/ South Africa / KwaZulu-Natal /
PHINDA’S 7 WONDERS IN 7 DAYS
For a truly all round Phinda experience, we recommend accommodation for the 6 nights as below:
- 3 nights in a lodge in the north of Phinda Private Game Reserve – your choice of Forest Lodge or Vlei Lodge
- 1 night sleeping under the stars (optional)
- 2 nights at a lodge in the south of the Reserve – your choice of, Mountain Lodge or Rock Lodge.
- Or spend the full 6 nights at one of our sole-use villas – Phinda Zuka Lodge or Phinda Getty House (both sleep 8 guests)
Day 01
Mike Karantonis, your Phinda Specialist Guide will welcome you on your arrival at Phinda Private Game Reserve.
The Reserve comprises of 21000-hecatres/51891-acres of prime wilderness land in the Maputaland region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Phinda neighbours the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park – a World Heritage Site to the east and is only 30km/ 19 miles due west of the white-fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean.
After checking into your Phinda lodge of choice, Mike will join you for lunch and will introduce you to the exceptionally exciting Safari Adventure which awaits you at Phinda. After lunch, enjoy a siesta in preparation for your first adventure.
This afternoon, embark on your first Safari Adventure – tracking lion in order to understand the social behaviour of resident lion prides. Your specialist Phinda guide, Mike, has followed this particular pride of lions for the last eight years and has a very special understanding of the social dynamics and behavioural patterns of these animals.
Day 02
Phinda has a reputation for its unparalleled cheetah viewing. With an early departure towards the open grassy plains where cheetahs are more likely to be encountered, you can enjoy the dawn chorus of Maputaland's abundant array of bird life. Mike, as well as being an expert guide, is a specialist photographer. He will ensure great photographic opportunities for you throughout the safari.
This evening promises a unique experience, searching for one or more of the twelve leopards under the Munyawana Leopard Research Project. What a rare opportunity to contribute to Phinda’s leopard research program and the preservation of these long-persecuted felines, as well as photograph Phinda’s leopards from up close.
Day 03
This morning you have a choice to either go on a morning game drive, or to sleep in and enjoy the luxury of your suite.
Later in the morning, depart on a journey – sometimes described as life-changing - through the surrounding Zulu communities neighbouring Phinda on the Isikolethu (“Our Culture”) Community Experience. CC Africa’s development partner, Africa Foundation, has worked passionately with these communities to ensure the development and empowerment of the people living adjacent to the Reserve. Privileges of visiting homesteads and Sangomas are bound to change your perception on the African way of life to the extent that it may even change your own. Guests are introduced to a nation full of song and dance, traditions and a strong sense of “Ubuntu” (Humanness). One often feels a renewed sense of priorities, “richer” and privileged for having been on this experience.
Enjoy a delicious late lunch at the lodge.
This afternoon, head out in a safari vehicle and discover Phinda’s elephant herd dynamics. Toast a beautiful African sunset from the top of a mountain with the most incredible views.
Day 04
Leave the lodge at first light and experience Phinda’s ecological diversity on a full day walk. Identify Phinda’s Star Birds - Neergard’s Sunbirds, Twinspots, African Broadbill and Narina Trogon - all of these birds are on the hot list for keen ornithologists. If it so happens that we come across fresh tracks of buffalo, elephant bulls or rhino, we will track them and try to view them on foot from a safe distance. This really is Africa up close and personal.
There will be a siesta stop where hammocks will be set up for you during the hot part of the day to relax, bird watch, sleep or just take in the magic of being in the unique habitat chosen for the picnic lunch. When the heat has passed, continue on the afternoon part of the journey experiencing Phinda’s diverse wilderness on foot.
In the late afternoon, arrive at a camp site set up to experience the wildlife with no barriers. The sounds are intensified with no walls, the stars are brighter with your eyes adapting to the available light and it is just you and the wilderness. Become a part of the life of the bush. Share stories and a delicious bush dinner around the campfire.
Sleep out under a million stars, or alternatively head back to your lodge for the night.
Day 05
There are very few experiences that are as beautiful as waking up in the African bush. As the sun rises, depart your tented camp site on foot en route to your new lodge, in time for breakfast and a long hot shower.
Today we get together with the Black Rhino Research Team to either track one of these animals on foot or in the vehicle. It is an animal with unparalleled character and this is sure to be an interesting and exciting morning.
If you are up to even more adventure, enjoy the unmatched delight of riding well-schooled horses either along the beach or in a neighbouring reserve, finishing off with a picnic lunch.
In the late afternoon we will depart on another exciting game-drive, after which we change the pace with a gentle boat cruise on the Mzinene River, with frozen gin & tonics to complement the mood.
Day 06
Today offers you a journey of contrasts.
The area of Maputaland is so incredibly diverse and one of the best ways to appreciate it is by air - soar above Zululand on the Flight of the Fish Eagle, a 45-minute flight over Maputaland’s scenic pans, coastal lakes and unspoiled beaches. From the air, view Muzi Pan, Lake St Lucia, False Bay Lake, Lake Sibaya, the Indian Ocean and the world’s highest vegetated dunes.
Land near one of South Africa’s most beautiful beaches, Sodwana Bay. If you are a qualified diver then here is your opportunity to explore one of the world’s top ten dive sites. 1200 species of fish are found along this coastline, at depths ranging from 18-30m. If you are not qualified to scuba-dive, there is still no excuse not to be involved with enjoying a day at the beach. Snorkel, swim, sunbathe, take a long walk on deserted beaches, and enjoy a huge picnic lunch.
This afternoon choose between an afternoon game-drive and a relaxing siesta to sleep off the morning’s adventure. You might need the rest to prepare for the evening - a perfect ending to your adventure safari - a 7 course bush banquet with 7 perfectly matched wines …!
Day 07: Depart
This is your last morning – enjoy your final game drive with Mike in this beautiful corner of Africa.
On your return to the Lodge and after your breakfast, it is time to depart the lodge and take with you memories to last a lifetime.
View the booking information for phinda’s 7 wonders in 7 days .
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