Londolozi Game Reserve, Sabi Sands (Review)

Londolozi Private Game reserve is part of the renowned Sabi Sand Game Reserve (within the Greater Kruger National park) and they are lucky to own 15,000 hectares of prime game viewing land. Londolozi was one of the very first game lodges in South Africa, and for that reason it is a very special place. We have long wanted to visit to check it out and although we only managed to stay one night, it was great to finally get there!

For this trip we were lucky to leave the kids at home so we could enjoy the full luxury 5-star experience we knew Londolozi was known for. Londolozi has 5 camps to choose from – all of them luxurious but some a little more than the rest. We stayed in the original Varty Camp, which is one of the more popular (and also the cheapest) in the portfolio. 

Kids over six years old are welcome at Varty (and also Founders camp) and they do have some inter-leading chalets, making it one of the best options at Londolozi for families. Children are also welcome on game drives.

Like just about every game lodge, you will never go hungry staying at Londolozi. The difference to some though is the quality and choice of food – it was top notch..

Londolozi offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as light snacks before going on morning and afternoon game drives (and of course a drink and snack while on game drive). One of the things that sets them apart though is the extensive menu you can choose from at each meal – a lot of places either give you a buffet or a choice of up to three dishes- Londolozi has a more extensive (and fancy) menu – and the food was delicious. Drinks are of course included as well – at any time of the day (and they even encourage bubbles with breakfast!)

A couple of things to note about Londolozi game viewing that help make sure you have a good experience:

1. They use trackers (like most five-star lodges), which increases your chances of spotting/finding game – particularly cats which your tracker sometimes leaves your vehicle to track on foot.
2. As they have an extensive traversing area (34,000ha) but predominantly stick to their land (as do other lodges), which means a lower density of game vehicles out and about. That means there is typically less urgency to leave sightings, which means you often get higher quality game viewing as you can stay longer with really special sightings. This is contrast to many other lodges in Sabi Sands, where you end up only getting a very limited time before having to move out for the next vehicle.
3. Londolozi specialises in photographic safaris (though they are by no means the only lodge) – this means many of their guides are well trained to get you the best possible photo (which is definitely important to me). They even have a studio where your guide can help you edit photos after your safari.

• The service was up there with the best we’ve ever had. All staff were attentive and friendly.
• The food choice and quality was excellent.
• The mini bar in our room was well stocked and included
• We had our own plunge pool (always something I love)
• The game viewing is high quality with a large traversing area and lower density of vehicles compared to many other places in Sabi Sands
• They have a number of different camps to choose from, some more luxurious
• Easy to access for those who want to fly in and fly out with options to fly into their private airstrip or to nearby Skukuza airport

• The rooms at Varty camp were a little smaller than other lodges at a similar price point (but still very comfortable)
• Being one of the higher quality 5-star lodges, the price is obviously on the higher side
• As children over 6 can go out on drive, be aware that you could end up in a vehicle with children (if staying at Varty or Founders) – this is the case with most child-friendly lodges of course (and they do try to limit to 6 on a vehicle so perhaps unlikely)