Phinda Mountain Lodge

Reviews

"There aren’t enough superlatives to describe our fantastic stay at Phinda. We visited at Phinda Mountain Lodge for four nights at the beginning of August. The Lodge is small with only 25 rooms so it was never noisy or busy. The staff are very attentive and it has a warm friendly atmosphere. The Lodge is not enclosed and there were a lot of nyala and other game wandering freely around the rooms. For this reason guests need to be accompanied by a guard after dark. This was never a problem as guards were always available to walk with you and we didn’t have to wait long for a guard to come and get us. We had two separate suites to accommodate ourselves and our two children (aged 11 and 14). At first we were concerned as the rooms were not very close to one another even though we were neighbours but the children soon proved to us that this was not a problem. Both suites were lovely: the accommodation simply but comfortably furnished, with enormous picture windows opening onto a terrace with plunge pool. The children’s terrace was frequently visited by thirsty nyala, coming to drink. I was able to listen to and observe countless birds from our terrace as we lay in the peace and quiet between game drives. Beware of the monkeys though, I caught one pushing open the sliding door on our terrace in an attempt to sneak in. On our first night we enjoyed a wonderful braai by lantern light in the bush, with superb food, and a huge brazier adding to the atmosphere. Other meals were also taken in the Boma, an enclosed outdoor eating area. The food was always hearty and excellent. As the evenings were cool in August we were also supplied with blankets for our knees! I cannot praise Ashley (our guide) and Busani (our tracker) enough for the contribution they made to our stay. Busani demonstrated his first class game tracking skills as we scoured the reserve in search of big game. Ashley shared his in-depth knowledge of the bush and the wildlife within it. We were lucky enough to have a vehicle to ourselves and then we saw all of the big five on our first day. There was so much wonderful game to see and we were able to get so close to it and then sit quietly and take it all in. It is an experience we will never forget. Best part of our South African holiday by far. Busani took the time to teach our children the basics of tracking and they were completely hooked. Ashley let our son sit next to him in the front of our vehicle and they were often deep in earnest conversation. These experiences turned an already exciting safari experience into unforgettable adventure. There were a number of really nice touches to our stay: one night we came back to find our room decorated with candles. There are others but I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise. &Beyond; go out of their way to demonstrate their eco credentials and there is a real feeling of caring for the reserve and the game in it. I would definitely seek out &Beyond; resorts elsewhere for future holiday destination."

- Sue

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"Arriving into the resort on its own private airstrip in a 12 seater gave us a feel of what was to come. Primitive on one hand but true luxury on the other, both making the trip unique as an experience. We visited as a group of work colleagues (all male) and basically had the lodge to ourseves. Each of us had our own hut come bungalow needing armed guard to access after dark... no not a gimmick! You are really up close to nature, with nature getting their own back after dark. During daylight From sunrise and sunset both seen during safari trips in open, exposed trucks where we got amongst, Lions, Leppard's etc, not so close to Elephants and the less predictable animals. A true WOW from start to finish getting really up close and personal. The tracker and drivers are very skilled (and armed) getting the closeness just on the edge of intrusive. To think I bought a new camera with long range ability! The accomodation was very luxurious, food awesome and staff the best. Only wish I could have my wife join me in the bungalow with its awesome facilities ant out look.. Just one note, don't leave your sliding doors ajar as the monkies raid your 'mini bar' for the sweets and fruit... I was a laughing victim!"

- Nigel Blade.

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"If you haven't stayed at Phinda, then you are seriously missing out! It is a phenomenal experience from the moment you drive through the gates! We stayed at mountain lodge! perfect if you have children! They seriously cater for children and they do it really well! Eric the Manager is fantastic, extremely efficient and helpful! The food is delicious, perfect in every way. Game viewing is the best in the country, we saw all the big 5 in two days! The rooms are beautifully appointed and all the staff are friendly and service driven! just treat yourself!"

- Wayne

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"Phinda Mountain Lodge was our first time to a game reserve and I can't think of a better way to start a vacation in South Africa. We drove from Durban and had no trouble finding the Lodge, and from the moment of arrival through to our departure after two nights everything was perfect. Staff were warm and welcoming, and our room was clean and well-appointed with all the usual amenities of a luxury hotel. Food was very good with lots of choice. The game drives were thrilling (cold mornings, but hot water bottles and blankets helped). Our ranger, Matt, was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and our tracker, Bongese, was equally so. We had so many interesting and exciting experiences, from watching a cheetah and her four cubs lounging about while they decided what to do about dinner, to witnessing a lion kill, to watching the cheeky monkeys as they looked for an opportunity to steal some food at the main lodge. Every game drive had a little surprise! This was truly a wonderful start to our South African safari and my only regret is that we hadn't booked for three nights."

- Cath

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"The transfer was ok and we got to the lodge in due time for the first safari. We had seen many animals and enjoyed the comment of the ranger. We saw young lions with their mother practicing attacks on a rhinoceros baby who was with its mother."

- Frans

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"Phinda is something to be experienced at least once in your lifetime if not more. Beautiful and stunning are some of the words I would use, just a shame that this lodge did not know how to make a South African classic Dom Pedro"

- Gary

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"Too true, Sibu &Beyond; and the Mountain Lodge at Phinda Private Reserve exceeded my expectations. Everything ran smoothly from the moment we were picked up from our hotel in Durban. The staff were wonderful: they displayed good humour and a genuine personal touch while delivering a totally professional service. Our guide and tracker were also fantastic. Not only did they make sure we got see a huge range of wildlife, they did it in an informative way and seemed to be just as thrilled at finding the animals themselves as we were to see them in the wild. Finding animals on safari doesn't provide instant gratification (nor should it) but just about everything else does. The safaris, the Big 5, sundowners, the meals and the settings...all good; We packed so many memories into such a short period. It was brilliant and thanks to all those that contributed."

- Weston

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"We were very happy with our stay in Phinda Mountain Lodge and will recommend it to our friends. Great People, great Ranger and great food. What more do you need? It was a wonderful experience. :-)"

- Martin Uster

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"We spent 3 wonderful days at Phinda of which 2 were at the Mountain Lodge. We highly recommend this lodge for it's overall excellence. Minutes after we arrived at the reserve we saw a large heard of elephants crossing the road with their babies. We waited for them to pass and had a bit of excitement as the bull semi charged at us warming us away from the young. 10 minutes later we came across a mother and her 3 cheater cubs feeding on a recently killed nyala. Turning into the lodge we took a photo in which there were zebra, nyala's, wildebeest and warthogs. This was a brilliant start to our 3 day stay at Phinda. We arrived as it was getting dark so after being shown to our rooms we were called to dinner. The ranger drove us in an open roof safari ranger deep into the wild for a bush dinner. The setting was absolutely exquisite. The cosy area was surrounded with lanterns and the glow of a fire in the centre of the area. The staff were very welcoming and friendly and the food was delicious with a large range for meat and veggies eaters. We didn't make any of the early morning drives out but we saw so much on the afternoon rides. Lions. cheeters, hippo's, white rhino's, hippos, giraffe, zebras nyala, impala, wildebeest, warthogs, baboons, money's and a large range of birds. Our room was spacious and comfortable with a outdoor shower and large victorian-style bath next to a large sliding door. We had a private plunge pool with two comfy deck-chairs."

- Melanie Burgers