Few and Far Luvhondo is committed to protecting over 20,000 ha of South African landscape, some of which is part of the ‘Vhembe Biosphere Reserve’ that was designated in 2009 as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Through monitoring, tracking and ecosystem restoration, they recreate ecosystem processes and wildlife corridors. Their unique opportunities for ecotourists include helping to rewild the land and collaborate with Venda elders and locals, whilst running on 100% renewable energy, prioritizing zero waste, and sourcing food locally. Few & Far Luvhondo demonstrates that responsible tourism and rewilding work hand-in-hand.
Nestled in the Soutpansberg Mountains – meaning “Salt Pan Mountain” – of South Africa, through abundant thicket and up rolling hills, lies our Alliance Partner: Few & Far Luvhondo. The land on which the lodge has set its foundations is a protected area dedicated to rewilding, a home to abundant, returning wildlife. Surrounded by majestic Baobab trees, Few & Far Luvhondo are helping people to reconnect to the land in one of the region’s most extraordinary biospheres.
Cliff suite / Few and Far Luvhondo
Scaling Protected Areas for Wildness & Wildlife
The 170km mountain range is part of the ‘Vhembe Biosphere Reserve’ that was designated in 2009 as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. However, less than 1% of the Soutpansberg region is formally protected. That means 1.7km of that total area – around a 15 minute walk. The rest of the landscape is left vulnerable to various threats that impact both wildlife and local communities.
Few & Far sits on over 20,000 hectares, some of which incorporates this landscape. Their aim is to scale the impact of the protected area by re-igniting ecosystem processes in the surrounding area, doing so by rewilding and safeguarding it for the long term. Having started at 11,000ha and aiming for 130,000ha by 2030 – in partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust – we already get an idea of the huge potential for a wilder landscape.
This protected area is a haven for native species, from Leopards and Giraffes to countless birds, insects, and endemic plants. By rewilding this land, Few & Far Luvhondo ensures that the entire ecosystem thrives, giving people from all around the world as well as the local communities a glimpse into a fully functioning ecosystem.
Rewilding in Action
The team conducts species tracking, monitoring, and ecosystem restoration, reintroducing natural processes and protecting key wildlife corridors. Guests are invited to join these efforts, from camera trap monitoring to tracking Leopards, inviting visitors into a firsthand glimpse of conservation science in action.
This form of tourism takes a step forward by encouraging agency and involvement in the partnership with nature. In their own words: “we believe in more than just preserving nature—we’re actively restoring it.” Their sights are set for multiple generations to come.
Restoration is also community-rooted. The lodge works closely with Venda elders and local residents, learning from traditional knowledge and integrating it into rewilding practices. They collaborate with local artisans and farmers, integrating the work they do in the experience Few & Far offers. These partnerships are slow, careful, and intentional, building trust and ensuring that they are resilient for generations to come.
Renewable Energy, Zero Waste and Carbon Initiatives
Few & Far Luvhondo runs on 100% renewable energy, prioritizes zero waste, and sources food locally. The heart of its resilience lies in long-term ecological impact.
Their Carbon Project with Verra is a 50-year initiative aimed at restoring the biodiversity of the Soutpansberg Mountains. By monitoring carbon sequestration year after year, and the increase impulses by rewilding activities, Few & Far will not only capture atmospheric carbon but also help protect and restore habitat for our Wild Kin.
Few & Far Luvhondo demonstrates that responsible tourism and rewilding work hand-in-hand. Guests enjoy breathtaking landscapes and wildlife experiences while contributing to rewilding and carbon sequestration. Setting off for a safari, participating in a guided walk, and all other experiences are modeled to help maintain a thriving ecosystem and ensure that South Africa’s wild Soutpansberg endures.
This experience gives people a taste of what a thriving ecosystem looks like, one where people and wildlife grow stronger together. By protecting land and rewilding ecosystems, Few & Far Luvhondo offers an example for regenerative tourism globally.
We are proud to have them in our Alliance.
