With wraparound views of the bushveld below, punctuated by the undulating profile of the Ubombo mountain range, AndBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge is a dramatic and exciting safari destination. Set in the 28,555 hectare Phinda Private Game Reserve, Phinda (meaning 'the return' in Zulu) supports what is probably the world's most successful cheetah reintroduction programme, and offers incomparable sightings of these fleet-footed felines.
Phinda features not only the Big 5, but a plethora of other animals and birds, and guests can enjoy twice-daily game-drives, nature walks, and seasonal riverboat cruises along the Mzinene River.
The Phinda night eye experience offers you the chance to see the wild world of the bush in the dark, and watch everything play out right in front of you. This experience includes a dedicated vehicle, guide, tracker and specialist cameraman. High definition infra-red cameras are used, providing not only excellent visuals on your drive, but also high quality video footage of your night-eye experience for you to take home, as a memento of your safari.
The intimate sitting areas at the main lodge are filled with sunlight and the open decks make the most of the magnificent views. 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.
25 split-level suites crest the mountain's edge, offering raptor's-eye views of the Reserve. Observe the serenity of the South African wilderness from your private deck, surrounded by the indigenous trees and shrubbery of the pristine Zululand bushveld.
Each luxurious suite also boasts an elegant en-suite bathroom, private sitting area and a spacious veranda with a plunge pool and outdoor shower.
Rates Include
All meals; tea/coffee, soft drinks, house wines and local branded spirits; safari activities; one hour nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability); refreshments on game drives; emergency medical evacuation insurance; transfers to and from the Phinda airstrip; the Phinda Conservation Fee and bed levy; and a laundry service are included.
A private safari vehicle is also included in the rate when booking a Family Suite or Cottage.
Children Policy
Children of any age are welcome. Rates available on request. Children aged 5 years and younger cannot participate in game drives. Children aged 6 to 11 are allowed on game drives at the Lodge Manager's discretion. Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on walking safaris. Babysitting services are available.
Bush Walks / Walking Safaris
Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on walking safaris. A medical certificate is required for guests aged 60 years and older. The final decision on whether a guest can join a walking safari remains with the guide and lodge manager.
Phinda Mountain Lodge will welcome your family with open arms. You will be shown to your family's accommodation, and you can get settled into your room.
From then on, Phinda Mountain Lodge offers a host of fascinating and entertaining activities for children, bringing alive the magic of a safari. Every minute is supervised by rangers and camp staff, who provide hours of amusement and invaluable information to the children in their care.
Your children will each receive a Planet Manager backpack, filled with surprises and containing an Eco-guide - a fantastic interactive booklet that encourages the conservation of the planet's precious natural resources. Throughout your stay at the lodge, your ranger will help the children to complete their guides, taking them out into the bush to collect feathers, pods, insects and leaves. At the end of your stay, the children will each receive a certificate declaring them official Planet Managers.
Children will witness the regions's rich wildlife, including the famous Big 5 (from a distance, not close to) and the not-so-famous Little 5, and they will try their luck at spotting the lodges's 10 'Star birds'. The children will also learn why elephants have long noses, and why giraffes have long necks !
After lunch, the children will be invited to the kitchen to help cookies for afternoon tea, and the chef will encourage them to get stuck in, be creative and have fun. In the meantime, parents can indulge in an afternoon siesta !
Dinners are a true highlight, with an abundance of flavours and textures on offer. Early meals can be arranged, with a specialised children's menu - chicken skewers, sausage and mash, homemade pasta with fresh tomato sauce, and ice cream with hot toffee sauce. Delicious Pan African dinner platters are served in the dining area or perhaps in an outdoor boma under starry African skies. A special children's table is set aside in the boma, where children can share their own campfire complete with marshmallows for roasting - always under the ranger's watchful eye.
The children will be enchanted by an abundance of adventures suited to their unique likes and dislikes. The ranger can take them on fishing or frogging safaris to explore some of the small wonders of the bush, or they can go on a bark-rubbing expedition and a bug hunt. They can visit the workshop to oversee maintenance to the safari vehicles, or they can learn how to make recycled paper, or spend time in the sun painting. Or perhaps they would enjoy a guided 'Pooh' walk to indentify animal droppings, spoor, animal species, trees and vegetation. Or go on a special children's picnic.
The options really are endless !
Families can also book a tailormade family adventure. Both educational and fun-filled, this safari includes a private safari vehicle, as well as a dedicated ranger specialised in guiding trips with children. Rates available on request.
Directions For Drivers
From Johannesburg: Depart Johannesburg on the R24 highway to Johannesburg, and merge 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 and continue on the road for 196 km towards Ermelo. In Ermelo turn left onto Voortrekker Street/N2. Proceed on the N2 towards Piet Retief.
From Piet Retief continue on the N2 through Pongola onto Mkuze. 40 km beyond Mkuze, you will see a 'Phinda' sign-posted turn-off. At the top of the turn-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 4 km until you reach a railway line. Cross over the railway line and turn immediately left. Ahead of you will be the entrance gate to the Munyawana Private Game Reserve.
At the gate, a security guard will welcome you and assist with directions to the lodge. The lodge is signposted within the Reserve.
Please note that you drive through the reserve to get to the lodge - do not get out of your car until you reach the lodge. You may see some wildlife on your way - if you do, slow down and maintain a good distance. Do not drive off-road in any circumstanance.
From Durban: Take the N2 highway northbound from Durban, toward Stanger - please note you will pass through 3 toll gates en-route from Durban to Phinda - they accept cash or credit card payments. Go past the towns of Ballito, Tinley Manor, Stanger, Mtunzini, Empangeni, Richard's Bay, Kwambonambi and Mtubatuba.
Stay on the N2, passing the town of Hluhluwe. Approximately 10 km beyond Hluhluwe, take the signposted Phinda turn-off. At the top of the turn-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 4 km until you reach a railway line. Cross over the railway line and turn immediately left. Ahead of you will be the entrance gate to the Munyawana Private Game Reserve.
At the gate, a security guard will welcome you and assist with directions to the lodge. The lodge is signposted within the Reserve.
General Information For Guests
All rooms are air conditioned and have overhead fans as well. They also have indoor and outdoor showers, a bath, personal bar, a telephone, in-room safe and a hair dryer. All suites apart from the Family Suites also have a plunge pool. In addition, each guest room has a complimentary pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars.
There is a main swimming pool for guest's enjoyment, a boma for outdoor dining, safari shop, gym and a massage sala.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided the suites and main guest areas.
Activities that are available include guided bush walks and morning/afternoon game drives.
Also available as an additional and highly recommended enhanced safari experience for Phinda guests, the &Beyond Night Eye experience enables wildlife lovers to, quite literally, see what lies beyond after dark. The experience includes the use of a private safari vehicle that is accompanied by a dedicated guide, tracker and professional camera operator. The specialised and unobtrusive photographic rig itself consists of a high definition infra-red camera that is mounted at the passenger seat behind the tracker, and is connected to 3 separate high definition monitors (one mounted on each row of the vehicle) giving each guest a clear view of the real-time action that is unfolding around them. The Night Eye experience departs at exactly the same time as the normal afternoon drive, allowing photographers to make the most of the afternoon light before the night life emerges. The experience may be purchased in-lodge but due to high demand, pre-booking is recommended (additional cost and subject to availability).
In-room massages can also be arranged (additional cost).
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners credit cards are accepted.
Babysitting services are available (additional cost).
A laundry service is included in your rate.
The lodge is not fenced off and guests are requested be extremely vigilant at all times. Security guards accompany guests at all times when walking around the lodge at night.
The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) is not permitted in any of the conservation areas managed by AndBeyond, until such time as their impact on wildlife and anti-poaching initiatives can be assessed.
Bush Walks / Walking Safaris
Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on walking safaris. A medical certificate is required for guests aged 60 years and older. The final decision on whether a guest can join a walking safari remains with the guide and lodge manager.
Popular Alternatives to AndBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
These are the top properties booked by people who considered staying at AndBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge, but for one reason or another booked a different property. It may have been that AndBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge was not available on the nights they wanted to stay, or they decided that somewhere else was better suited to their budget or itinerary.
If you're not sure which place might be best for your own trip then either give us a call or get in touch via the website, and we'd be delighted to run through the options with you.
