&Beyond Phinda Zuka Lodge
An exclusive-use safari retreat overlooking a private, low-lying pan rich in wildlife
EXCLUSIVE-USE
INTIMATE FOUR BEDROOM LODGE THAT CAN BE BOOKED SOLE-USE OR ON A PER ROOM BASIS
PRIVATE SAFARI GAME DRIVES
PRIVATE DAY AND NIGHT SAFARIS WHEN BOOKING AS AN EXCLUSIVE-USE LODGE
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 WITH AFRICA FOUNDATION
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 offers daily flights from Johannesburg to Nelspruit.
Federal Air offers daily scheduled flights directly from Nelspruit to Phinda Private Game Reserve. - Connect Phinda Private Game Reserve to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Ngala Private Game Reserve, Kirkman’s Kamp, northern Sabi Sand
Nature Reserve (Londolozi and Ulusaba) in South Africa or to Vilanculos in Mozambique and Livingstone in Zambia via Airlink. All flights route through either Johannesburg, Nelspruit, or Skukuza in South Africa, where layovers may vary. - 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 Zuka Lodge can be downloaded at the bottom of this webpage.
LUXURIOUS SUITES
Four air-conditioned suites overlooking a beautiful private waterhole
EXCLUSIVE-USE OPTION
WHEN BOOKING AS A SOLE-USE LODGE, YOU ENJOY A DEDICATED RANGER, TRACKER, BUTLER AND CHEF
OUTDOOR SHOWERS
EACH SUITE FEATURES A REFRESHING ALFRESCO SHOWER
FAMILY FRIENDLY
CHILDREN OF ALL AGES ARE WELCOME. QUALIFIED CHILDMINDERS AVAILABLE
LAUNDRY INCLUDED
COMPLIMENTARY LAUNDRY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE SHOULD YOU NEED IT
SWAROVSKI BINOCULARS
STATE OF THE ART SWAROVSKI COMPANIONS, COMPLIMENTARY FOR THE DURATION OF YOUR STAY
WIFI AVAILABLE
FULL WIFI COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE LODGE
FITNESS & WELLNESS
GYM-IN-A-BASKET AVAILABLE IN YOUR SUITE AS WELL AS IN-ROOM MASSAGE TREATMENTS
SPARKLING LODGE POOL
LARGE RIM-FLOW SWIMMING POOL OVERLOOKING THE PRIVATE WATERING HOLE
DEDICATED BUTLER & CHEF
DEDICATED BUTLER AND CHEF THAT WILL CATER TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF YOUR GROUP
WILDCHILD PROGRAMME
FUN, INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DISCOVER NEW EXPERIENCES & CULTURES
SUITE
From ZAR 14,900 per person per night
Welcome to Phinda Zuka Lodge
Set amongst the densely wooded Zuka Hills of Phinda Private Game Reserve, studded with aloes and overlooking a small private pan, lies Phinda Zuka Lodge, a private sole-use villa, ideal for families and small groups.
Encompassing an impressive 29 866 ha (73 800 acres) of protected wildlife land in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Phinda Private Game Reserve showcases one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, and is home to Africa’s Big Five, as well as 436 bird species.
Just four individual thatched Zululand bush suites, make up this intimate lodge that can be reserved as a sole-use villa for private gatherings, or on an individual room booking. Phinda Zuka’s overall ambiance is that of cool, coastal bush-style; embodying the sophistication of simplicity. The charming suites cluster around a pan which turns into a popular waterhole during the rainy season, and a diversity of wildlife is regularly seen and birdlife flourishes. Each suite boasts a luxurious ensuite bathroom, complete with a circular bath chamber, double showers and twin hand basins. Comfortable lounge chairs, on private verandas, allow for gentle contemplation or an afternoon siesta.
Guest areas include an interactive café-style kitchen, indoor sitting and dining areas, an intimate library and a swimming pool with an extended wooden deck overlooking the surrounding wilderness.
Choose from a range of exciting Phinda Adventures such as a specialist walking and tracking safaris, a sleepout under the stars, and other participative conservation experiences such rhino notching or pangolin tagging. Also on offer 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 private safaris.
Why we love it
IMPRESSIVE GAME VIEWING
29 866 ha (73 800 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 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.
SOLE-USE EXCLUSIVITY
Equipped with your own dedicated ranger, tracker, butler, chef and safari host, not only does Phinda Zuka Lodge offer the ideal home-away-from-home, game drive times, as well as meals, are tailored completely to your preferences to create a fully personalised safari.
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, specialist safaris, as well as nearby ocean activities.
Rates & Offers
Tailormake your stay
Talk to one of our travel specialists to tailormake your stay to any of our destinations
Experience Phinda Zuka Lodge
Visiting Phinda Zuka Lodge allows access to a range of unique included and excluded experiences
Explore Phinda sightings
Our guides and guests' best safari moments
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, 29 866 ha (73 800 acres) 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.
Tailormade tours
Choose Phinda Zuka Lodge on one of these inspirational journeys
Care of the Land, Wildlife & People
&Beyond Phinda's impact in conservation & community
Frequently asked questions
Awards and acknowledgements
Feed your wanderlust
Travel inspiration from from &Beyond Connect
Download useful documents
Keep connected
Read more about Phinda
Phinda’s six unique luxury lodges
AS FEATURED ON
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