&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Timeless zulu-zen suites, encased in glass, in the heart of a shaded sand forest
Highlights
UNIQUE LOCATION
A one-of-a-kind eco-lodge set within a rare and beautiful sand forest
SAFARI GAME DRIVES
DAY AND NIGHT SAFARIS WITH EXPERT GUIDES IN SEARCH OF BIG FIVE AND OTHER RARE ICONIC WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS
BUSH WALKING ADVENTURES
EXPLORE THE AFRICAN BUSH AND IT'S QUAINT FAUNA AND FLORA ON FOOT WITH AN EXPERIENCED GUIDE
IMPACT EXPERIENCES
ASSIST OUR CONSERVATION TEAM WITH A SCHEDULED RHINO, ELEPHANT OR PANGOLIN RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES
VISIT NEARBY ZULU COMMUNITIES AND GAIN INSIGHT INTO THEIR DAILY LIVES
Getting There
Location:
Phinda Private Game Reserve is situated in the lush Zululand region of Northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, intimately wedged between Mkuze Game Reserve and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously St Lucia Wetland Park), a World Heritage Site. The reserve is also situated in very close proximity to the unspoiled beaches and spectacular coral reefs of the Indian Ocean, offering an unmatched combination of bush and beach adventures at nearby Sodwana Bay.
Getting to Phinda:
- Airlink offer daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg to Phinda Private Game Reserve.
- Connect Phinda Private Game Reserve to: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Ngala Private Game Reserve, Kirkman’s Kamp, northern Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Londolozi, Ulusaba, Vilanculos and Livingstone. All flights route through either Nelspruit or Skukuza
- Private charters from anywhere in South Africa can be arranged to Phinda Private Game Reserve’s airstrip
- It is seven-hour drive from Johannesburg on good roads in a two-wheel drive vehicle
- It is a three and a half-hour drive from Durban on good roads in a two-wheel drive vehicle
- Self-drive directions to Phinda Forest Lodge can be downloaded at the bottom of this webpage.
Accommodation
SPACIOUS
GLASS SUITES
16 AIR CONDITIONED SUITES WITH FLOOR TO CEILING GLASS WINDOWS SET IN A DENSE FORESTED CANOPY
OUTDOOR SHOWERS
ALL ROOMS FEATURE REFRESHING ALFRESCO SHOWERS
FAMILY OPTIONS
Children of all ages welcome. Max three people per room. QUALIFIED CHILDMINDERS AVAILABLE
LANUDRY INCLUDED
COMPLIMENTARY LAUNDRY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE SHOULD YOU NEED IT
Amenities
SWAROVSKI BINOCULARS
STATE OF THE ART SWAROVSKI COMPANIONS, COMPLIMENTARY FOR THE DURATION OF YOUR STAY
WIFI
AVAILABLE
FULL WIFI COVERAGE IN ALL SUITES AND GUESTS AREAS THROUGHOUT THE LODGE
SPARKLING LODGE POOL
LARGE RIM-FLOW SWIMMING POOL OVERLOOKING THE NEARBY WETLAND SYSTEM
SIGNATURE SAFARI SHOP
Authentic, handcrafted items from the region. Exclusive retailer of Ardmore ceramics
FITNESS & WELLNESS
GYM-IN-A-BASKET AVAILABLE IN YOUR SUITE AS WELL AS IN-ROOM MASSAGE TREATMENTS
WILDCHILD PROGRAMME
FUN, INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER NEW EXPERIENCES & CULTURES
Rates
SUITE
2021: JANUARY - DECEMBER From ZAR 8,980 per person per night
Travel in times of uncertainty
We are all in this together, our response to COVID-19
Welcome to Phinda Forest Lodge
Nestled inside 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of Africa’s last remaining dry sand forest lies Phinda Forest Lodge, one of the world’s first eco-designed luxury safari lodges.
With its seven distinct habitats, Phinda Private Game Reserve is often described as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’, a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, rivers, marshes and pans. Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, the reserve is home to Africa’s Big Five, as well as 436 bird species.
Set in a rare and beautiful sand forest, the glass walls of Phinda Forest Lodge’s 16 air-conditioned suites offer a sweeping view of one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet. A dense canopy provides privacy, and floor to ceiling windows invite the forest in, with the wonderful opportunity to view wildlife roaming outside your glass “bubble”, fluttering birds nesting in the foliage and the gentle rustle of forest sounds.
On the edge of the forest, just before a clearing that overlooks a small waterhole, lies the lodge’s sparkling rim-flow swimming pool, an ideal respite in between game drives. Expansive decks in the spacious guest area, look out onto panoramic views of an open grassy meadow. In the evenings, when warm firelight welcomes you to the traditional African boma, wide-eyed bush babies watch inquisitively from the trees above, as you in indulge in a lantern-lit feast beneath a canvas of stars.
Choose from a range of exciting Phinda Adventures such as a specialist walking and tracking safaris, a sleep-out under the stars, an infrared Night Eye drive, and other participative conservation experiences such rhino notching or pangolin tagging. Also on offer outside of the reserve, within easy access of the reserve are Zulu village tours, Africa Foundation community visits, a Maputaland exploration, Maputaland beach trips, night turtle drives (seasonal), scuba safaris, or an incredible ocean safari that offers you a host of marine life sightings. Specialist safaris can be arranged in advance and focus on special interests such as birding, photographic, family and private safaris.
LEAVING OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE
It was at Phinda that &Beyond’s Care of the Land, Wildlife and People impact vision
was tested and shaped. Here, 28 622 hectares of farming land was reclaimed for wildlife, including
790 hectares of critically endangered ancient sand forest. Cheetah, rhino and pangolin are actively
protected, with more than 30 years of pioneering wildlife victories behind us.
Along with Africa Foundation, the reserve works closely with neighbouring communities,
employing locally and investing in community education and welfare.
Sustainability practices are a daily priority and include the elimination of plastic bottles
and a focus on energy-saving initiatives.
Why we love it
IMPRESSIVE GAME VIEWING
28 555 ha of private, traversing across seven distinct habitats allows for a diversity of landscapes and game viewing on twice-daily game drives. Limited number of vehicles at sightings and sensitive off-roading practices affords close-up sightings of wildlife.
ICONIC WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
Phinda is home to a magnificent variety of wildlife, including the Big Five, but is best known for its large population of cheetah and black rhino. The sand forest is home to the shy suni and the rare red duiker, two tiny antelope that are seldom encountered elsewhere.
SPECTACULAR GLASS HOUSES
Invite the beauty of the forest indoors and unwind in absolute tranquility, in one of Phinda Forest Lodge’s 16 suites. Set in some of the world’s last remaining dry sand forest, these enchanting glass bubbles allow close-up views of small animals and colourful birdlife.
LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES
A variety of incredible adventures are available, including twice-daily game drives, nature walks, conservation and community experiences, sleep outs, village tours, an infrared Night Eye Experience, specialist safaris, as well as nearby ocean activities.
Going Beyond the Expected
Go ‘Beyond the Expected’ with a safari theatre experience. Led by our experienced guides, enjoy a morning bush cappuccino rendezvous and evening sundowner stop on your game drives, as well as a complimentary pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars, for your use during your stay with us.
Gallery
TAILORMAKE YOUR STAY
Talk to one of our travel specialists to tailormake your stay to any of our destinations