3 Dec 2025

A coastal comeback that’s reshaping KZN tourism

There is a shift happening along South Africa’s east coast, and Durban is quietly taking centre stage. Global brands are starting to re-evaluate the region and confidence in Kwa-Zulu’s tourism future is steadily returning. Club Med’s decision to establish its first South African resort in Tinley Manor is a clear sign that KZN is back on the map and global investors are paying attention.

Dream Hotels & Resorts is doubling down on the province’s potential with significant investment into three of its flagship destinations: Zimbali Lodge, Little Switzerland Resort, and the newly renamed Malkoha Lake St Lucia.

This large-scale revitalisation forms part of the group’s broader national upgrade programme, but in KwaZulu-Natal it carries deeper meaning. Following years of flooding, social unrest and infrastructure setbacks this level of commitment speaks to a region on the rebound.

Each Dream Hotels & Resorts property offers a unique story of renewal, together painting a picture of a province poised for a tourism renaissance. This is a KZN that travellers want to experience, authentic, nature-led and ready to reclaim its place as one of South Africa’s most compelling destinations.

Zimbali Lodge: A coastal flagship for a new era

Within the lush Zimbali Estate on the North Coast, Zimbali Lodge is in the final stages of a complete transformation that will see it reclassified as a five-star property. The redesign, inspired by its forest surroundings, integrates modern architecture with natural textures and open-plan flow. Its new Eleven Tribes restaurant, due to open fully in early 2026, brings a contemporary African dining concept to the coast, while its reimagined conference centre meets the demand for destinations that merge productivity with wellness and style.

Little Switzerland Resort: Reviving mountain magic

Nestled in the foothills of the Northern Drakensberg at Bergville, Little Switzerland Resort marries alpine charm with relaxed, family-friendly character. With over a century of history, the resort evolved from a tea garden into a collection of thatched chalets and cosy hotel rooms, each offering breathtaking mountain views and a warm, grounded atmosphere.

Far from the bustle of city life, guests can unwind by crackling log fires, enjoy hearty buffet meals, and indulge in spa treatments, all while children and adults alike explore a wide range of mountain-air activities, from hiking, horse riding and fly-fishing to go-karting and zip-lining. Looking ahead to February 2026, the resort aims to launch an all-inclusive package that brings together adventure, wellness and nature, tapping into South Africans’ growing demand for value-driven, inclusive escapes that don’t compromise on experience.

Malkoha Lake St Lucia: Nature, renewed

Formerly Nibela Lake Lodge, Malkoha Lake St Lucia will reopen in November 2025 with a far more deliberate focus on soulful, eco-grounded travel. Set within the rare Sand Forest on the edge of Africa’s largest estuarine lake, the lodge anchors one point of the Zululand Wilderness Triangle, a circuit that links Malkoha with Untravelled Trails and Makhasa Private Game Lodge. This framework shapes the entire stay.

Guests arrive by private ferry across Lake St Lucia before settling into a hosted rhythm of guided morning and evening activities. At Malkoha, these include sunrise canoeing, short spa treatments, African High Tea beneath the trees and star-walks with fireside storytelling. Untravelled Trails adds deeper immersion through barefoot forest walks, silent meditations, birding and butterfly trails, foraging experiences with traditional healers and fossil or cultural walks that explore the region’s history. The Makhasa experience brings Big Five drives across community-owned land that now forms part of the wider Phinda ecosystem, offering a conservation story that is both grounded and compelling.

Together, these curated encounters give travellers a way to experience Zululand’s biodiversity, heritage and wilderness in a manner that is quiet, intentional and deeply rooted in place.

Investing in people, places and potential

Dream Hotels & Resorts’ investment underscores a belief in KZN’s long-term potential.  Tourism is one of the province’s strongest economic engines, and revitalising key properties helps restore confidence, create jobs and attract new travellers. When national players commit and global giants like Club Med follow suit, it sends a clear message: the province is ready for renewed growth.

“KwaZulu-Natal has faced some of the most significant challenges in recent years, yet its landscapes, people and spirit remain unmatched,” says Reinhard Visser, Operations Lead at Dream Hotels & Resorts. “By revitalising our properties here, we are not just improving guest experiences, we are helping to restore confidence in one of South Africa’s most vital tourism regions.”

As KwaZulu-Natal reclaims its place on the tourism map, Dream Hotels & Resorts’ upgrades offer travellers renewed reasons to return, from the forested calm of Zimbali to the mountain air of Little Switzerland and the still waters of Malkoha Lake St Lucia. Together, these destinations symbolise resilience, renewal and the enduring dream of travel that connects people to place, a story of rebuilding, investing and believing once more in the magic of KwaZulu-Natal.