South Africa boasts some of Africa's best-maintained safari parks. World-famous Kruger National Park, the size of Wales, is the country's premier park. But South Africa also offers many other terrific but lesser-known private game reserves such as Phinda Resource Reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal northeast of Durban and Richards Bay.
Maputaland in the northeastern portion of South Africa's state of KwaZulu-Natal takes its name from the Maputo River which rises in South Africa and flows into Mozambique. The climate in the north of Maputaland, influenced by the Indian Ocean, is tropical; and consequently Maputaland offers a diverse range of ecosystems which include South Africa's largest freshwater lake, forest, savannah, mangrove swamps and coral reefs. In this unique environment lies 170-square-km (66-square-mile) Phinda Resource Reserve, a three-hour drive from Durban and a six-hour drive -- or a short flight -- from Johannesburg. Phinda, established in 1991, features seven distinct ecosystems, ranging from palm savannah and mountain bush to sand forest and dense thornveld.
The luxury accommodation in Phinda's main lodge and at its rock chalets and bush suites is absolutely top notch. Phinda is not only exclusive but also sophisticated and very luxurious. Each suite at the main lodge comes complete with its own private plunge pool. Another unique feature at Phinda is the Getty House, owned by the Getty Family, which is a sole-use villa geared specifically for rental to wealthy safari takers. Privacy and tranquility are absolutely guaranteed at this villa, which overlooks the rolling green hills of an extinct volcano.
Phinda's guests enjoy superb game drives ranging through the various habitats in the reserve. Indeed, it is rare at other African game reserves for tourists to have a chance to experience not only the Big Five, over 400 species of birds, and spectacular Indian Ocean sea life all on the same safari!
Visitors to South Africa should expect an unparalleled game-viewing experience whether they elect to visit the Kruger National Park or one of the country's many up-market private game reserves. Those who must travel over the Christmas holidays should plan to book well in advance in order to avoid disappointment. Air bookings may be made approximately eleven months in advance.
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