Tucked away on the edge of a dappled forest in the north of the Phinda Reserve is where you will find AndBeyond Phinda Homestead. A sole-use safari villa, this incredible property is both elegant and homely, featuring an eclectic mix of textiles, pottery and basketwork. Outside, shaded, flat-roofed walkways open out onto a large sun deck and a sparkling infinity pool. Blending seamlessly into its natural surroundings, this is a luxury safari experience on quite another level.
Home to Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), as well as over 430 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. The reserve itself encompasses an impressive 28,555 hectares of protected wildlife land in KwaZulu-Natal, showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences.
A stay here includes a dedicated ranger and tracker team, as well as a private safari vehicle. Game drives times, as well as meals, are tailored completely to your preference, to help create a fully personalised safari.
In addition, 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 4 separate bedrooms are all open and spacious, with large sliding doors opening up onto a private viewing deck with views of the vast landscape below. Personal touches and the warmth of The Homestead’s dedicated staff, including a butler and chef, bring renowned African hospitality to life.
Special offers for longer stays or when booked as part of a longer itinerary may apply - details on request.
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Rates Include
All meals; tea/coffee, soft drinks, house wines and local branded spirits; safari activities in a private game vehicle; 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.
Children Policy
Children of any age are welcome. Rates available on request. 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.
andBeyond’s WILDchild programme is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures. Deeply rooted in the love for the African bush, it not only creates a series of unforgettable moments for the whole family, but forges strong bonds between the children, the planet and its people.
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AndBeyond Phinda Homestead Location.
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. Do not take this turn-off however as it leads to Mountain Lodge and Rock Lodge. Instead remain on the N2 for an additional 10 km until you reach the Hluhluwe turn-off. Take the Hluhluwe turn-off and follow the signs into the town of Hluhluwe (4 km).
Entering Hluhluwe, you will cross 3 consecutive roundabouts. The 1st roundabout is located just before you enter the town. The 2nd roundabout is located just after the Engen fuel garage. The 3rd is located just before the Total fuel garage. Continue to the 4th roundabout which is opposite the AWF Outdoor Shop. At the 4th roundabout, turn left following the False Bay/Sodwana Bay signage.
As you pass the 'Build-It Hardware Store' you will leave the outskirts of town, and prepare to take a right turn, crossing over the railway line. Signage should indicate Sodwana Bay/False Bay. Continue along this tar road for approximately 28 km (do not take any turns leading to False Bay). When you reach the Mduku Crossing (indicated clearly by numerous consecutive speed bumps), take the 'Phinda' sign-posted D675 turning to your left.
Continue along this road, which soon turns from a tarred surface into gravel, for approximately 2.6 km before you reach a T-junction. At the T-junction, take a right turn onto the D448 and travel for 3.6 km until you reach 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.
Continue until Hluhluwe. Take the Hluhluwe turn-off and follow the signs into the town of Hluhluwe (4 km). Then follow the directions as above.
If you need to contact the lodge and it is an emergency, then use their emergency telephone line: +27 (0) 83 463 8923.
General Information For Guests
The rooms are all en-suite with bathtubs, and indoor and outdoor showers. They also feature air conditioning, overhead fans, an in-room safe, telephone and a hairdryer. In addition, each guest room has a complimentary pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars.
The main guest areas consist of the lounge, dining area, kitchen, infinity pool, sun deck, fire deck, boma, library, gym, courtyard and treatment room.
There is Wi-Fi in the suites and the main guest areas.
Activities that are available at Phinda Homestead include guided bush walks and morning/afternoon game drives.
Activities that are available at an additional cost include Zulu village tours, Maputaland beach adventures, night turtle dives (seasonal), scuba diving, ocean safaris, black rhino tracking on foot, and sleepouts under the stars.
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).
Babysitting services are available (additional cost).
In-room massages can be arranged (additional cost).
A laundry service is included in your rate.
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club credit cards are accepted.
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.
