Conservation-focused luxury travel company AndBeyond is doing an extensive refit of its renowned Phinda Forest Lodge in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. The radical transformation featuring will include renovations as well as significant structural additions.

The lodge will feature a new family suite, a library and lounge, a walkway with a central fire pit, a redesigned tiered pool and upgraded dining and bar areas. To bring the lodge into a new era, AndBeyond has enlisted the expertise of interior designers Fox Browne Creative and architectural designer Jack Alexander. Their task is to reimagine the lodge, optimizing room flow and functionality while maintaining its beloved character and minimizing disruption to the delicate sand forest environment.

The new interior design will draw inspiration from the surrounding sand forest, incorporating elements of Japanese minimalism and paying homage to Zulu culture.

Kevin Pretorius, AndBeyond’s managing director for South Africa, said the lodge dates back to the early 1990s. “Back then, the lodge’s innovative and progressive design made a huge statement on sustainability, as it was sensitively constructed within the ancient sand forest with minimum impact at the heart of the project,” he said.

Phinda Forest Lodge is set to reopen its doors on Dec. 1. Travelers can expect the new lodge to bring unique and immersive experiences centered around wildlife conservation and local culture. Activities will focus on the preservation of species like rhinoceros and pangolins as well as offering a Zulu Village Tour for an authentic cultural immersion.

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