Phinda Private Game Reserve, operated by &Beyond, is a premier Big Five safari destination and wildlife sanctuary located between the Mkuze Game Reserve and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Home to a large cheetah population and over 400 bird species, among its more unusual residents are the Temminck’s pangolin, the critically endangered black rhino, and the diminutive suni antelope.

The reserve is also famed for its biodiversity that includes seven distinct habitats, from bushveld, woodland and mountains to the beaches and coral reefs of the nearby Indian Ocean, making it an extraordinary retreat for nature lovers.

Five-star safaris take centre stage here, led by experienced rangers and Zulu trackers, and offering sightings of both iconic and rare species while treading lightly on the environment.

Guests can also choose from a range of enriching experiences tailored around the different habitats and aimed at varied personal interests, including cultural immersions, conservation activities, and coastal adventures like snorkelling, ocean safaris and watching turtles nesting.

Accommodation and amenities

Six upmarket lodges, each with a distinct aesthetic, have been strategically positioned across the reserve to immerse guests in the magnificent landscapes.

For couples seeking a romantic break, there’s a plantation-style hideaway set beside a sand forest.

An opulent villa in the bush offers an Out of Africa experience, complete with a butler and chef, while the Phinda Rock Lodge features suites built into the cliff face overlooking the lush valley.

There’s also a family-friendly lodge maximising the mountain views, a forest lodge on stilts with glass walls inviting nature inside, and thatched bush suites around a pan doubling up as a watering hole and delivering prime-time game-viewing from the deck.

Even everyday amenities take on a distinctively ‘wild’ flair here. Pamper sessions at the forest spa come with leafy views, the rim-flow swimming pool overlooks a vlei, and while strolling down the wooden walkway leading to the gym, you’re treated to sightings of grazing wildlife.

For the energetic, there are guided e-bike excursions through the intriguing sand forest.

Protecting pangolins

&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve has a 30-year track record in conservation. It arose from the purchase of four farms of overgrazed land, and over time, close to 30 000ha of farmland were reclaimed to protect threatened wildlife, such as rhino and pangolins.

One of their flagship experiences centres on the elusive Temminck’s pangolin, reintroduced to the reserve after decades of local extinction.

As part of a ground-breaking project with the African Pangolin Working Group, guests can join a researcher to track one of these ancient animals, witness a health check and how research data is downloaded from a GPS tracking tag.

Guests contribute directly to the survival of the pangolin – the world’s most trafficked mammal – as proceeds from this experience support conservation efforts, from buying tracking equipment to veterinary care.

For more information email [email protected]. | Phone 011 809 4300 | visit bit.ly/4k4LDHA.