Admittedly, when one’s friends return from safari, one is almost required to sit through a dinner party’s worth of tales and accompanying images, although via the insta-gratification of Instagram, many of the photos already have been posted and the oohs and aahs are well underway. But don’t be so quick to dismiss this safari experience as another quasi-slideshow punctuated by a handful of humorous tales about roaming packs of lions or rhinos just outside of the camera viewfinder. This is a luxury eco-safari experience, and it has a much quieter roar, as well as a more meaningful footprint (or lack thereof).
With only six suites on property, situated on the remote cliffs of South Africa’s Soutpansberg Mountains in the Limpopo province, Few & Far Luvhondo offers an immersive adventure in nature while aiming to restore and protect a Bonafide UNESCO biosphere (yes, these two things can co-exist at once).
Let’s begin with the idea of “safari” itself—here, guests can experience a solar-powered, virtually silent cable car called a Solyrus, which gives a bird’s-eye view of flora and fauna. Traditional vehicle-based game drives are of course offered at Few & Far Luvhondo, but the guided hiking, e-biking and sky car options deliver an entirely different up-front-and-personal interaction with not just wildlife, but conservation at work. And that’s the point: Luvhondo lodge founders Sarah and Jacob Dusek (the couple behind Under Canvas, the US glamping brand) choose to operate under the lofty ambition to protect,preserve, rebuild and regenerate more than 200,000 acres, while giving their guests a deeper connection with the land itself. The lodge is zerowaste, zero plastic and, yes, there is Wi-Fi.
Lest you think you’ll be roughing it in any capacity, think again. Private plunge pools, outrageous views, open-air rain showers and air conditioning are all part of the mix, as are farm-to-table locally sourced meals, served both communal style under the stars or elegantly presented as a five-course tasting menu in the lodge restaurant; those who wish to enjoy their infinity-style views from their private verandas may also dine in their suite, but life at Luvhondo is best enjoyed as part of the resort’s community.
As such, the lodge is family friendly, both in programming and in babysitting offerings, and there’s no doubt that your wee ones will be talking about the giraffes and zebras that wander the outskirts of the property for years to come. Yes, a trip to nearby Mapungubwe National Park gives you the option to spot elephants, leopards and lions, and for the deepest pockets, there’s a private guided day trip to track down the illusive Samango monkey. But Luvhondo is a destination where everyone’s wearing hiking boots or sneakers, not Manolos, and you might find yourself taking a traditional Venda drumming class after your spa treatment.
Feeling inspired after your visit? Stay engaged via Terraset, Luvhondo’s 501c3 partner dedicated to reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases by investing in high-quality carbon removal projects. This is a feel-good escape through and through.
