Lodge
Thornybush, Kruger & the Private Reserves
Royal Malewane
Four separate lodges and three private villas sit within an unfenced 14,000-hectare reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park, near Thornybush, Limpopo.
Price on request
Lodge · Sabi Sand, South Africa
Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Londolozi sits on the Sand River in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, adjoining Kruger National Park, and has been run by the Varty family since 1926.
Overview
Londolozi Private Game Reserve stands on the banks of the Sand River in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa. The Varty family has run the property since 1926, and the reserve approaches its centenary in 2026. In 1993 Londolozi became the first game reserve in the world to be awarded Relais & Châteaux status, a distinction it still holds.
Five camps make up the property: Varty Camp, Tree Camp, Pioneer Camp, Founders Camp and the Private Granite Suites, together with a Private Villas option for small groups and multigenerational families. Varty Camp has ten chalets of 36 square metres and is described as the heart of the reserve. Tree Camp's six suites, each 78 square metres, sit in the leadwood tree canopy above the river. Pioneer Camp offers three suites of 138 square metres and can be configured for groups of six to twelve. Founders Camp has ten superior chalets of 45 square metres, and the Private Granite Suites, at 85 square metres each across three suites, look directly over the river where elephants pass. Tree Camp and the Private Granite Suites do not admit children under sixteen unless booked for exclusive use; Varty Camp and Founders Camp accept children aged six and over.
Game drives cover 34,000 acres within the wider Sabi Sand and Kruger complex, home to breeding herds of elephant and buffalo and, since 1979, a well documented population of leopards. Meals draw on home-grown produce from the Londolozi Village Gardens and a wine list built mainly from South African estates, overseen by an in-house sommelier.
- Rooms
- On request
- Minimum stay
- 1 night
- Check in
- 15:00
- Check out
- 12:00
Why we like it
- First game reserve in the world awarded Relais & Châteaux status, in 1993
- Family-run by the Varty family since 1926, approaching its centenary in 2026
- Five camps: Varty, Tree, Pioneer, Founders and the Private Granite Suites, plus Private Villas
- Game drives across 34,000 acres of the Sabi Sand and Greater Kruger
- Documented leopard sightings and research dating back to 1979
- Kitchen garden produce and a South African-led wine list with an in-house sommelier
Gallery
Rooms & suites
Categories shown for orientation. Your travel advisor will confirm which are available for your dates and recommend the one that suits the trip.
Varty Camp
Varty Camp is described as the heart and soul of Londolozi. It has ten chalets of 36 square metres, accepts children aged six and older, and can offer interlinked skywalk rooms so families can move between rooms without leaving the camp.
36 m²Up to 2 guests
Tree Camp
Tree Camp's six suites sit in the leadwood tree canopy, each measuring 78 square metres. Children under 16 are not permitted unless the camp is booked for exclusive use. Wildlife can be watched passing through the river below from the camp deck.
78 m²Up to 2 guestsRiver view
Pioneer Camp
Pioneer Camp is the most secluded and flexible camp at Londolozi, with three suites of 138 square metres. It suits honeymooners and families alike, and can be converted to host groups of six to twelve guests, including children of various ages.
138 m²Up to 12 guestsRiver view
Founders Camp
Founders Camp has ten superior chalets of 45 square metres. Described as classic meets modern, it accepts children aged six and older and is positioned to give an insider's view of river life.
45 m²Up to 2 guestsRiver view
Private Granite Suites
The Private Granite Suites comprise three suites of 85 square metres, each with a private outdoor bath overlooking the river where elephants pass. Children under 16 are not permitted unless the camp is booked for exclusive use.
85 m²Up to 2 guestsRiver viewPrivate Villas
Private Villas provide a setting for small groups or multigenerational families travelling together at Londolozi.
Up to 2 guests
Amenities
- Private plunge pools
- Photographic studio
- Healing House wellness centre
- Safari boutique
- Kitchen garden
- Wine cellar
- Airstrip
Reserving through us
Included when your travel advisor confirms this stay
- Daily breakfast for two
- Room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Property credit or equivalent where the house offers one
- Early check in and late check out on request
- Welcome amenity and your travel agent known to the general manager
Eligible preferred amenities are applied wherever available, subject to the property at the time of stay, and are confirmed in your proposal.
Location
Sabi Sand, South Africa
Sabi Sand lodges, the big five on a private concession and Cape Town a two hour flight away.
Part of Safari Lodges & Camps, Wellness Retreats
Questions
- Are children allowed at Londolozi's camps?
- Tree Camp and the Private Granite Suites do not admit children under 16 unless booked for exclusive use. Varty Camp and Founders Camp accept children aged six and older, with interlinked skywalk rooms available for families. Pioneer Camp can be arranged for families with children of various ages.
- How do guests get to Londolozi?
- Options include a private charter from Johannesburg, a Federal Air flight from Johannesburg straight to the Londolozi airstrip, or an SA Airlink connection from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Skukuza Airport, followed by a road transfer of roughly 60 minutes to the lodge.
- What is Londolozi's Relais & Châteaux status?
- In 1993 Londolozi became the first game reserve in the world to be accorded Relais & Châteaux status. It remains one of only two Relais & Châteaux lodges in Kruger National Park, with Tree Camp, Pioneer Camp and the Private Granite Suites carrying the association.
- Can Londolozi host larger family groups?
- Pioneer Camp can be configured to host groups of six to twelve guests, and Private Villas are set up for small groups or multigenerational families travelling together.
- What wildlife is Londolozi known for?
- The reserve is known for its leopards, studied by rangers and trackers since 1979. It also has breeding herds of elephant and buffalo, and among the highest concentrations of white rhino and lion recorded on the continent.
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