andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge

For my first safari, I couldn’t have hoped for a better start. We had a dedicated guide for both the morning and afternoon drives, and the whole stay felt seriously luxurious. The evening dinners were another highlight, with the team going above and beyond. That really topped it off.

Our milestone birthday trip had the whole camp in on it, and from the moment we drove through the Munyawana conservancy gates, we were buzzing with anticipation. The drive through the Sand Forest was magical. At Phinda Forest Lodge, Priscilla and Nonhlanhla welcomed us with smiles and a “welcome home” that felt so warm. The game drives were exciting and full of interesting information, and we laughed a lot too. With our guides, we felt like kids in a candy store. We also had a champagne breakfast in the bush, with a yellow billed stork watching over us, and a lovely dinner under the stars. The food was on another level. We definitely didn’t leave hungry. Suite 17 was beautiful and had everything we could need. Phinda Forest Lodge itself is breathtaking. Chef Dave made me an extraordinary birthday cake, and was so kind. Chef Braydon was exceptional too. Andrew gave us cheerful wake up calls and cappuccinos, and shared so much of his knowledge and experience. He showed us the beauty of Phinda in all its glory, and we’ll always treasure that. Sifiso was a superstar tracker, with great charisma, wit and tracking skills. We loved his stories about the wild, the morning coffees and sundowners he prepared, and the fact that he found us a chameleon at dusk, twice! A big thank you to Priscilla for checking on us with that warm smile, and to our professional butler Nonhlanhla for her attention to detail and warm hugs. Thandeka Dlamini brought such infectious energy to the gift shop. Kyla was bubbly and never made anything feel like too much trouble. She’s quite the “sibhaca dancer,” too. The Phinda Forest Lodge team took us beyond our wildest dreams. See you soon. And a huge thank you to Natalie at &and beyond for making it all happen. You were amazing! Warm regards, Charmaine & Graeme Williams

My birthday felt extra special thanks to the staff. The rooms are stunning, and we enjoyed our stay so much that we’ll be back next year. Fabulous place, and well worth it.

This was an incredible way to celebrate my 50th birthday. &Beyond delivered on every part of the trip, and nothing disappointed. We spent four nights split equally between Forest and Mountain Lodges, and it was the most special family holiday we could have wished for. The reserve’s wildlife and landscapes are so varied that each day felt different. We saw everything we hoped to, with wonderful rangers and trackers making it a personal experience. It really felt like a once in a lifetime trip. The two lodges offer different ecosystems, accommodation and experiences, so we’d recommend trying both if you can. From the airport transfer through to the drives, meals, drinks, staff and accommodation, everything was first class.