Club Med is coming to South Africa

Pauline Derouet

Club Med

South Africa Beach & Safari

The countdown has begun!

In one year's time, Club Med will unveil its very first resort in South Africa with the opening of Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari, located on the spectacular Dolphin Coast, north of Durban, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

This all-inclusive resort will offer a unique experience: a beach vacation in the heart of the wilderness on the Indian Ocean, with the option of an immersive safari adventure from the Mpilo Safari Lodge, located in an 18,000-hectare private reserve home to the Big Five. Club Med is reaffirming its pioneering spirit, staying true to its history of discovering exceptional destinations. By choosing South Africa, Club Med is opening up a destination that is still relatively unexplored by international tourism and introducing the country's very first high-end all-inclusive vacation concept.

Good to know!

Resort opening

July 2026

Sales opening

October 2025

Access

30 minutes from King Shaka International Airport (Durban)

Recommended length of stay

7 to 10 nights (including 2 to 3 at Mpilo Lodge)
14 nights with a getaway in the Cape Town area

A South African first with strong symbolic significance

Club Med is about to unveil a new promise of escape. By setting up shop far from the beaten path, Club Med is reaffirming its pioneering spirit and its taste for adventure and discovery.

Where you least expect it, Club Med is drawing up a new travel map, full of contrasts and surprises: between unspoiled nature and total disconnection. This project is a natural continuation of the Club Med spirit: imagining liberating all-inclusive luxury, focused on nature, simplicity, and connection to the land. Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari will be its new flagship.

A seaside resort like no other, designed for living the free spirit

The site, located 30 minutes from King Shaka International Airport and less than an hour from Durban, opens onto 32 hectares of nature, including dunes, coastal forests, and pristine beaches. This coastline is not called the Dolphin Coast by chance: it is common to see dolphins and whales in their natural habitat, depending on the season. A new landmark on the map of the most beautiful trips to experience in Africa.

Rooms surrounded by nature.

The new Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari will welcome guests to 411 rooms spread across several buildings, whose contemporary architecture combines local stone, light wood, clean lines, and large bay windows. Designed to blend respectfully into the natural environment, these buildings offer a fluid continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces, highlighting the light, vegetation, and surrounding views.

On one side, 345 rooms, including 310 Superior and 35 Deluxe rooms, are nestled in the heart of a preserved landscape. Bright, functional, and outward-facing, they combine raw materials, colors inspired by the South African coastline, and contemporary design to create a warm and exotic atmosphere.

A resort rooted in and inspired by its surroundings

Designed in a collaborative process combining local expertise and Club Med's sensibility, the resort's architecture was conceived by the South African firm Craft of Architecture. Their approach has resulted in modern, open spaces that blend seamlessly into the natural landscape.

The interior design project was carried out jointly by Mobius, a local design agency, and the Parisian studio MHNA, co-founded by Marc Hertrich and Nicolas Adnet, a long-standing partner of Club Med. Together, they created a contemporary seaside atmosphere subtly inspired by Zulu heritage: graphic patterns, handcrafted weaving, raw materials, and a natural color palette punctuate the common areas and rooms, adding a sensitive and authentic cultural dimension. The resort will be organized around terraces opening onto tropical gardens and four swimming pools: a main pool in the heart of the village, a Zen pool dedicated to adults, a family pool area, and a pool dedicated to the Exclusive Collection Ilanga space.

Flavors, cocktails, and festive spirit

When it comes to dining, guests can choose between two restaurants: Oceana, inspired by cuisines from around the world, and Nguni Gourmet Club, a refined restaurant that showcases seafood and local South African produce. The resort will offer several bars designed for all times of the day, starting with Injabulo, the main bar in the heart of the resort, which will also feature a coffee shop for gourmet breaks throughout the day. Facing the ocean, the Dunes Beach Bar will invite guests to enjoy a cocktail in a relaxed and sunny atmosphere, inspired by the spirit of surfing and the South African seaside. True to the festive atmosphere of Club Med, this new resort will be no exception. Every evening, events will celebrate the country's cultural richness, and occasional garden parties facing the sea will prolong the magic.

Nature's Symphony

Breathtaking colors of our planet

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Faces of Humanity

Portraits of people from around the globe

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The Club Med experience continues... in the heart of Zululand

For the first time, Club Med will offer its guests the opportunity to discover South African wildlife at the Mpilo Safari Lodge, located in an 18,000-hectare private nature reserve exclusively dedicated to Club Med guests aged 4 and above. Located 45 minutes by plane from the Resort—or 4.5 hours by car—this reserve covers an exceptional area, among the largest in KwaZulu-Natal, guaranteeing a rare and unspoiled immersion in the landscapes of Zululand. Here, the savannah is more hilly, green, and luminous than one might imagine, offering a contrasting landscape that is emblematic of this region.

Every day, guided safaris will allow you to search for the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, African buffalo) in their natural environment, accompanied by experienced rangers. This is a rare opportunity: not all South African reserves are home to all five species, which makes this experience all the more exceptional. A safari specially adapted for families with young children will also be offered, allowing everyone to fully experience the magic of the bush. The lodge will offer 75 premium tents designed to accommodate both couples and families, with all the comforts of a Club Med experience: a panoramic view, a swimming pool for everyone and a second one located in the adult lounge area, a restaurant, a supervised children's area with water games, and play areas designed for families. This unique expedition can be organized à la carte* with your Club Med advisor, before or after your beach vacation. It will allow you to extend your immersion in South African nature. A minimum stay of five nights at Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari is required to take advantage of this offer.

The all-inclusive experience in the heart of South African nature

The all-inclusive experience at Club Med also includes an approach to sports and outdoor activities that is designed to be a way of life, in the heart of a preserved environment. Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari will be no exception, fully embodying this promise by combining nature, exploration, and well-being in a unique seaside setting.

Sports for everyone

On the agenda :

A surf school—a world first for Club Med—will offer several lessons per day, supervised by professionals and accessible to children aged 6 and up.

Another popular activity is guided gravel bike rides, offering a change of scenery amid sugar cane fields, coastal trails, and breathtaking ocean views.• In addition, there will be padel courts, flying trapeze, yoga, and a host of family-friendly activities to enjoy with your feet in the sand or surrounded by lush gardens.

Wellness

For those who love to relax: a wellness center with a spa, hammam, and outdoor palapa will round out the offerings.

Families, we love you

Children aged 4 months to 17 years are welcome in clubs designed for each age group, with nature activities, access to the family pool, and the Amazing Family program, allowing all generations to share unique moments together.

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