Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa neighbours the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (a World Heritage Site) to the east and is only 30 kilometres (19 miles) due west, of the beaches of the Indian Ocean. Daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg International Airport to Richards Bay Airport are offered as well. Private charters from anywhere in South Africa can be arranged to &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve’s airstrip.
Directions From Johannesburg
Depart Johannesburg on the N3 highway to Heidelburg / Durban Exit the highway at the R23 Heidelburg (South) / Standerton off-ramp Turn left onto the R23 to Standerton (Please keep watch for the camera speed-trap in the 40km zone)
Standerton is approximately 100km (62 Miles) from the R23 / N3 junction Driving into Standerton, turn right at the first set of traffic lights onto Walter Sisulu (KFC will be on the corner) Turn left onto Dr Nelson Mandela at the next set of traffic lights, signposted Orange Free State / Kwazulu-Natal R23 Remain on Dr Nelson Mandela and follow the R23 Volkrust signposts through the rest of town Please drive carefully between Volkrust and Standerton as there are potholes
Volrust is approximately 85km (52.7 Miles) from Standerton Driving into Volkrust, turn left at the first set of traffic lights onto Joubert Str (There is an Excel service station on the corner) Turn right onto Laings Nek Str at the 3rd set of traffic lights, signposted N11 Durban / Newcastle Enter Kwazulu-Natal and continue along the N1 towards Durban / Newcastle Turn left onto the R34 to Utrecht / Vryheid (Approximately 40km (24.8 Miles) from Volkrust) Pass Utrecht town on the left and contunie along the R34 to Vryheid
Vryheid is appromimately 24km (14.88 Miles) from R33/R34 junction Before entering the town, turn right at the R69 Louwsburg / R34 Ulundi/Empangeni Continue for 6km (3.72 Miles) until reaching the stop street, continue straight over along the R69 for a further 4km (2.48 Miles) Turn right at the T-Junction onto the R69 to Louwsburg / Mkuze Pass the turnoff to Louwsburg on the left and continue along the R69 to Pongola Turn left onto the R66 Pongola / R69 (N2) Mkuze, Continue for 21km (13.02 Miles) to Pongola, then turn right onto the N2 to Mkuze and on towards Phinda 40km (24.8 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 (6.2 Miles) until you reach the Hluhluwe fly-off Take the Hluhluwe fly-off and follow the signs into the town of Hluhluwe (4km / 2.48 Miles)
Entering Hluhluwe, you will cross 3 consecutive traffic circles, 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 (17.36 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 (1.62 Miles) before you reach a T-junction At the T-junction, take a right turn onto the D448 and travel for 3.6km (2.24 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 Phinda Vlei Lodge The Lodges are signposted within the Reserve
Transfers
Transfers from Richards Bay Airport are available by road (approximately 2 hours) or by light aircraft (approximately 30 minutes). Transfers are at additional cost and subject to availability of aircraft and weather conditions. Transfer by road from Durban International Airport in an air-conditioned minibus takes +-3 hours and a one hour air transfer is also available.
Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa is accessible by road with a two-wheel drive vehicle, driving time from Johannesburg is 6 hours and from Durban is 3 hours; on excellent roads.
GPS Co-ordinates of Phinda Vlei Lodge
27:51:36 S 32:18:48 E
