An intimate and romantic lodge set on the edge of a rare sand forest in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province, andBeyond Phinda Vlei Lodge is set for a thoughtful refurbishment that will preserve its quiet magic while elevating its elegance and sense of place. Tucked between rare sand forest and a sweeping grassy meadow in the diverse Phinda Private Game Reserve, the lodge’s six Suites are being reimagined to offer even greater comfort and exclusivity. Phinda Vlei Lodge will welcome children aged 12 and older only, creating a calm, quiet, and romantic experience that still remains open to families with older children. Each space is being meticulously considered to slow the rhythm of a stay, draw attention to the surrounding wilderness and weave stillness into the experience itself.
“Phinda Vlei Lodge has always been a place that feels as though it reveals itself to those who seek it,” says Kevin Pretorius, andBeyond Managing Director for South Africa Lodges. “This refurbishment enhances comfort, space and privacy, allowing guests to slow down and truly belong to the landscape. It is more than a renovation. It’s a re-examination‑ of what comfort and connection mean in the wild.”
The refurbishment introduces a series of thoughtful updates across the lodge. The six thatched suites are being extended to create more room for reflection, with enlarged bedrooms and sitting areas, the addition of a new luxurious bathrooms, outdoor showers, and new covered pool salas. The main guest areas are being enhanced with a new library, improving flow and deepening the sense of welcome. Every architectural and design choice is being guided by the lodge’s unique surroundings and the insights of returning guests, ensuring Phinda Vlei feels both comfortingly familiar and beautifully renewed.
Phinda Vlei Lodge offers far more than refined design. Guests enjoy twice-daily game drives with expert guides, providing exclusive access to wildlife including the shy suni, an elusive forest dweller that mates for life—symbolic of the lodge’s commitment to privacy, intimacy, and connection. Additional experiences include guided bush walks that explore the vlei’s intricate ecology, signature sand forest e-biking adventures weaving through the shaded trails, and hands-on conservation activities supporting rhino, elephant and pangolin research. Community visits offer meaningful insight into nearby Zulu culture, while tranquil moments — sundowners by a‑ waterhole or gentle observations of the vlei as light shifts through the sand forest — enrich the lodge’s appeal as a haven for couples or those seeking deep restoration.
Sustainability is subtly woven throughout the new design. Hardwoods certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) — an international benchmark for responsible forestry — will be used in flooring, decking, and cladding, while reduced thatch coverage improve insulation and energy efficiency. Locally crafted timber details and woven elements will celebrate Zulu artisanship, supporting nearby economies and minimising transport emissions. Interiors featuring new joinery, furnishings, fixtures and finishes will draw inspiration from pine plantations, traditional weaving, beadwork and South African ceramics. Ebonized timbers, brass accents and brass-studded grass cloth wallpaper create spaces that feel generous yet unpretentious, and private without feeling enclosed. The result will be a lodge experience that feels transformative yet deeply comfortable, where subtle luxury and intuitive service combine to craft spaces that are familiar, secluded and profoundly restorative. The quiet rhythm of the lodge, its thoughtful detailing and the deliberate layering of experiences ensure that every moment lingers long after the safari ends.
Rates will start from ZAR 22,400 per person sharing, inclusive of all meals, twice-daily game drives and guided walks. Guests can book directly via andBeyond.com or through a preferred travel specialist