Built around a waterhole that attracts hundreds of animals daily, from elephant, cheetah, lion, wobbly-legged giraffe, antelopes (including kudu) and warthog to snakes and many birds, Phinda Zuka is a heavenly lodge. There are just four cottages tucked into the bush and densely wooded hills, so Zuka is the ideal getaway for a honeymoon party or family groups of up to eight. It's an exclusive-use lodge with a dedicated host and ranger, tracker, butler, chef, and private safari vehicle. This upmarket destination is not cheap, but a visit is worth every cent.
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The communal lodge area, with its simple and sophisticated decor of cool colours and rich textures, is where guests gather for meals and to chat to the chef about their likes and dislikes. Trust his judgement, though – who imagined that peanuts and tomatoes could make such a delicious soup! Meals are served indoors or on the porch facing the watering hole. There's also a lovely sitting area, a small but well-stocked library with internet and TV, a pool and viewing deck.
The wildlife roams freely here, so security guards will escort to to your stone-and-thatch suite, one of just four (each is 15 metres from its neighbour), all overlooking the waterhole. The furnishings are super-comfortable, with subtle African artefacts and fabrics. Each cottage has an indulgent stone-walled en-suite bathroom with a deep tub, double shower and twin hand-basins, and views. Private verandas and comfy lounging chairs are perfect for an afternoon siesta and to watch the waterhole, camera to hand.
Set your own schedule here. Go on long or short game drives, track the gorgeous cheetah, shy leopard or solitary and super-strong black rhino (rescued here from the brink of extinction), or take a night drive to see the nocturnal creatures and watch elephant looming ghostlike out of the the darkness. Photograph animals at the waterhole, hike on foot to see the birds, or simply settle back to soak in the choral sounds of nature.
The waterhole. Directly in front of the lodge, it draws a rotating cast of nyala, elephants, warthogs and the occasional big cat — and you'll have a front-row seat from your veranda, the pool or even afternoon tea.
f you can stretch to an extra day, the ocean safari off the Maputaland coast is a brilliant contrast to the bush — dolphins, whales and turtles in waters you'll practically have to yourself. We think it's well worth the detour.
Many of the best experiences — rhino tracking on foot, ocean safaris, scuba diving, the star-lit sleepout — come at an additional cost, so it's worth factoring those in when budgeting for your stay.
A pioneer in sustainable tourism since 1991, &Beyond aims to expand its impact by 2030. Through partnerships and doubling investment, they have set a target of conserving 40 million acres of key biospheres while offering exclusive travel experiences. By doubling revenue and tripling profit, they seek to leave a positive footprint in Africa, Asia, and South America, empowering communities and preserving wildlife.
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A private, sub-tropical sanctuary with only a handful of lodges that’s as diverse as it is beautiful.
