Poised on the crest of a mountain in Phinda Private Game Reserve is &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge, a lovely construction of stone, thatch and wood tucked between the trees. You'll be lost in the views from both the communal areas and your private suite – the Zululand bushveld and Ubombo mountain range are wild and gorgeous. One of just six lodges in this 28 555-hectare reserve, Phinda Mountain Lodge is not cheap, but it's worth every cent for the lovely accommodation, attention to detail, great staff, exceptional rangers and the chance to see hundreds of animals in their natural environment.
/32.3577153,-27.7766262,6/600x400?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidGltYnVrdHV0cmF2ZWwiLCJhIjoiY2poMGw1eHpkMmRkbDJ6bW8xYWZ5OGpjYyJ9.PYvAO7lUJ40SOpGvwmQLqw&attribution=false&logo=false)
Mountain Lodge's guest area is an open-plan, U-shaped building with a central courtyard that offers views across the bush and comfortable seating so you can relax after game drives or meals. In fact, the lodge is dotted with inviting seating areas both indoors and out. You can dine inside, on the deck overlooking the mountains or in the candle- and lantern-lit boma, under the stars (the menu is chalked on a board in the main courtyard before every meal).
Each of the 16 suites offers completely uninterrupted views of the Ubombos and the Zululand bushveld. The suites are spacious and filled with light, and have aircon, comfortable beds, a romantic en-suite bathroom, a private lounge, viewing deck, plunge pool and outdoor shower (excellent toiletries!). Two of the suites have interleading rooms for families. Everything has been thought of – there's even a fresh lemon and a knife to make a garnish for your drink (from the well-stocked minibar).
Phinda Private Game Reserve lies in the heart of 23 000 hectares of pristine KwaZulu-Natal wilderness and seven distinct habitats, so there's plenty to see, including the Big Five, cheetah (recently reintroduced), antelope of every shape and size, and 400-plus bird species. (The dry months of June to September are best for wildlife.) Take a walking safari, track rhino, go birdwatching, head to the beach to scuba dive or explore on horseback.
The attention to detail is hard to beat and those who visit are sure to return again and again.
There's year-round birding here but migrants from Europe and northern Africa are present from November to April.
By road, the lodge is approximately 3.5 hours away from King Shaka International Airport, but charter flights to the Phinda airstrip can be arranged.
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.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Phinda Mountain Lodge can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made South Africa trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended South Africa trips featuring Phinda Mountain Lodge or get advice and suggestions from one of our South Africa specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Phinda Mountain Lodge start from around $1.1K, or US$1.1K, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
A private, sub-tropical sanctuary with only a handful of lodges that’s as diverse as it is beautiful.
