Our safari vehicle climbed into the Soutpansberg Mountains, passing ancient 2,000-year-old acacia trees, rugged red cliffs, and striped kudu nibbling on the foliage. With each bend in the road, excitement mounted for our luxurious glamping experience at Few & Far Luvhondo, the remarkable return of Sarah and Jacob Dusek to outdoor hospitality after divesting from Under Canvas in 2018. Instead of establishing glamping sites close to popular national parks as they previously did, they selected a secluded area in Limpopo, aptly named “The Forgotten Mountains.”
Even though the Soutpansberg Range thrives with biodiversity and is home to numerous rare and endemic species within the UNESCO Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, it has been gradually deteriorating because of deforestation and mining activities, facing additional risks from planned industrial expansion. Tackling ecosystem restoration, let alone combatting mining companies and government red tape, is a formidable challenge, yet if you’ve read Sarah’s book, Thinking Bigger: A Pitch-Deck Formula for Women Who Want to Change the World… she’s certainly up to the task.
Welcome to Few & Far
The rhythms of African drumming, a platter of lychee lemonade, fragrant warm hand towels, and friendly smiles greeted us at the entrance of Few & Far Luvhondo. The general manager, Giselle, guided us into the main building, which featured a canvas design enveloping a tree, resembling the baobab’s elegance, strength, and enduring beauty. The Limpopo Province, particularly this estate, is home to some of the largest baobabs in Southern Africa. These “Trees of Life” serve as a significant source of inspiration for the Duseks’ design and Few & Far’s profound sense of place.
Behind the Scenes: The dining area’s canvas cover did not arrive with the necessary opening, leading to co-founder Jacob being called upon to create the nerve-wracking cut to fit it around the tree. Transforming a design oversight into a family endeavor, it was ultimately completed with assistance from the Duseks’ two teenage sons!
Cliff Suites
Giselle escorted us to our cliff suite, a gracefully curved canvas and wood structure showcasing breathtaking views from both sides. She highlighted the Few & Far field guide and binoculars on the desk, mentioning, “Watch for giraffe, nyala, and zebra; they are frequently spotted along the valley floor.” I imagined embarking on a safari directly from our outdoor shower, clawfoot tub, and luxurious canopy bed, and couldn’t help but grin.
After she extended her wishes for a fantastic stay, the hospitality continued with a handwritten note on the cocktail-and-espresso bar, “Welcome to Few & Far Luvhondo, we’re thrilled you’ve arrived in our forgotten mountains. We hope you’ll feel at home, discover a bit of magic in the wilderness, and perhaps carry it with you as you depart.”
Dining with Purpose
Lunch was served beside the infinity pool with a special guest, Dr. Dawn Cory Toussaint, Few & Far’s resident ecologist and reserve manager. Embarking on a bold mission to safeguard, rewild, and restore a continuous 100,000 hectares of the Soutpansberg Mountains, Dawn was one of the initial hires in 2021. Small and bright, she might not be the first person you envision operating the excavator to remove invasive species or pulling out hundreds of poaching snares, but like all the women in Sarah’s sphere, they should never be underestimated. While we enjoyed a delightful lunch of beetroot gnocchi and wood-fired pizzas featuring produce from their farm, Dawn shared some encouraging news…
Conservation Goals & Achievements
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Few & Far and the Endangered Wildlife Trust, 11,000 hectares of the Soutpansberg Mountains recently received formal environmental protection, with an additional 25,000 hectares expected to follow suit later this year. We raised our glasses in celebration and respect for Few & Far’s 50-year strategy to preserve a mountain range and sequester 100,000 tons of carbon each year.
Behind the Scenes: A conservation fee of $100 per person per day is incorporated into a guest’s lodging, supporting Few & Far’s carbon offset initiatives and ecosystem restoration projects. For those wishing to make a tangible impact, guests can engage in the “Conservationist for a Day” program, which involves rewilding and carbon capture by removing invasive species and planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses.
Female Empowerment
“Are you prepared for your afternoon game drive?” inquired a young woman dressed in shades of green. With Sarah continuing her role as managing partner of Enygma Ventures, an investment fund dedicated to African female entrepreneurs, it’s fitting that she selected Lizzie as a safari guide. Lizzie grew up enjoying many of her meals at a nature reserve’s soup kitchen but would often stay longer to volunteer and gain knowledge about the environment.