Phinda Private Game Reserve

The first leg of the Trek is a three-night safari at &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge, a five-star, all-inclusive lodge set high above the reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Days will be shaped around safari drives, shared meals and time together at the lodge. Expect early starts, evenings around the fire and the chance to encounter the Big Five across one of South Africa’s most diverse private reserves.

Between drives, spacious rooms, private plunge pools and sweeping views towards the Lebombo foothills make Mountain Lodge an exceptional base for the experience.

Phinda means “the return” in isiZulu. Established in 1991 on land that had been heavily farmed and overgrazed, the reserve began as an ambitious restoration project: to rehabilitate the landscape, reintroduce the wildlife that once lived here and create a conservation model with lasting value for neighbouring communities.

Today, Phinda forms part of the nearly 30,000-hectare Munywana Conservancy. Seven distinct ecosystems, including rare sand forest, grassland, woodland and the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains, sustain an exceptional range of wildlife and birdlife.

The reserve is home to Africa’s Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. It is also particularly known for cheetah and rare black rhino, while more than 430 recorded bird species reflect the variety of its habitats. Giraffe, zebra, hippo, hyena, antelope and many smaller species complete a wildlife experience that extends well beyond the headline animals. Every drive is unscripted, and no individual sighting can be guaranteed.

Safari days start early, with open-air game drives at first light when the reserve is cool and wildlife is most active. After time to eat, rest and enjoy the lodge, the group heads out again in the afternoon.

Expert guides and trackers follow tracks, calls and animal behaviour, turning every drive into a chance to see and understand the wild. Expect early mornings, changing weather and plenty of excitement, with a relaxed pace between drives. Comfortable clothing and layers are essential.

After three nights at Phinda, we’ll trade game drives for the energy of one of the world’s most captivating cities. In Cape Town, we’ll step inside South African business, soak up the city’s vibrant culture and spectacular coastline, and enjoy its exceptional food scene beneath the unmistakable backdrop of Table Mountain.