Phinda Mountain | Best South Africa Safari Lodges

The place

I feel like an eagle alighting upon its nest after a day in the skies. Okay, since we’d just spent four sublime days in Cape Town it hasn’t been so much a day in the skies as a quick hop over to Phinda Private Game Reserve, followed by a short drive to Phinda Mountain Lodge. But stepping out onto the verandah of our exclusive family suite – perched up on the crest of the majestic Lebombo Mountains, with raptor’s-eye views over the reserve – I feel a great serenity settling over me. Being on safari is one thing; being above safari is quite a different experience. It’s worth it for the view alone. I’d heard the reserve was known as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’, but from up at the lodge you get an actual sense of what that means: composed of seven distinct habitats, the 23,000-ha Phinda is like a greatest-hits compilation of varying African wilderness, encompassing forest, woodland, wetland, grassland and other biomes I couldn’t name.

I feel like an eagle alighting upon its nest after a day in the skies. Okay, since we’d just spent four sublime days in Cape Town it hasn’t been so much a day in the skies as a quick hop over to Phinda Private Game Reserve, followed by a short drive to Phinda Mountain Lodge. But stepping out onto the verandah of our exclusive family suite – perched up on the crest of the majestic Lebombo Mountains, with raptor’s-eye views over the reserve – I feel a great serenity settling over me. Being on safari is one thing; being above safari is quite a different experience.

It’s worth it for the view alone. I’d heard the reserve was known as ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’, but from up at the lodge you get an actual sense of what that means: composed of seven distinct habitats, the 23,000-ha Phinda is like a greatest-hits compilation of varying African wilderness, encompassing forest, woodland, wetland, grassland and other biomes I couldn’t name.

The room

We’ve scarcely walked into the suite before my 10-year-old has set up position with her binoculars glued to her face, checklist on her lap. Phinda is home to the Big Five and a host of other game, as well as a whopping 400-odd bird species. Meanwhile, our teenager has scampered off to the pool, leaving the parents to unpack the bags. The family suite has two adult bedrooms designed with a mix of modern chic and classical African styling, each with an en-suite bathroom featuring indoor and alfresco showers, and two interleading children’s rooms, which make it easier to keep an eye on our toddler. A spacious private verandah leads off from the shared lounge, and there’s a butler service to take care of our every need. With the weather playing ball and that big dining table on the verandah, we eat dinner at the communal boma only one night, choosing to take advantage of the suite’s private catering, sharing stories of the day’s adventures to a chorus of cicadas and the sounds of distant animals. Sitting there looking around the table at the assembled faces, I feel for a moment as if we might be the only people in the reserve.

We’ve scarcely walked into the suite before my 10-year-old has set up position with her binoculars glued to her face, checklist on her lap. Phinda is home to the Big Five and a host of other game, as well as a whopping 400-odd bird species. Meanwhile, our teenager has scampered off to the pool, leaving the parents to unpack the bags.

The family suite has two adult bedrooms designed with a mix of modern chic and classical African styling, each with an en-suite bathroom featuring indoor and alfresco showers, and two interleading children’s rooms, which make it easier to keep an eye on our toddler. A spacious private verandah leads off from the shared lounge, and there’s a butler service to take care of our every need.

With the weather playing ball and that big dining table on the verandah, we eat dinner at the communal boma only one night, choosing to take advantage of the suite’s private catering, sharing stories of the day’s adventures to a chorus of cicadas and the sounds of distant animals. Sitting there looking around the table at the assembled faces, I feel for a moment as if we might be the only people in the reserve.

What sets it apart

My partner and I wanted to take our three kids on an unforgettable adventure to one of South Africa’s best safari lodges, but we also wanted a little time to ourselves – a holiday is, after all, meant to be a holiday. This was easy with the lodge’s babysitting service – particularly with our littlest one, who’s more at toddling than game-spotting age. Turns out we needn’t have worried. &Beyond’s WILDChild Programme makes the low-malaria-risk reserve a dream for kids and parents alike, with activities that go far beyond babysitting: over three days, our elder two learn fishing, tracking, traditional beading and crafting, with an emphasis on conservation-minded fun. This means us adults can enjoy a couple of private walking safaris with our experienced tracker – in-between the twice-daily game drives in our own private game vehicle – which get us up close and personal with a cheetah and, astonishingly, a rare black rhino. We even squeeze in a scuba safari to nearby Sodwana Bay, where the sparkling Indian Ocean offers yet another contrast to our wonder-weary eyes.

My partner and I wanted to take our three kids on an unforgettable adventure to one of South Africa’s best safari lodges, but we also wanted a little time to ourselves – a holiday is, after all, meant to be a holiday. This was easy with the lodge’s babysitting service – particularly with our littlest one, who’s more at toddling than game-spotting age.

Turns out we needn’t have worried. &Beyond’s WILDChild Programme makes the low-malaria-risk reserve a dream for kids and parents alike, with activities that go far beyond babysitting: over three days, our elder two learn fishing, tracking, traditional beading and crafting, with an emphasis on conservation-minded fun.

This means us adults can enjoy a couple of private walking safaris with our experienced tracker – in-between the twice-daily game drives in our own private game vehicle – which get us up close and personal with a cheetah and, astonishingly, a rare black rhino. We even squeeze in a scuba safari to nearby Sodwana Bay, where the sparkling Indian Ocean offers yet another contrast to our wonder-weary eyes.

At a glance

Private, spacious family suite perched high above Phinda Private Game Reserve. With two adult bedrooms, each with en-suite bathroom, and two interleading children’s rooms, it comfortably sleeps eight. A private verandah leads off the shared lounge, and a nearby path leads down to the swimming pool and boma.
Exclusive family suite, private safari vehicle, butler service, private meals available flexible schedules.
Game drives, walking safaris, cultural visits, night turtle dives (seasonal, additional cost), Maputaland beach adventure (additional cost), scuba safaris (additional cost), ocean safaris (additional cost), black rhino tracking on foot (minimum age 16, additional cost), fishing, night under the stars (minimum age 12, additional cost), specialist safaris (eg photographic, additional cost), spa treatments (additional cost) and swimming.
Children welcome. Family suite with two interleading children’s rooms ideal for families. WILDChild Programme and babysitting available (additional cost).

Private, spacious family suite perched high above Phinda Private Game Reserve. With two adult bedrooms, each with en-suite bathroom, and two interleading children’s rooms, it comfortably sleeps eight. A private verandah leads off the shared lounge, and a nearby path leads down to the swimming pool and boma.
Exclusive family suite, private safari vehicle, butler service, private meals available flexible schedules.
Game drives, walking safaris, cultural visits, night turtle dives (seasonal, additional cost), Maputaland beach adventure (additional cost), scuba safaris (additional cost), ocean safaris (additional cost), black rhino tracking on foot (minimum age 16, additional cost), fishing, night under the stars (minimum age 12, additional cost), specialist safaris (eg photographic, additional cost), spa treatments (additional cost) and swimming.
Children welcome. Family suite with two interleading children’s rooms ideal for families. WILDChild Programme and babysitting available (additional cost).

Prices

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.

Not only do African safari lodge prices shift with the seasons, they also change based on your length of stay, room type, travel party composition, special offers, if your trip involves stays at sister lodges – and for more reasons besides.
It’s worth noting that depending on your itinerary, your lodge cost will make up about 75–85% of your total safari trip cost.
Our safaris are tailor-made to match your personal safari dream, we’d be delighted if you’d allow us to create a bespoke proposal for you. Simply enquire now – our quotes are complimentary and obligation-free.
However, to help you get an idea of safari lodge prices we’ve created three safari-lodge categories with various price ranges, to find out more click here.