andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge South Africa
andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
www.andbeyond.com/
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
andBeyond
Shareholders
andBeyond is owned by two major shareholders, Yellowoods (the Enthoven family) and the Getty Family Trusts.
Date of Creation
1994
Hotel General Manager
Eric Buthelezi
General Lodge Manager for and Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Eric joined the andBeyond family in 1991 and has a wealth of experience working with people. His love for the bush is evident in all he does, as is his desire to create the ultimate memorable journey for guests.
Hotel Positioning
Luxury safari lodge
Development Strategy
In order to continuously deliver on the exceptional guest experience we are renowned for, andBeyond constantly reviews every aspect of our operations, from food and activities to hospitality and the upkeep of our facilities, giving our guests more for less.
andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
History & Story
andBeyond designs personalized high-end tours in 13 countries in Africa, five in Asia and four in South America, offering discerning travelers a rare and exclusive experience of the world as it should be. Operating 29 extraordinary lodges and camps in iconic safari, scenic and island destinations in Africa and South America which enables us to positively impact more than 9 million acres of wildlife land and 2,000 kilometers of coastline. Established in 1991, andBeyond strives to leave our world a better place than we found it through our care of the land, wildlife and people, and the delivery of extraordinary guest experiences.
Phinda Mountain Lodge is located in Phinda Private Game Reserve, in the Kwazulu Natal region of South Africa, encompassing an impressive 28 555 hectares of prime wilderness land, and offering a magnificent tapestry of seven distinct habitats to guests. Just 17 years ago, this land was largely dilapidated, degraded and bankrupt under agriculture and poor land management. Today it is regarded as one of the country’s most remarkable conservation successes, bringing together a pioneering partnership between private enterprise, conservation ideals and the neighbouring communities. Phinda includes six distinctive lodges (Forest Lodge, Mountain Lodge, Vlei Lodge, Rock Lodge, Zuka Lodge and Homestead) providing globally conscious international guests with unparalleled standards of hospitality and game viewing. The stability of Phinda has laid the foundation for the surrounding region, which now boasts a World Heritage Site as an ecotourism hotspot.
Phinda Mountain was designed to limit the environmental impact to an absolute minimum and still stands as one of the most credible examples of how development can be environmentally and socially responsible. The lodge is perfect for travellers looking for a diversity of wildlife and habitat, those looking to combine beach and bush, birding enthusiasts, families and photographers.
Date Renewal
Major structural changes and a full interior and exterior refurbishment was made to guest areas and all guest rooms in 2019 with the addition of a gym and massage sala. Architect : Imprint Architecture – Julia Williams. Interior Design : Fox Browne Creative
Designer : FoxBrowne Creative
Date added extensions
2019
Main Strengths, Special Touch
Specialises in group and family travel, with a dedicated kids room offering a selection of child activities.
Family Suite and family cottages available for small families; dedicated massage sala and gym. Magnificent reserve views. Large range of bush and beach activities including participative conservation experiences.
Location
Offering a rich wildlife viewing experience and a spectacular setting near the northern KwaZulu-Natal coastline, andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve boasts a variety of habitats and high density of game, including some rare and less easily spotted species. The reserve is home to a magnificent variety of wildlife, including the Big Five, but is best known for its large population of the elegant cheetah and the endangered black rhino, both of which are less easily spotted at other game reserves. Guests are able to get involved with a variety of conservation initiatives and activities.
With seven distinct habitats, andBeyond Phinda is a magnificent tapestry of landscapes, from woodland to grassland, wetland and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, river courses, marshes and pans.
Home to the unique ecosystem of a large portion of the world’s remaining rare sand forest, andBeyond Phinda is situated close to the unspoiled beaches and marine reefs of the Indian Ocean, with a combination of bush and beach adventures possible from the reserve.
Since its inception, andBeyond Phinda and community development partner Africa Foundation have been working with the communities surrounding the reserve, supporting projects in the local villages. Guests are also able to do community visits to gain an understanding into their cultures and contribute if they wish.
Key sites/activities in the area
Twice-daily game drives, nature walks and big game viewing walks are included. At an additional charge are a variety of Phinda Adventures including Zulu village tours, beach adventures, ocean safaris, night turtle drives, scuba safaris, black rhino tracking on foot, specialist walking safaris, and an incredible ‘sleeping under the stars’ experience. Guests are also able to glimpse the daily lives of local communities on community excursions with the Africa Foundation. A variety of participative conservation initiatives are available as well as a newly launched set-departure Impact Small Group Journey that allows guests behind the scenes access to ranger training and wildlife research.Specialist Safaris include birding, infrared night eye evening drives, photographic, specialist walking, family and private safaris.
Fun Facts
Phinda has 520 hectares of the world’s only remaining dry sand forest.
Phinda is famous for its long list of conservation firsts, pioneered over more than 25 years
In 2007, in a pioneering move for land distribution in South Africa, andBeyond and the leaders of the Makhasa and Mnqobokazi communities, signed a mutually beneficial deal resulting in the restoration of 9 085 hectares of land to those communities, its ancestral owners.
andBeyond is renowned for having some of the most highly trained, professional, passionate and knowledgeable guides. We run three full-time ranger training schools, one of which is on Phinda.
Children’s Corner
Children will have the opportunity to embark on our very exciting WILDChild programme, which is filled with fun, interactive activities that offer opportunities to learn and discover new experiences and cultures at our lodges across Africa. Adventures include beading, vehicle painting, frogging, baking in between game drives, tracking, fishing and impala dung spitting competitions. Children above 16 can participate on Walking Safaris; children aged 6 to 11 are permitted on game drives at the lodge manager’s discretion.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
16 suites, six cottages (or 3 adjoined family cottages), and one family suite (with four bedrooms)
Boasting 16 suites, six cottages (or three family cottages), and the exclusive family suite. Roomy luxurious suites boast natural light through expansive glass windows, elegant ensuite bathrooms inspired by Zulu basketware designs, a beautifully appointed personal bar, private sitting area, lounge and a spacious veranda with a plunge pool and outdoor shower.
Restaurants & Bars
The guests’ stay is fully inclusive of all meals and drinks. Pan-African dinners by one of the best chefs in the industry can be enjoyed alfresco on the deck, privately or in a group, in the bush, or in the traditional boma for open air dining. At breakfast a continental buffet will be served from our interactive kitchen with hot dishes available à la carte. Lunch is served on the main deck with individual tables and guests can order from the menu.
Wellness
A gym that features state-of-the-art equipment, leads out to a yoga deck with a view. The rim flow pool follows the contours of the hill, with magnificent views of the Lebombo foothills, and the lodge massage sala is the ideal place to unwind with rejuvenating massages and select treatments.
Corporate & Celebration Events
The lodge has a maximum of 50 guests, sharing 16 suites and six cottages. We are able to make the rest of the reserve available on an exclusive use basis (122 beds). We welcome large groups, with conferencing facilities at the lodge. We love celebrations (birthdays, weddings, blessings) and welcome corporate incentives and team buildings. We would be happy to create a tailor-made programme for any event.
Extra notable features
Guests can now embark on a journey of discovery with a privately guided 7-day Phinda Impact Small Group Journey that aims to highlight conservation and community development activities, which underpin the andBeyond ethos of “leaving the world a better place than we found it”.
We offer a variety of Specialist Safaris include birding, infrared night eye evening safaris, photographic, specialist walking, family and private safaris.
Hotel and Restaurant Awards
2019
- The Best Adventure Travel Experiences in Departure Magazine.
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The 2019 Legend Awards for the Pangolin Conservation Experience (USA)
2016-2018
- #20 in Handelszeitung Magazine Top 20 Best Safari Lodges for Adventurers (Switzerland)
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Recognition of Excellence Award by HotelsCombine (UK)
Number of employees
113 employees