6 Suites – 12 Guests
Phinda Rock Lodge (KZN) is dramatically set into a cliff face overlooking spectacular Leopard Rock. This luxury lodge is an architectural delight, combining Malian influences with pueblo panache. It boasts six suites suspended over the deep valley below that provide guests breath-taking views of the valley below.
Phinda Rock Lodge is located within Phinda Private Game Reserve. This reserve encompasses an impressive 28 555 hectares (70 560 acres) of protected wildlife land in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, Phinda is home to Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), as well as 436 bird species. The reserve is famous for close-up sightings of the elegant yet elusive cheetah, as well as the rare black rhino.
Activities
Phinda Private Reserve is often described as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’. Phinda Rock Lodge (KZN) fits fantastically into this magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, rivers, marshes and pans. Home to 1 000 hectares of Africa’s remaining rare dry sand forest, the reserve is also situated in close proximity to the unspoiled beaches and spectacular coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. This provides an opportunity to combine of bush and beach adventures.
Guests at Phinda experience unforgettable interpretive game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles, led by professionally trained rangers and trackers, as well as a wide range of optional adventures.
Choose from a range of exciting Phinda Adventures such as a specialist walking and tracking safaris, a sleep-out under the stars, an infrared Night Eye drive, and other participative conservation experiences such rhino notching or pangolin tagging.
Game Drives
Hosted by expert guides and trackers, in specially adapted 4×4 safari vehicles, you will have the opportunity to enjoy early morning game drives and spot-lit night drives. Set off in search of the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) as well as an array of other fascinating creatures such as wild dog, hippo, cheetah and a plethora of bird species.
Game drives accommodate a maximum of six guests and usually include refreshments stops along the way that allow you to stretch your legs and admire your breathtaking location. Your guide will share stores and anecdotes based on intimate knowledge of the park and its surrounds.
Safari guides are trained in sensitive off-roading practices to allow close up game sightings. This adventure offers the perfect introduction to South Africa’s wildlife and is a must for first-time safari-goers.
Phinda is home to a magnificent variety of wildlife, including the Big Five. It is best known for its large population of cheetah and black rhino. The sand forest is home to the shy suni and the rare red duiker, which are two tiny antelope that are seldom encountered elsewhere.
Morning Game Drives: The morning game drive leaves between 5:30am and 6am. Your guide will select a spot to enjoy the stunning views, whilst enjoying a morning refreshment.
Afternoon Game Drives: The afternoon game drive leaves between 4pm and 5pm. After sundowners and snacks, your guides will use the spotlight to find nocturnal animals, before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Reasons to love Phinda Rock Lodge:
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Dramatic views across the valley
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Secluded and romantic
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Seven habitats allow for much greater diversity in species and landscapes
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Wildlife includes cheetah, black rhino and nyala
We can arrange at an additional charge:
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Phinda Adventures include Zulu village tours, Maputaland beach adventures, night turtle drives (seasonal), scuba safaris, an ocean safari, black rhino tracking on foot and participative conservation experiences (elephant, rhino, pangolin)
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Specialist Safaris include birding, infrared night eye, photographic, specialist walking, family and private safaris
EXPLORE: Why not speak to us about customizing your tour to South Africa with experience combining both Phinda & Ngala Tented Camp or Sabi Sands.
Accommodation
Each romantic suite, constructed from contoured stone and adobe, boasts an earthy, soft grey palette and solid wooden shutters and doors, which open onto a private plunge pool and viewing deck.
Featuring spacious ensuite bathrooms, the suites also offer outdoor showers, providing some of the most scenic al fresco bathing on the African continent.
Decorated in hues of oatmeal, grey and stone, the lodge’s intimate and glamorous guest areas offer the perfect vantage point for viewing the reserve’s abundant birdlife in the surrounding trees, and the wildlife roaming the bush below. Immense French doors open onto an extended outdoor veranda, the perfect setting for al fresco meals, while a rooftop terrace provides a romantic venue for dining beneath the stars.
Getting to Phinda Rock Lodge (KZN)
- Airlink offer daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg to Phinda Private Game Reserve.
- Connect Phinda Private Game Reserve to: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Ngala Private Game Reserve, Kirkman’s Kamp, northern Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Londolozi, Ulusaba, Vilanculos and Livingstone. All flights route through either Nelspruit or Skukuza
- Private charters from anywhere in South Africa can be arranged to &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve’s airstrip
- It is seven-hour drive from Johannesburg on good roads in a two-wheel drive vehicle
- It is a three and a half-hour drive from Durban on good roads in a two-wheel drive vehicle
Itinerary
A typical summer day at Phinda Rock Lodge:
(Kindly note, times may vary slightly and winter timings are different)
- 05h30 Wake up call at the room
- 06h00 Light breakfast in the main area
- 06h30 Depart for your morning activity: game drive, nature walk
- 10h30 Return from the morning activity
- 11h00 Brunch
- Afternoon at leisure – possible activities: Swimming pool, curio shop, spa
- 15h30 Afternoon Tea
- 16h00 Depart on afternoon game drive
- 19h30 Return from the game drive
- 20h00 Dinner under the stars (weather permitting)
Image Gallery
Rates at Phinda Rock Lodge
Luxury Suite
R11 400.00 PPS
Fully inclusive of:
- Accommodation
- Three meals daily
- Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, teas and coffees and refreshments on game drives
- Laundry
- Safari activities
- One hour nature walks accompanied by experienced armed trackers (subject to availability)
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- VAT
- Transfers to and from the lodge airstrip
- A complimentary pair of Swarovski Optik binoculars per room for use during your stay
Rates exclude:
- Administration fee
- Telephone calls
- Safari shop purchases
- Gratuities
- All items of a personal nature
- Champagne, cognacs, fine wines, premium brand spirits and cigars
- Government bed levy
- Conservancy or park fees
- Landing fees
- Phinda Adventures
Extra Info
The camp is not fenced off and we request that guests be extremely vigilant at all times. Security guards accompany guests at all times while walking around the camp at night.
Passports Everyone travelling to South Africa must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of travel.
No inoculations are legally required for entry. However, you may want to check with your local immunization and inoculation clinic for their recommendations on health precautions for travel to South Africa.
Phinda is a low-risk malaria area and precautions should be taken.
