Welcome to Phinda Vlei
Phinda Vlei Lodge is an intimate and romantic safari lodge, overlooking a unique vlei (wetland system) on the edge of Phinda Private Game Reserve’s rare sand forest.
The reserve showcases one of the continent’s finest Big Five game viewing experiences and displays a magnificent tapestry of seven unique landscapes across an impressive 28 555 hectares (70 560 acres) of protected wildlife terrain. Guests at Phinda experience unforgettable interpretive game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles, led by professionally trained &Beyond rangers and Zulu trackers, as well as a wide range of optional adventures in the bush and on the beach.

Phinda Vlei Lodge’s unique location offers ever-changing game viewing from the comfort of your suite. Set on the edge of a sand forest, and overlooking a vast grassy meadow, each of the six thatched suites ensure exclusivity and incredible wildlife sightings. The air-conditioned suites each feature a beautiful, plantation-style bedroom, with a luxuriously spacious ensuite bathroom and dressing room that effortlessly blends a sense of old-world luxury with quirky, contemporary features. The suite’s interiors showcase a mix of curated antiques and collectables combined with bold fabrics. Take advantage of a private lap pool and game viewing deck that overlooks lush plains and observe antelope and other curious wildlife grazing nearby, as well as a variety of birdlife.

Unwind in the beautiful surrounds of the main guest area, which also includes a handsome library, as well as a fire pit setting, ideal for pre-dinner drinks.

Choose from a range of exciting Phinda adventures 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 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 great diversity of landscapes and exclusive game viewing. Limited number of vehicles at sightings and sensitive off-roading practices affords close-up sightings of Big Five 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.

INTIMATE AND PEACEFUL
Situated in the ideal location between two habitats, the forest and grasslands, this lodge consists of just six intimate suites. You can look forward to an incredibly secluded, quiet and peaceful African bush experience overlooking a magnificent landscape.

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
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