 Phinda Private Game Reserve is situated in the lush Maputaland region in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Bordering the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site – Phinda comprises 17 500 hectares (43 240 acres) of prime conservation land. Seven distinct habitats shelter an abundance of wildlife including Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo) and over 380 bird species, while the marine diversity off the nearby coast of Sodwana is said to rival the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Guests can look forward to exciting game-drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles led by experienced rangers and Zulu trackers, as well as thrilling optional activities on the water, in the air and on the beach.  Unique safari accommodation: Phinda's six splendid safari lodges offer sophistication and style in pristine African bush surrounds.
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WHY CHOOSE PHINDA FOR YOUR SAFARI?
- Seven diverse habitats
- Six intimate safari lodges
- Exhilarating Walking Safaris
- Exceptional African Big Five game viewing
- Game-drives in open 4x4 vehicles
- Excellent Birdwatching and Leopard Research Safaris
- Thrilling beach and bush adventures
- Winner of prestigious ecotourism awards
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MAPUTALAND - SOUTH AFRICA 
Bounded by Swaziland and Zululand in the west and Mozambique to the north, Maputaland is KwaZulu-Natal’s northern-most region is a largely flat area of game parks, wetlands and marine reserves. Sparsely populated, this region is one of the most unspoilt areas of the province, and a region where the wonders of the African bush can be experienced first-hand.
'Maputaland' comes from the Maputo River that flows through the area. The area was originally under water and has risen only slightly above sea level with the result that the rivers dawdle and meander on their way to the sea and there are a large number of freshwater and brackish lakes and pans. The many small lakes that form are home to many species of fish, water birds, crocodiles and hippo. The local inhabitants have developed ingenious traps across the lakes to trap the fish.
This wild and unspoilt region comprises of the following Reserves: - Sodwana Bay Coastal Reserve is a scuba diver’s delight, with its many coral reefs and abundant sea-life.
- The Tembe Elephant Park to the North, contains the last wild elephants in KwaZulu-Natal. There are also buffaloes, rhinos, hippos and leopards in the park.
- The Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park, the jewel in the Maputaland crown, has gained international recognition for it’s ecotourism practices and is a world famous tourist destination.
- Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, situated at the mouth of the Kosi River, consists of many lakes, lagoons, mangrove swamps, palm forests and dunes. To protect the highly sensitive ecosystem, the number of visitors is limited and can only be accessed by four-wheel drive.
- Ndumu Game Reserve is a 10,000 hectare game reserve on the border to Mozambique. More than 400 bird species, white and black rhino, hippo, crocodile and many antelope species can be found in the Reserve.
- The False Bay Nature Reserve, situated on the western shores of Lake St Lucia, is home to an impressive sand forest - one of the most threatened vegetation types in South Africa, and host to a number of rare trees, shrubs and climbers.
Please note that Maputaland is a malaria area. It is advised to take malaria prophylaxis.
GREATER ST LUCIA WETLAND PARK - SOUTH AFRICA 
The Greater St. Lucia Wetland area, Africa’s oldest nature reserve and a World Heritage Site is the largest estuarine system in Africa. The area embraces five ecosystems: Marine, Eastern Shores, St. Lucia Lake, Mkuze Swamps and Western Shores. This diversity offers the nature lover a rich variety of outdoor and wildlife experiences.
- 800 hippos
- 1200 Nile crocodiles
- 400 species of birds including 40 000 flamingos
- Wilderness trails
- Elephants, rhinos, coelacanths and whales coexisting within a few miles of each other.
- 100 miles of unspoilt coastline
- Ancient swamp forests
- 109 species of reptiles
- The big five mammals
- Five species of turtles
- Zulu cultural groups
- 2000 plant species
- The world's highest density of the black rhinoceros
65 kms long and 21 kms wide, with its lakes, lagoons, freshwater swamps, and grasslands, St. Lucia supports more species of animal than the better-known Kruger National Park and the Okavango Delta, although these areas are much larger. Although rich in bird and wildlife, for centuries, people have also come to the St. Lucia Estuary for the food and materials that it and the surrounding wetlands offer. To this day, thousands of Zulus harvest ncema grass each spring, which they use to make sleeping and sitting mats.
History of the St. Lucia Wetlands
The history of St. Lucia begins in 1575, when the Portuguese explorer Manuel Peresterello landed in the area on the feast of St. Lucy. In 1897, the area was designated a Game Reserve.
In 1989, a mining company proposed to bulldoze dunes along the eastern peninsula in order to remove titanium and other metals. This caused uproar amongst conservationists and, using strong mining laws, they convinced the government to have an environmental assessment prepared. The South African Government carefully weighed the potential economic benefits of allowing the mining against the disruption and further degradation of an area greatly in need of restoration. Late in 1993, the panel conducting the environmental assessment advised against the mining proposal.
In 1996, the government announced its aim to create jobs in the area, using the St. Lucia Park as the core. Already, KwaZulu-Natal attracts nearly three-quarters of South Africa’s tourism, but too few jobs have been created as a result. Although Phinda, north of Lake St. Lucia, has created more jobs than the proposed mine operations would have generated, still more jobs need to be created.
With coordination by the Wilderness Foundation, local, national, and international conservation organisations are working with the park authority of KwaZulu and Natal to replace the 150 jobs that would have been generated by the mining project.
Disputed land claims, squatting in protected areas, uncontrolled fishing practices, and the spread of exotic plants all present challenges to achieving sustainable development of the area. However, awarded World Heritage Site status in 2000 as an area of outstanding natural value, the Greater St Lucia Wetland area is now fully protected from external threats. To achieve such status, the area had to meet three criteria: unique ecological processes, superlative natural phenomena and exceptionally rich biodiversity.
SODWANA BAY - SOUTH AFRICA
Phinda is situated just 30km/19 miles due west of the white-fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean - approximately an hour's drive. Renowned for its scuba diving, snorkelling and sport fishing, the coastal park of Sodwana Bay rivals the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
- Spectacular scuba diving and snorkelling
- Only tropical dive site in South Africa
- Beach drives
- Deep sea game fishing
- Marlin, whale shark, sailfish, dolphins and manta rays
- Five species of turtles
Scuba Diving at Sodwana Bay
Sodwana Bay has gained international recognition as being a top dive and snorkelling site due to the variety of coral reefs, excellent visibility and phenomenal sea life. More than 1200 species of fish are found at Sodwana Bay and is abundant on and around the various reefs of hard corals, pinnacles, buttresses, caves and blowholes. The average visibility is 12m, but can get as good as 40m as there are no rivers running into the sea in this area, which usually bring all sorts of pollutants. The diving is good all year round. In summer the water temperature can reach 29° C, and the lowest is a mild 20° C. Many reefs are found at 18 meters or less, allowing for excellent snorkelling.
Turtle Viewing
Sodwana also has five species of resident Turtles that regularly frequent the shores. Two of which, the Loggerhead and the Leatherback visit every year during the months of November through to March, to lay their eggs. It is a privilege to witness these creatures coming ashore in their droves to nest, and an even more incredible sight to then to watch the eggs hatch and their off-spring struggling to survive in a world full of hungry predators. There are only a few of these sites in the world and Maputaland boasts the longest running protection programs for turtles in the world.
Fishing
Ski-boaters and shore anglers have the opportunity to catch a number of different game fish; barracuda, yellowfin tuna and kingfish to name a few. Fishing competitions are held regularly. Sodwana has produced record billfish and sailfish. Please note that Phinda supports catch and release procedures for deep-sea fishing HLUHLUWE - UMFOLOZI GAME PARK - SOUTH AFRICA
The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is one of the oldest and most prestigious of the South African game parks. Located 280km north of Durban, this 960km˛ wilderness has a warm and moist climate. Credited with bringing the white rhino from the brink of extinction to flourishing numbers, it is also home to the Big Five.
- Sanctuary for the black and white rhino
- The Big Five
- Breathtaking scenery and viewing points
- Over 350 species of birds
- Game-drives, self drives, guided walks and self walks
 The Umfolozi and Hluhluwe reserves were joined in 1989 and cover a vast and interestingly diverse landscape, consisting mainly of steep wooded hills, grass covered slopes and riverine woodland along the many rivers and streams. It is also known as one of the sanctuaries of the black rhino and has the world's largest population of white rhino.
Game viewing
Hluhluwe - Umfolozi is home to 1,600 white rhino and 370 black rhino - an impressive number which means you are very likely to see one or both species. It also contains the rest of the Big Five; buffalo, elephant, lion and leopard, as well as many other species including blue wildebeest, zebra, giraffe waterbuck, nyala, kudu, bushbuck, warthog, cheetah, hyena and jackal plus about 24,000 impala. You may have some close encounters with elephants as they often cross or block the road right in front of your vehicle.
Birdwatching
Over 400 species of birds have been recorded in the Park. The variety of bushveld and woodland birding found in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, combined with the natural wonders of the Lake St Lucia system and it's central position to the rest of the Zululand Birding Route make this an excellent area for birdwatchers. Other activities
There is a 40-seater boat on the Hluhluwe dam which takes visitors on daily guided trips. An experienced community guide conducts the trips and visitors can see an excellent range of birds and animals. Wilderness trails also offer the ultimate wildlife experience and Zulu culture can be observed in the community areas outside the Park. ZULULAND - SOUTH AFRICA
A noble culture, magnificent wildlife and beautiful scenery is indicative of this fascinating region. Zululand is situated northwest of KwaZulu-Natal, one of the nine provinces of South Africa.
- Fascinating Zulu culture
- Shakaland – traditional zulu village
- Ancient battlefields
- Excellent wildlife viewing
- Zululand birding route
 Rich in symbolism and tradition, Zululand is the heartbeat of Africa. It was here that the King of the Zulus, Shaka forged his Zulu Kingdom, and the last battle of the Anglo-Zulu war was fought near Ulundi in 1879. Zulu kraals or villages in the region display the traditional Zulu way of life to visitors. There are several exciting traditional Zulu villages open to the public, Shakaland and Duma Zulu amongst them. Shakaland, for example, is built on the site of Shaka’s original kraal and was the location for the filming of the movie 'Shaka Zulu'. The village introduces the visitor to Zulu history, culture, medicine and beer, and the traditional dancing is a show for all ages.
Zululand is also home to an astonishing variety of wild game. The many game reserves, parks and farms in the region are dedicated to the conservation and heritage if wildlife preservation.
With 600 species recorded, the Zululand Birding Route is southern Africa’s birding diversity hotspot! A network of 14 self-drive routes offer a range of great birding localities that will thrill the most seasoned birder.
Phinda is situated in the heart of Zululand, and a mere 30 minutes drive from most of the attractions in this facinating region.
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