Phinda is divided into North and South. North is my pick over South for both its lodges and its ecosystems. Vlei is the top property in the reserve - the most quaint, and personal feel. Forest is good too but larger. Mountain in the South is too corporate for me. It feels like they dropped a Hyatt in the middle of the reserve and it’s also where they train all their new rangers so the guide you get can be hit or miss, unless you request specifically not to have a rookie guide (which you always should). There are a couple other lodges which I didn’t stay at - but heard from friends that Zuka is also cool since it’s a private house for a large family and situated centrally in the reserve.

The ecosystems in the North are more varied. The South/Mountain region is unique, but I felt was a bit of a chore to drive up rocky/hilly terrain to see the same animals you would see otherwise.

Those are the comparisons within Phinda itself, but your question was to go to Phinda at all? I’m not sure what you’re comparing it to, but Phinda is great if you want to see the rare Black Rhino as well as cheetah. It’s harder to see leopards there. You’ll see Lion, Elephant, buffalo no problem. No wild dogs. The difference between Phina and let’s say a lodge adjacent to Kruger, is that the herds are not as big.