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&Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge
Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa · andBeyond · High Luxury
Rebuilt in 2023 without touching its original 1990s footprint, since it sits inside one of Africa's last surviving dry sand forests, Phinda Forest Lodge raises its 16 suites on stilts so guests sleep among the tree canopy rather than beside it. Architect Jack Alexander and designers Fox Browne Creative wrapped bathtubs in woven Zulu cane baskets and lined walls in traditional grass matting, work that helped the lodge win a 2025 Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Award for South Africa's best resorts.
- 16 rooms
- Opened 1991
- Neighborhood: Big Five False Bay Ward 3
- Rooms from 1,022 sq ft (95 m²)
- Architect: Jack Alexander
- Interiors: Fox Browne Creative
About &Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge
- The lodge's 16 suites rise on stilts within the sand forest canopy; the 2023 rebuild could not expand beyond the original early-1990s footprint to protect the surrounding ancient dry sand forest.
- Architect Jack Alexander reworked each suite's layout around the existing structure, moving bathrooms to the center and enlarging glass walls for constant forest views.
- Original freestanding bathtubs were rewrapped in baskets of woven cane, and walls were clad in traditional Zulu grass mats by designers Fox Browne Creative.
- The lodge won a 2025 Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Award for Best Resorts in South Africa.
- It sits inside andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve's roughly 1,000 hectares of dry sand forest, one of the last remaining tracts of this ecosystem in Africa.
History
Phinda Forest Lodge was originally built in the early 1990s as one of the first lodges in andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, its stilted suites woven into one of Africa's last surviving dry sand forests. In 2023 the lodge underwent a full interior rebuild led by architect Jack Alexander with hospitality design firm Fox Browne Creative; to protect the fragile sand forest ecosystem, the footprint of the 16 suites could not be expanded, so the redesign reworked layouts within the existing structure, enlarging glass walls and moving bathrooms to the center of each suite for constant forest views. The lodge won a 2025 Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Award for Best Resorts in South Africa.
Experiences
- Family safari (WILDchild) — Supervised activities for children aged 3-12, including bark rubbing, bug collecting and frog safaris.
- Safari game drives — Twice-daily game drives in the company of expert guides and trackers, included in the rate.
- Nature walks — One hour nature walks accompanied by armed guides, subject to availability, included in the rate.
- Sleepout under the stars — Overnight bush sleepout with sundowners, a meal cooked on the fire and an armed guard patrolling at night; additional cost.
- Black rhino tracking — Guided walk tracking black rhino on foot; additional cost.
- Zulu village visit — Visit to an authentic Zulu homestead, a sangoma training school and a handicraft market; additional cost.
Amenities
- Interactive kitchen
- Bush banquets
- Safari Shop
- Ardmore gallery
- The Gallery (South African art and natural history books)
- Bike shed
- Wi-Fi in all rooms and guest areas
- Complimentary laundry service
- Private butler service
- Weddings and blessings
- Plated service
- Private dining
- Kosher and halaal available at additional cost with at least 4 weeks notice
- Childminding at additional cost
- Kids club
Awards
- Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Award, Best Resorts in South Africa (2025)
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