South Africa Safaris and Tours

Face-to-face with lions and rhino after breakfast, up close to a Whale Shark or battling sailfish after lunch. That's the Phinda experience, one of the most exciting safari destinations in Africa. Located between the azure waters of the Indian Ocean and the lush waterways of the World Heritage Greater Saint Lucia Wetland Park, Phinda's 17 000 hectares span seven unique ecosystems.

Nestled below the Lebombo Mountains of Northern KwaZulu-Natal, Phinda is a Zulu word meaning "the return". In one of the biggest reintroductions of game in Africa, Phinda was restocked with lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard, giraffe and other big game in an operation dubbed "phinda izilwane", return of the wild animals.

Suites of thatch, teak and glass built on stilts overlook Phinda Vlei Lodge's unique "vlei" or pan system. On the verge of a forest, this century-old wetland wilderness is a favourite roaming ground of lightning-fast cheetah.

Suites: Six suites, crafted from local materials of thatch, teak and glass, are suspended above the Sand Forest floor. The air-conditioned suites overlook a natural vlei system. The airy double bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms with a bath and shower. You can enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner on your outdoor viewing deck or cool down in your private plunge pool.

Interiors: The suites feature ethnic fabrics, hand-crafted cane and timber-framed panels. The décor is a subtle blend of North and West African styles with hints of Balinese influences. The unique architectural design creates the illusion that no man-made structure exists between you and the African wilderness.

Living Spaces: The reception, lounge and bar areas of this secluded lodge overlook a tranquil vlei (wetland pan). The shaded terrace is a superb vantage point for bird-watching. The lounge has a fireplace, books and a well-stocked drinks cabinet.

Cuisine

The guest dining area overlooks the expanse of grassy vlei. Delicious Pan-African cuisine is served in sumptuous surroundings.

Bush Banquets: Dinners are served in a clearing in the bush under a star-studded sky. The incredible effort, the spectacular settings, visual impact and fairytale atmosphere of dining under the stars makes for a truly appetising experience. Phinda is renowned for its elegant bush breakfasts.

Activities

Read through the lengthy list of activities possible during a stay at one of Phinda's four lodges:

Close Encounters: Life at Phinda is one adventure after another - you can take a visit to a Zulu cultural village, explore fossil finds en route to a magical private picnic or roam the richly diverse habitats of the waterways in canoes or riverboats. In neighboring Mkuzi Game Reserve, you can track rhino on foot in the care of an experienced ranger. Bush walks offer close encounters with the subtleties of nature and information on the traditional legends and uses of plants.

Buried Turtle Eggs: A performance millions of years old is staged annually on the beaches of the east coast near Phinda - the breeding ground for the giant Leatherback and rare Loggerhead Turtles.

Game Drives: Twice a day, you may take a game drive in an open Land Rover. An experienced ranger will reveal the sights and sounds of wild Zululand. Set off early, soon after sunrise or in the later afternoon in an open Land Rover, to explore the rich tapestry of life that inhabits Phinda. Your experienced game ranger or tracker carries a wealth of knowledge and will describe the habits and behavior of diverse animals, from the nyala antelope to the graceful giraffe, the tiny red duiker or the rare suni antelope. There will be plenty of prime viewing opportunities of big game such as lion, elephant, cheetah, leopard, white rhino and buffalo.

At sunset, an entirely different world unfolds. Nocturnal bird and animal species - Giant Eagle Owls, nightjars, spotted genets, hyenas, porcupines and bush babies emerge.

Rhino Tracking: Experience the quiet thrill of tracking white rhino on foot, (advanced booking is required.) Armed trackers are familiar with the favored haunts of the resident rhino and chances of sightings are good. Dunghills, fresh browsing sites and evidence around drinking points or wallows are among the clues assisting in the search.

Interpretive Walks: On interpretive bush walks, you can see close-up the fragile wings of dragonflies, experience the changing colors of chameleons, admire an intricate spider web or listen to a story about wild animal tracks left in the sand. For those interested in geology, you may chance on a rock encrusted with shells exposed in an eroded gully. Not surprising, as thousands of years ago, the entire area was once part of the sea bed.

But perhaps most beautiful of all are the songs of the birds. Once you recognise the call of a Bush Shrike or a Narina Trogon, you will know where to look for these intriguing species.

Nature walks from Forest, Mountain, Vlei and Rock Lodges are led by armed rangers who will guide you through the Phinda Sand Forests or the mountain bushveld.

Library: Phinda offers a selection of wildlife books, magazines and videos. Spend hours enjoying them on cosy nights or in quiet moments between adventures.

My Suitcase

Wildlife

Landscape: Phenomenally diverse landscapes lie within Phinda's borders. The reserve spans rocky hillsides, mountainous regions, verdant wetland "vleis",perennial and seasonal rivers, marshland, pans and distinctive wooded Sand Forest.

The elegant Vlei Lodge affords a bird's eye view of Phinda's unique "vlei" or pan system. These wetlands are at the edge of a forest.

Game: Roaming the plains just beyond the vlei are buffalo, black and white rhino, elephant, giraffe, impala, zebra and wildebeest. Lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena stalk their prey while hippo - those amphibious nocturnal lawnmowers - wallow in their mud baths.

The wetlands are located on the forest edge - a favourite roaming ground of the rarely-seen suni, kudu and cheetah - efficient hunters that favour more open areas. Spotted genets, porcupines and bush babies awaken under cover of darkness.

At Sodwana Bay, east of Phinda, Whale Shark, Moray Eel, Leatherback and Loggerhead Turtle, crab, starfish and nudibranch make their home in the warm Indian Ocean waters. Unlike the reefs of the Caribbean, the Maldives or the Great Barrier Reef - which are composed wholly of coral - the reefs at Sodwana are made of rock colonised by solitary coral species.

Birds: A kaleidoscopic array of approximately 400 species of birds adorn the skies over Phinda - Pied and Pygmy Kingfishers, Goliath Herons, Great White Egrets, the elusive Purple Gallinule, Pygmy Goose, African Fish Eagle and White-faced "Whistling" Duck. Giant Eagle Owls and Nightjars come alive at night.

Fish: A short drive from Phinda - or an even shorter flight - and you're on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean, home to a dazzling underwater ecosystem. On the reefs of Sodwana, the marine species diversity rivals that of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Dazzling schools of colourful fish (some 1,200 species) are to be found, due to the northern tropical species mingling with fish from temperate zones.

Reptilers and Insects: Nile Crocodile swim through lakes and pools.

Flora: Vlei Lodge is surrounded by wetlands and grass plains, bordering a unique Sand Forest. Impressive groves of ghostly yellow Fever Trees dominate the floodplains on both banks of the perennial Mzinene River.

Habitats: Phinda's location, a combination of true African bushveld with the close-by Maputaland coastline, means you are offered a unique "bush-beach" adventure. A variety of habitats ensures a wonderfully diverse wildlife experience.

What differentiates Phinda from other safari destinations is the reserve's seven different ecosystems. These are very obvious and unusual. Inside the borders of a single reserve lies a mosaic of varied habitats such as ilala palm, savannah, montane grasslands, riverine forest, acacia thornveld, Sand Forest, open grassland and natural pan systems.

The botanically unique Sand Forest, which is found only in Maputaland and Southern Moçambique, is of major significance. The wetland habitats, including the Mzinene River and Mziki Marsh add to this exceptional diversity.

The chalets overlook a wet marshland on the edge of a tranquil woodland. Wetland habitats add great diversity to the reserve.