Property

New R2.1 billion coastal resort opens its doors in South Africa with packages for R30,000 a week

Kirsten Minnaar • 6 July 2026

South Africa’s first-ever Club Med resort has officially opened its doors after 28 months of construction, marking the completion of one of the country’s biggest hospitality developments in decades.

Located at Tinley Manor on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast, the R2.1 billion development welcomed its first guests over the weekend.

The project combines a luxury all-inclusive beach resort with a Big Five safari lodge, creating what Club Med has described as the world’s first integrated “beach and bush” experience.

The development is regarded as South Africa’s largest hospitality investment since Sun City and is expected to provide a significant boost to tourism in KwaZulu-Natal.

Construction on the mega-resort commenced in early 2024 and was finally completed after 28 months of development.

The project was developed through a partnership between Club Med and the Collins Residential Consortium, with funding provided entirely by South African investors.

The coastal resort offers 411 accommodation units comprising 310 superior rooms, 35 deluxe rooms and 66 suites in Club Med’s premium Exclusive Collection category.

Guests receive Club Med’s signature all-inclusive offering, which includes accommodation, meals, beverages and access to a wide range of recreational activities.

The resort caters strongly to families, with dedicated children’s clubs available for infants as young as four months through to teenagers.

Visitors can also enjoy sailing, surfing, diving, snorkelling, tennis, padel, archery, circus and trapeze activities, as well as several swimming pools and other leisure facilities.

A 500-seat convention centre also forms part of the development, allowing the resort to target both leisure travellers and the business events market.

Complementing the coastal resort is the newly completed Vikela Safari Lodge, located within the private 18,000-hectare Mpilo Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The lodge offers 80 luxury rooms overlooking the Mkuze River and surrounding mountains, allowing guests to combine a beachfront holiday with a Big Five safari in a single stay.

The integrated concept is designed to appeal particularly to international tourists seeking a uniquely South African travel experience.

Club Med South Africa Managing Director Olivier Perillat-Piratoine previously said the combination of beach and bush offers something few destinations around the world can match.

Major economic impact

Club Med is expected to provide a major boost to the local economy of KwaZulu-Natal. Even though it has only just opened, the development has already generated significant economic benefits for the province.

More than 2,300 direct and indirect jobs were created during construction, while between 600 and 650 permanent jobs are expected once the resort reaches full operation.

Hospitality scholarship programmes were also introduced to help develop tourism skills among young South Africans. At the peak of construction, approximately 1,850 workers were on site each day.

The project recorded more than 4.5 million man-hours without a lost-time injury, highlighting the scale of the construction effort.

Building the safari lodge presented additional challenges due to its remote location within the game reserve, requiring extensive planning for infrastructure, logistics, and long-term operations.

Collins Residential Project Director Chris du Toit previously said completing a safari lodge of this scale within 12 months was a significant achievement, particularly given the environmental and logistical challenges involved.

He added that the project’s success reflected the collaboration among contractors, consultants, and suppliers throughout the construction period.

The resort has already attracted bookings from more than 40 international markets ahead of its opening, with particularly strong demand from Europe alongside interest from South African travellers.

The opening is expected to strengthen KwaZulu-Natal’s position as a major tourism destination while supporting the broader Garden Province’s hospitality industry.

Located at Tinley Manor, the resort also provides easy access to the province’s beaches, outdoor activities and wildlife attractions, making it a gateway to some of KwaZulu-Natal’s most popular tourism experiences.

With the addition of the Vikela Safari Lodge, guests can move between the coastline and the African bush as part of a single holiday, creating a tourism product unique within Club Med’s global portfolio.

Following its official opening, the new resort is expected to play an important role in attracting international visitors, creating employment and supporting long-term tourism growth in South Africa.