Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / South Africa / Phinda / &Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
Phinda, South Africa · andBeyond · High Luxury
Six thatched suites sit on the edge of a rare sand forest overlooking a wetland vlei in Phinda Private Game Reserve, which Conservation Corporation Africa established in 1991 to turn degraded farmland back into wilderness. Vlei Lodge opened in the late 1990s and was refurbished in 2018, with further updates ahead of a scheduled July 2026 reopening.
- 6 rooms
- Opened 1996
- Neighborhood: Big Five False Bay Ward 1
- Rooms from 1,862 sq ft (173 m²)
About &Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge
- Phinda Private Game Reserve was established in 1991 by Conservation Corporation Africa, now andBeyond, restoring former farmland to wilderness.
- Vlei Lodge's six thatched suites overlook a wetland from the edge of a rare sand forest in KwaZulu-Natal.
- The lodge was refurbished in 2018 and is scheduled to reopen after further updates in July 2026.
- Entry-level rooms start at 1,862 sq ft (173 m²).
History
Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, was established in 1991 by Conservation Corporation Africa (now &Beyond), a pioneering effort to restore former farmland to wilderness. Vlei Lodge, one of the reserve's intimate camps, opened in the late 1990s (sources cite 1996 and 1998).
Set on the edge of a rare sand forest, the six thatched suites overlook a wetland (vlei). The lodge was refurbished in 2018 and is scheduled to reopen following further updates in July 2026.
Experiences
- Twice-daily game drives — Early morning and late afternoon game drives with expert guides and trackers, including night drives; included in rate.
- Nature walks — Guided walks with armed guides, subject to availability; included in rate.
- Sleepout under the stars — Bush sleepout with sundowners, a guide-prepared meal and armed guard; additional cost.
- Mzinene River boating experience — Boat journey on the Mzinene River with birdwatching.
- E-biking adventure — Battery-assisted e-bike routes of 5 to 22 km through the sand forest; minimum age 12.
- Black rhino tracking — On-foot tracking of black rhino with ranger and tracker.
Amenities
- Firepit
- Deck with views of the vlei
- Library
- Bar
- Personal bar and coffee station in each Suite
- Wi-Fi in all rooms and guest areas
- In-room safe
- Hairdryer
- Telephone
- Mosquito nets
- Complimentary laundry service
- Power 220v AC
- Private sala with pool loungers
- Private butler service
- Plated service
- Private dining
Open &Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
More andBeyond hotels
- &BEYOND Ngala Treehouse — Hoedspruit, South Africa · Grand Luxury
- &Beyond Phinda Homestead — Phinda, South Africa · Grand Luxury
- &Beyond Phinda Zuka Lodge — Phinda, South Africa · Grand Luxury
- &Beyond Tengile River Lodge — Sabi Sand, South Africa · Grand Luxury
- andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve — Hluhluwe, South Africa · Grand Luxury
- &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp — Ngala, South Africa · High Luxury
More hotels in Phinda
- &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge — andBeyond · High Luxury
- &Beyond Phinda Rock Lodge — andBeyond · High Luxury
- &Beyond Phinda Homestead — andBeyond · Grand Luxury
- &Beyond Phinda Zuka Lodge — andBeyond · Grand Luxury
andBeyond in The Maison: the brand's idea, history and every house on the atlas.