andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve encompasses an impressive 23 000 hectares (56 800 acres) of protected wildlife land in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, andBeyond Phinda is home to Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), as well as 415 bird species. The reserve is particularly well known for close-up sightings of the elegant yet elusive cheetah, as well as the rare black rhino. With its seven distinct habitats, Phinda is often described as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’, a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, rivers, marshes and pans.
Home to 1 000 hectares of Africa’s remaining rare dry sand forest, the 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.
Guests at Phinda experience unforgettable interpretive game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles, led by professionally trained andBeyond rangers and Zulu trackers, as well as a wide range of optional adventures in the bush and on the beach.
Phinda is home to six magnificent lodges, each with its own individual charm and character: Mountain Lodge, Rock Lodge, Forest Lodge, Vlei Lodge, Zuka Lodge and Phinda Homestead.
With wraparound views of the spectacular Ubombo mountain range and the surrounding Zululand bush, andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge is a dramatic safari destination. Its 25 split-level suites crest the mountain’s edge, offering breath-taking raptor’s-eye views of the reserve below. Guests are greeted in the sheltered and welcoming open-air courtyard, which opens out onto a magnificent horseshoe-shaped building that holds the guest areas. The intimate sitting areas are filled with sunlight and the open decks make the most of the magnificent views. Each luxurious suite boasts an elegant ensuite bathroom, private sitting area and a spacious veranda with a plunge pool and outdoor shower. Delicious meals are served in the dining area, which overlooks the reserve and the Ubombo Mountains or in the traditional stone and reed boma, theatrically illuminated by dozens of candles and lanterns. Phinda is renowned for its bush banquets in natural, unexpected settings and guests may well find themselves savouring their meal in a spectacular clearing in the bush beneath an umbrella of twinkling stars.