General Information
Introducing Phinda Private Game Reserve
Set within easy reach of the Indian Ocean coastline and the famous iSimangaliso / Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Phinda Private Game Reserve is known for its abundant wildlife, diversity of habitats and wide range of activities. Thanks to its coastal rainfall pattern, Phinda enjoys a lush green environment that contains seven distinct ecosystems - a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, rivercourses, marshes and pans.
This fascinating variety of landscape and vegetation shelters an abundance of wildlife, including not only the Big Five but many rarer and less easily spotted species, such as the elusive cheetah or the scarce black rhino. With only a handful of lodges sharing an area of 23 000 hectares (56 800 acres) and careful trained rangers and trackers in search of prime wildlife sightings, guests are assured an exclusive game viewing experience.
Adding to Phinda’s wildlife charms, the marine diversity of nearby Sodwana on the coast is easily accessible, with scuba diving, fishing and even turtle watching only some of the adventures available from Phinda.
A Day At Phinda
At Phinda, the days are designed to thrill you with intimate wildlife encounters and the nights to delight you with the indulgence and romance of Africa.
Morning Game Drive - As dawn breaks over the African bush, a gentle tap on your door will wake you to the delights of a new day. Your ranger will discuss what you hope to see that day over fragrant tea or coffee and morning biscuits or rusks. Phinda is renowned for its exceptional sightings of the elusive cheetah and the rare black rhino. There is also a number of resident lion prides and rangers will do their best to provides guests with a glimpse of all of these animals.
Breakfast - Return to your lodge for a delicious breakfast, with platters of fruit and cheese followed by a selection of hot breakfast dishes. Choose from eggs, oats, waffles or a number of other options.
Lunch - If you wish, you can walk off your breakfast on a short walk near your lodge, accompanied by your ranger, who will share his insight into the smaller animals and vegetation in the area, before returning in time for lunch.
Afternoon Tea - Cool off with a refreshing dip in the pool, indulge in an afternoon siesta or simply watch the wildlife from your private veranda. Over a late afternoon tea, your ranger will discuss what you hope to see during the afternoon game drive.
Evening Game Drive - This game begins in the late afternoon and lasts until after dark, when spotlights are used for a glimpse into the nocturnal bush life. Listen to lions roar in the dark or admire the small nocturnal animals. Enjoy sundowners in a scenic location as the sun slowly sinks beneath the horizon. If you prefer, you may be able to go on a boat cruise or canoe down the Mzinene River, watching the wildlife come down to drink.
Dinner - A mouthwatering dinner is waiting for you at your lodge's boma or in a surprising bush location.
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 favours 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.
More About Phinda
There are certain species that guests are more likely to encounter on Phinda than on many other reserves. Predators such as cheetah, lion and leopard are tracked on a daily basis, offering guests a high chance of spotting these impressive cats. Phinda is renowned for offering outstanding opportunities to view cheetah. The reserve also boasts one of the highest densities of nyala. Rhino enthusiasts may frequently encounter both the white rhino and the endangered black rhino. Herds of elephant and buffalo move throughout the reserve, and the sand forest is home to some rare smaller species, such as the suni and red duiker, as well as the red tonga squirrel.
The crown jewel of this ecologically diverse region, Phinda is home to a large portion of Africa’s remaining rare dry sand forest. Unmistakable even to the untrained botanist, this magical woodland abounds with massive trees, cacti, orchids, ferns, mosses and creepers. Creating a sheltered ecosystem of its own, this area is home to such species as the tiny suni, which is endemic to the area, the shy red duiker or the tonga red squirrel, as well as dozens of bird species. Phinda also supports three main types of savanna, allowing guests to see and experience a variety of habitats.
Of the two rivers that run through Phinda, the Munyawana is seasonal, reduced to a series of pools during the winter, while the Mzinene flows year-round. The two rivers, and the extensive marsh created at their junction, create even more diverse habitats that add to the variety of Phinda's animal and plant species. The wide floodplains of the Mzinene play host to one of the most easily distinguishable African trees - the fever tree. Known in Zulu as umHlosinga (the tree that shines from afar), this breathtaking tree creates a startling impression with its pale white bark and bright green foliage. Heard in this setting, the haunting call of the fish eagle creates an impression that cannot be easily erased.