The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) is set to enter the competitive South African safari market. They recently announced the imminent opening of three luxury lodges in the Greater Kruger area.
Largest hospitality company
India’s largest hospitality company, the Indian Hotels Company, recently announced that it has signed agreements to open three luxury wildlife lodges in South Africa.
The signing symbolises the company’s first foray into South Africa’s luxury wildlife hospitality market.
Location, location, location
Under the banner of their iconic Taj brand, all three lodges will be located within the Balule Game Reserve. This reserve falls within the boundaries of the Greater Kruger National Park, a vast expanse of private reserves adjacent to the eponymous national park.
Balule itself covers some 400 km² of the 200,000 km² (77,000 sq mi) Greater Kruger, just north of the Limpopo town of Hoedspruit.
Press release
In a press release issued on May 29, 2025, IHCL Managing Director & CEO, Puneet Chhatwal said,
“As the demand for purpose-led travel continues to grow, Taj with its differentiated offerings brings exceptional safari experiences where expert-led jungle (game) drives, community engagement, and conservation-led design come together to create unforgettable journeys.“
He went on to say that the new venture builds on the group’s legacy in the hospitality trade.
Furthermore, he added they intend to provide visitors with an “authentic connection with nature through a responsible tourism approach.”
Partnership
Mr Chhatwal went on to announce that IHCL has partnered with OM USA LLC to “bring this vision to life”.
Founded by Ms. Adity Patel and Mr. Manish Patel, OM is a New York-based company, originally specialising in the luxury jewellery market.
Subsequently, the company has diversified its interests to include real estate in both India and the USA.
It was as a result of the Patels’ passion for wildlife conservation that they were attracted to the partnership with IHLC. The new lodges complement OM’s other lodge holdings in Greater Kruger.
Three luxury lodges
According to the press statement, the three luxury lodges will be as follows:
- The 30-key Taj Lion Kings Hilltop Tented Camp
- The 6-key Taj Lion Kings Bush Lodge, and
- The 6-key Taj Lion Kings River Lodge
Each of the lodges promises to offer an upmarket safari experience set in the expansive Big Five Balule wilderness. Features will include an all-day dining restaurant, a spa, a swimming pool, and recreation areas.
According to Inside Guide, Bush and River Lodges will open in March, while Hilltop Tented Camp will open later in 2026.
Further investments in Africa planned
Meanwhile, Tourism Update reports the move is part of a broader move into the African continent. According to their report,
The group has additionally earmarked expansion into the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti, Botswana and Zambia under parent company Indian Hotels Company Limited’s broader objective of growing to 700 hotels globally by 2030.
Furthermore, Taj Hotels Cluster GM: Africa and Business Development Africa for sub-Saharan Africa, Mark Wernich, said, “There are so many wonderful opportunities facing us right now, and we’re looking forward to bringing them all to fruition so that our guests can enjoy unparalleled experiences throughout this one-of-a-kind region.”
Consequently, the group envisions offering travellers seamless, multi-stop itineraries across Africa’s safari hotspots, under the Taj banner.