"It had been a week of wild, wonderful contrasts.
Lion kills, whalesharks, glass houses in the middle of the forest,
tracking after black rhino, cordon bleu meals under and Umbrella tree
the size of a small suburb, the haunting harmonies of dancing Zulu warriors ...

And now, on my last sunrise in Africa, drifting down the Munene River
deep in this wetland wilderness - my paring gift from this magical kingdom."

- Jeremy Doveton-Helps -

Cradled within the arms of the Ubombo mountains to the west and the Indian Ocean
to the east, Phinda is situated in Zululand, within one of Africa's most ecologically diverse
regions with en extraordinary range of ecosystems and wildlife.

Pristine beaches have been the breeding ground for the giant leatherback
and rare loggerhead turtles for millions of years,
whilst coral reefs rival the splendor of Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Freshwater lakes and river floodplains are the domain of prehistoric crocodile and hippo,
pelicans and flamingos - whilst the dense bushveld is home to the
endangered black rhino, as well as Africa's great predators.

From its awakening as a vision born of far-sighted conservationists,
Phinda has earned a worldwide reputation for its diversity and scenic wonder.
And today as the nucleus linking nearby conservation areas
in the creation of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park,
Phinda has ensured the bio-diversity of this remarkable region.

Within Phinda's 17000 hectares, seven distinct ecosystems are to be found - from
palm savanna and montane bushveld, to rare sand forest and
dense thornveld - each with its own typical fauna and flora.
The richness of animal, bird, reptile, plant and marine life
will take your breath away.