Phinda is described as “Seven Worlds of Wonder”, with its seven distinct habitats - a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, rivercourses, marshes and pans waiting to be discovered. The Reserve is also home to 1 000 hectares of Africa’s remaining rare dry sand forest.
Situated within close proximity of the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Phinda is also located within easy reach of the iSimangaliso/Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a lush conservation area that has earned World Heritage Site status. With unspoiled beaches and spectacular reefs nearby, and an abundance of wildlife, Phinda offers guests the perfect bush and beach adventure.
FOREST LODGE
Set deep in the heart of a rare and beautiful dry sand forest, the spectacular Forest Lodge fuses architectural design and conservation. The creation of this award-winning safari lodge was an exemplary exercise in building eco-sensitive structures with a light footprint (not one tree was felled during construction).
Inventively designed in Zulu Zen style, each handcrafted, glass-encased suite is a combination of glass, wood and minimalist design incorporating high-gloss wooden floors, richly tactile fabrics and crimson Zulu artefacts.
These 16 private stilted suites each feature luxurious ensuite bathrooms with slate hand basins, and viewing decks where guests can awake to the sight of graceful nyala and duiker outside the glass walls. Unwind in the lodge’s sparkling rim flow swimming pool, or relax in the Lodge sitting areas with expansive viewing decks affording panoramic views of the game-filled plains.
MOUNTAIN LODGE
With wraparound views of the spectacular Ubombo mountain range and the surrounding Zululand bushveld, Mountain Lodge is a dramatic safari destination. 25 split-level suites crest the mountain’s edge, offering breathtaking raptor’s-eye views of the Reserve below.
This much-loved lodge has recently been rebuilt and refurbished, and each luxurious suite now boasts a romantic ensuite bathroom, private sitting area, and spacious veranda complete with private plunge pool and outdoor shower. The guest area is a magnificent u-shaped building with central al fresco courtyard, which provides seductive comfort between exciting game drives. The intimate sitting areas are filled with sunlight, and the dining area overlooks the Reserve with the Ubombo Mountains in the distance.
Delicious Pan African meals can be enjoyed in the remarkable stone and reed boma, romantically illuminated by dozens of candles and lanterns, or savoured in a spectacular clearing in the bush under an umbrella of twinkling stars. Phinda is renowned for its bush banquets in unique, unexpected settings.
VLEI LODGE
Fringing the Reserve’s unique vlei (wetland) system along the edge of the rare sand forest, the sophisticated Vlei Lodge is intimately integrated into the surrounding African bush.
Gracious and elegant, this charming lodge comprises six thatched suites decorated in a subtle blend of North and West African styles, with hints of Balinese influences. Each suite, complete with luxurious ensuite bathroom, dressing room, private plunge pool and game viewing deck, overlooks the grassy vlei where guests can observe herds of grazing antelope, zebra and a dazzling variety of birdlife.
The atmosphere is exclusive and personal, with a mixture of understated sophistication and sheer luxury. Relax in private plunge pools and watch the drama of the African wilderness unfold, or unwind in the comfortable sitting area in front of a warm and inviting open fireplace. Savour delicious and innovative Pan African meals, served on the expansive game viewing decks or in a beautiful and remote bush setting, creating lifelong memories.
ROCK LODGE
Dramatically set into a cliff-face overlooking spectacular Leopard Rock, Rock Lodge at is an architectural fascination combining Malian influences with pueblo panache. Its six suites are seemingly suspended over the deep valley below, providing breathtaking views.
Each romantic suite, constructed from contoured stone and adobe, boasts solid wooden shutters and doors, opening onto a private plunge pool and viewing deck. Complete with spacious ensuite bathrooms, three of these suites also feature outdoor showers, providing some of the most scenic al fresco bathing on the African continent.
The Lodge’s comfortable sitting areas are the perfect vantage point for viewing the abundant birdlife in the surrounding trees, and the wildlife roaming the bushveld below. This is an intimate lodge, where guests are treated like treasured family members and time is shared with fellow safari adventurers who soon become friends.
Zuka Lodge
Bordered by lush green valleys and densely wooded hills studded with aloes, Zuka Lodge sits in the Reserve’s western region. With just four thatched Zululand bush cottages, this intimate lodge is ideal for family gatherings and special occasion safaris. As an exclusive-use lodge, a private ranger/host, tracker, butler, chef, and sole-use of an open 4x4 safari vehicle are all included, allowing guests to tailormake their safari adventure.
Characterised by hues of blue and stone, with a strong emphasis on shape and texture, Zuka’s overall ambience is that of cool, coastal bush style - a sophistication of simplicity. The charming cottages are set 15 metres apart, overlooking a busy waterhole where a diversity of wildlife is regularly seen and birdlife flourishes. Each cottage boasts a luxurious ensuite bathroom, complete with a circular bath chamber, double shower and twin hand basins.
Siesta-inviting lounging chairs on the private verandas allow for gentle contemplation. Guest areas include an interactive café style kitchen, indoor sitting and dining areas, an intimate library with internet access, and a swimming pool with an extended wooden deck overlooking the surrounding African wilderness.
The Homestead
Situated in the north of the Reserve, The Homestead at &Beyond Phinda is a gracious sole-use safari villa that blends seamlessly into the surrounding trees and bush. This exclusive, cutting-edge lodge boasts four spacious and luxurious suites that feature unique sliding panel windows with sweeping views of the surrounding African bushveld. The emphasis is on outdoor spaces to encourage family and friends to maximise usage of the expansive central living areas.
Celebrating both Phinda and Zululand, traditional materials of thatch, gumpole and stone tile have been used throughout. The outdoor sitting area is the heart of the Homestead and the perfect place to laze away the hours on inviting sofas.
Complete with private ranger/host, tracker, butler and chef, as well as exclusive-use of an open 4x4 safari vehicle, The Homestead is ideal for family celebrations and special occasion safaris. An interactive kitchen allows for intimate, informal dining and a rim flow eternity pool provides for respite from the heat of the day.
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UK: 0845-644-5242
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