A major new tourism development is steadily moving from blueprint to reality, with the Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari resort confirmed to open on 4 July 2026, as per Club Med.
The R2 billion project, which combines a coastal resort with a Big Five safari lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, is now nearing completion following more than two years of construction.
The development is being delivered in partnership with Collins Residential Consortium and will be managed by Club Med, marking the international brand’s return to South Africa.
The project leader, Chris du Toit, who has been involved since 2018, has provided regular progress updates, including recent images showing the beach resort in its final stages. Bookings opened towards the end of 2025, allowing travellers to request quotes ahead of the resort’s mid-2026 launch.
According to BusinessTech, construction has involved more than 1,200 workers on site, underlining the scale of the development.
Once operational, the resort is expected to create 800 direct jobs and more than 1,500 indirect employment opportunities, offering a significant boost to the surrounding local economy.
In addition, 110 young people have enrolled in a dedicated training programme through the NukaKamma Hospitality School. They are currently preparing for winter traineeships at Club Med resorts abroad before transitioning into permanent roles at the South African property.
The majority of positions will be filled by candidates from nearby communities, aligning with Club Med’s Happy to Care initiative.
The beach resort will feature 411 accommodation units, including:
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310 superior rooms
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35 deluxe rooms
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66 suites within the Exclusive Collection
The resort will deliver Club Med’s signature all-inclusive offering, including premium accommodation, gourmet dining and open bars.
A strong emphasis has been placed on family travel, with dedicated kids’ clubs offering tailored facilities and certified staff for children from four months old through to teenagers.
Food and leisure form a central part of the experience, as the Oceana restaurant serves as the resort’s main dining venue, offering an international buffet across five marine-themed spaces, an ocean-facing terrace and a wine cellar. Its menu draws on South African, Asian, European and Mediterranean influences.
Meanwhile, the Nguni Gourmet Club focuses on Southern African flavours, using fresh, locally sourced produce. Describing the concept, Club Med said: ‘It is a surf and turf-style cuisine, faithful to its roots, where taste takes pride of place.’
Additional venues include the Dunes beach bar, a family pool bar, the Ilanga Exclusive Collection lounge, and the main Injabulo bar.
The beach resort will feature three distinct pool areas:
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A central, ocean-facing L-shaped pool
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A family pool near the children’s clubs and flying trapeze
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An adults-only Zen pool adjacent to the spa and fitness facilities
According to BusinessTech, sporting activities range from sailing, surfing and snorkelling to archery, padel tennis and flying trapeze lessons, reinforcing the resort’s focus on active holidays.
Beyond the coast, guests will be able to extend their stay with a safari experience at the Mpilo Safari Lodge, located in a private 18,000-hectare reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The lodge, developed to Club Med standards, offers 80 rooms, including 75 premium tents made up of family and adult-only options.
Set on elevated terrain overlooking mountain ranges and the Mkuze River, the lodge caps capacity at around 225 guests per night to maintain exclusivity.
‘Nestled in the heart of 18,000 hectares of private reserve, this lodge offers you total immersion in the magic of South African nature,’ Club Med described the setting.
Guests will enjoy twice-daily guided safaris led by expert rangers, with opportunities to view the Big Five.
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Picture: Club Med
