Fantastic for birds and botany, the bush is green and lush and afternoon thunderstorms can be sensational, the resultant light after a storm is sublime – excellent for photography. It can be hot and humid. Rainfall is mainly limited to late afternoon thunder showers and should not detract much from game viewing, rain can however result in less off-road driving.
Phinda
Phinda shelters an abundance of wildlife including the legendary “Big Five” as well as many other highly sought after species; most notably Phinda offers excellent chances for Cheetah
WHY VISIT PHINDA
The best place to view Cheetah in South Africa
A thriving Black and White Rhino population
Pangolin and Rhino conservation experiences
Seven distinct ecosystems including the unique Sand Forest
Walking safaris
Big five game viewing
Zulu hospitality
BELLINGHAM SAFARIS SUSTAINABLE LODGE PARTNER:
Phinda Private Game Reserve is a model that is widely regarded as one of the most ambitious and successful blueprints for ecotourism. Overgrazed agricultural land (at the time it consisted of cattle, pineapple, sisal and game farms) was purchased and rehabilitated before the reintroduction of all the large mammal species that originally inhabited the region. It is also home to a small area of the critically endangered sand forest, as well as a number of other threatened or endangered species. Phinda was the first Big Five private game reserve to be established in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, successfully demonstrating that dedicating land to wildlife had the potential to produce better returns than cattle farming. Phinda’s name, which means ‘the return’, has been prophetic in more than one way. Not only was the wildlife returned to the land but a significant portion of the land has since been returned to its ancestral owners in a ground-breaking agreement between &Beyond and the Makhasa and Mnqobokazi communities. This partnership has been so successful that, as additional pieces of land have been handed back to the communities, they have requested that this land be included in Phinda Private Game Reserve, believing that their best financial return would be gained through the use of the land for conservation tourism. Now one of the most sought-after safari destinations in South Africa, the success of this model has seen Phinda grow from a beginning of 13 000 hectares to over 29 000 hectares of superb wilderness.
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FEATURED LODGES AND CAMPS OF PHINDA
Phinda Mountain Lodge
At Phinda Mountain Lodge a room with a view is a guarantee. Poised on the crest of a mountain, the lodge commands a dramatic vista over the surrounding landscape. This stylish lodge will truly make you feel on top of the world.
Phinda Rock Lodge
Suspended over the valley below, the cliff-top suites provide an intimate, cosy space in a dramatic setting with an eagle’s eye view of the reserve. Snuggled high above the surrounding panorama, your closest neighbour is likely to be an inquisitive spotted Genet paying you a friendly visit on the dining deck.
Phinda Forest Lodge
Set in rare sand forest, the glass walls of Phinda Forest Lodge offer a sweeping view of one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet. Duiker and Suni antelope dart among the glass Zulu Zen style suites. Waking up to rustling forest sounds, surrounded by delicate leaf-filtered light, a pervading sense of peace and calm set the tone.
Phinda Vlei Lodge
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 vlei, complete with watering hole, each morning and early evening the animals appear, dotting the sweeping vlei in a never-ending wildlife parade.
Phinda Zuka Lodge
Phinda Zuka Lodge is your own private holiday home in Africa, with four bush cottages and a team of staff completely at your disposal. With a dedicated ranger and vehicle on standby, your game drive experiences can be as frequent and as long as you prefer. Your personal chef is on hand in the interactive kitchen, so you may choose your own menu or opt to be surprised.
The Homestead
This exclusive, intimate sole-use safari villa is ideal for families or groups of friends. Beds are positioned to face the waking bush, so game viewing begins the moment you awake. With a dedicated game ranger and tracker you set your own game drive times.
When to visit Phinda
March and April are two of the best months to be on safari in South Africa, the weather is generally mild and dry, the vegetation takes on those typical autumn colors of red, yellow and brown and if the right lodge is chosen, a good guide should be able to produce sensational wildlife!
The lack of water results in wildlife frequently being seen drinking at various waterholes, the vegetation also gets a lot more sparse making it easier to see wildlife, as a result of this, this is the best time to see mammals. It can be chilly in the early morning but it is usually clear, warm and sunny by mid-morning. This time of year is the most difficult to get availability at the top lodges so please be sure to contact us well in advance.
A beautiful time to be on safari as it is generally at is driest making mammals easy to spot; birds are also more easily seen as many are calling in preparation for the breeding season. From a weather point of view, days are generally mild throughout and it is generally still dry.
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