Phinda Mountain Lodge

OVERVIEW:

An elevated hillside lodge in the south-west of Phinda Private Game Reserve, &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge is the ultimate family-friendly safari destination, delivering high-end accommodation and endless activities to keep the kids entertained! With superb game viewing and close proximity to the coral reefs of the Indian Ocean, Phinda offers the ultimate bush-and-beach combination. Rates are full board and include three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, laundry, safari activities (twice-daily game drives), local community visits, 1-hour nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability), transfers to and from the lodge airstrip, and the lodge’s WILDchild programme. &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge is open year-round.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Phinda Private Game Reserve is situated in South Africa’s northern KwaZulu-Natal region, and the international entry point is Johannesburg. It is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Durban on good roads, and there are daily scheduled flights from Nelspruit (Kruger). Landing at Phinda’s airstrip, it’s a 15-minute drive to the lodge. Private charters can be arranged from anywhere in South Africa.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT PHINDA MOUNTAIN LODGE:

Guest accommodation consists of 16 standard suites, three family cottages, and a family suite. Units are spaced well apart, and assistance for wheelchair users is available upon request. Inside each standard suite, you’ll find double or twin beds, bedside tables and reading lights, a seating area, and ample storage space. The décor is sophisticated yet inviting, with contemporary accents and cool colours offset by traditional thatch, over-sized rugs, and local artefacts. In-room amenities include air conditioning, overhead fans, a telephone, a mini-bar, a safe, and a hairdryer. Light-filled en-suite bathrooms take in jaw-dropping views and comprise a separate flush toilet, twin washbasins, indoor and outdoor showers, and a freestanding bathtub. Additional features include a personal bar, private sitting area, spacious decked veranda with private rim-flow plunge pool, and outdoor lounge, enabling guests to make the most of the stunning panoramas. Each family cottage comprises two standard suites with an interleading door, accommodating up to two adults and three children. The family suite features two adult bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, and two interleading children’s rooms. This suite can accommodate up to four adults and four children, and includes a roomy lounge and veranda. While it doesn’t have a private plunge pool, it’s conveniently close to the main lodge swimming pool, with its own access pathway. Booking a family cottage or suite entitles families to a dedicated private safari vehicle.

A network of pathways links guest suites and cottages to the communal lodge, which is stylish and well appointed. There’s an excellent flow of indoor–outdoor space with plenty of wooden decks where guests can relax, eat, drink, and marvel at the views. Those who wish to stay active will enjoy the wellness centre with its well-equipped gym, while the massage sala offers a range of treatments. The lodge also contains a well-stocked bar, library, and safari shop, and can function as a conference venue with a meeting room capable of seating up to 12 guests. A brief stroll away, there’s a traditional boma with an open fire where evening meals are often enjoyed al fresco. From here, it’s another short walk to the shared swimming pool surrounded by sunloungers and parasols.

*Please be aware that we cannot book this property for families with young children under the age of 6 years for safety reasons relating to the balconies/decks/walkways.*

ACTIVITIES AT &BEYOND PHINDA MOUNTAIN LODGE:

• Expertly guided game drives 

  – Game drives are on offer for 6+ years or for all ages staying in a family cottage or suite, and they take place during early morning and late afternoon into the evening. Phinda Private Game Reserve boasts no fewer than seven ecosystems, including grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, and water sources, and it’s home to all Big Five – lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. Smaller predators include cheetah, hyena, and wild dog, while the herbivore count features hippo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and a fine assortment of antelopes. Nile crocodile are often seen in the Mzinene river!

• Bush walks

  – For guests aged 16+, bush walks are led by a knowledgeable and experienced guide. Walk out into the reserve on foot to observe the smaller life forms, including birds and plant life.

• Black rhino tracking

  – Accompanied by an expert ranger and tracker, guests walk through the bush in search of the mighty black rhino, examining tracks, scratching posts, dunghills, and more. This activity is for guests aged 16+.

• Elephant conservation experience

  – Watch as members of &Beyond’s conservation team capture and dart a gentle giant to change its radio collar.

• Photographic safaris

  – Enjoy a masterclass from a specialist photographic guide, who’ll ensure you have some fantastic photos to take home.

• Sleep-outs

  – After your afternoon game drive, venture to a small satellite camp for sundowners and dinner under the night sky before sleeping under a canopy of stars.

• WILDChild programme

  – There are plenty of fun things on offer for kids, including arts and crafts, tracking adventures, and making and firing bows and arrows!

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.

For information about activities farther afield, such as horse riding, cultural experiences, scuba safaris, and Maputaland tours, please get in touch with a member of the YZ team.