Phinda Vlei Lodge

4.9 /5
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Based on over 1000 Verified Reviews.

Overview

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

  • 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

Activities

  • Animal tracking experience
  • Beach activities
  • Bird watching
  • Canoeing
  • Game drives
  • Guided walks
  • Horse riding
  • River cruises
  • Scenic flights
  • Scuba diving
  • Snorkelling
  • Specialist guides
  • Guided walking safaris
  • Deep sea fishing

Rooms

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.

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.

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.

General facilities

  • Wi-fi available
  • Swimming Pool
  • Computer facilities
  • Laundry service

Rates

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Dates Board Price
2022-06-01 — 2023-01-10 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $750
2023-01-11 — 2024-01-10 Fully Inclusive Plus (Meals, Beverages & Extras) $1,080

Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently. Please treat all pricing as a guide only:

  • All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice.
  • Single supplements may apply.
  • Request a quote or speak to one of our African Safari Experts for the best, most current rates available.
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Traveller Reviews

Phinda Vlei Lodge
IM

Ilana Mycock

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.
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RP

Rachel Palmer

"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."
PN

Patti Nett

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 leadw ood 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!
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PL

Peter Leigh

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 w ho 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.
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SP

Steven Peterson

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 m ake us feel special with candles and a bubble bath. We loved having the animals and especially the elephant personally visit our room.
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JM

Jeffery Mote

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 s aw every animal imaginable - the highlights were the male lions, cheetah and 2 lioness with their 2-3 month old cubs!
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JL

Joachim Leyer

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 thi rst in our Lap Pool. We also came across some Black Rhinoceroses and Cheetahs.
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TP

Tessa Parry-Wingfield

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 somet hing (bush breakfast, group dinner, private dinner etc etc) and very friendly and relaxed.
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WaWF

William and Wendy Francis

"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."

Why travel with us

  • Independent experts since 1998
  • Our best price promise
  • Full service, flights included
  • Complete financial protection
  • 24/7 on-safari support
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