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.
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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:
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.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
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Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
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Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
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The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
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They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
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After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
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