Location: South Africa » Kwazulu Natal » Zululand » Elephant Coast » HluhluwePhinda Private Game ReservePhinda Private Game ReserveDescriptionPhinda Private Game Reserve combines Big Five game viewing experiences with seven magnificent safari lodges. 21,000 hectares of pristine reserve encompass luxurious sole-use villas for private family escapes, walking safaris and unique specialist safaris bringing you close to the African wilderness PHINDA'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND AWARDS - Chosen as Best Hotel for Wildlife Enthusiasts by Town & Country, January 2001
- Listed among the 101 best hotels in the world in UK Tatler's Travel Guide 2001
- Voted by Association of Southern African Travel Agents (Asata) as "Best Game Lodge in Southern Africa" (1998)
- Winner of British Airways' "Tourism for Tomorrow" Award (S.Hemisphere) (1998)
Located between the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and the lush waterways of the Greater Saint Lucia Wetland Park, Phinda's 17 000 hectares encompass a World Heritage Site and seven unique ecosystems. Nestled below the Lebombo Mountains of northern KwaZulu Natal, Phinda is the reality of CCAfrica's vision of creating an ecosystem in which wildlife, local communities, investors and tourists all play a vital role and enjoy tangible benefits.
Its name comes from a Zulu word meaning 'the return', so-called for one of the biggest reintroductions of game in Africa, when this magnificent CCAfrica-owned property was restocked with lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard, giraffe and other big game.
The four unique lodges - Forest, Vlei, Rock and Mountain each capture the essence of CCAfrica - luxury accommodation, superb food and each in an outstanding setting. Phinda's Conference facilities can accommodate up to 70 delegates.
Phinda Private Game Reserve is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. CC Africa’s Phinda Private Game Reserve is situated in the lush Maputaland region in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Bordering the iSimangaliso/Greater St Lucia Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site – Phinda comprises 23 000 hectares (57 000 acres) of prime conservation land. Seven distinct habitats shelter an abundance of wildlife including Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo) and over 380 bird species, while the marine diversity off the nearby coast of Sodwana is said to rival the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Guests can look forward to exciting game-drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles led by experienced rangers and Zulu trackers, as well as thrilling optional activities on the water, in the air and on the beach. Phinda is situated in the wild and diverse northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa's Zulu Kingdom.
One of the nine provinces of South Africa, KwaZulu Natal offers an eclectic mix of cultures, natural and unspoilt scenery, pristine beaches, the splendid Indian Ocean - with its abundant sea-life - as well as good infrastructure and modern cities juxtaposed against rural settlements. KZN (as abbreviated by the locals) is also home to the culturally-rich and facinating history of the Zulu Nation, evident in the many battlefields and historical establishments dotted around this colourful province.RatesRates are quoted per person per night sharing except for Zuka Lodge and The Homestead, where the rate quoted is per villa per night depending on the number of guests. What you get  - Three meals daily
- Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers
- Teas and coffees
- Refreshments on game drives
- Laundry
- Scheduled safari activities
- Nature walks (1 hour) accompanied by experienced armed trackers, subject to availability
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- VAT
- Transfers to and from the airstrip
Please don't forget  | Phinda Forest Lodge |
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| 7-31 January, 15-30 April, May, September, 1-20 December | R 3,295 | | June, July, August | R 3,725 | | 1-6 January, February, March, 1-14 April, October, November, 21-31 December | R 5,985 | | Phinda Mountain Lodge | | 7-31 January, 15-30 April, May, September, 1-20 December | R 3,295 | | June, July, August | R 3,725 | | 1-6 January, February, March, 1-14 April, October, November, 21-31 December | R 5,985 | | Phinda Rock Lodge | | 7-31 January, 15-30 April, May, September, 1-20 December | R 3,850 | | June, July, August | R 4,545 | | 1-6 January, February, March, 1-14 April, October, November, 21-31 December | R 6,525 | | Phinda Vlei Lodge | | 7-31 January, 15-30 April, May, September, 1-20 December | R 3,850 | | June, July, August | R 4,545 | | 1-6 January, February, March, 1-14 April, October, November, 21-31 December | R 6,525 | | Phinda Zuka Lodge | | 7-31 January, 15-30 April, May, June, July, August, September, 1-20 December | R 25,775 | | 1-6 January, February, March, 1-14 April, October, November, 21-31 December | R 35,575 | | Zuka Lodge is quoted per villa per night depending on the number of guests. | - | | The Homestead | | 15-30 April, May, June, July, August, September, 1 - 20 December | R 25,000 | | 1-14 April, October, November, 21-31 December | R 49,000 | | The Homestead is quoted per villa per night depending on the number of guests. | - |
DirectionsFROM JOHANNESBURG TO PHINDA MOUNTAIN LODGE, ROCK LODGE AND ZUKA LODGE
Our usual recommended route to &Beyond Phinda takes 6 hours by road, however, with the current road
works between Pongola and Piet Retief, this route is now experiencing 2 to 3 hour delays. To make things
easier for our guests, we have sourced an alternate route to Phinda (6.5 hours by road).
This route is advisable for guests until the road works are complete.
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 40 km zone a few hundred meters after turning onto
the R23
Standerton is approximately 100 km 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, signposted Orange Free State /
KwaZulu-Natal R23
Remain on Dr Nelson Mandela and follow the R23 Volksrust signposts through the rest of town
Volksrust is approximately 85 km from Standerton
Driving into Volksrust, turn left at the first set of traffic lights onto Joubert Str (there is an Excel
service 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 the N11 towards Durban / Newcastle
There are 2 stop/go sections, as construction is underway on this section of the road
Please watch out for the 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 26 km signpost.
Turn left onto the R34 to Utrecht / Vryheid (approximately 40 km from Volksrust)
Pass Utrecht town on the left and continue along the R34 to Vryheid
Turn left onto the R33/R34 Vryheid (approximately 78 km from the R34/N11 junction)
Vryheid is approximately 24 km from R33/R34 junction
Before entering the town, turn right at the R69 Louwsburg / R34 Ulundi/Empangeni
Continue for 6 km until reaching the stop street. Continue straight over along the R69 for a further 4 km
Turn right at the T-junction onto the R69 to Louwsburg / Mkuze
Pass the turnoff to Louwsburg on the left and continue along the R69 to Pongola
Turn left onto the R66 Pongola / R69 (N2) Mkuze (* Read foot note at the bottom of this document)
Continue for 21 km to Pongola, then turn right onto the N2 to Mkuze and on towards Phinda
Approximately 40 km 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 4 km until you reach a railway line
Cross over the railway line and turn immediately right
Ahead of you is the entrance gate to the Munyawana Private Game Reserve
At the gate, a security guard will welcome you and assist with directions to the various lodges
Please note that all our lodges are sign-posted within the Reserve
2. FROM DURBAN TO PHINDA MOUNTAIN LODGE, ROCK LODGE AND ZUKA LODGE
Take the N2 highway northbound towards Stanger
Pass the towns of Ballito, Tinley Manor, Stanger, Mtunzini, Empangeni, Richards Bay,
Kwambonambi and Mtubatuba
Remain on the N2, passing the town of Hluhluwe
10 km beyond Hluhluwe, take the sign-posted Phinda off-ramp
At the top of the fly-off, turn right onto the bridge and you will reach a T-junction
At the T-junction, turn left onto a gravel road
Follow the gravel road for approximately 4 km until you reach a railway line
Cross over the railway line and turn immediately right
Ahead of you is the entrance gate to the Munyawana Private Game Reserve
At the gate, a security guard will welcome you and assist with directions to the various lodges
Please note that all our lodges are sign-posted within the Reserve
3. FROM JOHANNESBURG TO PHINDA FOREST LODGE, VLEI LODGE AND THE HOMESTEAD
Our usual recommended route to &Beyond Phinda takes 6 hours by road, however, with the current road
works between Pongola and Piet Retief, this route is now experiencing 2 to 3 hour delays. To make things
easier for our guests, we have sourced an alternate route to Phinda (6.5 hours by road).
This route is advisable for guests until the road works are complete.
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 40 km zone a few hundred meters after turning onto
the R23
Standerton is approximately 100 km 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, signposted Orange Free State /
KwaZulu-Natal R23
Remain on Dr Nelson Mandela and follow the R23 Volksrust signposts through the rest of town
Volksrust is approximately 85 km from Standerton
Driving into Volksrust, turn left at the first set of traffic lights onto Joubert Str (there is an Excel
service 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 the N11 towards Durban / Newcastle
There are 2 stop/go sections, as construction is underway on this section of the road
Please watch out for the 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 26 km signpost.
Turn left onto the R34 to Utrecht / Vryheid (approximately 40 km from Volksrust)
Pass Utrecht town on the left and continue along the R34 to Vryheid
Turn left onto the R33/R34 Vryheid (approximately 78 km from the R34/N11 junction)
Vryheid is approximately 24 km from R33/R34 junction
Before entering the town, turn right at the R69 Louwsburg / R34 Ulundi/Empangeni
Continue for 6 km until reaching the stop street. Continue straight over along the R69 for a further 4 km
Turn right at the T-junction onto the R69 to Louwsburg / Mkuze
Pass the turnoff to Louwsburg on the left and continue along the R69 to Pongola
Turn left onto the R66 Pongola / R69 (N2) Mkuze (* Read foot note at the bottom of this document)
Continue for 21 km to Pongola, then turn right onto the N2 to Mkuze and on towards Phinda
40 km beyond Mkuze, you will see a Phinda sign-posted fly-off. Do not take this fly-off as it leads to
Mountain Lodge and Rock Lodge. Instead remain on the N2 for an additional 10 km until you reach the
Hluhluwe fly-off.
Take the Hluhluwe fly-off and follow the signs into the town of Hluhluwe (4 km)
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 Farmers Market.
At the 4th circle, turn left following the False Bay / Sodwana Bay signage. As you pass the Build-It
Hardware Store 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 28 km (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 sign-posted D675 turning to your left
Continue along this road (soon becomes gravel) for approximately 2.6 km before you reach a T-junction
At the T-junction, take a right turn onto the D448 and travel for 3.6 km until you reach the entrance
gate to the Munyawana Private Game Reserve
At the gate, a security guard will welcome you and assist with directions to the various lodges
Please note that all our lodges are sign-posted within the Reserve
4. FROM DURBAN TO PHINDA FOREST LODGE, VLEI LODGE AND THE HOMESTEAD
Take the N2 highway northbound towards Stanger
Pass the towns of Ballito, Tinley Manor, Stanger, Mtunzini, Empangeni, Richards 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 (4 km)
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 Farmers
Market.
At the 4th circle, turn left following the False Bay / Sodwana Bay signage. As you pass the Build-It
Hardware Store 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 28 km (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 sign-posted D675 turning to your left
Continue along this road (soon becomes gravel) for approximately 2.6 km before you reach a Tjunction
At the T-junction, take a right turn onto the D448 and travel for 3.6 km until you reach the
entrance gate to the Munyawana Private Game Reserve
At the gate, a security guard will welcome you and assist with directions to the various lodges
Please note that all our lodges are sign-posted within the Reserve
5. FROM RICHARDS BAY TO PHINDA:
Take the N2 from Richards Bay airport and continue on the N2 past Matubatuba and Hluhluwe
Approximately 10km past the Hluhluwe off ramp, you take the Phinda off ramp.
At the tip of the fly off turn right onto the bridge over the N2
At the T-Junction, turn left following the Phinda signboard.
Continue along the gravel road for approximately 4km
Cross over the railway line and turn right at the fork immediately after the railway line.
Proceed for about 4km until you reach the gate to the reserve.
DISTANCE CHART
Johannesburg/Phinda 600km 6 hours 30 minutes
Durban/ Phinda 330km 3 hours 30 minutes
Please be aware, as you approach the Lodge that you are in a wilderness area where predators and highprofile
game roam freely.
Do not leave your car for any reason.
Should you require assistance, kindly call the Lodge on 035 562 0271.
Wherever possible and available, we do provide covered parking for guest vehicles but please be advised
that we cannot be held responsible for theft, loss or damage, whilst vehicles are parked on our premises.
*Note: From Johannesburg: An alternative route that cuts out Pongola and saves approximately 30 minutes
for guests who are prepared to travel 30 km along a gravel road:
3 km after turning on to the R 66 / R 69 road, turn right at the R69 Candover sign onto
the gravel road
Continue for 30km along the gravel road until reaching the N2
Turn right on to the N2 to Mkuze and on towards Phinda |
Reservations
+27 (0)11 809 4300
+27 (0)11 809 4400
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