&Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge
Intimate stone cottages with dramatic views across the Zululand valley
Highlights
PANORAMIC VIEWS
An intimate lodge with only unique intimate cottages, each with spectacular views
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 Rock Lodge can be downloaded at the bottom of this webpage.
Accommodation
LUXURIOUS SUITES
Six cosy air-conditioned cottages, each with breathtaking views
PERSONAL BAR
A selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments available in suite
OUTDOOR SHOWERS
FOUR OF THE COTTAGES FEATURE REFRESHING ALFRESCO SHOWERS
PRIVATE PLUNGE POOLS
All cottages boast a private outdoor plunge pool with a view
WELCOMING CHILD POLICY
Children 12 years and older are welcome
LAUNDRY 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
FITNESS & WELLNESS
Gym-in-a-basket available in your cottage as well as in-room massage treatments
AL FRESCO
DINING
Rooftop dining under the skies offers magnificent sunset views
Rates
SUITE
2021: JANUARY - DECEMBER From ZAR 11,400 per person per night
Travel in times of uncertainty
We are all in this together, our response to COVID-19
Welcome to Phinda Rock Lodge
Dramatically set into a cliff face, Phinda Rock Lodge’s six intimate and private suites are seemingly suspended over the deep valley below, providing breathtaking views of Phinda Private Game Reserve.
Phinda Private Game Reserve showcases one of the continent’s finest Big Five game viewing experiences and displays a magnificent tapestry of seven unique landscapes. Phinda Private Game Reserve is situated in close proximity to the unspoiled beaches and spectacular coral reefs of the Indian Ocean, offering an unmatched combination of bush and beach adventures.
Each romantic cottage, constructed from contoured stone, boasts solid wooden shutters and doors, which open onto a private plunge pool and viewing deck. Featuring spacious ensuite bathrooms, four of the cottages also offer outdoor showers.
The lodge’s guest areas offer the perfect vantage point for viewing the reserve’s abundant birdlife and the wildlife roaming in the bush below. French doors open onto an extended outdoor deck, the perfect setting for al fresco meals, while a rooftop terrace provides a romantic venue for dining beneath the stars.
Choose from a range of exciting Phinda Adventures such as a specialist walking and tracking safaris, a sleepout under the stars, an infrared Night Eye drive, and other participative conservation experiences such rhino notching or pangolin tagging. Also within easy access of the reserve are Zulu village tours, Africa Foundation community visits, a Maputaland exploration, Maputaland beach trip, 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 exclusive 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 (70,560 acres) of private traversing across seven distinct habitats allows for a great diversity of landscapes and exclusive game viewing. Limited number of vehicles at sightings and sensitive off-roading practices affords close-up sightings of Big Five and other rare and iconic 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 LOCATION
Unwind in this serene and tranquil haven in the heart of the bush. Be entranced by the dramatic views across the valley, heightened by the romance of intimate rooftop dining. Private plunge pools and outdoor showers boast mesmerising panoramas of the lush Phinda landscape.
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