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Phinda Private Game Reserve is situated in the lush Zululand region sandwiched between Mkuze Game Reserve and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously St Lucia Wetland Park), a World Heritage Site, it comprises 14 000 hectares of prime conservation land.

Seven distinct habitats shelter an abundance of wildlife including Africas Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and over 380 bird species, while the marine diversity off the nearby coast of Sodwana is said to rival the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Predators like cheetah, leopard and lion are tracked on a daily basis and visitors stand extremely good chances of seeing them. The territorial white rhino favour waterholes and wallows. Herds of elephant and buffalo move throughout the reserve and are easily spotted. Impressive nyala antelope feed alongside impala and warthog.

Nocturnal aardvark, bushpig and greater bushbaby may be encountered on exciting night game-drives. Mountain reedbuck dwell on rocky slopes, while common reedbuck favour palmveld and wetlands.

Accommodation inside Phinda Game Reserve
The 5 lodges inside the Phinda Game Reserve offers sophistication and style in the African bush.

Phinda Forest Lodge:
Our designers have created a calming atmosphere of Zulu Zen. And theres no need to worry about the privacy of your retreat - in spite of the floor to ceiling glass walls, the towering torchwood trees and fertile forest floor that surround your suite ensure a sense of seclusion.

Phinda Mountain Lodge:
Breathtakingly stylish and sophisticated yet refreshingly simple, the Homestead provides the ideal venue to reconnect with friends and family. With the warm, friendly faces and helping hands of a full complement of staff ready to welcome you on arrival, you will instantly feel as though this is your second home.

Phinda Vlei Lodge:
At Phinda Vlei Lodge simply spending time in your spacious suite is like being on safari. With each suite carefully positioned for a prime view of the animals coming out to drink and panoramic vistas from even your shower or bathtub, the game viewing never stops!

Phinda Rock Lodge:
Phinda Rock Lodge looks out over its own lush valley, like a small private castle, amidst a tangle of wild African sights and sounds. The suites of this intimate and romantic lodge cling dramatically to steep cliffs with views across the valley.

Phinda Homestead:
The warm, friendly faces and helping hands of a full complement of staff are ready to welcome guests on arrival. Inviting rooms designed around retro trinkets, Zulu crafts and sleek, contemporary touches reinforce the impression that this private safari villa is designed for comfort and ease.

Safari activities
Phinda offers a variety of safari activities:

- A Night Under the Stars
- Black Rhino Tracking on Foot
- Endangered Wild Cats Project
- Indian Ocean Scuba Safari
- Luxury Walking Safari
- Maputaland Beach Adventure
- Morning and Afternoon Game Drives
- Photographic Safari
- Private Safari
- Specialist Birding Safari
- Swimming with Whale Sharks
- Tracking Adventure
- Turtle Nesting Adventure
- Zulu Village Tour

Wildlife at Phinda Game Reserve:
Having reintroduced cheetah to the area after an absence of over fifty years, Phinda has quickly established a reputation as one of the best places to view and photograph these rare cats.

With much of &Beyond Phinda dominated by a mosaic of various savanna habitats, these speedy carnivores have plenty of space to carry out their explosive hunting technique, as well as enough cover to protect and shelter their cubs.

Along with cheetah, lion and leopard are tracked on the reserve on a daily basis and guests have a high likelihood of encountering these magnificent animals. Another success story at &Beyond Phinda is that of both the white and the more endangered black rhino. Brought back from the brink of extinction, both the grass eating white rhino and the shrub grazing black rhino are doing well at the reserve.

While the white rhino favours water holes and wallows, the black rhino indulges its inquisitive nature in constant solitary rambles.

The elegant nyala antelope is a frequent sight at &Beyond Phinda, with the reserve boasting one of the highest densities of the species. With its dark brown coat, buttery yellow legs, shaggy mane and impossibly bushy tail, the male nyala is particularly spectacular, while the female contents itself with a less flashy chestnut coat.

The rare sand forest in the northern parts of &Beyond Phinda is the perfect environment for some of the rarer smaller species. The shy red duiker is found grazing on fallen leaves and fruit and the tiny suni, one of the smallest antelope species, may also be seen.

Health & Climate
Malaria endemic area. Precautions should be taken before, during and after the visit.

SUMMER (OCTOBER-APRIL)
Daytime temperatures above 35C / 95F

WINTER (MAY-SEPTEMBER)
Night-time temperature rarely drops below 10C / 50F

Lush and hot in summer, with many young animals. Winter thins out the vegetation and cools things down for the best game viewing.

Health and Climate:

Rooms and Units Available:

Phinda Forest Lodge - Suites

Rate Includes: Accommodation, three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, refreshments on game drives, laundry, safari activities, 1-hour nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability), emergency medical evacuation insurance, VAT, transfers to and from the lodge airstrip.

Amount of similar units: 16
Sleeps 2 Adults

Phinda Mountain Lodge - Suites

Rate Includes: Accommodation, three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, refreshments on game drives, laundry, safari activities, 1-hour nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability), emergency medical evacuation insurance, VAT, transfers to and from the lodge airstrip.

Amount of similar units: 11
Sleeps 2 Adults

Phinda Rock Lodge - Suites

Rate Includes: Accommodation, three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, refreshments on game drives, laundry, safari activities, 1-hour nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability), emergency medical evacuation insurance, VAT, transfers to and from the lodge airstrip.

Amount of similar units: 6
Sleeps 2 Adults

Phinda Vlei Lodge - Suites

Rate Includes: Accommodation, three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, refreshments on game drives, laundry, safari activities, 1-hour nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability), emergency medical evacuation insurance, VAT, transfers to and from the lodge airstrip.

Amount of similar units: 6
Sleeps 2 Adults

Facilities & Services available:

Babies
Children under 12
Honeymoon Couples
Laundry Service
Special Meals on Request
Bar on the Premises
Dining room
Parking (off-street - open)
Wi-Fi
English
Hiking / Walking Trails
Swimming Pool
No Pets Allowed
Nature
Hiking
Birdwatching
Safaries

Cancellation Policy:

At confirmation: 10% of total reservation value
Less than 45 days prior to arrival: 100% of total reservation value.

Terms and Conditions

Honeymoon Offer:
Save 50% on one partner’s accommodation when you book a minimum of 2 nights stay and travel within 6 months of date of marriage.

Directions:

Flights:
Guests can easily fly into Phinda Private Game Reserve from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) for a fantastic fly-in safari on a luxury pressurised Pilatus PC12 aircraft.

Self Drive:
From Johannesburg to Phinda Mountain Lodge / Phinda Rock Lodge / Phinda Zuka Lodge
Take the N12 toward Witbank (The Witbank Highway). Continue until the N12 joins the N4.
From the Middelburg Toll Plaza, continue for 16km towards Nelspruit.
Take the Hendrina, Middelburg (Oos) offramp (N11).
Continue through Hendrina, Ermelo, Piet Retief and Pongola.
Continue along the N2 passing the town of Mkuze. Approximately 40km past Mkuze, take the Phinda off-ramp. At the top of the fly-off, turn left and come to a T-Junction.
At the T-junction, turn left following the Phinda signboard.
Continue along the gravel road for approximately 4 km. Cross over a railway line and turn right at the fork immediately thereafter.
Continue for approximately 3.5km to the Munyawana Game Reserve gate
* There is a sign saying Mun-ya-wana Game Reserve at the gate with distances to lodges, now just follow the directions to the lodge

From Johannesburg Phinda Forest Lodge and Phinda Vlei Lodge
Take the N12 to Witbank, after which the N4 towards Middleburg is taken.
After the Middleburg Ultra City, take the N11 turnoff to Hendrina.
Continue along the N11 from Hendrina to Ermelo.
From Ermelo take the N2 to Piet Retief heading to Pongola
Continue on the N2 passing through Pongola, and Mkuze until you reach Hluhluwe.
Take the Hluhluwe off-ramp and go straight through town, crossing 3 traffic circles.
At the circle at the bottom of town, turn left, following the False Bay and Sodwana Bay signboards. Turn right and cross over the railway line and continue along this road for approximately 28km.
At the Mduku Crossing, take the D675 to your left - sign boarded to Phinda
Continue for 2.6km before you reach another T-junction and fence line. At this junction, take the D448 to the right and continue towards the Phinda Gate (3.6km)
*There is a sign saying Mun-ya-wana Game Reserve at the gate with distances to lodges, now just follow the directions to the lodge


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  • Accommodation Type: Game Lodge
  • Minimum stay: 2 Day/s
  • Sleeps: 78
  • Check-in: 2:00 PM
    Check-out: 10:00 AM