Property

New R2 billion mega-resort opening soon in South Africa

Kirsten Minnaar • 26 May 2026

The new Club Med South Africa on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast is set to officially open on 4 July 2026, marking the launch of South Africa’s biggest hospitality development since Sun City.

Developed in partnership with Club Med and the Collins Residential Consortium, the R2 billion project combines a luxury beach resort with an exclusive Big Five safari lodge.

This will create what developers describe as the world’s first Club Med experience to integrate beach and bush into a single guest journey.

Located at Tinley Manor on the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, the resort offers 411 accommodation units, including 310 superior rooms, 35 deluxe rooms and 66 suites in the Exclusive Collection category.

Guests can expect Club Med’s signature all-inclusive offering, which includes premium accommodation, gourmet dining, open bars and a wide range of land and water-based activities.

A major focus of the resort is family travel, with dedicated kids’ clubs catering to children from as young as four months old.

The facilities include age-specific programmes and certified staff, allowing families to tailor their holidays around both relaxation and entertainment.

Sport and outdoor activities also form a core part of the experience. Guests will have access to sailing, surfing, diving, snorkelling and a surf school.

They will also be able to enjoy a range of resort amenities that include tennis and padel courts, archery facilities, multi-sports fields and circus and trapeze training areas.

The development also features a 500-seat convention centre equipped with advanced conferencing systems, positioning the resort to attract both leisure and business tourism.

Beyond the beach resort itself, Club Med South Africa includes the newly developed Vikela Safari Lodge within the private Mpilo Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The 18,000-hectare reserve – which cost over R300 million to construct – offers an exclusive safari experience centred around a 75-room luxury tented lodge overlooking the Mkuze River and surrounding mountain ranges.

As the lodge was designed to maintain an intimate atmosphere, it will host a maximum of around 225 guests per night.

Accessible via a short drive or flight from the coastal resort, Vikela lodge forms part of the integrated “beach and bush” concept aimed at international travellers seeking a uniquely South African tourism experience.

“Beach and bush is an extraordinary combination for today’s global traveller,” said Club Med South Africa Managing Director Olivier Perillat-Piratoine. “South Africa offers a travel and hospitality experience unlike anywhere else in the world.”

Major economic boost for KZN as Club Med opening approaches

Club Med has already attracted bookings from more than 40 international markets ahead of its opening, with strong demand coming from Europe as well as South African travellers.

The project has become a major economic driver for the region during its construction phase – a trend which is expected to continue after the resort opens its doors.

More than 2,300 direct and indirect jobs have been created so far, while between 600 and 650 permanent jobs are expected once the resort becomes fully operational.

The project has also included hospitality scholarship programmes aimed at developing skills among young South Africans.

Collins Residential Project Director, Chris du Toit, said the scale and speed of the development demonstrated what could be achieved in South Africa.

“This project proves that developments of this scale can be delivered successfully in South Africa,” du Toit explained.

The resort was funded entirely through South African investment, with local banks, contractors and suppliers playing a major role in the development.

At peak construction, approximately 1,850 workers were on site daily, contributing to more than 4.5 million man-hours completed without a lost-time injury.

Constructing the Vikela Safari Lodge presented additional challenges due to its remote location inside the game reserve. Infrastructure, logistics, staffing and transport access all had to be carefully planned to support long-term operations.

Feasibility studies were also conducted to upgrade the nearby airstrip to improve access to the lodge for guests. “Building Vikela Safari Lodge has been an incredible journey,” du Toit said.

“Delivering a 75-room safari lodge in just 12 months is a challenge anywhere in the world – even more so in a remote location with the logistical, environmental and operational complexities that come with it.”

He said what made this possible was the commitment, collaboration and problem-solving ability of an exceptional contractor and professional team who have consistently found ways to overcome obstacles and keep momentum on site.

“Projects like these are never built by one company or individual alone. They are the result of aligned teams, strong partnerships and people willing to go the extra mile to deliver something special.”

With final preparations now underway, the opening of Club Med South Africa is expected to significantly boost tourism along KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast and secure South Africa’s position as a major international leisure destination.