A New Milestone for Premium All-Inclusive Travel
Club Med, the pioneer of premium all-inclusive holidays, is preparing to enter the South African market with the launch of Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari on the Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Scheduled to open in July 2026, with sales beginning in October 2025, this development will become the country’s first high-end all-inclusive resort. The project combines beachside luxury with an exclusive Big Five safari experience, offering a travel concept that has not been seen in the region before.
A Landmark Opening on the Dolphin Coast
Located just 30 minutes from King Shaka International Airport, the resort spans 32 hectares of untouched landscape. It will feature 411 accommodations, including Superior and Deluxe rooms and an Exclusive Collection Ilanga area with 66 suites. The design, led by South African architectural firm Craft of Architecture with interiors by Mobius and Paris-based MHNA, integrates local materials, Zulu cultural motifs and a natural color palette to create a seamless connection with the surrounding environment.
A Resort Beyond the Expected
Guests of Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari will enjoy a comprehensive holiday experience that blends relaxation, adventure and cultural discovery. Four swimming pools will anchor the resort’s social and wellness spaces, including a family pool, an adult-only Zen pool and a dedicated Exclusive Collection pool. Oceana restaurant will serve international cuisine throughout the day, while the Nguni Gourmet Club will spotlight South African seafood and regional specialties. The resort’s bars, from the lively Injabulo Bar to the oceanfront Dunes Beach Bar, reflect the spirit and energy of the coastline. Evening entertainment inspired by South African culture and occasional coastal garden parties will complete the Club Med experience.
The First-Ever Club Med Safari
For the first time, Club Med will pair a resort stay with an exclusive private safari. The Mpilo Safari Lodge, situated within an 18,000-hectare game reserve, will be reserved entirely for Club Med guests. Premium tented accommodations with panoramic views will immerse travelers in the African wilderness. Expert-led daily game drives will offer close encounters with the Big Five, and families will have access to child-friendly wildlife excursions. Evenings will feature traditional Boma gatherings, where storytelling and outdoor barbecues capture the atmosphere of the savannah.
Adventure, Wellness and Active Discovery
Activities form the heart of the Club Med philosophy, and the Dolphin Coast resort will introduce the brand’s first Surf School, welcoming both children and adults. Additional activities will include gravel biking through sugarcane fields, yoga, flying trapeze, padel and tennis, as well as water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding. A full wellness centre will provide spa treatments, hammam rituals and open-air yoga spaces. Families will benefit from Baby Club Med, Mini Club Med+ and the Chill Pass for teens, ensuring every age group enjoys a meaningful and engaging holiday.
A Commitment to Communities and Sustainable Growth
The development represents an investment of over 2 billion rand (approximately €100 million) in collaboration with Collins Residential and a South African Investment Consortium. The project is expected to create more than 800 direct and 1,500 indirect jobs, with 1,200 construction workers already recruited from surrounding communities. Club Med is also partnering with the NukaKamma Hospitality School to train more than 100 young South Africans who will gain international experience at various Club Med resorts before returning to join the local team.
Sustainability is a central pillar of the project, aligned with Club Med’s global Happy to Care programme. The resort aims to achieve Green Globe certification and a 4-star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa. Initiatives include solar car parks, water-saving technologies, natural ventilation and green roofing solutions. Club Med will also implement its Bye-Bye Plastics commitment and collaborate with the French NGO Agrisud to integrate local farmers into the supply chain, ensuring long-term environmental and social impact.
Opening Timeline
Bookings for Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari were opened in October 2025. The resort is scheduled to welcome its first guests in July 2026. Travelers wishing to experience this unique combination of beachside leisure and safari adventure can visit Club Med’s website for information and early planning.
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