Tucked into the edge of a dappled forest, in the north of the reserve, andBeyond Phinda Homestead is a gracious sole-use safari villa. Blending seamlessly into the natural surroundings, blurring the boundaries between the guest and the bush, the lodge’s living areas consist of open spaces, flat-roofed walkways, and shaded areas opening out onto sun decks and a sparkling swimming pool.

Designed like a contemporary bush farmhouse, andBeyond Phinda Homestead is both elegant and homely. Inspired by the breath-taking landscape and the local Zulu culture, shaded, flat-roofed walkways flow into open decks, while basketwork, pottery, carpets and textiles are celebrated interior elements. Quirky design touches, like the pineapple motifs, pay homage to the history of the land, before being reclaimed and transformed into a renowned Big Five game reserve.

Private bedrooms and spacious bathrooms blend seamlessly into cool, expansive, and inviting guest spaces. An interactive kitchen brings the lodge’s private chef into the centre of the guest experience. This much-loved lodge comes with a dedicated ranger and tracker team, as well as a private safari vehicle. Game drives times, as well as meals, are tailored completely to the guests’ preference to create a fully personalised safari.

Phinda Private Game Reserve encompasses an impressive 28 555 hectares (70 560 acres) of protected wildlife land in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, the reserve is home to Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), as well as 436 bird species.

Blending seamlessly into the natural surroundings, and designed like a contemporary bush farmhouse, Phinda Homestead is an elegant and homely sole-use villa, ideal for both families and small groups. Four private bedrooms and spacious bathrooms fuse harmoniously with the cool, expansive, and inviting guest spaces. An interactive kitchen brings the lodge’s private chef into the centre of the guest experience. Game drive times, as well as meals, are tailored completely to the guests’ preference to create a fully personalised safari.

Choose from a range of exciting Phinda Adventures such as Specialist Walking and Tracking Safaris, a sleepout under the stars, an infrared Night Eye drive and other participative conservation experiences, such as rhino notching or pangolin tagging. Also on offer and 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 these focus on special interests such as birding, photographic, family and private safaris.

About Phinda Private Game Reserve

andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve encompasses an impressive 28 555 hectares (70 560 acres) of protected wildlife land in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, andBeyond Phinda is home to Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), as well as 436 bird species. The reserve is particularly well known for close-up sightings of the elegant yet elusive cheetah, as well as the rare black rhino.

With its seven distinct habitats, Phinda 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. Home to 1 000 hectares of Africa’s remaining rare dry sand forest, the reserve is situated in close proximity to the unspoiled beaches and spectacular coral reefs of the Indian Ocean, offering an unmatched combination of bush and beach adventures.

Guests at Phinda experience unforgettable interpretive game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles, led by professionally trained andBeyond rangers and Zulu trackers, as well as a wide range of optional adventures in the bush and on the beach.