Phinda Zuka Lodge

In the west of the Phinda reserve, Zuka Lodge has only four thatched cottages, which can be privately booked, making it an excellent lodge for families or groups of up to eight. The cottages can be booked separately, too, which still allows for an intimate experience of the Phinda reserve.

Set right next to a watering hole, the lodge is the perfect place from which to spot the wildlife of the reserve, which includes cheetahs (recently reintroduced to the region), lions, leopards, rhinos (black and white), and nyala antelopes.

The benefits of hiring Zuka Lodge privately are the range of personalised, flexible services that are offered to guests. A private chef and butler will see to your needs onsite, while rangers can take you on the trips you want to do, when you want to do them.

Back at the lodge, after a day exploring the reserve on foot or in a 4WD vehicle, you can soak up the sunshine by the pool, or head back to your cottage to relax in your private sitting area. If you’re feeling sociable, there is a communal area with an open fire pit for dining and sun-downers.