All-inclusive operator Club Med has commenced construction of its first resort in South Africa.

The 342-room and 66-villa resort will be based on the north coast of the KwazaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, about 30 minutes’ drive from Durban’s King Shaka International airport.

However, there will also be a satellite 80-bed Club Med bush resort in a ‘Big Five’ game reserve in the north-east of KZN, about three hours’ drive from the beach resort, which will allow Club Med to offer beach and safari twin-centre packages.

The £260 million resort is due to open in July 2026.

Speaking at the pan-Africa travel trade show Indaba 2024, Club Med Managing Director South Africa Olivier Perillat said: “South Africa is a beautiful addition to our portfolio of sun and ski destinations.”

Club Med already has resorts in Mauritius, Morocco, Sengal, the Seychelles and Tunisia as well as in around 40 other countries around the world.