The second phase of the highly-anticipated Club Med resort is under construction in an 18 000-hectare private game reserve near Pongola.

Officially titled Mpilo Safari Lodge, the smaller 75-room resort will offer international guests a first-hand South African ‘Big Five’ experience, 45 minutes from the coastal site by charter plane.

The lodge will host up to 225 guests a night, with 55 rooms accommodating families and 20 allocated for adults only.

Developed by Collins Residential in conjunction with Club Med, Mpilo will sit on top of a hill overlooking the Mkuze River, with 220 construction jobs created and 120 full-time positions expected upon completion. Most workers will be hired from surrounding Zululand communities, while a local contractor known for sustainable construction is being used.

“The biodiversity is already here – it’s a living, breathing reserve that’s been largely untouched,” said Collins Residential CEO, Murray Collins.

“We’re not just building a lodge; we’re protecting a legacy. From anti-poaching patrols to community training initiatives, we’re committed to a project that enriches both people and the planet. Our low footprint construction strategy is designed to preserve the natural terrain while promoting the use of local resources”.

Guests can look forward to a number of activities both at the lodge and throughout the reserve. Global reservations will open in October.

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