Phinda Private Game Reserve is a majestic mosaic of woodland, grassland, wetland, mountains and rivers. Phinda has a range of exquisite five-star properties, each unique in location and character.
Set on the northernmost reaches of South Africa’s eastern coast, award-winning Phinda Private Game Reserve offers visitors privileged access to seven distinct ecosystems.
Encompassing mountains, wetlands, freshwater lakes, woodland, savanna and rare sand forests within its relatively small 60,000 acres, Phinda’s guests can go fishing, sailing, snorkelling or scuba diving in the nearby Indian Ocean as well.
One of the biggest reintroductions of big game in Africa took place on Phinda – indeed, the reserve’s name means “return” in Zulu, and today, you will find that this sanctuary has been restored almost perfectly to its original state, with great gameviewing all year round. All of the ‘Big 5’ are present, as are many rarer species such as cheetah. With just six luxury lodges in total on the entire reserve, guests at Phinda are assured of an exclusive safari experience.
Aside from five-star accommodation and facilities, guests here enjoy a wide array of activities ranging from game drives and bush walks to canoeing, river cruises, community visits and scenic flights. From this reserve, it’s also easy to visit neighbouring iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site which encompasses Lake St Lucia, which harbours crocodiles, hippos and prolific birdlife as well as Sodwana Bay, popular with nesting turtles in summer and home to some of Africa’s most beautiful coral reefs.
Location
Phinda Highlights
- Discover seven distinct ecosystems
- Inhabited by all of the ‘Big 5’ plus many more other species
- Enjoy gameviewing across a range of diverse landscapes
- Explore beaches and marine attractions of the Indian Ocean coast
- Choose from 6 individual luxury safari lodges
When To Go
Phinda offers fantastic gameviewing throughout the year. Peak whale-watching season runs from July to October. The summer months (Nov-Feb) offer the best weather for beachgoers, and this is also when leatherback and loggerhead turtles arrive to nest.
Featured
Phinda Accommodation
Extraordinary Phinda Private Game Reserve offers six exquisite lodges set in unique locations across its exclusive wilderness. All offer five-star facilities, delectable cuisine and an array of activities. Four are displayed below; the other two are only available for exclusive use.
andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge
In the heart of a rare sand forest lies andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge, a collection of serene, contemporary glass houses.
andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
On a crest in a dramatic mountain range, andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge offers breathtaking views of the wildlife-rich landscape below.
andBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge
andBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge is an architectural wonder - a collection of suites seemingly suspended from cliff face over a valley many metres below.
andBeyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
Blending beautifully into the surrounding bush, andBeyond Phinda Vlei Lodge is the kind of place where you’re much more likely to see wildlife than people.
Sample
South Africa Itineraries
The following itineraries are just some of the many experiences that we can design for you. All of our tours are private, independent and tailor-made to your personal travelling requirements. Please contact us to begin customising your personalised South Africa experience.
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