Access & Location
The lodge can be accessed via road transfer from the local airstrip. It’s set deep in the heart of rare and very scenic sand forest, in the north-east region of Phinda Private Game Reserve.
Phinda Forest Lodge
Luxurious accommodation within a sand forest in the north-east part of Phinda Private Game Reserve
Pleasant lounge, dining deck, bar, interactive kitchen, deck, boma, safari shop, in-room massage, gym-in-a-bag, and rim-flow swimming pool
A total of sixteen guest suites, all with floor-to-ceiling glass walls
Game drives, black rhino tracking, elephant conservation experience, horse riding, Maputaland tours, scuba safaris, sleep-outs, the WILDchild programme and more
Our Yellow Zebra Opinion
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Exceptional choice
A highly unique lodge set in a rare and beautiful sand forest – I would recommend this to anyone wanting a ‘zen’ experience in a top-notch private game reserve.
Activities
Expertly guided game drives
Bush walks
Black rhino tracking
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Game drives are available during early morning and late afternoon into evening (6+ years). Phinda Private Game Reserve boasts no fewer than seven varieties of ecosystem, not least grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, and water sources. It’s home to all Big Five – lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. Smaller predators in residence include cheetah, hyena, and rare wild dog, while the herbivore count features hippo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and a fine assortment of antelopes. Hefty Nile crocodile are often seen in the Mzinene river!
Accompanied by a knowledgeable and experienced guide, guests head out on foot into Phinda to take a look at the smaller lives of the reserve. These include its birds, insects, and plant life. (16+ years)
With an expert ranger and tracker, guests walk through the bush in search of the mighty black rhino, examining tracks, scratching posts, dunghills, and more. (16+ years)
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.
Make an EnquiryMake an EnquiryFacilities
The communal lodge is approached from the guest suites along neat pathways through the forest.
Bar
In-room massage
Gym-in-a-bag
Traditional boma
Swimming pool
Interior spaces include the pleasant lounge, featuring L-shaped sofas and armchairs around glass-topped coffee tables, a cosy fireplace, other tables strewn with intriguing artefacts, and the same Zulu Zen style. This area flows out to the dining deck, where guests tuck in to delicious meals while marvelling at the scenery. The lodge overlooks an open meadow, and sightings of plains game are common. If you wish to get involved in food prep, you can head to the interactive kitchen. There’s also a well-stocked bar! A short stroll away, there’s a safari shop. In-room massages are available on request, and fitness fans can ask for &Beyond’s Gym-in-a-bag. A traditional boma is positioned in between the lodge and the shop buildings, and it’s usually the setting for convivial evening meals. Finally, the rim-flow circular swimming pool is ideal for a refreshing dip. Moreover, it’s set in a deck and flanked by both lounge and dining furniture, offering yet another venue for relaxing and enjoying some tasty fare!
Make an EnquiryAmenities
There are 16 guest suites, spaced at least 15 metres apart within the forest.
Air conditioning
Overhead fan
Mini-bar
Freestanding bathtub
Shower
Flush toilet
Laundry
All are raised well off the forest floor on sturdy stilts, with a canopy of leaves above them. Although each suite is partly constructed from wood, no trees were felled in the area. A short flight of steps lead up onto the front deck, and from here glass doors open into the bedroom space. Here, you’ll find a double bed or twin beds, a stand behind the bed for lighting, a writing desk and chair, and a separate seating area. The style is described as Zulu Zen, a fusion of Zulu chic and minimalist design. The walls are made almost entirely of glass, affording amazing views into the forest – don’t be surprised if you catch sight of an endearing dwarf forest antelope looking back at you! Additional in-room amenities include air conditioning, overhead fans, a telephone, a personal bar, a safe, and a hairdryer. En-suite facilities comprise flush toilet, twin washbasins with mirrors over, step-up shower, and freestanding bathtub. Doors from the bedroom lead out onto the back deck, the perfect place to relax and enjoy your forest surrounds!
Trips including this accommodation
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