Travel Journal

I arrived at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve yesterday and was greeted by the most extraordinary welcome party imaginable! As our plane descended towards the airstrip, a lioness and her two teenage cubs stood at the very edge, almost as if they were waving us in. It was a surreal moment, seeing these magnificent creatures up close, their presence both thrilling and humbling. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any more exciting, a majestic male lion made his appearance, as if to personally greet us and welcome us to his domain.

The game viewing here at Phinda has been nothing short of spectacular. No photograph could ever capture the essence of the experience. We’ve seen elephants, hyenas, lions, giraffes, warthogs, buffalo, zebras, white rhinos, and so much more. Often, these animals’ curiosity brings them so close to our safari vehicle that we can see the intricate details of their eyelashes and hear the gentle sound of their breathing. Each encounter feels like a privileged glimpse into the lives of these wild creatures.

Spanning an impressive 29,866 hectares (73,800 acres) of protected wildlife land in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, &BEYOND Phinda Private Game Reserve offers one of the continent’s finest game viewing experiences. Home to Africa’s Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—the reserve also boasts 436 bird species. Phinda is particularly renowned for its close-up sightings of the elegant yet elusive cheetah, as well as the rare and endangered black rhino.

Phinda is often described as the ‘Seven Worlds of Wonder’ due to its seven distinct habitats. It’s a magnificent tapestry of woodland, grassland, wetland, and forest, interspersed with mountain ranges, rivers, marshes, and pans. This diversity creates an ever-changing landscape that is as breathtaking as it is unique. One of the most remarkable aspects of Phinda is its 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of Africa’s remaining rare dry sand forest, a sanctuary for some of the continent’s most unique flora and fauna.

The reserve’s proximity to the unspoiled beaches and spectacular coral reefs of the Indian Ocean offers an unmatched combination of bush and beach adventures. Imagine starting your day with a thrilling game drive, witnessing the raw beauty of the African savannah, and ending it with a peaceful walk along a pristine beach, the waves gently lapping at your feet.

Every moment at Phinda feels like a page out of a wildlife documentary, but with the added thrill of being there in person. The sights, sounds, and even the smells of the bush are so vivid and immersive that they create an indelible imprint on the soul. It’s an experience that transcends the ordinary, offering a profound connection to nature and a deeper understanding of the intricate web of life that thrives here.

In just a short time, Phinda has captured my heart with its unparalleled beauty and incredible wildlife encounters. This journey has been a reminder of the importance of preserving these magnificent creatures and their habitats for future generations to cherish.