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.

The subtle combination of avant garde and ethnic décor at Phinda Mountain Lodge is inspiring... but nothing surpasses the view of the ash-blue Lebombo Mountains as they sweep down to the coastal plains.

Chalets: Mountain Lodge has 20 air-conditioned chalets with private decks and en-suite bathrooms with bath and shower. Paved pathways lead down the mountainside from the main lodge to the chalets.

Interiors: A subtly executed blend of avant-garde and ethnic décor captures the alluring bushveld spirit in each room.

Living Spaces: The bar, shaded terrace and main lounge open onto cool verandahs with serene views of the Lebombo Mountains. You will be treated to authentic African hospitality at the reception area and curio shop. Or you may choose to take a refreshing dip in the shaded swimming pool. You can linger on the lookout deck, built for relaxation, bird and game watching.

Cuisine

Lunch is served on the shaded terrace, patio or dining room. Dinners in the dramatic open-air boma (enclosed reeded area) can be relished under starlit African skies.

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 make for a truly appetising experience. Phinda is renowned for its elegant bush breakfasts.

Conferences

Phinda's conference facility is situated at Mountain Lodge. The well-equipped conference room holds 70 people and is air-conditioned. It is ideal for small management seminars and think tanks. You can also make use of the executive meeting room.

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.

My Suitcase

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.