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Phinda Private Game Reserve is a rich and diverse park that encompasses 28 555 hectares of protected wildlife land in KwaZulu-Natal. The reserve is positioned between the Mkuze Game Reserve and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (a World Heritage Site), as well as being within easy reach of the Indian Ocean coastline.
Children of all ages are welcome at Phinda Mountain Lodge. Child rates will apply.
Children under the age of 6 years are not permitted on game drives unless a private vehicle is pre-booked.
Children on game drives are at the discretion of the Lodge Manager, taking into account both the child's behavior and the behavior of the animals.
The WILDchild program is available for children, and childminding services are offered for a nominal fee.
The landscape is lush with grassy woodlands and broad, sweeping mountain ranges. It is home to the famous Big Five.
Situated between two habitats, the sand forest and the grasslands, the glass walls of Phinda Forest Lodge offer a sweeping view of a unique ecosystem and are part of one of the world’s first eco-designed luxury lodges.
The lodge features 18 glass-walled Suites, each raised on stilts between the sandy forest and surrounding trees. The suites are equipped with luxurious en-suite bathrooms featuring slate hand basins, air conditioning, viewing decks with comfortable seating, and a minibar. It is common to see forest antelope grazing around the suites and hear the birds in song.
Phinda Forest Lodge is set in a calming atmosphere of Zulu Zen. Despite the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the towering torchwood trees and fertile forest floor surrounding your suite ensure complete privacy and a sense of seclusion.
Lodge facilities include a sparkling rim-flow swimming pool at the forest's edge, an interactive kitchen, a safari shop, and a traditional boma for open-air dining. Additionally, there is Wi-Fi in the guest area and suites, and expansive decks in a spacious seating area where daytime meals can be enjoyed while overlooking an open meadow frequented by grazing animals.
In the evenings, guests are welcomed into a traditional lantern-lit African boma, where they enjoy a sumptuous dinner beneath a canopy of stars.
Adventures at &Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge include twice-daily game drives, bush walks, and seasonal river cruises. Additional activities include cultural excursions, scuba safaris, and specialist safaris such as birding, photography, tracking, family safaris, and luxury walking experiences.
Phinda Private Game Reserve's unique meeting of riverine and rare sand forest habitats is home to an extraordinary array of wildlife, including lions, giraffes, white and black rhinos, antelope, elephants, leopards, buffalo, cheetahs, wildebeest, and 415 bird species.
Phinda Forest Lodge is ideal for solo explorers, couples, and families seeking a unique safari experience.
Accommodation, three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees, refreshments on game drives, laundry, safari activities, and one-hour nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability).
Transfers other than from the lodge airstrip, champagne, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits, cigars, gratuities, landing fees, government bed levy, conservation or park fees, and all items of a personal nature.

Time is luxury. We streamline your choices for the perfect safari.
✅ Free travel insurance before 25 February 2026
✅ A safari specialist will reach out to you within 24 hours
✅ SAFARI.COM voted Africa's Leading Safari Company in the World Travel Awards 2024 + 2025
✅ Same price as booking direct, with expert care included
✅ With you before, during and after your safari
✅ We handle it all. Flights, transfers, lodging & activities

January 29, 2026
extremely helpful and responsive
extremely helpful and responsive. Over-the-top friendly and reliable. Looking forward to our trip
January 26, 2026
A+ experience
From start to finish, Anja was FANTASTIC. Very responsive, kind, and detail oriented. Thank you for everything, Anja! We are so excited for our trip.
January 16, 2026
Helpful, proactive, and no sales pressure
I initially contacted Anja for a price on a specific hotel, which I’m now going ahead with, but what really impressed me was how much genuine interest she took in the rest of my trip. She offered thoughtful advice and additional quotes, and was completely relaxed about me using other providers where that made sense. At no point did I feel any pressure. She even went above and beyond by proactively phoning and chasing another travel provider on my behalf while I was waiting for a response — despite there being no commission in it for her. It was clear that her priority was making sure I had the best possible holiday, not simply closing a sale. Professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely customer-focused. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Anja to anyone planning a safari or a South Africa trip.
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