andBeyond reopens Phinda Zuka Lodge following refurbishment in South African private game reserve

South Africa-based andBeyond has reopened Phinda Zuka Lodge following a thoughtful refurbishment, emerging as a next-generation private safari retreat designed for intimate gatherings, Sleeper reported.

The lodge, situated in the densely wooded Zuka Hills within the Phinda Private Game Reserve, comprises four thatched suites overlooking a private waterhole. The redesign preserves its character whilst introducing richer textures and warmer tones.

Natural tones and handcrafted details led by Hubert Zandberg Interiors celebrate African artistry and capture the shapes, colours and textures of the natural environment. Each suite now features a private sala, giving guests a shaded outdoor space for dining, reading or quiet time between game drives.

Kevin Pretorius, andBeyond managing director for South Africa lodges, said the visual concept celebrates new beginnings whilst honouring the lodge's heritage. "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," Pretorius said. "Infused with bohemian warmth, African craft and textures of clay, wood and woven materials to create a space where heritage meets purpose, Zuka's redesign is not just aesthetic."

A new family suite enhances the lodge's ability to host multi-generational families, with a new firepit and reimagined boma offering a more open, immersive setting overlooking the newly landscaped waterhole.

The design honours the original structure by preserving its existing framework, reducing material use. The project prioritised local sourcing, from hard finishes to handcrafted details such as woven screens, supporting local artisans and celebrating regional craftsmanship.

Learn more about andBeyond Phinda Zuka Lodge's complete refurbishment and sustainability approach in the full report.