Phinda Rock Lodge

Face-to-face with lions and rhino after breakfast, up close to a Whale Shark or battling sailfish after lunch. That's the Phinda experience, one of the most exciting safari destinations in Africa. Located between the azure waters of the Indian Ocean and the lush waterways of the World Heritage Greater Saint Lucia Wetland Park, Phinda's 17 000 hectares span seven unique ecosystems. Nestled below the Lebombo Mountains of Northern KwaZulu-Natal, Phinda is a Zulu word meaning "the return". In one of the biggest reintroductions of game in Africa, Phinda was restocked with lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard, giraffe and other big game in an operation dubbed "phinda izilwane", return of the wild animals.

Game drives are only one aspect of the Phinda experience. There is little that can compete with the "Flight of the Fish Eagle" air safari - soaring over a bay where the diversity of species rivals Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Or floating past pods of hippo in a canoe or river boat. Scuba diving, snorkelling and deep-sea fishing are just a hop away. And in the evenings, immerse yourself in the ancient culture of Southern Africa's warrior tribe, the Zulu.

THE LODGES

We offer four diverse lodges within one reserve. Forest, Vlei, Rock and Mountain Lodge each capture the magical flair of CC Africa. Phinda is not only a luxury destination, it is also a dynamic working model in wise land management and creative wildlife conservation.

ROCK LODGE

The ingenious stone and wood cliff chalets of Phinda Rock Lodge are chiselled into the rock face overlooking the impressive Leopard Rock. This is one of the few places in the world where you can sip your drink while watching Bateleur eagles swoop by at eye-level.

Each of the six suites has a large bedroom and an en suite bathroom with bath and shower. Each suite, suspended from the edge of the rocky cliff, has its own private lounge, deck and plunge pool, all offering unrivalled views. Three suites have both indoor and outdoor showers.
Overlooking scenic Leopard Rock, the lodge's rough-hewn sandstone and adobe walls and ochre-packed roofs cling to the rock face. A beautiful extension of the natural environment, the rock foundations blend seamlessly into the mountain's contours.

The suites are decorated with artwork from Spain and Mexico. The colour scheme is warm and inviting, blending beautifully with the ochre mud-packed walls ("adobe" style). Terminalia wood, gathered from the bush-clearing project in the north of the reserve, is used as a supporting feature.

Expanses of windows frame views of impressive rock formations, and fill the rooms with light. In the private lounge, a beautiful sisal rug is complemented by comfortable lounge chairs, perfect for relaxing and admiring the view.

Savannah grasslands and the majestic Lebombo Mountains can be seen clearly from the central areas. An open fireplace in the lounge draws winter guests. Fiery sunsets are captured on the west-facing outside deck, which is suspended over the bushveld. You are welcome to visit the curio shop at Mountain Lodge.