Phinda Private Game Reserve is situated in the lush KwaZulu-Natal region in northern South Africa. Sandwiched between Mkuze Game Reserve and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (a World Heritage Site), it comprises 14 000 hectares (34 000 acres) of prime conservation land. Nestled below the Lebombo Mountains, Phinda is a Zulu word meaning "the return". In one of the biggest reintroductions of game in Africa, Phinda was restocked with lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant, leopard, giraffe and other big game in an operation dubbed "phinda izilwane", return of the wild animals. Accommodation at Phinda is unique. Four diverse lodges within one reserve are on offer : Forest, Vlei, Rock and Mountain Lodge. Phinda is not only a luxury destination, it is also a dynamic working model in wise land management and creative wildlife conservation. 

Phinda has the largest privately owned population of nyala in the world. Awards include: Chosen as Best Hotel for Wildlife Enthusiasts by Town & Country, January 2001. Listed among the 101 best hotels in the world in UK Tatler's Travel Guide 2001. Voted by Association of Southern African Travel Agents (Asata) as "Best Game Lodge in Southern Africa" (1998). Winner of British Airways' "Tourism for Tomorrow" Award (S.Hemisphere) (1998). 

Seasons: Zululand has a warm, sub-tropical climate with summer rainfall. The best time to go is during winter's dry season (Apr-Sep) as temperatures are pleasant with warm days and cool nights. Summer (Oct-Mar) can be very hot and humid. 

Wildlife: You should see: buffalo, white rhino, elephant, giraffe, impala, zebra, wildebeest, lion, hyaena, hippo, African Elephant, impala, red duiker, nyala, suni antelope, chacma baboon You may see: leopard, cheetah, bushpig, red squirrel, spotted genet, porcupines, bush babies, mountain reedbuck, To the east, on the reefs of Sodwana, Whale Shark, Moray Eel, Leatherback and Loggerhead Turtle, crab, starfish and iridescent nudibranch sway with the rhythm of the tides. 

Precautions: Malaria area - minimize mosquito bites by wearing light, long sleeved clothing and using effective insect repellents (containing Diethyltoluamide DEET) on exposed skin. Sleep under treated mosquito netting or ensure that the doors and windows of your accommodation are screened against mosquitoes. Having a fan or air-conditioner on at night will further suppress mosquito activity. Currently, the three effective anti-malaria tablets are Mefloquine (Lariam or Mefliam), Doxycycline and Malarone (Malanil). It is still possible to contract malaria while on malaria prophylaxis. Note that Lariam may present serious side-effects - please test before you depart.