Phinda Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s most well-known private reserves. It offers a unique habitat that is a complete contrast to South Africa’s other game-viewing areas.

When to go to Phinda Game Reserve

Best Time to Go

In a coastal forest in North-east KwaZulu-Natal

Ultra-luxurious accommodations

walking safaris, phinda game reserve, south africa

A variety of ecosystems & wildlife

A wide range of activities

suite pool, Phinda Mountain Lodge, south africa

Exceptional Lodges & Safari Experiences

suite pool, Phinda Mountain Lodge, south africa

Phinda is made up of 17,500 hectares of conservation land bordering the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park two and a half hours’ drive north of Durban. It has seven different ecosystems within the park and combines grassland, woodland, wetland and forest with mountains, rivers, marshes and pans. With such varied habitat, it is able to sustain an enormous range of wildlife. Not only is it home to all of the Big Five, but cheetah and black rhino sightings are common. It is also excellent for birdwatching, with more than 380 species of bird.

Phinda Game Reserve Trips

Activities & Wildlife

There are plenty of activities to keep you busy both on and off site – game drives, bush walks, and white rhino tracking.

Game drives

Bush walks

Rhino Conservation Experience

  • Daily, open‑vehicle game drives at Phinda cover seven distinct habitats, offering sightings of Big Five, cheetah, rhino, and over 400 bird species.

    david moura do carmo wildlife phinda vlei2
  • Join experienced guides and local Zulu trackers bush walks in Phinda which reveal the rich flora, animal tracks, smaller wildlife, and insights into the reserve’s varied ecosystems. It is also possible to combine a stay in one of the lodges with a walking safari, during which you sleep in a spacious tent offering a comfortable bed and an ensuite toilet.

    david moura do carmo wildlife phinda vlei2
  • Experience the thrill of tracking white rhino on foot under the guidance of expert rangers. This unforgettable conservation experience follows the rhinos’ tracks into Phinda’s wild landscapes to carry out important conservation activities, alongside research teams and wildlife vets.

    david moura do carmo wildlife phinda vlei2

Where to Stay

Good to Know

01.

What are the best accommodation options?

Each of Phinda’s four main lodges is situated in a different habitat, as is illustrated by the names – Forest Lodge, Mountain Lodge, Rock Lodge and Vlei Lodge. There are also two smaller lodges, designed for sole use by families and private groups. You can even split your stay between two different lodges to get a more varied experience.

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