&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve
KwaZulu Natal
Features
- Situated between two habitats, the forest and the greenlands.
- Panoramic views of the wilderness.
- Intimate encounters with wildlife, with close-up sightings from the bedroom and bathroom.
- Rates include Emergency medical evacuation insurance.
- Big FiveYes
- Off RoadYes (for Big 5 Sightings Only)
- Camp FencedNo
- Child PolicyAll ages welcome
- PoolYes - At The Main Area Only
- SPAIn-room Massages
- AirconYes
- Cellphone SignalYes
- Malaria AreaYes
Location
Phinda Private Game Reserve, Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal
Getting There
6 hour drive from Johannesburg. 3 hour drive from Durban. 1 hour drive from Richards Bay. SA Express and Federal Air offer daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg to Richards Bay, followed by a one and a half hour road transfer to the reserve.
Accommodation
6 Luxury Suites
Rates & Special Offers
Deals By Date
**FLY ME TO PHINDA – MIN/MAX 3 NIGHT STAY PACKAGE OFFER!**
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR BUSHBREAKS & MORE CONSULTANT FOR INFORMATION.
Please note:
- All rates are subject to availability.
- Proof of SADC residency (SADC ID, work permit or endorsed passport) may be required at the time of booking or upon check-in at the lodge.
- Surcharges may apply on rates over peak holiday periods and long weekends.
- Special discounted rates for International guests are available on request.
- Unless otherwise stated, all rates listed are based on a minimum 2 night stay. Surcharges may apply for a 1 night booking.
- Rates are applicable to SA Residents. Special discounted rates for International Residents are available on request.
- Rates include Emergency medical evacuation insurance.
- Rates exclude the Munyawana Conservation Fee of R 165 per person per night. Subject to change and must be pre-paid upon booking.
- Landing fees for all private charter flights are available on request.
- Please request single accommodation rates from BushBreaks & More consultant.
- Children of all ages are welcome at &Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge.
- Children aged 0 – 5 years free of charge when sharing with 2 full paying adults.
- Children aged 6 – 16 years will receive a 50% discount when sharing with 2 full paying adults.
- Please note that the lodge can only accommodate a maximum of 2 people in a Suite. (2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child)
- Only children 6 years and older will be allowed on game drives at Lodge Manager’s discretion.
- Children under the age of 12 years are not permitted on the Nature Walks.
About &Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
Phinda Vlei Lodge lies within the 23 000 hectare (56 800 acre) & Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, in the Maputaland region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. To the East of Phinda is iSimangaliso /Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site. To the west of Phinda are the white-fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean, only 30kms (19 miles) away.
Room Features
- Air-conditioning/heating
- Room fans
- Twin hand basins
- Plunge pools
- Indoor showers
- Separate toilet
- Personal bar
- In room safe
- Telephone
- Hairdryers
About Phinda Private Game Reserve
This private game reserve was formed about 10 years ago along the borders of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park – one of Africa’s most ecologically diverse regions. Farmland was restored back to its natural habitats and stocked with big game animals. Seven different eco systems exist on the reserve including forest and coastal, and its variety renders it perfect for an escape of luxury and adventure. Conservation Corporation Africa has built four private lodges in the reserve, each in its own environment with differing qualities.
This venture not only supports animals but also improves employment, education and health facilities in the local communities. You can catch a glimpse of Zulu life, past and present by visiting a traditional cultural village aligned to the Phinda reserve.
ANIMALS & ACTIVITIES
In addition to vehicle game viewing , you can also go rhino tracking on foot in this reserve. There is also the opportunity to watch turtles laying their eggs on a remote beach and to dive amongst them on the coral reefs. Hippos inhabit the ancient waterways. Please note that we will not canoe past hippos as it is too dangerous and will avoid them at all costs.
Lodge Features
Curio Store
Additional Activities
- Game drives
- Nature walks (Children under the age of 12 are not permitted)
- Birding
- Riverboat cruises
- Canoeing
- Coastal flights
- Beach excursions
- Snorkelling
- Scuba diving
- Deep-sea fishing
- Turtle viewing (season Nov/ Dec / Jan)
- Cultural visits
Getting There
Distance:
• Johannesburg to Phinda 600km – 6 hours & 30 minutes
• Durban to Phinda 330km -3 hours & 30 minutes
• Richard’s Bay to Phinda -150km,1 hour & 45 minutes
Directions from Johannesburg:
- Depart Johannesburg on the N3 highway to Heidelburg / Durban
- Exit the highway at the R23 Heidelburg (south) / Standerton off-ramp
- Turn left onto the R23 to Standerton
- (Please watch out for the camera speed-trap in the 40km zone a few hundred meters after turning onto the R23)
- Standerton is approximately 100km from the R23 / N3 junction
- Driving into Standerton, turn right at the first set of traffic lights onto Walter Sisulu (there is a Kentucky Fried Chicken on the corner)
- Turn left onto Dr Nelson Mandela at the next set of traffic lights, signposts Orange Free State / KwaZulu-Natal R23
- Remain on Dr Nelson Mandela at and follow the R23 Volksrust signposts through the rest of town
- Volksrust is approximately 85km from Standerton
- Driving into Volksrust, turn left at the first set of traffic lights onto Joubert Str (there is an Excel station on the corner)
- Turn right onto Laings Nek Str at the 3rd set of traffic lights, signposted N11 Durban / Newcastle
- Enter KwaZulu-Natal and continue along N11 towards Durban / Newcastle
- There are 2 stop / go sections, as construction is underway on this section of the road
- Please watch out for two camera speed-traps on this section of the road. The first at the bottom of Laings Nek Pass, opposite the road stall and shop on the left side of the road. The second is after the Newcastle 26km signpost.
- Turn left onto the R34 to Utrecht / Vryheid (approximately 40km from Volksrust)
- Pass Utrecht town on the left and continue along the R34 to Vryheid
- Turn left onto the R33 / R34 Vryheid (approximately 78km from the R34 / N11 junction)
- Vryheid is approximately 24km from R33 / R34 junction
- Before entering the town, turn right at the R69 Louwsburg / R34 Ulundi/Empangeni
- Continue for 6km until reaching the stop street. Continue straight over along the R69 for a further 4km
- Turn right at the T-junction onto the R69 to Louwburg / Mkuze
- Pass the turnoff to Louwsburg on the left and continue along the R69 to Pangola
- Turn left onto the Pongola / R69 (N2) Mkuze
- Continue for 21km to Pangola, then turn right onto the N2 to Mkuze and on towards Phinda
- Approximately 40km beyond Mkuze, take the sign-posted “Phinda” off-ramp
- At the top of the fly-off, turn left and you will reach a T-junction
- At the T-junction, turn left onto a gravel road
- Follow the gravel road for approximately 4km until you reach a railway line
- Cross over railway line and turn immediately right
- Ahead of you is the entrance gate to the Munyawana Private Game Reserve
Directions from Durban:
- Take the N2 highway northbound towards Stanger, please you will pass through a toll gate once you have passed the King Shaka International Airport.
- Pass the towns of Ballito, Tilney Manor, Stanger, Mtunzini, Empangeni, Richard’s Bay, Kwambonambi and Mtubatuba
- Take the Hluhluwe fly-off. At the top of the fly-off, turn right onto the bridge and follow the signage into the town of Hluhluwe (4km)
- Entering Hluhluwe, you will cross 3 consecutive traffic circles. The 1st circle is located just before you enter the town. The 2nd circle is located just after the Engen fuel garage. The 3rd circle is located just before the Total fuel garage. Continue to the 4th circle which is opposite the Farmer’s Market.
- At the 4th circle, turn left following the False Bay / Sodwana Bay signage. As you pass the “Build-It Hardware Sore” you will leave the outskirts of town, and prepare to take a right turn, crossing over the railway line. Signage should indicate Sodwana Bay / False Bay
- At the 4th circle, turn left following the False Bay / Sodwana Bay signage. As you pass the “Build-It Hardware Sore” you will leave the outskirts of town, and prepare to take a right turn, crossing over the railway line. Signage should indicate Sodwana Bay / False Bay
- Continue along this tar road for approximately 28km (do not take any turns leading to False Bay)
- When you reach the Mduku Crossing (indicated clearly by numerous consecutive speed bumps), take the “Phinda” sigh-posted D675 turning to your left
- Continue along this road (soon becomes gravel) for approximately 2.6km before you reach a T-junction
- At the T-junction, take a right turn onto the D448 and travel for 3.6km until you reach the entrance gate to Munyawana Private Game Reserve
Directions from Richard’s Bay:
- Take the N2 from Richard’s Bay airport and continue N2 past Matubatuba and Hluhluwe
- Take the Hluhluwe fly-off. At the top of the fly-off, turn right onto the bridge and follow the signage into the town of Hluhluwe (4km)
- – Entering Hluhluwe, you will cross 3 consecutive traffic circles. The 1st circle is located just before you nter the town. The 2nd circle is located just after the Engen fuel garage. The 3rd circle is located just before the Total fuel garage. Continue to the 4th circle which is opposite the Farmer’s Market.
- At the 4th circle, turn left following the False Bay / Sodwana Bay signage. As you pass the “Build-It Hardware Sore” you will leave the outskirts of town, and prepare to take a right turn, crossing over the railway line. Signage should indicate Sodwana Bay / False Bay
- Continue along this tar road for approximately 28km (do not take any turns leading to False Bay)
- When you reach the Mduku Crossing (indicated clearly by numerous consecutive)