The Phinda Private Game Reserve is an exclusive retreat at the foot of the majestic Lebombo Mountain Range in KwaZulu Natal. This exquisite reserve is home to an abundance of plant and animal species, making it a very rewarding South African experience for nature-lovers and those visiting the country, wanting to taste and touch its natural appeal.
Some of the wildest residents of the Phinda Private Game Reserve include the Big 5, as well as a number of other mammals and more than 400 bird species. Reptiles and insects abound to create the perfect balance of predators and prey. This reserve boasts seven ecosystems, each of which achieves a delicate balance in which a different combination of plants and animals can co-habit. This creates a truly African experience, with all of the splendour and variety that characterises this magnificent land.
There is also a conference centre at Phinda, catering to large corporate groups that want to incorporate the natural beauty of Kwa-Zulu Natal with their business-related discussions or events. Teambuilding initiatives at Phinda Private Game Reserve are sure to be memorable and effective. Morning and evening game drives showcase animals that are more active during the warmth and light of day as well as nocturnal ones that prefer to hunt under the cover of night.
Durban is 350 kilometres away from Phinda, and is home to the new King Shaka International Airport. This means that the reserve is accessible, even to international tourists.
Other attractions that are located within close proximity to the Phinda Private Game Reserve include:
• The St Lucia Wetland Park (with the largest estuarine system in all of Africa), now known as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
• Zulu villages in which traditional arts, crafts, music and culture are showcased to visitors.
• The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Park, which is home to about 1 600 White Rhino and 370 Black Rhino. This park is just an hour’s drive from Phinda Private Game Reserve.
• Sodwana Bay, a coastal park about 30 kilometres from Phinda, is popular for its many watersport opportunities.
Kwa-Zulu Natal is humid and warm to hot along the coast, with slightly cooler temperatures as you head further away from the coast and more inland. Summers at Phinda can experience soaring daytime highs in the mid- to late-30’s, but usually average around 30 degrees Celsius. Winters can get very cold inland, with night-time lows plummeting to zero. Therefore, visitors to the reserve should be prepared for weather extremes, depending on what time of year they visit. To find a place to stay for your visit to Phinda see places to stay in KwaZulu Natal for a variety of hotels, guest houses and self catering options.
