Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is situated in the Maputaland region and borders World Heritage Site iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The ocean is a short drive away where guests will find magnificent beaches.
Guests on a KwaZulu-Natal safari at The Homestead enjoy exclusive game viewing activities and excellent sightings of big game and much, much more besides. Due to its great position, The Homestead offers a terrific bush and beach destination for the whole family.
Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa experiences a subtropical climate with hot, humid, wet summers (September - April) and warm to cool, dry winters (May - August). Phinda is a year-round holiday destination in a low-risk malaria area with the best game viewing usually occurring from March to end September.
Directions to The Homestead, Phinda Private Game Reserve
The Homestead lies within the northern region of the 23 000 hectare (56 800 acre) Phinda Private Game Reserve which is 30km/19 miles due west of the beaches of the Indian Ocean.
By Air
Private charter flights are available from Johannesburg direct to Phinda. Both Durban International and Richards Bay airports are regularly serviced by commercial carriers, from where light aircraft and road transfers are gladly arranged to The Homestead.
By Car
The Homestead is 6 hours and thirty minutes from Johannesburg, 3 hours and thirty minutes from Durban.
From Johannesburg to Hluhluwe
Take the N12 highway to Witbank. Continue along until the N12 joins the N4 to Middleburg. Once you reach the Middleburg Toll Plaza, continue along the highway for 16km (10 miles) towards Nelspruit. After the Middleburg Ultra City garage, take the N11 turnoff to Hendrina / Middleburg Oos. Follow the N11 through Hendrina to Ermelo and onto Piet Retief.
Follow the N2 from Piet Retief, passing the towns of Pongola and Mkuze 40km (25 miles) beyond Mkuze, you will see a “Phinda” sign-posted fly-off. Do not take this fly-off as it leads to Mountain Lodge and Rock Lodge. Instead remain on the N2 for an additional 10km (6 miles) until you reach the Hluhluwe fly-off. Take the Hluhluwe fly-off.
From Durban to Hluhluwe
Take the N2 highway northbound towards Stanger. Pass the towns of Ballito, Tinley Manor, Stanger, Mtunzini, Empangeni, Richard’s Bay, Kwambonambi and Mtubatuba. Take the Hluhluwe Fly-off.
From the Hluhluwe Fly-off to The Homestead
Follow the signs into the town of Hluhluwe (4km / 2.4 miles). Entering Hluhluwe, you will cross 3 consecutive traffic circles. The 1st circle is located just before you enter the town. The 2nd circle is located just after the Engen fuel garage. The 3rd circle is located just before the Total fuel garage. Continue to the 4th circle which is opposite the Farmer’s Market.
At the 4th circle, turn left following the False Bay / Sodwana Bay signage. As you pass the “Build-It Hardware Store” you will leave the outskirts of town, and prepare to take a right turn, crossing over the railway line. Signage should indicate Sodwana Bay / False Bay.
Continue along this tar road for approximately 28km / 17 miles (do not take any turns leading to False Bay). When you reach the Mduku Crossing (indicated clearly by numerous consecutive speed bumps), take the “Phinda” sign-posted D675 turning to your left. Continue along this road (soon becomes gravel) for approximately 2.6km / 1.6 miles before you reach a T-junction.
At the T-junction, take a right turn onto the D448 and travel for 3.6km (2.3 miles) until you reach the entrance gate to the Munyawana Private Game Reserve. At the gate, a security guard will welcome you and assist with directions to your KwaZulu-Natal safari lodge.
