Phinda Homestead, KwaZulu-Natal

Luxurious but also unpretentious and inviting, Phinda Homestead is an ideal venue within the Phinda Private Game Reserve to enjoy time away from it all with your family and friends.

Exclusive-use Home

Phinda Homestead is designed to give small groups of families and friends an ideal space to reconnect. There are only four bedrooms, accommodating a maximum of eight people. The villa is spacious and airy; there are generous courtyards and living areas that open up to the surrounding bushveld. Large windows flood the house with light and all beds are positioned to give you a great view from the moment you wake.

The roomy viewing decks give you uninterrupted views over your surrounds. There’s an inviting pool surrounded by comfy loungers. There’s also a small, well-equipped gym – with views, of course. And meals you can enjoy in the dining area or under the stars, lit by romantic lanterns in your own private outdoor boma.

Dedicated Staff

At Phinda Homestead, you’ll have your own ranger and host, a dedicated tracker who’ll accompany your party on game drives; your own chef who’ll prepare delicious meals and a butler to take care of your every need.

Excellent Game Viewing

With your own dedicated vehicle, guide and tracker, you can set off for game drives as and when you want to. Phinda Game Reserve offers all the Big 5 and you’ll have a good chance of spotting cheetah, lion and leopard, as well as the black and white rhino. There are also majestic nyala antelope in abundance. In the northern reaches of the park, you may be lucky enough to see some very rare species like the shy red duiker and the tiny Suni. The chef can also prepare you a picnic lunch if you want to make a day of it.

Variety of Activities

Some nearby activities include:

• Mzinene River Boat Cruises
• A Night Under the Skies
• Maputaland Beach Adventure
• Indian Ocean Scuba Safari
• Black Rhino Tracking on Foot
• Turtle Nesting Adventure (Seasonal – between November - February)
• Endangered Wild Cats Project
• Swimming with Whale Sharks

All-Year Destination

Phinda enjoys a subtropical climate. Summers are traditionally hot, wet and humid and last from September to April with day temperatures sometimes soaring above 35° C (95° F). Winters are mild and dry winters, rarely below 10° C (50° F), even at night. Game viewing is traditionally best from March until the end of September.

Getting There

By air: Definitely the easiest way to get there. Direct scheduled flights are available from OR Tambo International, Johannesburg to Phinda on certain days of the week. Daily flights also connect from Johannesburg to Durban (3-hour drive to Phinda) and Richards Bay (2-hour drive to Phinda) Airports. A light aircraft shuttle service is also available between Richards Bay and Phinda.

By road: From Johannesburg, it’s about a 6½-hour drive. Road transfers can be arranged.

Our Take on Phinda Homestead

It’s the perfect venue for a get together with family and friends. You have the whole place to yourself – with a butler, chef, dedicated guide and tracker. Everything is taken care of, so all you need to do is enjoy each other’s company and decide when you’d like your next game drive or outing. It’s a special place in spectacular surrounds.