Located within the Big Five Balule Nature Reserve, the six-key bush lodge offers experiences such as open-air breakfasts in the bush after morning game drives, traditional braais at night, full-day safaris in Kruger National Park, Blyde Canyon boat cruises and quad biking through the Maseke Reserve.
Thushara Liyanarachchi, who exhibited at Africa Showcase in Hilton Auckland, says the opening marks a new chapter for the brand in Africa. It will be followed in September by the opening of another six-suite property – Taj River Lodge. The larger Taj Hills Lodge is expected to complete the trifecta in April 2027.
Taj Cape Town has also undergone a complete makeover that saw a refresh of rooms and suites, including Heritage Rooms, 40 Tower Rooms, and Taj Club Suites. The first phase was completed in late 2025, with the remaining 50 rooms finalised early this year.
Meantime, Thabisile Mthethwa, regional manager marketing at Kwazulu-Natal Tourism & Film Authority points out that the province has seen a number of new premium travel offerings open recently. ‘These all cater for the Australian and New Zealand market with high-end products, new activities and additional cultural experiences.’
She is reminding agents that Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari opened in the province last month – a development which is sure to generate interest here.
Manyoni Private Game Reserve is expanding its luxury lodging options, with Manyoni Ridge Safari Lodge under construction and scheduled to open in February 2027. The existing Zebra Hills Safari Lodge has recently added a new luxury lodge wing.
Mthethwa also highlights developments at the relatively new Babanango Game Reserve, which officially opened in 2018, received Big Five status in June 2023 and has since seen the opening of the luxury tented Madwaleni River Lodge. Attention is now being given to land protection, community re-wilding projects and other conservation efforts.
Africa Showcase came at a time when New Zealand continues to show positive growth. In 2025, New Zealand delivered 23,324 arrivals to South Africa – 15.8% ahead of the previous year and 42.13% ahead of pre-Covid numbers. By June 2026 it has already delivered 45.6% ahead of the same time pre-Covid (2019).