South Africa Accommodation

KwaZulu Natal

Phinda Private Game Reserve encompasses an impressive 22 000 hectares of prime wilderness land, and offers an abundance of natural riches to guests on an African safari. Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences featuring Africa’s Big Five, Phinda is described as “Seven Worlds of Wonder”, with its seven distinct habitats. A magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, river courses, marshes and pans, Phinda has a diversity of ecosystems and wildlife to rival any in Africa.

Home to 1 000 hectares of Africa’s remaining rare dry sand forest, the Reserve sits in close proximity to the unspoiled beaches and spectacular reefs of the Indian Ocean, offering a unique combination of bush and beach adventure. Situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Phinda borders conservation areas such as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site. This is a national treasure, sheltering perfectly preserved ancient ammonites (giant molluscs of the dinosaur era), and a plethora of animals, birds, reptiles, insects and butterflies in the seven diverse habitats. Guests at Phinda experience unforgettable interpretive game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles, led by experienced rangers and Zulu trackers, as well as exciting optional adventures on the water, in the air and on the beach.

Catch a glimpse of the shy Suni antelope, track rhino in the bushveld, observe breeding herds of elephant moving in stately fashion through fever tree forests, watch cheetah teaching their cubs to hunt, follow giant turtles on the shores of the Indian Ocean, glide past pods of hippos on a sunset cruise on the Mzinene River, and spot majestic Nyala – the most abundant antelope at Phinda. This unique Reserve has earned prestigious awards and recognition as being one of the world’s premier benchmarks for responsible, sustainable ecotourism.

Established in 1991 with acute sensitivity to environmental impact and a commitment to conservation development, Phinda has initiated and completed many successful community empowerment projects and conservation victories.

Dramatically set into a cliff-face overlooking spectacular Leopard Rock, the unique Phinda Rock Lodge is an architectural fascination combining Malian influences with pueblo panache. Its six suites are seemingly suspended over the deep valley below, providing breathtaking views. Each romantic suite, constructed from contoured stone and adobe, boasts solid wooden shutters and doors, opening onto a private plunge pool and viewing deck.

Complete with spacious ensuite bathrooms, three of these suites also feature outdoor showers, providing some of the most scenic al fresco bathing on the African continent. The Lodge’s comfortable sitting areas are the perfect vantage point for viewing the abundant birdlife in the surrounding trees, and the wildlife roaming the bushveld below.

This is an intimate lodge, where guests are treated like treasured family members and time is shared with fellow safari adventurers who soon become friends. Striking, fiery sunsets are witnessed from the game viewing deck suspended over Africa’s bushveld, and delicious Pan African cuisine is served in the dining area under hand-wrought chandeliers. Adventurous and unforgettable bush banquets in bush clearings under the African night sky also delight Rock Lodge guests.