Phinda Mountain Lodge: Dramatic Landscapes above Conservation Success

The Lebombo mountains are perhaps some of the most wildlife-rich on the planet, yet are not well known outside local circles. They don’t feature snow-capped peaks or jagged ridges rising to unimaginable heights. They are in fact not the most impressive range. Yet probably along no other range of hills and mountains will you find more leopards, more lions, more elephants, and more amazing encounters than in the Lebombos.
Stretching from the north of the Kruger National park all the way down its eastern edge, down through Swaziland into South Africa, they start tapering out just as they reach one of this latter country’s finest safari destinations; Phinda Mountain Lodge.

Phinda Reserve is one of conservation’s greatest success stories. Formed from denuded pineapple farms and restocked with wildlife during the 90s, Phinda is now one of the most biodiverse reserves in Southern Africa, comprising over 70 000 acres of Big 5 country with an impressive bird list of 436.

Mountain Lodge was one of the original camps built here, and its three room types (suites, cottages – which can be turned into adjoining family style cottages – and family suite) mean there is something for every type of traveller.

If it’s romance you’re after, there will be more than enough solitude for you and your partner… why not book a private vehicle?
If you’re travelling with a family, great! The &Beyond WildChild program will keep your kids entertained with interactive adventures, perfect for mum and dad to enjoy some down-time.

Apart form world-class game viewing, it is the pioneering conservation experiences that Phinda now offers that are setting it apart from much of the rest of the industry. As a guest, it is now possible to accompany rangers and scientists in their careful monitoring programs of endangered species like Black Rhinos and Pangolins.
Participating in a rhino notching or dehorning, or laying your hands on a sleeping elephant while researchers attach a collar to it is an experience that will leave you truly moved.

Then of course there is the wildlife. Phinda is famed for its cheetahs in particular, with “the Marsh” – an open area in the north of the reserve – offering great hunting grounds for these fastest mammals on earth.
As you move through an amazing range of habitats (the unique Sand Forest is a must-visit!) you will encounter elephants, lions, black and white rhino, leopard, and an entire supporting cast of antelope and other small inhabitants of the bush.

Phinda is most definitely part of only a small group of lodges that continue to set the standard in both luxury wildlife experiences and conservation initiatives. At only a few hours drive from Durban or an easy flight in, it is also one of South Africa’s most accessible lodges for a quick weekend away…

With &Beyond offering special rates at the moment, get in touch if you fancy a trip to one of the country’s premier safari destinations…

South African Safari Specials for Locals

South Africans, are you ready for the ultimate safari special?

Let us show you another beautiful day in Africa with these irresistible Winter 2020 bush deals! We have undoubtedly faced a challenging start to the year – as individuals and as a country, but we are hopeful that there will be a time to return to Africa’s wilderness soon… While we give you time to plan and pack, we give nature and wildlife time to heal and rest until we can relish our beautiful country again, spend time with the Big 5 and support and visit amazing destinations that perhaps aren’t normally so accessible to locals.

We are committed to working closely with our partners to support and stimulate local travel as and when restrictions allow. So we have put together these amazing once-off offers that will allow local travellers to make the most of the incredible natural beauty and diversity we have on our doorstep.

Get to know your country better and indulge in much-needed 5-star service with these amazing city to bush escapes created just for you!

 

  1. The More family are offering up to 70% off at the exquisite Lion Sands lodges. Book now & travel after lockdown. *At Narina Lodge, each suite has an expansive wooden deck centred on a private plunge pool. A cooling soak in the heat of the midday, a gin and tonic at your side, a buffalo bull chewing in the deep shade below, a flock of green pigeons squabbling over figs in the boughs above, will immerse you in the wilderness until you feel like a part of it – which of course you are. *Tinga lodge is a cathedral tribute to the Kruger. The double volume, cathedral-like main area opens out onto an expansive deck overlooking the Sabie River. When you return famished from morning game drive, you can devour a delectable breakfast array on the deck while the elephants wander past in the lazy heat. In the evening, put your feet up next to the lounge fire with an excellent glass of South African wine as you contemplate the wonders you experienced on drive.

  2. The Royal Portfolio is committed to supporting local travel with 50% off at La Residence & Birkenhead House after lockdown.*Perched amongst the vineyards, on the slopes of the beautiful Franschhoek Mountains is the pinnacle of luxury and unrivalled piece of heaven – La Residence. Voted Conde Nast’s No 1 Hotel in the World in 2013 amongst a myriad of other awards, La Residence is a must for any bucket list. Tuscan inspired, the horse-shoe shaped manor wraps around an exquisitely manicured courtyard, decadent pool and endless panoramic wineland backdrop. *Birkenhead House is perched on a cliff overlooking magnificent Walker Bay in the little seaside town of Hermanus – gateway to the garden route. The bay is fringed with pristine white sand beaches and secluded coves while in the water surfers carve the waves and, for several months of the year, hundreds of southern right whales call the waters of the bay home.

  3. Marataba Safari Lodge is offering a once-in-a-lifetime 70% off! Why not escape with your family & indulge in much-need 5-star service after lockdown? Marataba-Safari-Lodge-Dining-Area*Marataba Safari Lodge is the ideal location for a romantic wedding or a honeymoon, or even just for an intimate escape with your loved one. The Lodge is very convenient as it’s located in a malaria-free zone and is only four hours away from Johannesburg—perfect for a quick escape to the bush!

  4.  The Outpost in Kruger National Park is offering locals a massive 60% discount for the upcoming months. *The Outpost’s awarded architecture accommodates 24 guests in 12 stand-alone luxury spaces cantilevered over the Luvuvhu river valley – connected to the central lodge area by a raised walkway. Enjoy 180˚ views of the African wilderness and fall asleep to the open-air sounds of the African night.

  5. Book a safari now with 50% off at Phinda Forest & Mountain Lodge. *Set deep in the heart of a rare and beautiful dry sand forest, the andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge fuses spectacular design with the ultimate in conservation principles. 16 handcrafted, minimalist, glass-encased suites are built on stilts among the trees and boast luxurious en-suite bathrooms and viewing decks where guests can take in the sight of graceful nyala and duiker in the shade of the forest. *Poised majestically on the crest of a mountain, Phinda Mountain Lodge commands dramatic vistas over the surrounding landscape. Balanced between soaring views of the scenery below and the endless blue of the African sky above, each suite opens onto a breathtaking panorama.

  6. Escape to your own private wilderness at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve with 60% off! *The lodges at Kwandwe are intimate, relaxed and trendy with décor inspired by the vibrant colours and textures of the nearby villages.

Enquire HERE now.

The Perfect Winter Tour – Durban, Cape Town & Phinda

Spend 11 days and 10 nights in KZN, Durban and Cape Town 

Iconic Africa presents an outstanding Winter Special across two fantastic South African cities. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime all-inclusive safari before heading to Umhlanga Ridge and enjoying a relaxing 4 days at the 5* Oyster Box that has direct access to a beautiful piece of beach and offers world-class cuisine. End off in the Mother City. The striking ocean views set the stage for a memorable stay in Cape Town. Wake to the sound of gentle waves breaking on the shore before embarking on a day of exploration.

Day 1 – 4  &BEYOND PHINDA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Described as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’, &Beyond Phinda encompasses an impressive 28 555 hectares (70 560 acres) of prime Big Five wilderness in KwaZulu-Natal. This Reserve comprises seven distinct habitats – from dry sand forest to wetland systems and mountain ranges. Catch a glimpse of the shy suni antelope, track rhino in the bushveld, observe breeding herds of elephant in fever tree forests, hold your breath as a cheetah teaches her cubs to hunt, glide past hippo on the Mzinene River and marvel at the gracious nyala. Phinda is home to more than 3 000 of these rare antelope.

Accommodation: andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge

  • Complimentary road transfer from King Shaka International Airport to Phinda (approx 3hrs)
  • 3 nights at Phinda Forest Lodge (Fully Inclusive)
  • Wild Child Programme for the children
  • Safari activities,
  • 1-hour nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability),
  • Daily Morning and afternoon game drive

Day 4 -7  UMHLANGA

Located on the eastern coast of South Africa, just outside of the port city of Durban, Umhlanga Rocks, also referred to as Umhlanga, is a popular seaside resort town. The tropical weather and lush vegetation make this an enticing holiday destination attracting visitors from all over the world. Umhlanga and its surrounds feature golden-sand beaches stretching over 200 kilometres, endless sugarcane fields and the rolling verdant landscape of the Valley of 1000 Hills. It is the perfect location for ocean enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike, with great opportunities for diving, swimming, scuba diving, whale watching, dolphin viewing, deep-sea fishing and kiteboarding. Don’t miss Umhlanga’s excellent golf courses; they are a real treat for the avid golfer.

Accommodation: The Oyster Box 

  • Road transfer to The Oyster Box Hotel 
  • 3 nights accommodation at The Oyster Box Hotel (B&B) * 3rd night is free!

Day 7 – 11  CAPE TOWN 

Without question one of the world’s most spectacular cities, Cape Town sits on the southwestern edge of Africa and nestles beautifully between the two national heritage sites of the infamous Robben Island and the iconic “New 7 natural wonders of the world” member, Table Mountain. Cape Town is undoubtedly a destination in itself but also the holidaymaker’s gateway to the African continent. Perhaps in your own time, you’d prefer to relax peacefully on tranquil beaches, stroll along the promenade, hike up “Lions Head” or visit The Houses of Parliament set picturesquely in the Company Gardens? Or for those looking for a bit more of a buzz and some retail therapy visit the shops, restaurants and lavish hotels of V&A Waterfront.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Waterfront

  • Transfer to King Shaka International Airport
  • Scheduled flight to Cape Town
  • Transfer to hotel
  • 4 nights accommodation 

A world of endless experiences:

The beauty of Cape Town is not restricted to the city alone. Cape Town’s proximity to a number of incredible destinations makes short day trips to the likes of the Cape Winelands, Cape Point, Hermanus and the Garden Route an absolute must!

We recommend seeing:

Private Peninsula tour

Wine estates that are child-friendly such as Blauuwklippen, Seidelberg, and Fairview, 

Eagle Encounters at Spier Estate 

Cheetah Outreach 

Camps Bay

Seal Island Hout Bay

Chapman’s Peak

Boulders Penguin Colony

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Includes:

  • Road transfer from King Shaka International Airport to Phinda (approx 3hrs)
  • 3 nights at Phinda Forest Lodge (FI)
  • Road transfer to The Oyster Box Hotel ( approx 3 hrs)
  • 3 nights accommodation at The Oyster Box Hotel (B&B)
  • Transfer to King Shaka International Airport
  • Scheduled flight to Cape Town
  • Transfer to hotel
  • 4 nights accommodation at The Radisson Blu Waterfront (B&B)

Excludes:

  • Meals, drinks and laundry not specified in the itinerary or as outlined in the Includes
  • Premium brand drinks, champagne, cognacs, cellar wines, cigars and cigarettes
  • Gratuities and any items of a personal nature
  • Sightseeing and excursions not specified in the itinerary
  • Flights and transfers not specified in the itinerary
  • National parks and concession fees not specified in the itinerary
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa fees (please be sure to check if visas are required)
  • International flights

 

Find out more about this tour here. 

https://digital.iconicafrica.com/Itinerary/Landing/d66bad8a-59a4-4a77-9b00-fc19713b71ff