andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge

•  Rebuilt to offer luxurious suites
•  Phinda is the original & largest private game reserve in KwaZulu Natal
•  Very child-friendly with activities for kids
•  Spectacular position perched on a ridge overlooking the reserve
•  All suites have private plunge pools

Phinda Mountain Lodge is a sophisticated harmony of ethnic décor, superb cuisine, and personal service. It lies in the southern part of Phinda Game Reserve, a 23,000ha private game reserve in northern KwaZulu Natal. With wraparound views of the ancient Ubombo mountains, Mountain Lodge balances majestically above its beautiful surroundings. It offers a winning combination of soft adventure, Big Five game-viewing and inspired lodge design. It is also a birder’s paradise with over 415 recorded species. Phinda Mountain Lodge is also known for its family safaris.

23 spacious split-level suites are scattered along the mountainside offering complete privacy and luxury. Each has a bedroom area on one level and a sitting area below as well as bathroom, private deck with plunge pool and outdoor shower. Three of these suites are ideal for families being joined together at the deck. There is also one larger family suite for larger family parties.

The main lodge is set around a central courtyard. The intimate sitting areas lead out to a shaded terrace and a spacious veranda area on three tiers which ensures privacy for all guests as there are plenty of place to relax in solitude. All the terraces offer spectacular views of the bushveld beyond. In the evenings, the sun sets on the horizon flooding the lodge with golden light.

Facilities

Other facilities at Phinda Mountain Lodge include a great safari shop, an interpretative library, dramatic open air boma where delicious cuisine is served around the open fire. The lodge also has a good-sized swimming pool and a shaded observation area which is a great place to relax with a book and binoculars during the heat of the day.

Rich both in game and in stunning scenery, Phinda Game Reserve boasts the diversity of seven contrasting ecosystems, including sand forest, mountain bushveld and wetlands. This diversity of habitat naturally attracts a variety of game including lion, elephant, cheetah, leopard, rhino, hippo and an abundance of general game. Phinda is particularly known for good cheetah sightings, and its prolific bird life (over 400 species recorded). Guests staying at Mountain Lodge can enjoy game drives, nature walks, river cruises on the Mzizene, and community visits. Given the reserve's proximity to the Indian Ocean, Phinda is able to offer optional extras such as Maputaland beach adventures, night turtle drives (seasonal), scuba safaris, or an incredible ocean safari that offers you a host of marine life sightings.

Family Safaris at Phinda Mountain Lodge

Children are very welcome at Phinda Mountain Lodge and children of 6 upwards can join the game drives. On arrival at Phinda Mountain Lodge, all children are presented with a special Eco-Guide for Planet-Managers containing a quiz, a learning guide and tips for spoor and animal identification. Rangers will help the kids complete their eco-guides, help them collect pods, feathers, bugs and leaves and teach them to identify different animal species. Rangers take younger kids on special walks on which they are taught to identify droppings and spoor. There are also fishing and frogging safaris (safety and weather permitting) and bark-rubbing expeditions. Then there are visits to the garage to oversee land rover repairs and lessons in making waxed spoor prints. If they aren't exhausted after all this, the chef welcomes children's assistance in the kitchen while baking cookies for afternoon tea.

One child (up to 16 years) can share with their parents. Or you can take a family cottage (two inter-leading rooms for up to 5) or opt for the rather luxurious Family Suite (for a maximum of 4 adults and 4 children). If you opt to take a private vehicle then younger kids can accompany their parents & siblings.