AndBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge

Dramatically set into a cliff face overlooking the spectacular Leopard Rock, AndBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge is an architectural delight. Set in the Big 5 Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, and renowned as offering one of the finest game-viewing experiences, guests staying here will enjoy sightings of the Big 5 as well as a plethora of other animals and birds within the 28,555 hectares.

Activities include twice-daily game-drives, nature walks, rhino tracking, and riverboat cruises (seasonal) 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 lodge’s comfortable sitting areas also offer the perfect vantage point for viewing the abundant birdlife in the surrounding trees and the wildlife roaming the bush below.

Guests can enjoy fiery sunsets over South Africa's bushveld from the game viewing deck, before settling down for dinner. Delicious Pan-African cuisine is served to you in the dining area under hand-wrought chandeliers, on the lodge's exclusive deck or enjoyed in the privacy of your own suite.

The 6 suites are seemingly suspended over the deep valley below, providing breath-taking 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. With spacious en-suite bathrooms, the suites also feature outdoor showers, providing some of the most scenic al fresco bathing on the African continent.

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.

Children Policy

Children aged 12 years and older are welcome. Adult rates apply. Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on walking safaris.

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.

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 suites are air conditioned, and have a ceiling fan, indoor shower and bath, a private plunge pool, in-room safe, personal bar, telephone and a hair dryer. Four of the 6 suites have outdoor showers.

The main guest area has an outdoor verandah, comfortable lounge, indoor dining room, and a rooftop dining area.

Activities that are available include guided bush walks and morning/afternoon game drives, plus boma/bush dining (weather permitting).

A 'gym in a bag' is available on request, and in-room massages (additional cost) can also be arranged.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided in the guest areas and rooms.

A laundry service is included in your rate.

Visa, Diners, American Express and MasterCard credit cards are accepted.

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.

Additional activities/experiences which can be booked on arrival include a sleepout under the stars, private game drives (subject to the availability of a vehicle), black rhino tracking, village tours, scuba dinving at Sodwana Bay, turtle nesting adventure (seasonal), and ocean safari trips.

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.

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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.