By Prashirwin Naidu

I was excited for Tata’s return to South Africa, which coincided with the launch of their latest vehicle after a six-year absence. They did it in style, treating the media to a memorable retreat. Our destination was the Cradle Boutique Hotel, an escape tucked within a 9 000-hectare wilderness. Here, peace and nature reign, with wildlife and a variety of birdlife calling it home. This region is also one of the world’s most important fossil sites, a place where history and heritage sit side by side with nature.

Opened in 2016, the Cradle Boutique Hotel was designed to strike a perfect balance between eco-luxury and conservation. As I settled in, I couldn’t help but be taken aback by the charm of my wooden chalet. Its contemporary design, complete with wooden decks and floor-to-ceiling glass, blurred the line between indoors and outdoors in the most beautiful way. A golf cart whisked me to my room, a service available around the clock. On arrival, a friendly staff member pointed out, almost casually, that leopards roam the property from time to time, along with monkeys. She advised me to keep the windows closed, and I complied without hesitation.

Accommodation

Inside, the room was a haven of calm. A massive king-sized bed anchored the space, surrounded by polished wood and neutral tones that echoed the landscape outside. Despite its size, the bed felt almost modest in such generous proportions. I couldn’t help wishing my partner in crime, Jessyca, had been there to share it; the space was too good not to enjoy together. Still, the peace was welcome. I drew a warm bath, let the day’s travel slip away, and stretched out, listening to a chorus of night sounds — crickets, frogs, and a faint breeze whispering through the bush.

Dining
As dusk gave way to night, we gathered around a crackling bonfire near the main lodge. Flames danced beneath a star-splashed sky, the scent of wood smoke mingling with the earthy perfume of the veld.

Dinner was a generous buffet of perfectly grilled lamb, fish, poultry and ribs, each tender and seasoned to perfection. There were colourful salads, creamy mash, chakalaka with just the right kick, and garlic bread so fragrant it deserved its own round of applause. By the time I’d sampled everything, I couldn’t manage dessert, so I passed on the malva pudding and custard, choosing instead to nurse a whiskey by the fire.

Laughter rolled through the circle as colleagues swapped stories and playful jabs. It was one of those nights where time slows, and simple comforts — good food, good company, the sounds of the wild — turn unforgettable. We toasted to the day and drifted back to our rooms, grateful for a place that so effortlessly blends history, wilderness and modern comfort. The Cradle Boutique Hotel was, all in all, a unique stay, the perfect retreat from city life, yet so close to it. It’s a place I’d gladly revisit. After an evening like that, it felt the sweetest way to welcome Tata’s new creations back into the world.