Ultimate Luxury

&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge

Suspended in the Sand Forest, under great towering torchwood trees, is Phinda Forest Lodge. There are 16 large stilted glass suites have a Zen feel, floating between the forest floor below and the dense canopy of leaves above.

Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

A collection of enchanting stilted suites with floor-to-ceiling windows set within an unique ancient sand forest.
An exceptional safari experience with some of the best sightings of cheetahs and black rhino in South Africa.
Enjoy lazy afternoons by the pool during your down time between game drives or head out on a bush walking adventure with an expert guide.
With direct flights to nearby Durban Airport from the UK and with connections to the rest of South Africa and Mauritius, Phinda is ideally situated for a standalone safari experience or as part of a longer itinerary.

Phinda Reserve is cradled in the arms of the Ubombo Mountains and flanked to the east by golden beaches and the Indian Ocean, in KwaZulu-Natal. This is one of Africa’s most diverse wilderness areas, boasting seven ecosystems and an extraordinary range of wildlife.

The local Zulu people built Phinda Forest Lodge, which has been built to have a minimal impact on its surrounding environment. The rooms are huge and exceptionally luxurious, with air conditioning and private ensuite facilities. The walls of the suites are glass and open onto the forest, where animals such as red duiker, suni antelope and red squirrel abound.

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.

The Phinda Reserve offers excellent big five game viewing, with spectacular sightings of the elusive cheetah and the rare black rhino. You can enjoy day and night game drives, walking safaris, river cruises and canoeing on the Mzinene River.

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Top tip:

Did you know that male leopard wee smells like buttered popcorn?

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Location

Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Phinda Forest Lodge lies within the 56 800 acres of Phinda Private Game Reserve, in the Maputaland region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Neighbours the iSimangaliso/Greater St Lucia Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site – to the east and is only 30 km (19 miles) due west of the white-fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean.

By road, Phinda is 6 hours from Johannesburg, 3 hours from Durban and 1 hour 30 minutes from Richards Bay. SA Express offer daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg to Richards Bay. Road transfers from King Shaka International Airport to Phinda can be arranged. Airwing can also arrange private charters from anywhere in South Africa directly to Phinda’s airstrip.

Top Things to Do Nearby

&Beyond Wild Child programme

Specially designed activities ensure your children get the most out of their safari experience, with activities such as tracking footprints and making traditional bows and arrows to add to game drives with their parents.

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4WD Game Drives

Go on private or shared game drives in the world famous Greater Kruger Area, South Africa to see the Big 5 - lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino - and a host of other animals. The Kruger is also a brilliant spot for birders so pack some binoculars.

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Pangolin Rehabilitation Experience

Participate in a pioneering pangolin initiative at Phinda Private Game Reserve.

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