Lodges in Phinda Game Reserve
Phinda Mountain Lodge
Phinda Forest Lodge
Phinda Rock Lodge
Phinda Zuka Lodge
Phinda Vlei Lodge
About the Reserve :
The reserve of &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve encompasses nearly 30 000 hectares of pristine wilderness in the Munywana Conservancy which is situated in the Zululand region of Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The reserve is wedged between two other natural wonderlands, the Mkhuze Game Reserve and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and its closeness to the balmy waters and spectacular coral reefs of the Indian Ocean on the East coast makes for an unrivalled beach and bush holiday.
Visitors to Phinda Private Game Reserve are in for one of the best game viewing experiences on offer. The iconic members of the Big Five—which include the lion, leopard, rhino (both black and white), buffalo, and elephant—are sure to be spotted. The wide-open plains within the reserve provide the ideal hunting terrain for cheetah, while the forested areas give shelter to rare antelope species such as suni and red duiker. The reserve also features abundant plains’ game such as zebra, wildebeest, impala and giraffe- all guaranteeing the safari experience of a lifetime.
&Beyond, an industry legend, is known for their exceptional quality game rangers, their conservation efforts and their five star service and luxurious but comfortable lodges. Phinda is home to six magnificent lodges, each with its own individual charm and character: These exclusive lodges are decorated in differing themes and are located in different parts of the Reserve, offering facilities such as plunge pools and outdoor showers as well as including excellent hospitality and fine dining. Catering to family and friend groups, as well as honeymooners and couples, there is a lodge for every traveler and for every occasion at Phinda.
Directions to
By Air :
- Airlink offers daily flights from Johannesburg to Nelspruit.
- Federal Air offers daily scheduled flights directly from Nelspruit to Phinda Private Game Reserve.
- Connect &Beyond 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 &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve’s airstrip.
By Road :
It is a seven-hour drive from Johannesburg and a three and a half hour drive from Durban on good roads in a two-wheel drive vehicle.
Directions from Johannesburg to Phinda Mountain Lodge, Rock Lodge and Zuka Lodge as follows :
- Depart Johannesburg on the R24 highway to Johannesburg merging onto the N12/N3
- Keep left to continue on N3, follow signs for Heidelberg/Durban/N17/Springs.
- Take exit 103 for N17 East to Springs. Merge onto N17; continue on the road for 196kms towards Ermelo.
- In Ermelo turn left onto Voortrekker Street/ N2.
- Proceed on the N2 towards Piet Retief/eMkhondo.
- From Piet Retief/eMkhondo continue on the N2 through Pongola onto Mkuze.
- Approximately 40 km beyond Mkuze, take the sign-posted “Phinda” off-ramp.
- At the top of the fly-off, turn left and you will reach a T-junction.
- At the T-junction, turn left onto a gravel road. Follow the gravel road for approximately 4km until you reach a railway line.
- Cross over the railway line and turn immediately right. Ahead of you is the entrance gate to the Munyawana Private Game Reserve. At the gate, a security guard will welcome you and assist with directions to the various lodges.
Directions from Durban to Phinda Mountain Lodge, Rock Lodge and Zuka Lodge as follows :
- Take the N2 highway northbound towards Stanger/KwaDakuza;( please note you will pass through a total of three toll gates enroute from Durban to Phinda: Tongaat Toll Plaza, Mvoti Toll Plaza and Mtunzini Toll Plaza. The toll gate will accept cash or credit card payments.)
- Pass the towns of Ballito, Tinley Manor, Stanger/ KwaDukuza, Mtunzini, Empangeni, Richard’s Bay, Kwambonambi and Mtubatuba.
- Remain on the N2, passing the town of Hluhluwe.
- 10km beyond Hluhluwe, take the sign-posted “Phinda” off-ramp.
- At the top of the fly-off, turn right onto the bridge and you will reach a T-junction.
- At the T-junction, turn left onto a gravel road. Follow the gravel road for approximately 4km until you reach a railway line.
- Cross over the railway line and turn immediately right. Ahead of you is the entrance gate to the Munyawana Private Game Reserve. At the gate, a security guard will welcome you and assist with directions to the various lodges.
( Please note that all our lodges are sign-posted within the Reserve.)
Phinda is often described as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’ because of the reserve’s seven unique habitats – woodland, grassland, wetland, forest, mountain ranges, rivers, marshes and pans. In addition, Phinda is home to 1 000 hectares of rare dry sand forest. These ecosystems have provided a haven for a myriad of fauna and flora species..
The reserve is also located within easy reach of the Indian Ocean coastline and the famous iSimangaliso / Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Adding to Phinda’s wildlife charms, the marine diversity of nearby Sodwana Bay is easily accessible, with exceptional scuba diving, fishing and even turtle watching listed as some of its main attractions.
Guests at Phinda can experience an incredible variety of adventures. These include twice-daily game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles, led by professionally trained rangers and Zulu trackers, nature walks, guided bushwalks, boat trips, community experiences facilitated in partnership with Africa Foundation, conservation experiences, sleep outs, village tours, night drives, specialist safaris, as well as nearby ocean activities.
Phinda’s unique blend of riverine and rare sand forest habitats supports an abundance of wildlife found within the reserve.
This includes the Big Five- lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard..Both black and white rhino are present in the reserve and, in addition, Phinda is renowned for its quality cheetah sightings.
Antelope such as nyala, kudu, wildebeest and impala are commonly seen and, on rare occasions, lucky guests will spot the tiny suni or red duiker. Hyenas and crocodiles may be spotted on game drives during the day, while night drives offer the opportunity for guests to see nocturnal creatures such as genets, bush- babies and porcupines.
Phinda is a bird- lover’s paradise with over 400 recorded species.The rare sand forest has offered special sightings of Narina trogon, African broadbill, pink-throated twinspot and Neergaard’s Sunbird. The walking safaris and boat excursions provide avid birders with even more opportunities to add extra sightings to their list.
