&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge - Phinda Game Reserve - KwaZulu-Natal - South Africa

Set deep in the heart of a rare and beautiful dry sand forest, the award-winning andBeyond Forest Lodge fuses architecture and conservation. The lodge was hand built by local artisans, with a minimal footprint on the forest floor – not one tree was felled during construction.

An exquisite contradiction, floor-to-ceiling glass walls invite the forest inside, while the dense tree canopy shelters and provides privacy. Floating on stilts above the forest floor, the 16 Zulu Zen suites blend harmoniously into the dappled shade. Expansive decks in the spacious guest area, look out onto panoramic views of an open grassy meadow.

In the evenings, when warm firelight welcomes you to the traditional African boma, wide-eyed bush babies watch inquisitively from the trees above, as you in indulge in a lantern-lit feast beneath a canvas of stars.

Sabi Sands Reviews

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September 23, 2026 GB Website
Sabisandlodges has been amazing in…  

Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us


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Sabisandlodges has been amazing in…  
Annelize Taylor    September 23, 2026   GB    Website   
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Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us in great detail!!

Thank you so much for arranging all our travel - Ulusaba, amazing. The pick ups were great - through vumba tours!!
The La Rochelle tours were fantastic too. Drivers were helpful, friendly and professional.

Really enjoyed our experiences and everyone involved made it even better!!!!

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August 19, 2026 Cardiff, UK Website
The best safari oasis  

We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see

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The best safari oasis  
Mandy H    August 19, 2026   Cardiff, UK    Website   
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We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see the big 5 and a lot more animals. The game drives were amazing. The Knowledge of the tracker (Donald) and our guide (Helen) was exceptional and they ensured we were able to see everything. We seen leopards, cheetahs and lions. You stop for a morning coffee out in the bush and sundowners in the evening, this was also excellently organised. The rooms are absolutely stunning with the biggest mini bar I’ve ever seen. The drink options are fantastic. Super comfortable rooms and luxurious. Food was superb. Each evening there was a different location for dinner excellently curated by the team at the hotel, with food prepared to a very high standard. We also used the gym facilities which were great. The service and operational standards at this hotel are exceptional. I would 100% stay at this lodge again it was such an incredible experience

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September 23, 2026 ZA Website
Thank you Max for your recommendation and great service.  

Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly

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Thank you Max for your recommendation and great service.  
Andrew W.    September 23, 2026   ZA    Website   
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Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly recommend booking with Sabi Sands Lodges as it saved us time & effort. Experience counts and Max's knowledge was invaluable.

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July 26, 2026 CL Website
100% Recommended  

Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100%

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100% Recommended  
Sven Gysling    July 26, 2026   CL    Website   
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Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100% recommended.

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May 6, 2026 ZA Website
Best in the bushes  

What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone

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Best in the bushes  
Candice Tehini    May 6, 2026   ZA    Website   
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What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone for the stress-free bush experience.

From the vanilla scented towels, to the delicious food, exciting game drives and phenomenal staff, our stay at Shiduli was magical from the second we arrived and lives in our hearts long after we left.

Your helpful staff greeted us as we arrived and and were with us every step of the way... literally. We were escorted to our private villa by Gary, who my children absolutely adored. Richard, in the bar was on form and Gogo Dorris had faith that we would see lions... which we did.

Thandy and Karen were friendly, professional and made us feel like old friends. We will definitely be back and will bring our friends and family so they can share in this beautiful gem.


&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge - Image Gallery

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2026 Rates

 

Suite
Family Suite
R18,100.00 per person per night sharing
R27,150.00 per person per night single
R63,350.00 per suite per night

Rates exclude conservation fees

SPECIAL OFFERS

Anniversary Offer:
20% discount on your accommodation when staying at any of our &Beyond lodges, camps or yachts
Valid for six (6) months before or after your event date

Birthday Offer:
20% discount on your &Beyond lodge accommodation when staying at any one of our lodges, camps, or yachts
Applicable for the following birthdays: 18, 21, 30, 40, 50 years etc
Valid for six (6) months before or after your event date

Fly me to Phida:
Stay for more than 3 nights at any combination of the below Phinda lodges,
and receive credits to the value of ZAR 5,250 per Federal Air flight leg (to or from the Phinda airstrip)
Applicable with a 3-night stay (or more) at &Beyond Phinda Mountain, Forest, Rock, Vlei, or Zuka Lodges
Valid for full-paying adult guests, booked on a 1-5 night rate

Long Stay Deal:
20% discunt when you stay 6 nights or more at &Beyond lodges and camps across the country

Enquire for more details 

Fly me at a Fixed Price:
Enquire for more deatils 
Valid 11 January – 31 January & 15 February – 30 June & 1 October – 15 December

Safari Honeymoon:
Save up to 25%
Valid for travel within 6 months of date of marriage – marriage certificate to be supplied

Rate Includes

Accommodation; Three meals daily; Two daily game drives & optional daily bush walk; Soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers & teas and coffees; Sundowners on game drives; Laundry services & VAT; Emergency medical evacuation insurance Complimentary transfers to and from the lodge airstrip;

&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge

With its seven distinct habitats, Phinda Private Game Reserve is often described as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’, a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, rivers, marshes and pans. Showcasing one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences, the reserve is home to Africa’s Big Five, as well as 436 bird species. Set in a rare and beautiful sand forest, the glass walls of Phinda Forest Lodge’s 16 air-conditioned suites offer a sweeping view of one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet. A dense canopy provides privacy, and floor to ceiling windows invite the forest in, with the wonderful opportunity to view wildlife roaming outside your glass “bubble”, fluttering birds nesting in the foliage and the gentle rustle of forest sounds.
Each of &Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge‘s 16 suites are built on stilts, and appear to float between the forest floor and the towering torchwood trees in the intensely canopied rare sand forest. Inventively designed in a style affectionately known as Zulu Zen, each handcrafted, glass-encased suite was constructed without damaging or removing a single tree in the forest. The interiors boast a minimalist flair that incorporates high-gloss wooden floors, richly tactile fabrics and brightly accented Zulu artefacts. The suites feature luxurious en-suite bathrooms with slate hand basins and viewing decks where guests can drink in the sight of graceful nyala and duiker in the dappled shade of the forest.
Enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives that continue after nightfall. andBeyond's professionally trained guides will ask you about your favourite wildlife and will do their best to ensure that your preferences are met, whether it is tracking a particular species or spending more time enjoying each sighting and getting to know the habits of the animals. They will also tell you about the vegetation of the region and will explain the behaviour of the animals that you come across. In some cases, the guides will be able to identify individual animals and let you know about their history and habits. andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve is renowned for its exceptional sightings of the elusive cheetah and the rare black rhino, as well as the Big Five. There is also a number of resident lion prides and rangers will do their best to provide you with an exceptional sighting of all of these animals.
Children of all ages are welcome at the lodge. Triple suites are available to parents if their child is age 5 or younger. In the event children cannot participate in an activity at the reserve, qualified childminders are available.
FROM JOHANNESBURG TO PHINDA FOREST LODGE - Depart Johannesburg on the R24 highway to Johannesburg merging onto the N12/N3. - Keep left to continue on N3, follow signs for Heidelberg/Durban/N17/Springs. - Take exit 103 for N17 East to Springs. - Merge onto N17; continue on the road for 196kms towards Ermelo. - In Ermelo turn left onto Voortrekker Street / N2. - Proceed on the N2 towards Piet Retief/eMkhondo. - From Piet Retief/eMkhondo continue on the N2 through Pongola onto Mkuze. - 40 km beyond Mkuze, you will see a “Phinda” sign-posted fly-off. Do not take this fly-off as it leads to Mountain Lodge and Rock Lodge. Instead remain on the N2 for an additional 10 km until you reach the Hluhluwe fly-off. - Take the Hluhluwe fly-off and follow the signs into the town of Hluhluwe (4 km). - Entering Hluhluwe, you will cross 3 consecutive traffic circles. The 1st circle is located just before you enter the town. The 2nd circle is located just after the Engen fuel garage. The 3rd circle is located just before the Total fuel garage. Continue to the 4th circle which is opposite the AWF Outdoor Shop. - At the 4th circle, turn left following the False Bay / Sodwana Bay signage. As you pass the “Build-It Hardware Store” you will leave the outskirts of town, and prepare to take a right turn, crossing over the railway line. Signage should indicate Sodwana Bay / False Bay. - Continue along this tar road for approximately 28 km (do not take any turns leading to False Bay). - When you reach the Mduku Crossing (indicated clearly by numerous consecutive speed bumps), take the “Phinda” sign-posted D675 turning to your left. - Continue along this road, which soon turns from a tarred surface into gravel, for approximately 2.6 km before you reach a T-junction. At the T-junction, take a right turn onto the D448 and travel for 3.6 km until you reach the entrance gate to the Munyawana Private Game Reserve. - At the gate, a security guard will welcome you and assist with directions to the various lodges

&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge - Wildlife Gallery

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Enquiry form - &Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge