drive from Londolozi.
Londolozi Game Reserve Layout, Safaris, and Amenities
Londolozi Game Reserve can be accessed by a mobile vehicle and requires driving on a long pathway that leads to the different camps. The lodge has five safari camps for its travelers that each have different levels of luxury (from least to most expensive: Varty, Founders, Pioneer, Tree, Granite Camps). I was booked into Founders Camp during my stay, which features elegant and spacious chalets.
Amenities can be found all throughout the property’s camps. For example, the gym and pool can be found in Varty Camp. Additionally, Varty is also home to the Healing House, where spa and wellness treatments are available. Londolozi’s gym is well-stocked with equipment such as a rack of weights and several cardio machines.
I love the pool at Londolozi, which features a few lounge chairs and just looks so peaceful. The lush green plants surrounding the pool make this a great spot to relax with a book or sun bathe if the weather is warm.
What I find very unique is the museum of Londolozi, which can be found in Varty Camp as well. The game reserve is over 100 years old and you’ll find information on the history of Londolozi in the mini museum.
Nestled in a 500 year-old tree in founders camp is one of the most peaceful yoga studios you’ll find anywhere. Daily one hour yoga classes from 12 PM to 1 PM are held in the studio. It was a great way to get in some peaceful exercise and relax in the nature of South Africa.
During your visit, you’ll be able to enjoy two safari game drives per day, one of which is in the morning and the other at sunset. Our safari driver (https://www.instagram.com/matt.rochford/) was very friendly and knowledgeable about each of the animals. I spotted several animals, including lions, zebras, giraffes, and savanna elephants (my personal favorite). There’s a lot of flexibility in doing the safari drives. For example, on my last day, I only had a morning game drive since my flight back home was in the evening.
The Room Accomodations at Londolozi Game Reserve
My chalet in Founders Camp was very luxurious, blending traditional safari luxury with modern sophistication. The living room area felt spacious, with a comfortable couch, desk space, and TV. I’m a huge fan of the artwork found throughout the chalet, which compliments the space well and makes it feel inspiring.
The main bedroom is very spacious and the white net surrounding the bed makes it feel luxurious. On either side of the bed is a night stand, and the bed itself is accented with various pillows. Also in the bedroom is a well-stocked mini bar complete with a fridge and safe. This room had one of the best mini bars I’ve seen, with snacks that were actually pretty good. The beverages (including the high-quality alcohol) were also free, with no additional fees.
Found within the bedroom is the chalet’s main bathroom, which features a bathtub backed by a massive window panel. Taking a bath in the tub almost makes you feel like you’re taking one out in nature.
Best of all, the chalet features an outdoor deck, built into which is a plunge pool. There are two poolside chairs, and the plunge pool itself is heated, ensuring perfect relaxation.
Londolozi Game Reserve Food and Drink
Each camp at Londolozi comes with a meeting place that features dining tables for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s also a bar, where you can choose from several alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day. Breakfast and lunch is always served at the meeting place, with a very extensive selection of meals.
Dinner has a rotating selection of dishes and is eaten either at the camp meeting place or by the bonfire. Each of my meals were delicious and it was fun to try something new everyday.
Booking a Stay at Londolozi Game Reserve
Londolozi is one of the most expensive safari lodges in South Africa, with stays costing upwards of $1,400 per night. Even the least expensive camp (Varty) comes at a steep cost, with typical rates at $1,420 per night. If you want to stay in Tree Camp or one of the Granite Suites, it can cost over $2,600 for just one night.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to book this lodge through any credit card travel portal. However, considering booking a stay during the winter (June through August) can potentially include lesser cash rates since it’s a lower tourism season.
Overall Thoughts
Londolozi Game Reserve is a wonderful safari lodge, with excellent accommodations and incredible service. I always felt cared for by the staff, who went above and beyond to make me feel welcome. The game reserve offers a lot of experiences, such as yoga classes, tours of the nearby village, and photography lessons. You’re going to have an exceptional safari if you stay at Londolozi, with two daily game drives. To get the full experience of the game reserve, I highly recommend staying for at least four nights (minimum of three).