If South Africa’s Garden of Eden was described as &Beyond Madikwe Safari Lodge, (see World Airnews November 2009) then &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge must surly be the oasis in the middle of ‘the Garden of Eden’.
Set within easy reach of the Indian Ocean coastline and the famous iSimangaliso / Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Phinda Private Game Reserve is known for its abundant wildlife, diversity of habitats and wide range of activities.
Thanks to its coastal rainfall pattern, Phinda enjoys a lush green environment that contains seven distinct ecosystems - a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, river courses, marshes and pans. This fascinating variety of landscape and vegetation shelters an abundance of wildlife, including not only the Big Five but many rarer and less easily spotted species, such as the elusive cheetah or the scarce black rhino. With only a handful of lodges sharing an area of 23 000 hectares (56 800 acres) and careful trained rangers and trackers in search of prime wildlife sightings, guests are assured an exclusive game viewing experience.
Adding to Phinda’s wildlife charms, the marine diversity of nearby Sodwana on the coast is easily accessible, with scuba diving, fishing and even turtle watching only some of the adventures available from Phinda. At Phinda Mountain Lodge a room with a view isn’t just an option - it’s an absolute guarantee. Poised majestically on the crest of a mountain, the lodge commands a dramatic vista over the surrounding landscape.
Balanced between soaring views of the scenery below and the endless blue of the African sky above, each suite opens onto a breathtaking panorama. With glamorous guest areas and spellbinding views, this bold and stylish lodge will truly make you feel on top of the world.
Magnificent guest viewing decks and private verandas attached to each suite ensure that there’s no shortage of breathtaking locations to drink in the natural luxury of the sensational setting. Guests are greeted with bright smiles and warm welcomes from Mountain Lodge’s gracious staff. A warm and friendly welcome awaits families with children at Phinda Mountain Lodge, with two family suites providing inter-leading rooms with an optional additional bed in each.
Light and space lie at the heart of Phinda Mountain Lodge from. the moment you enter the airy inner courtyard. The guest area is a magnificent u-shaped building with central courtyard, which provides comfort between exciting game drives. Careful planning means that no structures in the Lodge overlook each other, resulting in uninterrupted views from each suite or viewing deck. A total of 25 suites are positioned to ensure complete privacy while optimising the view from the veranda.
A private outdoor shower and plunge pool for each suite allow you to savor the outdoors and the fresh mountain air. Lounging in your private plunge pool overlooking the dense green slopes, you can lose all track of time as easily as though you were floating on a cloud high up above the world.
Bask in the solitude of your suite’s personal sitting room or share in the books and games in the spacious guest areas. Browse for a choice souvenir in our selectively stocked Safari Shop or sip on a cocktail while taking in the views from the terrace.
Mealtime may mean a delicious feast on the tiered veranda, a luscious spread in the covered dining room or an unexpected treat in a surprise location. Don’t worry; a brisk walk along the maze of paved pathways in the lush grounds will burn off any extra calories.
There are certain species that guests are more likely to encounter on Phinda than on many other reserves. Predators such as cheetah, lion and leopard are tracked on a daily basis, offering guests a high chance of spotting these impressive cats. Phinda is renowned for offering outstanding opportunities to view cheetah. The reserve also boasts one of the highest densities of nyala. Rhino enthusiasts may frequently encounter both the white rhino and the endangered black rhino. Herds of elephant and buffalo move throughout the reserve, and the sand forest is home to some rare smaller species, such as the suni and red duiker, as well as the red tonga squirrel.
&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve is located in northern KwaZulu Natal. You can travel to &Beyond Phinda by road or air. The quickest and easiest way to get to Phinda is by air. Federal Air operates a light aircraft flight directly from Johannesburg to Phinda, which is available on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Alternatively, you can fly to Richard's Bay from either Johannesburg or Durban. A light aircraft shuttle service operates between Richard's Bay and Phinda. Should you choose to travel to Phinda from Richard's Bay by road, a comfortable drive of approximately two hours will get you there.
The flight time from Johannesburg to Phinda is approximately an hour and 45 minutes. A similar flight from Durban lasts an hour. Federal Air flights directly to the game reserve are generally scheduled for mid-morning to allow arriving you to enjoy an afternoon game drive on your day of arrival. Please note that luggage is generally limited to 20 kg per person.
Should you choose to travel by road, the distance from Johannesburg to Phinda is approximately 600 km (370 miles) and takes about six hours to cover on tarred roads. The drive from Durban to Phinda is roughly 350 km (220 miles) and takes three to three and a half hours.
