Recommended African Experiences

“After nearly 58 years of being a traveller around Africa, I can still say – without hesitation – that this continent continues to surprise, humble, and utterly captivate me.

My journey began with a simple travel stand at the Indaba travel show and a bold dream: to launch the Londolozi brand into the world. Since those early days, I’ve travelled across the length and breadth of Africa and far beyond – tracking gorillas in the Virungas, watching polar bears pad across the tundra, marvelling at tigers in India’s golden light. I’ve built lodges from scratch – more than 50 over the years – in remote corners and hidden gems, each one rooted in community and crafted with care.

As the Executive Chair of the Relais & Châteaux Africa delegation, I’ve had the joy of working alongside some of the continent’s most inspiring family-run establishments. I’ve dined in world-class gourmet restaurants and eaten fresh croissants beside the Zambezi. I’ve kayaked through hippo-infested waters, sipped fine wine on shaded verandas, and bush-camped under the stars. From luxury lodges to overland expeditions – I’ve done it all, and I’ve loved every moment.

But always, my compass leads me back to Africa.

So often, friends, travellers, and fellow adventurers say to me: “We adored our time at Londolozi – what should we do next? What would be the wildest, most unforgettable African trip of a lifetime?”

It’s a question I cherish. Because for me, Africa is not one destination – it’s a symphony of ecosystems, cultures, and species. And crafting a journey here requires more than just logistics – it takes intuition, knowledge, and a deep respect for place.

So, here are a few of my personal travel philosophies, shaped over decades on dusty roads, mountain passes, and river crossings:

• Less is more. Don’t try to do too much. Africa isn’t a checklist – it’s a soulful space. Slow down. Spend time in fewer places and go deeper.
• Know the people. Choose places where you can feel the story, meet the owners, understand the heartbeat of the land.
• Do your research. Learn about the birds, the flora, the folklore. Ask questions. Be curious. Let each destination teach you something new.
• Travel beautifully. African logistics can be tricky – work with someone you trust. A great travel advisor is worth their weight in gold.
• Stay iconic, but stay real. Choose lodges and locations that are both extraordinary and authentic.

What follows is a collection of ideas, itineraries, and inspirations that I’ve gathered over a lifetime of loving Africa. Some are bold, some are simple, some are quietly sacred. All of them are woven with heart and held with care.

If you’re dreaming of your next great African adventure – or just want to explore what’s possible – I would be delighted to guide you towards what would fit you best!” ~ Shan Varty

Londolozi Wild – “Enter the untamed, where rewilding becomes revelation.”

Over a hundred years of watching the bushveld has taught us this: the wild is never predictable, always alive. We recommend journeys into the untamed. Where endangered species still roam, where rewilding continues daily, and where your presence helps protect what is rare. This is more than sight-seeing; it is a chance to become part of a living restoration story  and to leave transformed by the knowledge that wildness endures, partly because you came to share it.

Londolozi Spirit Safari – “Wellness written in the language of the wild.”

 We have seen how time in the wilderness doesn’t just restore landscapes, it restores people. That is why we suggest yoga beneath ancient leadwoods, silent tracking at dawn, and moments of deep breath with nature. These practices carry the wisdom of the oldest landscapes on earth, reminding us what it means to be whole. For many, this becomes a turning point  a rare reconnection that continues to ripple long after leaving.

Londolozi S.Q – “Your signature ideas, inscribed with Londolozi’s way.”

After decades of listening to guests and the land itself, we know no two encounters should ever be the same. SQ is Londolozi’s signature made personal: experiences that awaken awe, deepen connection, and carry meaning. It’s not just about luxury  it’s about dreaming big. Imagine lunch in Antarctica, wine beside the world’s oldest mountain, or time at Ellerman House, perched in one of the most spectacular oceanfront settings in the country. SQ is where your boldest ideas meet Londolozi’s way, creating stories that could happen nowhere else and stay with you forever.

Londolozi Follows Ancient Footsteps – “Walk the ley line from Londolozi to the pyramids.”

Londolozi lies on one of Earth’s most special ley lines a nodal point of the “first time,” where land holds memory and spirit in equal measure. To walk here is to step into a sacred site that connects, through the Nile, all the way to the pyramids of Egypt. Few ever stand at both  two of the rarest sanctuaries on the planet. We recommend this path for those drawn to the mystery of life: it transforms the ordinary journey into a pilgrimage, revealing that humanity’s oldest story is still alive, still unfolding.

Londolozi: Sacred Time Away for Two –“Two souls held by the wilderness.”

At Londolozi, time slows and presence deepens. We recommend moments where the world falls away: dinners beneath starlight, walks hand in hand along ancient paths, days lived entirely to the rhythm of the wild. Whether it is a honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply the choice to step aside together, this is one of the rarest gifts in today’s world: uninterrupted time, held by wilderness. Couples leave not only with memories, but with love transformed, made stronger by Africa’s timeless embrace.

Londolozi Family Legacy Signature –“A legacy written in wild places, passed through generations.”

For nearly a century, families have returned to Londolozi and left with stories that echo across generations. We recommend that children learn to track, elders share fireside tales, and families live together in the rarest field classroom of all: the wild. This is more than a holiday  it is an opportunity to write a chapter in your family’s legacy, one that shapes identity and strengthens bonds. The wilderness has always been a teacher, and here, it transforms families into storytellers of their own.