Access & Location
The lodge can be accessed via road transfer from the local airstrip. It nestles within sand forest on the edge of a vlei, or meadow, close to a waterhole. The vlei is very popular with wildlife!
Phinda Vlei Lodge
Deluxe accommodation overlooking an open meadow and waterhole in the north-east part of Phinda Private Game Reserve
Lounge, dining area, bar, library, veranda, boma, fire-pit, in-room massage, and gym-in-a-bag
Just six guest suites, each with a private plunge pool and attended by a personal butler
Game drives, bush walks, black rhino tracking, elephant conservation experiences, and horse riding
Our Yellow Zebra Opinion
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Great choice
Nestled on the edge of a sand forest, Vlei Lodge is an exceptionally classy property, offering a truly exclusive safari experience.
Activities
Below, we list a selection of activities offered at Vlei Lodge. Please note, the minimum age requirement for vehicle safaris is 12 years, and for bush walks and black rhino tracking it’s 16 years.
Expertly guided game drives
Bush walks
Black rhino tracking
Elephant conservation experience
Photographic safaris
Sleep-outs
And more!
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These are available during early morning and late afternoon into evening. 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.
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.
Guests watch as members of &Beyond’s conservation team capture and dart a gentle giant for the purpose of changing his or her radio collar.
Enjoy a masterclass from a specialist photographic guide, who’ll make sure you have some fantastic photos to take home.
Following an afternoon game drive, your guide drives you to a small satellite camp. Here you can sink a few sundowners and tuck in to a tasty meal before settling down for the night under the star-studded skies.
For information about activities farther afield, such as horse riding , cultural experiences , scuba safaris , and Maputaland tours, please contact a member of the Yellow Zebra team.
Make an EnquiryMake an EnquiryFacilities
Vlei Lodge’s communal areas are just as well presented as the guest suites.
Also made out of timber, stone, thatch, and glass, the main lodge building has been refurbished in the same sugar-baron style. The lounge features plush velveteen sofas and throne chairs around a coffee table, adjacent to a cozy fireplace. In the dining area, there’s a very glamorous antique table and selection of upright chairs – and there’s a fireplace here too. Both areas are open plan to the bar, which is stocked with a good range of beverages. Guests can also eat and drink out on the lodge’s veranda, all the while marvelling at views over the vlei to the waterhole. Among the species you can expect to see from this vantage point are zebra, warthog, and monkeys! Anyone in need of a little quiet time can head to the library, while fitness fans can request a Gym-in-a-bag. In-room massage is also available. Evening meals are often taken in Vlei’s traditional boma, under the star-studded skies. Finally, there’s a fire-pit, the perfect place to gather for a few drinks and swap your safari stories!
Make an EnquiryAmenities
Guest accommodation consists of just six suites.
Beautifully constructed from timber, stone, thatch, and glass, each is spaced at least 25 meters away from its neighbor/s, so there’s ample privacy. A couple of steps lead up onto the deck, where you’ll find lounge and dining furniture, as well as your very own private plunge pool! Glass doors open into the bedroom, which features a double bed or twin beds, bedside tables and lighting, and end-of-bed seating. Amenities include air conditioning, overhead fans, a telephone, a mini-bar, a safe, and a hairdryer. Adjacent to this space there’s a fabulous dressing room, and the well-appointed en-suite washroom contains a separate flush toilet, twin washbasins with large mirror over, shower, and bathtub. All suites were recently refurbished, and their new décor takes inspiration from the homesteads of KwaZulu-Natal’s sugar-plantation barons. There are amazing views too, which you can enjoy both from inside and while relaxing on your deck! And your personal butler ensures your every need is met throughout your time here.
*For families with children under the age of 6 years, we always request a first floor room or a room without a balcony for safety reasons. If you stay here with us, please ensure this is what you are given.
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Talk to someone who’s been there
Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.As Seen In
