After planning this trip for almost a year, my family and I were so excited to finally experience Club Med’s new Beach & Safari offering in South Africa.
As the owner of Sabra Travel and a Club Med boutique office, it was particularly special to be among the first travel advisors to experience it firsthand.
We had seen the photographs and heard about the concept, but nothing quite prepared us for actually being there.
Our journey began with a five-hour drive to Club Med’s Vikela Safari Lodge from Durban’s King Shaka International Airport.
We arrived at around 4pm, cutting it very close to the afternoon game drive, which we were desperate not to miss. Thankfully, the team arranged a later departure for us and we were introduced to our personal guide, who was absolutely wonderful throughout our stay.
We knew from our experience travelling in Africa that there are no guarantees on safari. You can hope to see the Big Five, but ultimately, the animals decide what you are going to see.
So imagine our excitement when, within our first hour, we came across a cheetah with its kill. It was an incredibly rare and spectacular sight and to experience it on our very first game drive was something we will never forget.
Over the following days, we were fortunate enough to see almost all of the Big Five, missing only the leopard.
There were elephants, giraffes, buffalo, lions, hippos, warthogs, zebra and so many different birds and other animals. Every drive brought something different and the sunsets were simply beautiful.
I also loved that the safari experience didn’t stop when the game drive ended. We could sit at breakfast overlooking the surrounding terrain and watch wildlife moving through the area and even from the pool we could see animals in the distance.
One morning, we woke to impala grazing on the grass right outside our accommodation. It really made you feel immersed in the environment rather than simply staying somewhere near a safari.
The accommodation itself was wonderful, with individual tented rooms surrounded by the bush, with comfortable beds, private bathrooms and outdoor showers.
During our game drives, we would often stop for morning or afternoon tea, which became another lovely part of the experience. We would meet other guests, share stories and compare what we had seen that day.
Food was another highlight. The boma dinner was particularly memorable, with South African dishes, a braai, pap, chakalaka, soups, salads and desserts, all enjoyed around beautifully lit fire pits with entertainment from local Zulu performers.
At the lodge, the food was plentiful and fresh, and I was particularly impressed by how accommodating they were with dietary requirements.
There was a dedicated selection of gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free options, which is something I know is very important for many of our clients.
Eventually we had to say goodbye to Vikela Safari Lodge, which was difficult after such a wonderful few days. But we were also excited for the second part of our journey: the “Beach” experience.
After a four-hour road transfer from Vikela, we arrived at Club Med South Africa’s Beach Resort which felt a little like coming home.
We were personally welcomed by the resorts Chef de Village (General Manager), whom we had met at other Club Med resorts, and it was lovely to see familiar G.Os again and catch up with them.
All of the G.Os were so warm and welcoming, and that familiar Club Med atmosphere was exactly what we hoped for.
We were fortunate to experience Ilanga, the resort’s Exclusive Collection Space, which gave us access to a private pool area, bar, outdoor deck, comfortable loungers and Jacuzzis overlooking the resort and the Indian Ocean. It was the perfect place to relax after the excitement of the safari.
There was certainly no shortage of things to do.
Between the spa, Zen pool and family pool, and activities including surfing, tennis, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and archery, there was something for everyone.
One of our favourite moments was actually a very simple one: a family game of bocce. What started out as a casual game quickly became extremely competitive and we had an absolute ball.
The food at the resort was spectacular, with a huge variety of options including local African cuisine, Italian and Indian dishes, fresh salads and an enormous selection of desserts. We were never hungry, not for a moment.
And then there was the beach itself. Walking along the sand beside the Indian Ocean was a lovely contrast to the bush and gave us the chance to slow down and simply enjoy where we were.
In the evenings, the resort came alive. The bar had a wonderful atmosphere and the shows were every bit as fun as they always are at Club Med.
After the quieter, more intimate experience at Vikela Safari Lodge, it was lovely to have that energy and entertainment again.
Having experienced Club Med’s Beach & Safari concept ourselves, I can now see exactly why it is such an exciting option for our clients.
It combines two very different holidays into one: the adventure and unforgettable wildlife encounters of safari, followed by the relaxation, activities, food and social atmosphere of a Club Med beach resort.
For travel advisors, I think that is what makes the concept so appealing. You can recommend it to clients who want to experience Africa but don’t want their entire holiday to be centred around safari.
It also works beautifully for families and multigenerational travel, where different people may want different things from their holiday.
For us, it was an unforgettable experience and one that I am now very happy to recommend to our clients from personal experience, not just from a brochure.
