Phinda Private Game Reserve
Nestled in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Phinda is different from your ordinary safari destination. Here, the Big Five roam freely through the vast 286 km² (110 mi²) landscape, and the sunsets paint the skies with vibrant hues that will leave you breathless. It’s a place where the untamed meets luxury, and where every bush whispers secrets of untold wildlife encounters.
Picture yourself in an open-top Land Rover, the wind in your hair, and the African sun warming your skin as you traverse the lush savannas and dense forests. Elephants march gracefully, lions cast their majestic gaze, and rhinos graze without a care in the world, all while their beauty and charisma spellbind you.
But the magic of Phinda extends far beyond its wildlife. You’ll find yourself in luxurious lodges, where the stars above are your canopy and the sounds of the wild are your lullaby. Wake up to the dawn chorus of birds, savour gourmet meals under the starlit African sky, and feel the primal connection to the land as you walk in the footsteps of Africa’s most iconic creatures.
Best Time To Visit Phinda on a Safari
Our top tip, great game viewing and whale watching are at their best in July/August and the perfect beach holiday including good game viewing and seeing turtles laying their eggs can be awesome in February
Animals on a Safari in Phinda
Other Destinations That Share Phinda's Best Months To Travel
The ‘Mother City’ boasts spectacular natural beauty, superb accommodation and some of the best beaches in the world! The city’s award-winning food and wine are as good as anywhere else on the planet. From Table Mountain to Cape Point, there is something for everybody.
The oldest proclaimed nature reserve in South Africa. It consists of 960 km² of mountainous landscape, in central KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. The park is one of the very few parks in KwaZulu-Natal where the Big Five can be found.
The park is located along the northeastern coast of South Africa. More than 6,500 species of plants and animals are supported here. Whales, dolphins, leatherback and loggerhead turtles can be spotted from the coast, and flamingos live the African dream in the vast wetlands.
South Africa’s biggest and best-known national park is home to the country’s greatest diversity of wildlife. Kruger’s real draw is an almost guaranteed encounter with the super-celebrities of the safari circuit: Africa’s iconic Big 5. You can expect sightings all year round.
This is a vast area of pristine wilderness located in the north of Botswana. The entire area is superb for elephants. There are a few rival prides of lion and this is also an excellent area for spotting the elusive leopard and rare wild dog.
The Okavango Delta is one of the most inspiring wilderness locations in Africa, if not the entire planet. The Delta is a truly unspoiled wilderness with terrain ranging from dry grasslands to swamps. Possible animals to be sighted include cheetahs, lion prides, leopards on the prowl, zebra, giraffes and elephants.
This most famous park in Zimbabwe provides a haven for 107 mammal species and more than 400 recorded types of birds. If it’s elephants you want to see (there are between 45,000 and 60,000 living in Hwange), then this is the place. Hwange is most commonly combined with Victoria Falls.
Kafue National Park covers a massive 22,400 km². It remains little-known and largely unexplored with vast tracts of its virgin bush still untouched. Thanks to its size and variety of habitat types the it holds a fantastic diversity of wildlife. The Busanga Plains is famed for its prides of lions.
Lake Kariba is famous for its ghost-like trees that seemingly float on the water. It offers remarkable natural beauty protected by some of the finest nature reserves on the planet and it hosts an abundance of wildlife. Its creation provided perfect conditions for wildlife to thrive.
Mana Pools is considered one of the prettiest reserves in the world. Its location near the Zambezi River gives it large pools that support an amazing collection of wildlife. Canoe safaris, a terrific way to see animals. It’s also one of the best places in Southern Africa to see endangered wild dogs.
The Falls, traditionally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘the Smoke that Thunders’, are the largest in the world when you combine their height and width. Fed by the Zambezi River, they provide all sorts of adventures like visits to Livingstone Island, swimming in Devil’s Pool on the precipice, and sunset cruises.
The Best Phinda Safaris
Kruger to Phinda Beach to Bush Safari
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