Premium all inclusive pioneer Club Med has confirmed the launch date for its much-anticipated South African resort and safari.
Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari‘s doors will open in July 2026, meaning the one year countdown is officially on! Customers won’t have to wait till then as bookings will open from this October 2025.
Located on KwaZulu-Natal’s breathtaking North Coast, this landmark project is Club Med’s first resort in South Africa, offering a unique dual beach and Big Five safari experience. The brand new resort will be all encompassing including:
Two culinary rich restaurants along with diverse bars and incorporating evening events and performances that reflect the festive spirit of the region.
The property will offer 345 Superior and Deluxe rooms set within sleek, contemporary buildings that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Each room will be bright, modern, and thoughtfully styled with raw materials and colours inspired by the South African coastline, delivering an immersive experience.
411 stylish rooms designed to blend seamlessly with the landscape, offering guests a luxurious connection to nature
Devolted Kids Clubs catered to infants from 4 months
A Zen Zone for adult relaxation, complete with spa, yoga school and adult-only pool
A world-first Club Med Surf School, in addition to snorkelling, sailing, diving, padel, and more
Day and evening entertainment, live music and a full array of sports and wellness activities
Nestled on the pristine Dolphin Coast just north of Durban, a half hour transfer from King Shaka International Airport, Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari will offer a one-of-a-kind holiday, encompassing oceanfront luxury with an unforgettable safari experience. This hotel is the first of its kind, as not only the first Club Med in South Africa, but also the first hotel in the country to offer a dual beach and Safari concept, setting a new benchmark for African hospitality.
Developed in partnership with Collins Residential Consortium and managed by Club Med, the world-class Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari resort represents a long-term commitment to sustainable tourism, local job creation, and economic development.
The confirmed launch next summer comes after nearly two years of construction work, with over 1,200 construction workers already on site. Once operational, the resort is expected to create 800 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect opportunities, significantly boosting the local economy.
For the most discerning of guests, Ilanga, the resort’s Exclusive Collection Space, will offer a more intimate and refined escape with 66 suites. Guests enjoy enhanced comfort in thoughtfully designed suites whose soothing colours and calming interiors, are intended to promote a sense of peace and tranquillity. They will also have access to a private Ilanga pool for Exclusive Collection guests only.
Guests can combine their stay with an escape to Mpilo Safari Lodge, a new game lodge located in a private 18,000 hectare reserve in Zululand that is home to the Big Five. A short flight or drive from the beach resort, the lodge will feature 75 premium tents and the full Club Med experience, set against the wild African safari.
The announcement of the July 2026 launch date signals not only the start of an exciting travel countdown but also a major leap forward in the global footprint of Club Med. With its official July 2026 opening now confirmed, future customers will be able to book their stay from October 2025.
Henri Giscard d’Estaing, President of Club Med commented: “Ever since it was founded in 1950, Club Med has always been a pioneer in exploring and establishing resorts in extraordinary places. Our new project seeks to create value for the local communities and enhance the international appeal of the magnificent province of KwaZulu-Natal.”
Murray Collins CEO of Collins Residential also noted: “Our vision is to celebrate South Africa’s rich natural heritage in every experience and every trip here. Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari will be a shining example of this desire to combine authenticity, hospitality and regional development.”
Guests will also be able to enjoy a variety of dining experiences, from global cuisine at Oceana to the elegant, locally inspired flavours of the Nguni Gourmet Club. Throughout the day, drinks and light bites can be enjoyed at several resort bars, including the vibrant Injabulo Bar with its own coffee shop, and the relaxed, surf-culture-inspired Dunes Beach Bar that boost ocean views. Later into the evening guests can enjoy entertainment and festivities that celebrate South Africa’s rich cultural spirit.
True to its roots as a leading activities and experience provider, Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari will be home to a surf school – another world first for Club Med – with several lessons a day provided by professionals and open to children aged 6 and up. Other activities available on site will include watersports like snorkelling, sailing and diving, plus gravel biking, padel courts, and Club Med’s signature flying trapeze. For those looking to dial down the octane, there is a zen zone for adult relaxation, spa and yoga school.
Families will feel especially at home with a comprehensive offering of kids’ clubs tailored to all age groups, including infants from just four months old. A range of nature-based activities, access to the dedicated family pool, and the signature “Amazing Family” programme design for all members of the family to build meaningful memories.
