&Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge

This spirit of &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge

Our lovely grand dame, &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge has recently reopened! 

Perched on a dramatic hilltop overlooking the lush Lebombo foothills, this Big Five, family-friendly, luxury safari destination will steal your heart. Steeped in Zulu heritage, this lodge offers a spectacular experience, with its beautiful mountain-view suites, cottages and its one-of-kind family suite, with panoramic vistas, and access to a selection of unique safari adventures.

23 sophisticated rooms are adorned in intricate Zulu artefacts, basketware and beadwork.  Soft tones of stone and grey, and bursts of deep blue, black, white, and teal reflect the refined colour palette. Natural light streams through the expansive glass windows of your cottage or suite, and your deck provides breathtaking views of natural beauty, whilst handsome kudu forage in the bush outside your room. Sip cocktails from your beautifully appointed personal bar, and view the landscape while comfortably nestled in your sunken lounge.

(Please note that the main pool, gym, spa and family suite will open in August 2019, just in time for summer!)

Why we love it:

• Enjoy incredible views from your deck, as you make a splash in your private plunge pool
• Work up an appetite in the gym, and treat yourself to a wellness treatment in the massage sala
• The perfect getaway for families, stay in one of the family cottages or the beautiful family suite. The little ones can participate in the WILDChild programme, and make pizzas in the kitchen, play in the children’s playroom and spot wildlife on a family safari.

The lodge:

A succulent, landscaped garden of aloes and cycads create a welcoming atmosphere at the entrance. Following a design narrative of Zulu heritage, and a fine balance of contemporary and traditional South African safari, splashes of iridescent blue, inspired by the Indian Ocean nearby, enhance the colour scheme of the guest areas.

Swap stories of your captivating safari around the inviting bar, a gleaming white marble counter pressed with a railway sleeper base, and showcasing a vast array of South African artisanal spirits. Relish hearty meals in the new interactive kitchen, and create delicious pizza in the pizza oven in the dining room, with ingredients celebrating the abundant produce of KwaZulu-Natal, particularly the Midlands region. Dine in the traditional stone and reed Boma, theatrically illuminated by dozens of candles and lanterns, under a star-studded sky.

Take a dip in the sparkling rim flow pool that follows the natural curves of the mountain, providing impressive views of the Lebombo foothills. Get active in the gym featuring state-of-the-art equipment, and balance your chakras on the yoga deck. Peruse the Safari Shop, showcasing the best of regional basket and beadwork, and purchase exquisite handcrafted items.

The ultimate family getaway

Embracing and welcoming families, the lodge staff endeavour to create memories for multi-generational safaris that last a life time.  Space, comfort, privacy and sensational views were top of mind with the creation of the family suite.

A children’s playroom in the guest area is inviting and playful, and is a space of creativity, safety and learning. A sparkling pool is the ideal respite from the heat and provides the perfect spot for families to frolic, and enjoy the sun sheltered under expansive umbrellas. The kids can don their aprons and chefs hats and delight in making delicious pizzas in the interactive kitchen in the main guest area. Forging relationships on a family safari with the guide and staff, who lovingly take care of all ages, is paramount to the success of an adventure brimming with significant moments and extraordinary experiences.

Enjoy twice-daily game drives, nature walks and a host of additional Phinda Adventures which include Participative Conservation Experiences (Rhino and Elephant conservation experiences); Zulu Village Tour, Maputaland Beach Adventure, Ocean Safari, Turtle Nesting Adventure, Indian Ocean Scuba Safari, Black Rhino Tracking on Foot, A Night under the Stars and Horse Riding in False Bay.