​Overview – Londolozi GR

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa.

Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many Africa guidebooks, including the Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa.

Philip is the author of many Africa guidebooks, including the Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa.

Philip is author of the Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa.

Londolozi is a private game reserve and part of the greater Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which shares open borders with world-famous Kruger National Park. Being part of this vast ecosystem, Londolozi offers a genuine wilderness experience and excellent wildlife viewing. Emphasis is given to sightings of the Big Five and other high-profile species such as cheetah. Unlike in most parks, leopard are easily seen in this area.

Londolozi, started by the Varty family 90 years ago, is one of the original pioneering private game reserves of South Africa. It is responsible for introducing the leopard habituation for which Sabi Sands is known today. There are five exquisite lodges on the property – each offering excellent food and service – but with differences in style and price. Londolozi is one of the bigger properties in Sabi Sands offering limited traversing rights, which ensures wildlife sightings don't get too crowded.

Best Time To Go May to September (Dry season)
High Season October to March (It can get a bit busy)
Size Sabi Sands* 650km² / 251mi²
Altitude Sabi Sands* 272-479m / 892-1,572ft

Pros & Cons

  • Wildlife viewing is great, and all of the Big Five are commonly seen
  • Off-road driving allows you to get close to wildlife
  • Skilled guides offer walking safaris and daytime and night drives
  • Five luxury safari lodges with different styles and price range
  • Limited traversing rights ensure this part of Sabi Sands doesn't get very crowded
  • Safari packages are expensive and fully inclusive
  • Less exciting species are often passed over in favor of flagship species

Londolozi GR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

Wildlife is abundant, and game viewing is excellent. All high-profile safari animals are present and easily seen (including the Big Five and cheetah). Leopard have been highly habituated for years in this area and encounters with them are virtually guaranteed. Some of the beautiful antelope species you’re likely to encounter are greater kudu, impala, waterbuck and the small steenbok.

Scenery

Londolozi's landscape is made up of woodland savannah. Although the foliage is thick in areas, it seldom interferes with game viewing because the rangers are skilled in tracking wildlife and are allowed to drive off-road.

See Sabi Sand Game Reserve for more info

Londolozi is part of the greater Sabi Sand Game Reserve. See the links below for more info about Sabi Sands.

Want To Visit Londolozi GR?

Londolozi Operators

Londolozi GR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Stephen Cunliffe  –  
South Africa ZA

Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa.

The Land of the Leopard
5/5

When hunting along the Sand River gave way to photographic safaris some thirty-five years ago, the old hunting camp location was rechristened Londolozi: a name derived from the Zulu word meaning ‘to protect’. It was a pioneering...

Full Review

Latest User Review
Mikerophoto  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Nov 29, 2017
ONCE IN A LIFETIME JOURNEY!
5/5

I am not certain at all how it could have been more ideal. We saw all on our list save the cheetah, but saw leopard and lion multiple times a day. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and listened to our requests, over-delivering every...

Full Review