NEED TO KNOW

A new one-of-a-kind escape is coming to the African continent. Opening July 2026, Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari marks the debut of the brand in South Africa, a perfect combination of beach holiday and safari experience. Here’s what guests can look forward to:

Unspoilt beaches on the Indian Ocean’s Dolphin Coast
A private 18,000-hectare game reserve at Mpilo Safari Lodge, home to the Big Five
Club Med’s first ever surf school
All-inclusive dining, activities, and family programs for every age
Debuting in July 2026, bookings open from 14 October 2025

WHERE IN SOUTH AFRICA IS IT LOCATED?

The upcoming resort is located along KwaZulu-Natal’s Dolphin Coast, just 30 minutes from King Shaka International Airport and less than an hour from Durban. The property will span 32 hectares of pristine coastline. That allows guests to enjoy the rolling dunes, lush coastal forests, and vast sandy beaches, creating a breathtaking backdrop for a vacation unlike any other. Depending on the season, dolphins and whales can be spotted offshore, adding a unique natural experience.

Stay in comfort at the heart of the wilderness at Mpilo Safari Lodge.

Explore a private 18,000-hectare game reserve at Mpilo Safari Lodge—home to Africa’s legendary Big Five.

Unwind by the resort's pool. — Unwind by the resort’s pool.

Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari brings Club Med’s signature all-inclusive spirit to one of the most culturally rich and ecologically diverse corners of the world. The resort claims to represent a new standard for global explorers with architecture that blends into the landscape, interiors inspired by Zulu influences, and experiences that range from wellness to wildlife.

Club Med’s new South Africa Beach & Safari resort offers a wide range of luxurious accommodations, with a total of 411 rooms and suites. Choose from 345 spacious rooms (Superior and Deluxe options), or upgrade to one of 66 Ilanga Exclusive Collection Suites for a more intimate holiday experience. The accommodations are designed with light wood, natural stone, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Family-friendly layouts, private terraces, and décor inspired by the coast make it a welcoming stay for all ages. Along with the wonders of nature, guests can enjoy:

Four swimming pools, including a main pool at the heart of the village, a serene Zen pool for adults, a lively family pool area, and an exclusive pool reserved for the Exclusive Collection Ilanga section.
Two restaurants, including Oceana for global cuisine and Nguni Gourmet Club for South African specialties.
Five distinctive bars and a coffee shop for all-day treats.

ARCHITECTURE

Designed by renowned South African firm Craft of Architecture, the resort reflects a collaborative process that blends local expertise with the brand’s signature sensibility. The result is a series of open, modern-style lodgings seamlessly integrated into the surrounding landscape. Interiors have been shaped by a partnership between Mobius, a Durban-based studio, and MHNA, the Parisian atelier of Marc Hertrich and Nicolas Adnet, a long-standing Club Med collaborator. Together, they have created a contemporary beachfront resort with subtle nods to Zulu culture, from graphic motifs and handwoven textiles to raw natural materials and an earthy palette.

THE SAFARI EXPERIENCE

Guests can take a short flight or drive to take part in a safari experience within Mpilo Safari Lodge. Here guests can come face-to-face with Africa’s Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and Cape buffalo — within a vast private reserve. Here, 75 premium safari tents are equipped with modern comforts, a swimming pool, restaurant, adult lounge, family-friendly activities, and a kids’ zone. Daily guided safaris are led by expert rangers with special programs designed for children.

SPORT AND WELLNESS

Club Med invites guests to embrace the island’s spirit of vitality through a wealth of outdoor pursuits. At the Surf School (the first in Club Med’s history), professional instructors guide adults and children (from age six and above), through the waves with confidence. On land, the adventure continues with gravel biking across sugarcane fields and coastal trails, padel courts, and even the thrill of the flying trapeze. Balancing the energy of exploration, the resort’s wellness centre offers a haven of calm, complete with spa treatments, a hammam, and open-air palapas where yoga sessions unfold by the sea.

FAMILY FUN

True to the Club Med spirit, families are at the heart of the resort, with kids’ clubs available for younger guests, starting from four months old. The Amazing Family! program offers shared activities, and a dedicated family pool area that allows guests to make the most of the vacation together.

COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

Built on a former sugarcane plantation, the resort embraces eco-sensitivity with green roofs, natural ventilation, solar canopies, and water-saving systems. Partnering with local farmers through Agrisud NGO and maintaining strict biodiversity protection has enabled the preservation of dune forests and wetlands. The resort is also aligned with the Bye-Bye Plastics programme, Club Med’s signature drive to eliminate single-use plastics at all its Resorts.

Partner Content: Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari

Pioneering a Leap into South Africa

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