andBeyond Phinda Vlei Lodge (Phinda Private Reserve, KwaZulu, Natal) South Africa
Location:
At Phinda Vlei Lodge simply spending time in your
spacious suite is like being on safari. With each suite
carefully positioned for a prime view of the animals coming
out to drink and panoramic vistas from even your shower or
bathtub, the game viewing never stops!
Set on the edge of the forest and overlooking an open
meadow (or vlei), complete with watering hole, this wildlife
playground brings your game encounters up close and
personal. Each morning and early evening the animals appear,
dotting the sweeping vlei in a never-ending wildlife parade.
Whether from the intimate guest areas or the seclusion of
your own suite, watch the daily details of the bush come to
life, from the antics of the monkeys and the prolific
birdlife to the herds of zebra or families of warthog
ambling along the open vlei.
Accommodation:
Carefully tucked away in one of six secluded suites
perfectly integrated into the African bush, you are
virtually guaranteed to see more animals than people during
your stay - and that’s not counting the game drives! Each
moment brings a new surprise, as man made barriers melt away
and the wonders of the bush are revealed at every turn
Elegant and serene, the gracious spaces of Phinda Vlei Lodge
are designed for quiet contemplation of the African
wilderness.
With each suite’s deck opening up onto a dazzling view of
the clearing beyond, combine your game viewing with a
refreshing dip in your private plunge pool, but be prepared
to share it with a thirsty elephant or impala! Each suite
boasts not only a private sitting area and ensuite bathroom,
but also a dressing room and game viewing deck, so you may
not ever want to leave, even for meals. Not that you will
have to - private dining in your suite can be arranged, as
can more social meals on the dining deck or even on the edge
of the vlei. On clear, cold winter nights keep the chill at
bay relaxing in front of a roaring fire in the sitting room
before retiring to the comfort of a warm bed.
Facilities:
The thatch and timber suites blend harmoniously with the
surrounding bush and North and West African influences plus
a touch of Bali can be identified in the ethnic fabrics
used. Wooden floors add character to the en-suite bathrooms
and dressing rooms, while a private deck and a plunge pool
add to the exclusivity of the Phinda Vlei Lodge.
Guest areas at Phinda Vlei Lodge are inviting and
encompass a sitting area where you can curl up with a book
from the library otherwise appreciate the inviting sitting
area with open fireplace. Enjoy a well-stocked bar and
marvel over an expansive deck- a great vantage point for
easy game-viewing!
The dining room, overlooking a grassy vlei, is grand and
delicious where Pan–African cuisine is served either here,
on the deck outside, or on bush picnics and on request,
romantic dinners can even be enjoyed in the privacy of your
suite.
Activities / Wildlife
Phinda is home to an abundance of wildlife, from the
large mammals to the smallest antelope. However, it is the
faster of predators that has a special place here. Having
reintroduced cheetah to the area after an absence of over
fifty years, Phinda has quickly established a reputation as
one of the best places to view and photograph these rare
cats. With much of Phinda dominated by a mosaic of various
savanna habitats, these speedy carnivores have plenty of
space to carry out their explosive hunting technique, as
well as enough cover to protect and shelter their cubs.
Along with cheetah, lion and leopard are tracked on the
reserve on a daily basis and guests have a high likelihood
of encountering these magnificent animals. Another success
story at Phinda is that of both the white and the more
endangered black rhino. Brought back from the brink of
extinction, both the grass easting white rhino and the shrub
grazing black rhino are doing well at the reserve. While the
white rhino favors water holes and wallows, the black rhino
indulges its inquisitive nature in constant solitary
rambles.
The elegant nyala antelope is a frequent sight at Phinda,
with the reserve boasting one of the highest densities of
the species. With its dark brown coat, buttery yellow legs,
shaggy mane and impossibly bushy tail, the male nyala is
particularly spectacular, while the female contents itself
with a less flashy chestnut coat. The rare sand forest in
the northern parts of Phinda is the perfect environment for
some of the rarer smaller species. The shy red duiker is
found grazing on fallen leaves and fruit and the tiny suni,
one of the smallest antelope species, may also be seen.
Accommodation Rates:-
From $750 per person per night sharing. Please contact us
for a quote and suggested itinerary.
