The venerable all-inclusive resort brand Club Med is opening its first property in South Africa in 2026.
Located in the country's eastern KwaZulu-Natal province along the Indian Ocean, the Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari resort will begin welcoming guests in July 2026. Reservations are open now.
Guests of the 411-room hotel will have access to the sunny, rugged seashore about 45 minutes north of the city of Durban by car. To capitalize on its beachside spot, the resort will feature Club Med's first-ever surf school.
The local firm Craft of Architecture designed the resort to have a contemporary look incorporating African influences using locally sourced materials and a strong sustainability focus.
The property has a trio of swimming pools, several restaurants and bars, and a bunch of activities, including kayaking, tennis, circus arts, excursions, kids' entertainment, and so on.
A luxurious Exclusive Collection space encompasses private suites and a separate pool area.
Since this is an all-inclusive, nearly everything is covered in the nightly rate, starting around $275 per person.
An exception is the most noteworthy excursion: a safari experience that costs extra and must be booked separately. With the add-on, you can spend 1 to 3 nights at Mpilo Safari Lodge game reserve, an accommodation exclusively for Club Med guests. (When we dialed Club Med's booking number, the price we were given for tacking on the 3-night safari experience just about doubled the base rate.)
The lodge is located in a private reserve about 4.5 hours away from the beach resort. During bush drives led by expert guides, lodge guests will get the chance to spot Africa's Big Five animals: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros.
For more information or to book a stay at Club Med South Africa Beach and Safari, go to Club Med's website.
Note that Frommer's has no affiliation with Club Med. We just like telling you about new vacation options.