andBeyond Phinda Zuka Lodge Reopens Following Refurbishment
After a December 2025 refurbishment, the four-suite lodge reopens as a private-use safari base within Phinda Private Game Reserve.
Photo: Courtesy of andBeyond
andBeyond has reopened Phinda Zuka Lodge in South Africa’s Phinda Private Game Reserve following a full refurbishment, welcoming guests back last month. The four-suite lodge has been reworked as a private-use safari base designed for small groups, extended families, and milestone trips, while maintaining a similar scale and layout.
The lodge, set in the Zuka Hills, remains intentionally intimate, with just four thatched suites overlooking a private waterhole. The refurbishment introduces updated interiors, outdoor living spaces, and improved communal areas, while preserving the lodge’s original structure. According to andBeyond, retaining the existing framework was a deliberate decision aimed at reducing material use and limiting environmental impact during construction.
The redesign was led by Hubert Zandberg Interiors, emphasizing locally sourced materials and handcrafted elements. Each suite now includes a private sala for outdoor dining and relaxation between activities, and a newly configured Family Suite expands the lodge’s suitability for multi-generational stays. Shared spaces have also been adjusted, including a redesigned firepit and boma that looks out over the landscaped waterhole, which attracts frequent wildlife movement throughout the day.
“Drawing inspiration from the name Zuka, meaning ‘dawn’, the visual concept celebrates new beginnings while honouring the lodge’s heritage as the home of one of the reserve’s founding families. Infused with bohemian warmth, African craft and textures of clay, wood and woven materials to create a space where heritage meets purpose,” said Kevin Pretorius, andBeyond’s managing director for South Africa. “Zuka’s redesign is not just aesthetic. Every corner invites reflection, and every stay offers the freedom to roam and the comfort to return, regardless of age.”
Operationally, the lodge continues to function as a flexible, privately hosted safari experience. Guests have access to twice-daily private game drives and guided walks within Phinda, which is known for Big Five sightings and for its cheetah and black rhino conservation programs. Zuka’s location also allows for combined bush-and-beach itineraries, with the Indian Ocean coastline within reach for activities such as scuba diving, marine safaris, and seasonal turtle nesting excursions.
Rates start at $960 per person per night and include all meals and private safari activities. The lodge can be reserved exclusively with a dedicated vehicle and ranger team. With the refurbishment now complete and bookings open, Phinda Zuka Lodge is fully operational for the 2026 safari season.
