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Southern Africa
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P.O. Box 3422
Paarl
Western Cape
South Africa
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Phinda Game Reserve
Phinda Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal,
South Africa
Owned and managed by a private nature organisation, this reserve in northern Kwazulu-natal is home to seven distinct ecosystems and therefore also a fascinating collection of wildlife, plant-life and bird-life.
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Phinda Private Game Reserve is situated in the lush KwaZulu-Natal region in northern South Africa. Sandwiched between Mkuze Game Reserve and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (a World Heritage Site), it comprises 14 000 hectares (34 000 acres) of prime conservation land.
Seven distinct habitats shelter an abundance of wildlife including Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and over 380 bird species, while the marine diversity off the nearby coast of Sodwana is said to rival the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Phinda Private Game Reserve is home to an incredible diversity of mammals. Predators like cheetah, leopard and lion are tracked on a daily basis and visitors stand extremely good chances of seeing them.
The territorial white rhino favour waterholes and wallows. Herds of elephant and buffalo move throughout the reserve and are easily spotted. Impressive nyala antelope feed alongside impala and warthog.
Nocturnal aardvark, bushpig and greater bushbaby may be encountered on exciting night game-drives. Mountain reedbuck dwell on rocky slopes, while common reedbuck favour palmveld and wetlands. Tonga red squirrel are restricted to Sand Forest where tiny suni and red duiker are most abundant.
The extraordinary four-toed elephant-shrew forages among leaf-litter in forest and thickets.
Accommodation
Phinda's four lodges offer sophistication and style in the African bush. See virtual map of Phinda Lodges
Phinda Forest Lodge:
Exquisite architectural design meets conservation in these luxurious hand-crafted suites. Set deep in the heart of a rare dry Sand Forest, the Lodge comprises 16 private stilted suites, a sparkling rim-flow swimming pool, luxurious dining and sitting areas, and an expansive viewing deck with panoramic views of the game-filled plains.
Phinda Mountain Lodge:
Each of the 20 private suites feature spacious en suite bathrooms, sitting areas and spectacular viewing decks. Between exciting game-drives, birdwatch from the pooldeck, or simply relax in the lodge’s comfortable sitting area with its great vaulted ceiling and enormous fireplace.
Phinda Vlei Lodge:
Intimate and elegant, this exquisite lodge comprises six thatched suites with en suite bathrooms, dressing rooms, private plunge pools and decks which overlook the vlei where you’re likely to observe herds of grazing antelope, zebra and a dazzling variety of birdlife.
Phinda Rock Lodge:
This unique lodge comprises six stone and adobe suites with en suite bathrooms, private sitting areas, decks and plunge pools offering unrivalled views of the valley below.
Safari activities
Phinda offers a variety of safari activities:
Twice-daily game-drives
Enjoy exceptional Big Five game viewing in open 4x4 safari vehicles with experienced rangers and Zulu trackers.
Interpretive Bush Walks
Learn more about the traditional uses and the legends surrounding indigenous trees and shrubs, as well as how to identify tracks and see rare birds on walks led by armed rangers and trackers.
Mzinene River Canoeing
Catch sight of some of Phinda’s incredible birdlife while paddling along the river - flanked by lush riverine forest with huge fever and sycamore fig trees – in a sturdy canoe.
Mzinene Riverboat Cruise
Watch a magnificent sunrise or sunset while enjoying a leisurely cruise along the Mzinene River in Phinda’s riverboat. See some of the 200 or more waterbirds,
as well as crocodiles and hippos lazing about.
White Rhino Tracking
Set off with your professional armed ranger and tracker in a 4x4 safari vehicle, searching for fresh signs of white rhino activity. When tracks are found, experience the quiet thrill of tracking white rhino on foot.
Beach and bush adventures
At an additional cost, enjoy these awesome expeditions:
Flight of the Fish Eagle
Experience a breathtaking 60-minute flight over the diverse Maputaland wilderness of scenic pans, coastal lakes, bushveld, densely vegetated dunes and wildlife.
Scuba Safaris
A 15-minute flight and short drive takes you to one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. Diving the reefs of Sodwana Bay allows you to experience a portrait of marine diversity, with approximately 1200 species of fish and spectacular coral formations.
Deep-sea Fishing
Fly to Sodwana Bay – a fisherman’s paradise – where a short drive takes you to your 25-foot sport fishing boat rigged for bill (marlin and sailfish), game (barracuda, yellowfin tuna and kingfish) and shark fishing. Phinda supports “tag and release” procedures for deep-sea fishing.
Maputaland Beach Adventures
A 15-minute flight and a short drive in a specially designed 4x4 beach vehicle takes you to the beautiful beaches of Sodwana Bay. Depending on the tides, you will be driven to a secluded spot where you can enjoy snorkelling, swimming, or simply sunning on the endless beach, as well as a delicious picnic.
Beach Horse Riding
A 45-minute drive from Phinda takes you to the beach for an exhilarating one-hour ride followed by a scrumptious picnic snack.
False Bay Horse Riding
Enjoy the unmatched delight of riding well-schooled horses through False Bay Nature Reserve. A 1.5 hour ride takes you through the rare Dry Sand Forest habitat and along the picturesque False Bay lakeside. After the ride, relax and enjoy a delightful picnic snack while the horses rest at the water’s edge.
Night Turtle Drives
A 45-minute drive from Phinda takes you to meet your beach ranger who will show you the wonders of the beach at night. In season, loggerhead turtles and gigantic leatherback turtles make the strenuous trail up the beach to lay their eggs - a humbling experience. Enjoy a delicious surfside supper.
Isikolethu (“Our Culture”) Community Adventure
Experience the wonders and diversity of the Zulu culture while exploring the Mduku, Mnqobokazi and Nibela rural communities surrounding the Reserve. Guests will depart after breakfast at 10h00, enjoying visits to Macebo crèche, the Sangoma (witch doctor), Ngubane Homestead and Mdluli Ancestoral Home to name a few. After a cold beer at the “I Love Shoes” shebeen, guests will return to Phinda in time for a late lunch.
Health & Climate
Malaria endemic area. Precautions should be taken before, during and after the visit.
How to get there See Map
Flights:
Guests can easily fly into Phinda Private Game Reserve from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) for a fantastic fly-in safari on a luxury pressurised Pilatus PC12 aircraft.
Self Drive:
From Johannesburg to Phinda Mountain Lodge / Phinda Rock Lodge / Phinda Zuka Lodge
• Take the N12 toward Witbank (The Witbank Highway). Continue until the N12 joins the N4.
• From the Middelburg Toll Plaza, continue for 16km towards Nelspruit.
• Take the Hendrina, Middelburg (Oos) offramp (N11).
• Continue through Hendrina, Ermelo, Piet Retief and Pongola.
• Continue along the N2 passing the town of Mkuze. Approximately 40km past Mkuze, take the “Phinda” off-ramp. At the top of the fly-off, turn left and come to a T-Junction.
• At the T-junction, turn left following the Phinda signboard.
• Continue along the gravel road for approximately 4 km. Cross over a railway line and turn right at the fork immediately thereafter.
• Continue for approximately 3.5km to the Munyawana Game Reserve gate
* There is a sign saying Mun-ya-wana Game Reserve at the gate with distances to lodges, now just follow the directions to the lodge
From Johannesburg Phinda Forest Lodge and Phinda Vlei Lodge
• Take the N12 to Witbank, after which the N4 towards Middleburg is taken.
• After the Middleburg Ultra City, take the N11 turnoff to Hendrina.
• Continue along the N11 from Hendrina to Ermelo.
• From Ermelo take the N2 to Piet Retief heading to Pongola
• Continue on the N2 passing through Pongola, and Mkuze until you reach Hluhluwe.
• Take the Hluhluwe off-ramp and go straight through town, crossing 3 traffic circles.
• At the circle at the bottom of town, turn left, following the False Bay and Sodwana Bay signboards. Turn right and cross over the railway line and continue along this road for approximately 28km.
• At the Mduku Crossing, take the D675 to your left - sign boarded to Phinda
• Continue for 2.6km before you reach another T-junction and fence line. At this junction, take the D448 to the right and continue towards the Phinda Gate (3.6km)
• *There is a sign saying Mun-ya-wana Game Reserve at the gate with distances to lodges, now just follow the directions to the lodge |
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Location: Phinda Game Reserve,
KwaZulu Natal |
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