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

Fringing Phinda Private Game Reserve's wildlife-rich wetland system, situated along the edge of the rare sand forest, the sophisticated &Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge is intimately integrated into the surrounding bush. Gracious and elegant, this charming lodge comprises six thatched suites decorated in a subtle blend of North and West African styles, with hints of a Balinese influence. Each suite, which features a luxurious en-suite bathroom, dressing room, private plunge pool and game viewing deck, overlooks a grassy meadow where guests can observe herds of grazing antelope and zebra, as well as a variety of birdlife.

The atmosphere is exclusive and personal, with a mixture of understated sophistication and pure luxury. Large private lap pools provide the ideal place to relax and enjoy the drama of the African wilderness unfold, while warm and inviting open fireplaces make the comfortable guest sitting area the ideal place to unwind on a cool afternoon. Delicious and innovative cuisine is served on the expansive outdoor decks or in a beautiful and remote bush setting, creating lifelong memories.

Sabi Sands Reviews

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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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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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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 Vlei Lodge - Image Gallery

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Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge KwaZulu Natal Phinda Private Game Reserve 10
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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; Laundry services & VAT; Emergency medical evacuation insurance Complimentary transfers to and from the lodge airstrip;

2026 Rates

 

1 January 2026 - 30 June 2026
1 July 2026 - 31 December 2026
CLOSED
R22,400.00 per person per night sharing 

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 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

&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge

This private game reserve was formed about 10 years ago along the borders of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park – one of Africa’s most ecologically diverse regions. Farmland was restored back to its natural habitats and stocked with big game animals. Seven different eco systems exist on the reserve including forest and coastal, and its variety renders it perfect for an escape of luxury and adventure. Conservation Corporation Africa has built four private lodges in the reserve, each in its own environment with differing qualities. This venture not only supports animals but also improves employment, education and health facilities in the local communities. You can catch a glimpse of Zulu life, past and present by visiting a traditional cultural village aligned to the Phinda reserve.
Stilted glass and thatch suites set on the edge of the rare Sand Forest. Each air conditioned suite features a spacious room, luxurious en-suite bathroom, and dressing room. The en-suite bathroom provides a sense of old world luxury, while the suite’s interiors showcase a mix of curated antiques and collectibles. Take advantage of a private lap pool and game viewing deck that overlooks a grassy meadow, where you can observe antelope grazing nearby, as well as a variety of birdlife. Private candlelight dinners can also be arranged should you prefer some privacy in your suite.
Enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives that continue after nightfall. &Beyond’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. &Beyond 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. Accompanied by your ranger, enjoy an interpretive nature walk, around the lodge, where you learn more about the intricacies of the African bush, from discovering fascinating flora and reading animal tracks with your guide to meeting smaller wildlife up-close. Experience the thrill of tracking animals on foot, accompanied by an armed specialist ranger and tracker team.
Children of all ages are welcome at the lodge. For children, &Beyond offers a specially designed children’s programme to teach kids of all ages to appreciate and preserve our planet. Each child receives a WILDchild backpack filled with fun age-appropriate goodies and activities that guide children on how to protect our planet’s precious natural resources in a fun, interactive way. Family safaris expose the children of today to our continent’s fragile natural wonders and the communities that inhabit them and turn them into planet managers of tomorrow. Our guides will help your children to complete their activities, collect pods, feathers, bugs and leaves, and teach them to identify various animal species. Children are enchanted for hours on end in Africa’s playground, giving you a peaceful moment to enjoy the tranquillity of the bushveld.
FROM JOHANNESBURG TO PHINDA VLEI 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 Vlei Lodge - Wildlife Gallery

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Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge Phinda Game Reserve KwaZulu Natal 15
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Enquiry form - &Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge