Overview of Phinda Vlei Lodge

Experience a wonderful wetlands-based safari at Phinda Vlei Lodge in the wildlife-rich Phinda Resource Reserve. Located in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, known for its dramatic scenery and subtropical climate, the lodge is situated below the Lebombo Mountain range and has beautiful views overlooking the Phinda Vlei (wetland).

Enjoy exciting morning and afternoon game drives and guided nature walks as well as excellent bird watching in this mesmerising environment.

Highlights & Activities

What's on offer whilst on this itinerary?
  • Excellent Big 5 game viewing & birding
  • Views of wetlands & sand forest from suites
  • Private dining, perfect for a celebration
  • Only 6 secluded suites
  • Private plunge pools at each suite
Animal tracking experience

Animal tracking experience

Beach activities

Beach activities

Bird watching

Bird watching

Canoeing

Canoeing

Deep sea fishing

Deep sea fishing

Game drives

Game drives

Guided walking safaris

Guided walking safaris

Guided walks

Guided walks

Horse riding

Horse riding

River cruises

River cruises

Scenic flights

Scenic flights

Scuba diving

Scuba diving

Snorkelling

Snorkelling

Specialist guides

Specialist guides

Rooms at Phinda Vlei Lodge

Unwind and relax, in your own private luxury
  • Suites are a classic safari-chic blend of contemporary simplicity, luxurious comfort and authentic natural finishes.

    Suite

    Phinda Vlei Lodge offers six luxurious air-conditioned double suites. Each suite features a personal mini bar and an en suite bathroom with separate shower and bath tub. You can also enjoy beautiful views over the plains and wetlands from your private viewing deck and plunge pool. Private dining at your suite can be arranged.

    General Facilities

    The lodge is stylishly decorated and offers spectacular views from its lounge and dining areas.

    At night you can enjoy these same views from the cosy outside fireplace as you sip on a sundowner drink.

    Phinda Vlei Lodge also offers an à la carte restuarant and a gym for those who want to remain active during their safari escape.

    Computer facilities

    Computer facilities

    Laundry service

    Laundry service

    Swimming pool

    Swimming pool

    Wi-Fi available

    Wi-Fi available

    Dining

    The à la carte restaurant at Phinda Vlei Lodge offers delicious Pan-African cuisine to be enjoyed in the stylish dining area overlooking the wetlands.

    For meals with a difference, bush breakfasts and alfresco dinners under the night sky can also be arranged.

    Why travel with Go2Africa?

    Based in Cape Town, our team of experts are all born and raised in Africa.
    When you travel with us you’re assured of the Big 5 Guarantee.

    We Are Safari Experts

    We have first-hand knowledge of every single destination, lodge and activity we recommend.

    Our Best Price Promise

    If you’re able to find a better quote for your itinerary let us know and we’ll match it.

    Positive Impact

    The money from your trip stays in Africa, supporting local communities and conservation projects long after you return home.

    Full Service, 24/7 On Safari Support

    We take care of every detail, offering 24/7 assistance and local know-how from the right time zone, until you return safely home.

    Complete Financial Protection

    Our clients are fully covered by our supplier default insurance, and Our accreditation bond with the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association

    Interested to know more? Click the link to find out all about Go2Africa’s Big 5 Guarantee

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    Traveller Reviews

    • IM

      Phinda Vlei Lodge was the highlight of my trip. The rooms were beautiful, the staff were fantastic and they really made an effort to make it a memorable experience. It was a very personal experience and I would definitely go back there and recommend to friends.

      Ilana Mycock
    • RP

      Phinda Vlei Lodge blew me away, it was perfect. I loved everything about the lodge! The highlight was experiencing a massive herd of elephants drinking from our plunge pool.

      Rachel Palmer
    • PN

      Phinda vlei was amazing. Our guide and tracker, Martin and Abel were incredible. They truly went the extra mile to find whatever we were asking to see. And we saw some incredible things! The rooms were very nice as was food but felt the food at leadwood was much better. Lucas the manager at vlei was very good but Nicola at leadwood was amazing. Our guides at leadwood were very good but the guide and tracker at vlei went above and beyond to satisfy whatever we wanted. Leadwood beautiful. Nicola made our stay so special, eating in a different place each night, music and braai one night. The cook went out of his way for the group of us there as nick was allergic to nuts, I can’t do seafood and ended up eating vegetarian and the other couple, one was gluten free! The chef had his hands full but all of us felt we ate the most amazing food. Happiness the cook at vlei made me some wonderful vegetarian things also. The cooking staff at vlei interacted with us more but food better at leadwood. Game drives were great in both places. I am being picky as both were amazing but after talking to everyone those are the differences we felt! Would we go back to either? Most certainly! One night I wasn’t feeling well so Nicola came to our room with toast, jam and ginger ale for me! She was such an asset to leadwood!

      Patti Nett
    • PL

      I was very impressed by the acting Manager Luke who was fantastic throughout our stay. Happiness the chef is a delight in every way, the food was excellent and her friendly manner is a delight. We were very well looked after by a variety of waiters who are all lovely.Our ranger was Martin and Tracker was Musi ( I had met Musi on my last trip and it was good to see him again ) I enjoyed Martin’s company, insight into his home in Zimbabwe, and the way he pointed out many of the smaller things, particularly butterflies, many of which I had not noticed before.

      Peter Leigh
    • SP

      Vlei was Pam’s personal favorite. The accommodations were amazing and super comfortable. The staff was very professional. The meals were exceptional, everything you would expect from a five star lodge. Claire, the manager went above and beyond to make us feel special with candles and a bubble bath. We loved having the animals and especially the elephant personally visit our room.

      Steven Peterson
    • JM

      Phinda was truly a once in a lifetime experience – the vlei and rock lodges were both 5 star in our book! The service from the staff was beyond anything we could have expected and the game drives were spectacular. Our guides were excellent and we saw every animal imaginable – the highlights were the male lions, cheetah and 2 lioness with their 2-3 month old cubs!

      Jeffery Mote
    • JM

      Phinda was truly a once in a lifetime experience – the vlei and rock lodges were both 5 star in our book! The service from the staff was beyond anything we could have expected and the game drives were spectacular. Our guides were excellent and we saw every animal imaginable – the highlights were the male lions, cheetah and 2 lioness with their 2-3 month old cubs!

      Jeffery Mote
    • JL

      The accommodation at the Phinda Vlei Lodge was also excellent and their staff worked very hard to please all of us. The highlight of our Safari at Phinda was an Elephant strolling across the Vlei aiming straight for our gorgeous hut to quench his thirst in our Lap Pool. We also came across some Black Rhinoceroses and Cheetahs.

      Joachim Leyer
    • JL

      The accommodation at the Phinda Vlei Lodge was also excellent and their staff worked very hard to please all of us. The highlight of our Safari at Phinda was an Elephant strolling across the Vlei aiming straight for our gorgeous hut to quench his thirst in our Lap Pool. We also came across some Black Rhinoceroses and Cheetahs.

      Joachim Leyer
    • TP

      Truly unbelievable. Saw all the big 5 game and much more. The room (with its own private infinity plunge pool which game come to drink from! – nice surprise) were absolutely exquisite and the service was ++5*. Every day they surprise you with something (bush breakfast, group dinner, private dinner etc etc) and very friendly and relaxed.

      Tessa Parry-Wingfield
    • TP

      Truly unbelievable. Saw all the big 5 game and much more. The room (with its own private infinity plunge pool which game come to drink from! – nice surprise) were absolutely exquisite and the service was ++5*. Every day they surprise you with something (bush breakfast, group dinner, private dinner etc etc) and very friendly and relaxed.

      Tessa Parry-Wingfield
    • WAW

      We had the most unbelievable stay! Phinda Vlei Lodge was completely out of this world and we truly felt we were ‘Out of Africa’ on an amazing adventure. We met some wonderful people and the staff were fantastic.

      William and Wendy Francis
    • WAW

      We had the most unbelievable stay! Phinda Vlei Lodge was completely out of this world and we truly felt we were ‘Out of Africa’ on an amazing adventure. We met some wonderful people and the staff were fantastic.

      William and Wendy Francis