Welcome to Phinda Forest
Nestled inside 1 000 hectares (2471 acres) of Africa’s last remaining dry sand forest lies Phinda Forest Lodge, one of the world’s first eco-designed luxury safari lodges.
With its seven distinct habitats, Phinda Private Game Reserve is often described as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’, a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, rivers, marshes and pans. Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, the reserve is home to Africa’s Big Five, as well as 436 bird species.

Set in a rare and beautiful sand forest, the glass walls of Phinda Forest Lodge’s 16 air-conditioned suites offer a sweeping view of one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet. A dense canopy provides privacy, and floor to ceiling windows invite the forest in, with the wonderful opportunity to view wildlife roaming outside your glass “bubble”, fluttering birds nesting in the foliage and the gentle rustle of forest sounds.

On the edge of the forest, just before a clearing that overlooks a small waterhole, lies the lodge’s sparkling rim-flow swimming pool, an ideal respite in between game drives. Expansive decks in the spacious guest area, look out onto panoramic views of an open grassy meadow. In the evenings, when warm firelight welcomes you to the traditional African boma, wide-eyed bush babies watch inquisitively from the trees above, as you in indulge in a lantern-lit feast beneath a canvas of stars.

Choose from a range of exciting Phinda Adventures such as a Specialist Walking and Tracking Safaris, a sleep-out under the stars, an infrared Night Eye drive, and other participative conservation experiences such rhino notching or pangolin tagging. Also on offer outside of the reserve, within easy access of the reserve are Zulu village tours, Africa Foundation community visits, a Maputaland exploration, Maputaland beach adventures, night turtle drives (seasonal), scuba safaris, or an incredible ocean safari that offers you a host of marine life sightings. Specialist Safaris can be arranged in advance and focus on special interests such as birding, photographic, family and private safaris.

IMPRESSIVE GAME VIEWING
28 555 ha of private, traversing across seven distinct habitats allows for a diversity of landscapes and game viewing on twice-daily game drives. Limited number of vehicles at sightings and sensitive off-roading practices affords close-up sightings of wildlife.

ICONIC WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS
Phinda is home to a magnificent variety of wildlife, including the Big Five, but is best known for its large population of cheetah and black rhino. The sand forest is home to the shy suni and the rare red duiker, two tiny antelope that are seldom encountered elsewhere.

SPECTACULAR GLASS HOUSES
Invite the beauty of the forest indoors and unwind in absolute tranquility, in one of Phinda Forest Lodge’s 16 suites. Set in some of the world’s last remaining dry sand forest, these enchanting glass bubbles allow close-up views of small animals and colourful birdlife.

LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES
A variety of incredible adventures are available, including twice-daily game drives, nature walks, conservation and community experiences, sleep outs, village tours, an infrared Night Eye Experience, specialist safaris, as well as nearby ocean activities.

Location
In Phinda Private Game Reserve
Access to our lodge:
Airlink offer daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg to &BEYOND Phinda Private Game Reserve.
All flights route through either Nelspruit or Skukuza
Seven-hour drive from Johannesburg on good roads in a two-wheel drive vehicle
Three and a half-hour drive from Durban on good roads in a two-wheel drive vehicle
Private charters from anywhere in South Africa can be arranged to &BEYOND Phinda Private Game Reserve’s airstrip

&Beyond