Luxury South African safari lodge Londolozi has officially entered its 100th year, marking the milestone with celebrations that reflect both its conservation legacy and the strong relationships built with the global travel trade.
The centenary year began with a New Year’s Eve celebration titled ‘A Night Beneath the Jackalberry Tree’, where returning guests, partners and the Londolozi team gathered under lantern light and African skies. Notably, 52 of the guests attending the event had visited the lodge before, highlighting the long-standing loyalty that has shaped Londolozi’s journey.
Owned and operated by the Varty family, Londolozi has spent the past century building a reputation as one of Africa’s most influential private game reserves, known for its pioneering role in conservation, community development and luxury safari experiences.
Travel trade recognised as key to the journey
As part of the centenary reflections, Londolozi acknowledged the vital role played by travel advisors and industry partners in bringing international guests to the reserve over the past century.
The lodge said its growth and longevity have been closely linked to partnerships across the global travel trade, which have helped introduce generations of travellers to the wildlife and wilderness of South Africa.
For the Australian travel trade, Londolozi remains one of the most recognised luxury safari brands in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park, attracting high-end safari travellers seeking immersive wildlife experiences.
R10 million commitment to education and community
To mark the milestone, Londolozi has announced a R10 million commitment to the Good Work Foundation, a South African organisation focused on education and digital learning opportunities for rural communities.
The donation represents one million rand for each decade of Londolozi’s existence and reinforces the lodge’s long-standing belief that conservation and community development must go hand in hand.
The funding will support education programs aimed at empowering rural youth and expanding access to learning opportunities across the region.
Documentary series and storytelling project launched
As part of the centenary celebrations, Londolozi is also releasing a series of stories, photography and film projects exploring its history and future vision.
A three-part documentary series, developed over more than three years, will examine the evolution of the reserve, the families involved, and the wildlife conservation successes achieved over the past decade.
The content will be hosted on a dedicated centenary website that will continue to evolve throughout 2026 as new stories and projects are released.
Looking ahead to the next century
With a century of conservation and safari hospitality behind it, Londolozi says the focus now turns to the future, with continued investment in wildlife protection, community partnerships and guest experiences.
The lodge also confirmed strong early interest from trade partners for 2027 departures, with new rack rates already released to support forward bookings.
