Pangolins, coral reefs, and the Big Five: a unique Zululand safari

Set in the Munywana Conservancy in the Zululand region of northern KwaZulu-Natal, &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve is renowned for exceptional safari experiences and fascinating wildlife, writes Linda Piegl.

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Phinda Private Game Reserve, operated by &Beyond, is a premier Big Five safari destination and wildlife sanctuary located between the Mkuze Game Reserve and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Home to a large cheetah population and over 400 bird species, among its more unusual residents are the Temminck's pangolin, the critically endangered black rhino, and the diminutive suni antelope.

The reserve is also famed for its biodiversity that includes seven distinct habitats, from bushveld, woodland and mountains to the beaches and coral reefs of the nearby Indian Ocean, making it an extraordinary retreat for nature lovers.

Five-star safaris take centre stage here, led by experienced rangers and Zulu trackers, and offering sightings of both iconic and rare species while treading lightly on the environment.