Surrounded by densely wooded hills and lush valleys, AndBeyond Phinda Zuka Lodge is situated in the western region of the exclusive 28,555 hectare Big 5 Phinda Game Reserve. The suites can be booked on an individual basis, or the entire lodge can be booked on a sole-exclusive basis, making it perfect for families or groups of up to 8 people.
Activities include morning and afternoon/evening game-drives in an open 4x4 safari vehicle, bush walks, riverboat cruises and canoe trips along the Mzinene River, as well as bush sundowners and dinners on the reserve. There are also a variety of optional adventure activities, such as scuba diving and deep-sea fishing.
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.
Guest areas include indoor sitting and dining areas, an intimate library with internet access and a swimming pool with extended wooden decking overlooking the waterhole.
Comfortable cushions and suspended wicker chairs on the veranda allow for contemplation of the beautiful surroundings. Characterised by hues of blue and stone, emphasising shape and texture, the overall effect of the lodge is that of cool, coastal bush style.
The lodge's 4 intimate cottages are set 15 metres (50 feet) apart, featuring verandas overlooking a busy waterhole where a diversity of wildlife is regularly seen.
Sitting areas feature built-in sofas which double as beds for parents travelling with children 5 years and younger.
Bedrooms have air-conditioning and fans and are en-suite, with a circular stone bath chamber, double showers, and twin hand basins.
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 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.
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
Each cottage has an en-suite bathroom with a circular bath chamber, double showers and twin hand basins, a veranda with chairs, air conditioning, a fan, a hair dryer, a telephone, a mini bar and a room safe. In addition, each cottage has a complimentary pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars.
There is Wi-Fi (complimentary) available.
A laundry service is included in your rate.
There is a main swimming pool and a boma.
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).
Credit cards are accepted (Visa, Diners, AMEX and MasterCard).
A babysiting service is available (on request and additional cost).
A 'gym in a bag' is available on request.
The lodge is not fenced, and guests are asked to be extremely vigilent 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.
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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.
