In the 1980s, the land that is now Phinda Private Game Reserve was ravaged by the ill effects of pineapple plantations, big-game hunting, and cattle ranches. Safari company CC Africa, now known as &Beyond, bought the land and, with the help of its conservationists and scientists, painstakingly resuscitated it over 17 years. Now the 57,000-acre reserve, sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site on South Africa's far northeastern flank,

In the 1980s, the land that is now Phinda Private Game Reserve was ravaged by the ill effects of pineapple plantations, big-game hunting, and cattle ranches. Safari company CC Africa, now known as &Beyond, bought the land and, with the help of its conservationists and scientists, painstakingly resuscitated it over 17 years. Now the 57,000-acre reserve, sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site on South Africa's far northeastern flank, is unrecognizable—in a good way.

Seven thriving ecosystems, from rare sand forest to broadleaf woodland, harbor an astounding abundance of wildlife. Many of the species, such as the highly endangered black rhino, were reintroduced by &Beyond's staff themselves. On a morning or afternoon drive in an open-top Land Cruiser, visitors might spot a pride of sunbathing lions, a leopard on the hunt, or elephants munching large swaths of foliage. One can easily tick off the Big Five—lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant—or seek out more rare and endemic species, such as the four-toed elephant shrew and suni antelope. For birdwatchers, some 380 species of feathered creatures flit about the trees, from kingfishers to yellow-fronted canaries to the rare rosy-breasted longclaw.

Phinda Forest Lodge, one of six different lodges on the property, arguably gets you as immersed as (safely) possible to the wildlife. The thick foliage of torchwood trees surrounds the glass-ensconced, minimalist-chic suites, which are outfitted with oversized soaker tubs and modern wooden furniture. An infinity-edge pool offers a chance to cool off in the summer months—North America's winter months. Most evenings, guests dine on sophisticated cosmopolitan fare on the open decks of the main lodge, where they can keep an eye out for wide-eyed bush babies and marauding monkeys.

What sets Phinda apart from other safari lodges is not only its strong conservation ethic but also the fact that it's so close to the coast, which means that guests can take part in both terrestrial and waterborne activities. Going on game drives is a must-do, but there are plenty of other things to do: canoe along the Mzinene River, go scuba diving or snorkeling, fish for marlin and kingfish, or enjoy hot toddies on the beach after watching enormous loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles lay their eggs.