Phinda Vlei Lodge

At Phinda Vlei Lodge simply spending time in your spacious suite is like being on safari. With each suite carefully positioned for a prime view of the animals coming out to drink and panoramic vistas from even your shower or bathtub, the game viewing never stops! Set on the edge of the forest and overlooking an open meadow (or vlei), complete with watering hole, this wildlife playground brings your game encounters up close and personal. Each morning and early evening the animals appear, dotting the sweeping vlei in a never-ending wildlife parade.

Whether from the intimate guest areas or the seclusion of your own suite, watch the daily details of the bush come to life, from the antics of the monkeys and the prolific birdlife to the herds of zebra or families of warthog ambling along the open vlei.

Accommodation at Phinda Vlei Lodge consists of:

Carefully tucked away in one of six secluded suites perfectly integrated into the African bush, you are virtually guaranteed to see more animals than people during your stay - and that's not counting the game drives! Each moment brings a new surprise, as man made barriers melt away and the wonders of the bush are revealed at every turn.

Elegant and serene, the gracious spaces of Phinda Vlei Lodge are designed for quiet contemplation of the African wilderness. With each suite's deck opening up onto a dazzling view of the clearing beyond, combine your game viewing with a refreshing dip in your private plunge pool, but be prepared to share it with a thirsty elephant or impala!

Each suite boasts not only a private sitting area and ensuite bathroom, but also a dressing room and game viewing deck, so you may not ever want to leave, even for meals. Not that you will have to - private dining in your suite can be arranged, as can more social meals on the dining deck or even on the edge of the vlei. On clear, cold winter nights keep the chill at bay relaxing in front of a roaring fire in the sitting room before retiring to the comfort of a warm bed.

At Phinda, it is our passion to share our knowledge and understanding of the bush and its inhabitants with our guests. How we do this is up to you - choose whether you prefer to do your game viewing from the comfort of a safari vehicle, close up on foot or even from a boat or canoe. Our highly trained rangers and trackers will do their utmost to delight guests with a selection of the following activities:

Twice daily game drives - conducted in an open air safari vehicle in the early morning and late afternoon / evening and accompanied by an armed ranger and Zulu tracker

Interpretive bush walks - a leisurely walk within easy reach of your lodge to take in the sights, smells and sounds of the African bush, accompanied by an armed ranger

Mzinene River canoeing - coast smoothly down the Mzinene River in a sturdy canoe disturbed only by the dipping of your oars and the occasional splash of a water bird. Take in the riverine vegetation and the local bird life, and, if you're lucky, your quiet approach might earn you a choice wildlife sighting as the animals come down to drink

Mzinene River boat cruise - glide down the river at sunrise or sunset, watching the smaller denizens of the bush perform their morning or evening rituals. Listen to birdsong chiming from the surrounding trees and watch the lazy splashes of hippo or crocodile as they wake from their slumber or settle down at the end of a busy day