About Rich Laburn
Rich Laburn is filmmaker, photographer and writer who is based at Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa. Spending his time capturing scenes of the wild and communicating the beauty of the African bushveld, he runs the Londolozi Blog as a way to entertain and engage people wishing to visit these wild lands.
Recent Posts by Rich Laburn
Natural Beauty of Southern Africa: Leopards, Lions, Zebras, Rhinos & Elephants
May 4, 2012 by Rich Laburn
A herd of female impalas congregate as the nearby males stand off during their yearly rut. Many of these females will become impregnated during this period and give birth to lambs at the beginning of December.
The Mashaba female leopard drags her grey duiker kill to a nearby thicket. The grey duiker is a shy animal which prefers to remain concealed in thick bush and long grass. It will often try to remain hidden in the presence of potential predators, exploding forward at the last minute in a desperate sprint to escape. Unfortunately for this duiker, the leopard was too quick…
A iconic and easily identifiable bird of the Southern African bus veld, the Lilac Breasted Roller forms part of many safari enthusiasts photographic portfolio.
The Vomba Female Leopard glares sideways at a rustle in the nearby bush. Still incredibly beautiful despite her age, this leopard continues to hold much of the prime Sand River frontage at Londolozi.
Nottens and Camp Pan mating
A young elephant bull feeding.
Rhino Dozing
Zebra
Vomab Female Leopard in Tree looking at impala
Two elephant calves play in the open grasslands of Londolozi
Nottens Female Leopard
Nottens Female Leopard
A Zebra and Foal turn to look at the vehicle.
The Tsalala Pride with one of their steadily growing cubs rest during the day in the Maxabeni river.
Camp Pan Male Leopard Walking
Photographed by: Belinda Gailey
Easter, South African Style: Bunnies, Cubs, Hot Bread, Meat, Chocolate & Rabbits
April 9, 2012 by Rich Laburn
Once a year a variety of hare comes to visit the beautiful yet dangerous grazing grounds of for the Easter Market at Londolozi. Our guests this weekend were invited to see this special creature on their Easter morning game drives and follow the trail of white bunnies to a unique Easter Market in the middle of the wilderness. Hunting started early as our guests left for game drive at dawn. Sightings of leopards, lions and elephants were abound and by 9:00 am, the trail of the white rabbit had greatly intensified. Join us on a visual journey of the day.
The Easter Market was hidden inside an intimate clearing which required guests to walk down a game trail in order to get there. Perched on the banks of the Sand River, under a cluster of Jackalberry Trees, this was the perfect location for an Easter Morning brunch.
There were a variety of stands offering various styles of food. One of the most popular was the Boulangerie stand.
Considering that the stand was laden with a variety of freshly baked assortments, such as these Hot Cross Buns, it came as no surprise at all.
The Easter Market at Londolozi this year
Another firm favorite amongst the guests was the Fabulous Fruit stand. Offering a collection of fresh made fruit blends, it was hard to pick which option to go for.
In hindsight, most of us went for all three options during the course of the morning and, naturally, we picked up a couple of these fruit skewers on the way.
Even a herd of Elephant came to investigate the Easter Market, before rushing back into the Sand River and providing a spectacular sighting for guests watching from the river banks.
Easter Morning Drinks
Kerry and the Varty Camp Butlers getting into the spirit of the morning.
The Charcuterie stand featuring shaved ham, pork sausages and slithers of Lamb. Yum!
For a stand that was called “Just Eggs”, it provided some remarkably delicious dishes ranging from Salmon Fritata’s to Gourmet Scrambled Eggs.
Dave poses with our Executive Chef, Anna Ridgewell and the Bunnies.
This was one stand that was visited by every single one of our Cubs during breakfast. Whether it was the sumptuous crepes or just the variety of sweet toppings that tempted them in remains to be seen, however there was not one crepe left over by the time breakfast had finished.
Butlers pose for a pic between serving Champagne and Amarula Coffee.
Our Chef in Training, Sarah, mans the Chocolate stand
After breakfast, James, Dean and Rich broke out the guitars for a mellow jam session underneath the Ebony trees.
The Londolozi Chefs pose for a photograph at the end of the morning. Without their hard work and culinary skills, this incredible morning would not have been possible in the slightest.
Earth Hour 2012: Raising Awareness About Climate Change
March 31, 2012 by Rich Laburn
“Hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world unite each year to support the largest environmental event in history – Earth Hour.
More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2011 alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change.
It also ushered in a new era with members going Beyond the Hour to commit to lasting action for the planet.
Without a doubt, it’s shown how great things can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.”
Earth Hour 2012 takes place on Saturday March 31, 2012 – the idea is to raise awareness about the impact which climate change is having on our planet. Although it is difficult for one individual or organisation to make a meaningful impact on the world, it is through the collective consciousness of many that positive change can be brought about.
South Africa’s Waterford Wine Festival
March 8, 2012 by Rich Laburn
Waterford wines have quickly become a part of our culture. The wonder of the wine we drank on beautiful afternoons was like a refined fuel that infused us with a desire to improve our culture of service at every juncture. And, I think that the Waterford chardonnay was a critical ingredient to the very high attendance these afternoons received.
Waterford Wine Barrels
Recently we were kindly invited down to South Africa’s finest wine region Stellenbosch to enjoy the festivities of the annual Waterford wine harvest.
The Waterford Farm in the early morning
‘Unplugged’ – The theme for the 2012 Harvest
Waterford is one of South Africa’s most beautiful wine estates. Nestled among the cape Fold Mountains, with manicured grounds and rich soils the vineyards are a wonder to walk around. The buildings are beautiful with strong influences from rural Provence; pale yellow walls merge seamlessly with trimmed lavender hedges. But like all places it is the people that imbibe the space with its unique character, warmth and charm.
Nestled beneath the Helderberg mountains in Stellenbosch, it is truly on of the capes most spectacular wine farms.
Orchads and Lavender line the entrance into the Waterford Venue.
The Arnold and Ord families have filled the entire estate with soul and warmth. This is not an estate where wine production is a functional pastime but rather a place where the creation of wine is an extension of the passion of the people who make its production possible. Khalil Gibran said, “When you are born your work is put in your heart” . I didn’t fully understand that statement until I met Waterford’s wine maker Kevin Arnold.
I don’t think that I have ever seen such good looking grapes in my life. As if lightly misted just for the camera, it is little wonder that the wine tastes as good as the grapes look…
Loading the picked grapes after an early morning picking session with the Waterford family.
The harvest weekend is a living monument to what Waterford is all about. It is a weekend where friends and family come together. Where the picking of grapes takes people back to the earth. It is also a time of gratitude and thanks to the creator for the wonderful bounty we enjoy. All of this takes place with ease and tasteful attention to detail that is central to the Waterford experience.
As if by tradition, a flute of Champagne is poured into the Vats to celebrate the Harvest and then the grape stomping begins. It is worth getting in early as trying to avoid getting into the vats will only prove futile…
Everyone from the owners to the guests and the staff are dumped into the vats to take their turn at stomping the grapes. It’s a messy business but somebody’s got to do it!
True to form the tasteful attention to detail ranges from the Macaroons on offer to the Lavender lined avenue up to the Waterford Venue.
Watershed at Waterford. An incredible ‘Unplugged’ performance by one of South Africa’s most loved bands.
Written by: Boyd Varty. Photographed by: Rich Laburn
How to Grow Vegetables with Rhino Dung
March 2, 2012 by Rich Laburn
Find out from Gardener, Kenneth Jazi, how he successfully uses Rhino Dung to grow the best vegetables.
A Child’s Dream Come True: Up Close and Personal With the Lions, Scorpions, and Elephants of South Africa
January 29, 2012 by Rich Laburn
“As a child I had always wanted to visit Africa and go on Safari. To see firsthand the natural bushveld, get up close and personal with the animals and experience the call of the wild. At the end of 2011 a lifelong dream came true when I had the opportunity of going on safari to Londolozi Game Reserve. Prior to the trip, images of ‘Out of Africa’ danced in my head.”
My objectives were simple, I wanted to see the animals. Lots of them. Emphasis was on the iconic leopards and lions. Armed with a new camera and not really having the time to investigate its attributes, taking pictures became a process of catch as you can. I got lucky. The ‘Big Five’ PLUS, did not disappoint. Mesmerized, excited, my adrenalin pumping, a male leopard simply going about his business, strolled up close and SO personal that I could actually pet his spots.
The Male Leopard who came right past our vehicle
When our ranger got wind that a pride of lions were close by, resting on the bank of the Sand River, we raced out to see this magnificent pride. Eight lions in all: young brothers and sisters, a lioness without a tail and two young cubs – all simply napping on the river bank as if they did not have a care in the world. I later learned this pride was called the Tsalala Pride, and that the little male cub would be lost in the wild for 5 weeks only to lose his life to a scar nose Majingilane male lion –his father after reuniting with the pride.
The Young Tsalala Lion Cub
When we came upon a pack of wild dogs- 13 in all- with their yapping pups going at a fresh kill, our Ranger told us that this was a very special sighting. They had not seen this pack for over a year.
One of the dogs from the pack
Heading back to the lodge one evening, we rolled by a scorpion the size of a dollar bill and an angry bull elephant in musth ripping down every tree in his path. There was a sighting of a male leopard dragging his kills- two antelopes- up into a tree. We sat watching him crunch on the open carcass. Two hyenas gathered below waiting for the spoils to drop.
A Very Large Scorpion
One afternoon, while we ate lunch on the open deck of Tree Lodge, a herd of elephants with their young meandered through the tall grasses below us grazing on the vegetation. An early morning outing produced a group of hippos wallowing in the muddy waters with only eyes exposed. Then there were the zebras playing. The rhinoceroses staring at us- always in pairs. Nyalas, water buffalo, exotic Leadwood Trees, vultures, fish eagles and dramatic sunsets. Africa exposed. Mother Nature at her best.
A pair of White Rhinos
A beautiful vulture in the morning sun
Written & Photographed by: Marjory Moskowitz
Spotted: Seven Leopards in Seven Days
December 11, 2011 by Rich Laburn
Spotted: Seven leopards in seven days, thanks to the special eyes of our trackers and rangers here at Londolozi in South Africa. No matter how many we’ve seen before, it’s always exciting because no leopard has the same set of spots – in more than one sense of the word.
Their lineage, behavior and territory is known intimately by the rangers and explained with passion to visitors. As you can tell from the photos below, these animals are truly majestic creatures. But in order to grasp the magnificence of their beauty, one must witness them for his or herself.
Short Tail Male Leopard
Short Tail Male Leopard
Short Tail Male Leopard
Vomba Female Leopard
Maxabene Young Male
Vomba Young Female
Camp Pan Male Leopard
Dudley Riverbank Young Male
Written & Photographed by: Irene Nathanson
African Relais Chefs & Launch of Châteaux Cookbook
December 9, 2011 by Rich Laburn
32 Chefs inspire the first cook book featuring recipes from Relais & Châteaux member properties across Southern, East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.
Bringing together the styles and techniques of some of the most highly regarded chefs in Southern, East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, Relais & Châteaux, in conjunction with publisher Peter Marshall, has created its first ever African inspired cook book that serves up a unique collection of menus.
The recipes embrace the diverse and innovative talents of the Relais & Châteaux chefs, within this delegation, including the two Grands Chefs, Margot Janse of Le Quartier Français and Peter Tempelhoff of The Collection by Liz McGrath. Also included in the book is Londolozi Executive Chef Craig Paterson
Says Craig, “The Londolozi kitchen uses alot of locally sourced food products, particularly fresh vegetables grown on site, in the recipes detailed in the Cookbook. Not only do I feel that this reflects our continued drive for sustainability in the kitchen, but I truly believe that these locally grown products enhance the flavours of my dishes. Although presentation remains a huge part of cooking, the hero of the day will always be flavour.”
Relais Chefs at the Launch of the Cookbook – Andrew Brown
Relais & Châteaux Director for Southern, East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, Annie-Claude Bergonzoli says: “A great deal of passion has gone into the creation of this cook book, which shows the culinary diversity of our delegation’s unique region as well as the incredible talent shared by the Chefs from all the properties.”
Publisher, Peter Marshall says, “It was a true honour to work on this cook book side by side with the Relais & Châteaux Association and we hope it takes readers on a culinary “Route du Bonheur” through this region to learn more about the spirit and soul of Africa.”
- African Relais and Chateaux Cookbook 32 Inspirational Chefs
From the technically challenging and groundbreaking to the classic and traditional, the recipes featured all encourage the use of the freshest ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. They reflect the enthusiasm and dedication of each chef to combine the textures, flavours, aromas and visual appeal of nature’s produce, adding their own flair and natural ability, to create wonderful dishes that you can now recreate in your own kitchen. Each chef showcases three recipes and a ‘home dish’, something simple they enjoy cooking at home.
Regional favorites such as bobotie and braai are featured along with recipes using the best of local ingredients such as Karoo lamb, springbok, gemsbok, kudu, ostrich, and crayfish from the West Coast, seafood from the ocean, freshwater fish from Lake Victoria in Tanzania, pineapple from KwaZulu-Natal, vanilla pods from Zanzibar, Kalahari truffles and the world-famous Rooibos tea.
With recipes for every level of ability, this book hopes to bring hours of pleasure and achievement to all enthusiastic cooks and awaken dormant talent in others.
The cook book will be available for purchase at each of the member properties, the U.K’s Chef magazine website and also leading bookstores throughout South Africa.
