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Londolozi Game Reserve
There was a time, when the African bushveld was popular, primarily for wildlife hunting as part of a Jungle Holiday. A rarity, reserved for kings, queens and princes of access. Availability of basic makeshift camps, and access to vehicles to tread dangerous zones, was a luxury!
A camp, now called ‘Londolozi’ played host to many such events. It was only 35 years ago, owners of Londolozi decided to discourage hunting to save the dwindling wildlife. Instead, game viewing was encouraged.
The owners christened the camp ‘Londolozi’, meaning ‘To Protect’. New name, signified owners renewed idea of a sanctuary that can sustain all living things, together – The wildlife, natural fauna and mankind.
Today, Londolozi is among the most sought-after luxury resorts in South Africa. Decades of experience has made Londolozi a seasoned place for discerning tourists. It is the perfect place to be, among the wild, without sacrificing the luxuries of urban living.
Londolozi Game Reserve boasts of 5 exquisite lodges. The Private Granite Suites lodge is the most ethereal and spacious of them all. Breathtaking views, enviable living quarters and services.
View from ground of mighty Private Granite lodge. It can accommodate up to six guests.
Sitting area of Private Granite Suites is furnished in modern interiors with a tinge of African taste for aJungle Holiday.
The lodge has several viewing arrangements in open area. This plunge pool is designed to look like a water body that belongs to the jungle. Each suite has its own private heated pool.
A successful holiday is incomplete without unforgettable cuisines. Londolozi offers an array of creative delicacies in your room and often magically in jungle, while on a safari. This game reserve has some of the most experienced and innovative chefs. Meals are cooked with home grown produce and locally sourced ingredients, to offer a wholesome African experience.
The Granite Suites are flanked by granite stones on one side . Other side allows spectacular views of tall African trees. The Private Granite Suites are the most expensive and worthy of a big price tag. Per person, per night stay starts at US$1390/GBP 870.
The Founders camp is one of my favourite. To experience an eye level encounter with the local inhabitants, this is the place to be in for a Jungle Holiday.
Founders camp is situated besides a river and consists of seven chalets.
Founder’s Camp is dedicated to founders of Londolozi, who contributed in maintaining the property for over half a century. Every wall here, has a story to tell – with pictures of founders and locals. Rooms are decorated with many more interesting memorabilia.
Bedrooms of Founders Camp are furnished in elegant style. There is every comfort in here, a city luxury hotel can offer.
This luxury hotel in a jungle might not offer bathing area in a waterfall, for the ultimate wilderness experience. However, it does have an outdoor shower with an infinite view of the greenery during a Jungle Holiday.
Newly renovated, completely secluded and away from other lodges, Pioneer Camp is apt for those looking for undisturbed time with their loved ones. The refurbished camp will appeal to those with a passion for refined splendour. Pioneer camp suites have bathing area with open roofs. The generous dinning area above, is a part of the newly decorated camp. With all its comforts, the Pioneer Camp is priced at US$ 1270/ GBP 794 per person, per night for a Jungle Holiday.
As children, many of us wished for a little tree house. Hidden behind much taller branches of Londolozi Game Reserve is this wish come true – the Tree Camp. Spectacular view below. Sometimes with elephants playing in the sand-river water. Its the place to be in, to sit with binoculars and observe natural ways of a jungle.
It’s a rather luxurious Tree camp. Curl up in these comfortable tree top lounge like a monkey, among grooving branches. All tree camp suites have a contemplation deck or ‘Salas’. Observe the beautiful flowers to delight the eye or be in peace with a bundle of books to read, till the sun sets.
There are 6 suites in the Tree Camp lodge. Rates vary, depending on number of people staying in each suite. Per person, per night price ranges from US$1220/ BGP 763 onwards.
Sabi Sabi
An hour away via chartered jet, from Johannesburg airport, is a private game reserve located in the middle of 65000 hectare of enchanting, wild nature. Sabi Sabi is perhaps the lone luxury resort in south western region of Kruger National Park.
The private game reserve was built in early 1980s. Half a decade earlier, game viewing was possible only for railway travellers. Recreational trains would pass through this region. Passengers were able to observe games, from the safety of a rail coach.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge
Sabi Sabi consists of four luxury lodges. My favourite among them is the ‘Earth Lodge’
Earth lodge appears like a cave from outside. Interiors are designed for a modern day, super rich, wannabe cave-man. Contemporary and quirky.
Earth Lodge covers a generous area of the Sabi Sabi property. There are 12 equally luxurious suites in the massive lodge, excluding the Amber Presidential suite.
Amber Presidential Suite is designed to suit a King’s taste. It comprises of a double bedroom, steam-room with egg shaped bath, study room and kitchen. A dedicated Land Rover comes as part of the package. For a selective traveller, there isn’t any residential arrangement as rich as the Amber suite, in all of South Africa!
Jaw dropping insides. Bedroom seems to have grown out of jungle woods. Look closely at its intricate details – natural form of tree trunk, texture of unfinished walls and statement chandelier.
Bathing area has all the facilities of a 5 star hotel – steam, egg shaped tub. A glass fronted view welcomes the forest wilderness. If you fancy a shower in open air, that too can be found in the presidential suite.
An unmanicured portion of the forest is selected to create a fabulous dinning area. Lanterns and wood fire are distributed, to highlight beautiful aspects of a wasted woodland. Imagine what a pleasure it would be, to sit here with the night sky above and infinite galaxy of stars to admire.
The Earth Lodge has plenty of surprising touches. An outdoor scene is created in a covered dining area. Tree branches form a chandelier and a little pool replicates the bush water.
A fascinating section of Earth lodge is the underground wine cellar. Signature wooden shapes used in Earth Lodge, bring a part of the jungle into this rich wine tasting room. About 6000 wines from across the world, are stored here. I adore the long bark-like table, made out of decades old tree. Suitable to host a dozen wine glasses of elite company.
The Earth Lodge tariffs are US$1920 or GBP 1201, for Amber Presidential Suite per person per night and US$1031 or GBP 645 for other 12 luxury suites.
Bush Lodge
Bush Lodge is the first lodge made under Sabi Sabi banner, in 1980s. 25 thatched and air conditioned suites have served several tourists. A favourite among them, is the Mandleve Presidential Suite. Its an ultra luxurious suite for those who wish to have a quite time and full privacy.
What a relaxed setting for a perfect holiday mood! Necessary outdoor shower and in-room dinning is included to let guests absorb the bliss of fine living, in a jungle. Mandleve Suite, too, comes with a Land Rover added in the package. Per person, per night may cost a mere US$1000 for a rather expensive looking suite.
Little Bush Camp
Hidden behind a canopy of untamed wild greens is the newest addition in Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve – The Little Bush Camp. Each room has its private viewing deck with a sauna area, lightly lit with lanterns. It is built to overlook a river, allowing clearer views of wildlife drinking in the natural reserve.
Lourenco Marques Suite
Ultimate fantasy in a jungle retreat. A tub surrounded by luxuries of a 5 star bathroom and an open sky above. The perfect way to relieve safari stress. This exquisite setting is part of Lourenco Marques suite at Sabi Sabi Lodge.
Apart from maintaing the beauty of residential area, Sabi Sabi also makes an effort to control damage caused by tourist activities. Several tactics like recycling water, limited use of electricity, correctly placing and maintaining roads. are carried out regularly to keep up the natural forest.
This is the second installation of ‘Luxury Hotels in a Jungle’ series on LuxuryVolt. Do join LuxuryVolt on Facebook and Twitter to know what’s coming next, in this series.
Images: Londolozi, South Africa Tourism
Images: Sabi Sabi, South Africa.
