Conservation-led luxury travel company andBeyond has reopened one of its most iconic lodges in South Africa – Phinda Forest Lodge – after an extensive rebuild.
Situated in the company's Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal province, the property was lauded as one of the first true eco-lodges at the time of its original construction in the early 1990s.
KwaZulu Natal province is home to more than 50 private and provincial reserves including the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, which is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in South Africa and is known for its rhinos, and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which is one of the most diverse conservation areas on the continent and was South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage site.
Phinda started as an amalgamation of denuded farmlands in 1991 and has since grown into an extensive reserve at the cutting edge of conservation, combining care of the land, its people and wildlife.
Nestled inside 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of Africa's last remaining dry sand forest in the north of KwaZulu Natal, the lodge embodies a commitment to minimise the impact on the environment. Due to the sensitivity of the habitat, the lodge refurbishment has utilised existing lodge and room structures to avoid the impact of an entire rebuild, while also updating the architectural design but retaining its original 'Zulu-zen' concept.
New features
Elements of the natural forest and Zulu culture have been brought into the rooms through the use of tactile textures and natural materials such as woven matting, textured grass cloth wallpaper and hardwood floors, with natural stone tiling in the bathrooms. The rooms have been reconfigured, creating a more comfortable layout that better utilises the existing space, while maximising the connection to the forest through wide open views.
Phinda Forest Lodge had always provided andBeyond guests with an unforgettable experience immersed in the sand forest, and this has now been further enhanced through the reduction and redirection of pathways to and from the rooms. To assist with the rehabilitation of the old pathways, the company established a nursery to cultivate sand forest tree species that have been planted along the trails.
Structural changes
Major structural additions include a family suite with a newly built second bedroom, a library and lounge, a walkway with central fire pit linking the main area to the library, a newly reshaped and tiered pool and significant upgrades to the main dining and bar areas.
A new purpose-built building contains the library and sitting room, centred around a reading table and double-sided fireplace with surrounding areas for guests to relax. Timber sliding doors lead to an outdoor deck with its own shaded spaces, nestled among the trees with views over the forest and wetland areas.
The interior of the library and sitting room combine elements of traditional Zulu culture with cosy minimalist elegance. A wooden walkway seamlessly connects the library to the new pool area, which includes a reshaped and tiered swimming pool designed to maximize the scenic setting and timeless beauty of the sand forest. An all-new massage sala has also been constructed next to the pool.
The sand forest habitat
According to andBeyond managing director for South Africa Lodges, Kevin Pretorius, the sand forest is one of Phinda's most distinctive and delicate habitats. "It occurs on deep sands, the leftover fossilised dunes of an earlier coastline," he said. "Many of the plant species encountered in sand forest can be found nowhere else on Earth. Normally shy mammals such as the red duiker, suni and Tonga red squirrel are often encountered in sand forest, and the area is also rich in birds, with several species restricted solely to this habitat.''
Pretorius said that guest experiences will be focused on the conservation of species such as white and black rhinoceros and Temminck's ground pangolin, as well as a unique Zulu Village Tour showcasing traditional Zulu culture.
Phinda is also uniquely positioned to offer other adventurous activities like diving or ocean safaris at nearby Sodwana Bay. Depending on the season, guests may also be able to enjoy expeditions to view turtles nesting along the Indian Ocean coastline.
Photos: andBeyond