The Capital Zimbali
The former Fairmont Zimbali, between coastal forest and the Indian Ocean
About this stay
The Capital Zimbali is the former Fairmont Zimbali: the Capital hotel group bought it out of business rescue in 2021, upgraded it and reopened it under its own name. The building sits at 5 Corkwood Drive inside the gated Zimbali Coastal Estate, a strip of protected subtropical coastal forest on the Dolphin Coast whose eastern edge is about three kilometres of Indian Ocean beach. Ballito's shops and restaurants are within 20 minutes by car, King Shaka International Airport about 20 minutes and central Durban about 30. The estate's Tom Weiskopf golf course, his first design in Africa, became members-only in December 2020, but guests staying on the estate can still play it. The whole coast is outside the malaria zone.
- Former Fairmont Zimbali, relaunched by The Capital after 2021
- Gated Zimbali Coastal Estate with about 3 km of beach
- Tom Weiskopf golf course, his first in Africa
- About 20 minutes from King Shaka International Airport
- Malaria-free KwaZulu-Natal north coast
- Rated 9 from more than 1,300 reviews
Our take
The Capital Zimbali is the former Fairmont, and the reason to book it is the estate rather than the building: a gated stretch of coastal forest with its own Indian Ocean beach and a Tom Weiskopf golf course that outsiders can no longer simply book. I would choose it for a honeymoon or a family beach week on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, especially after a malaria-free safari, since warm water and no prophylaxis make an easy finish. I would not choose it to explore: you need a car for Ballito's beachfront, and evenings inside the estate are quiet.
- If you want to play the Zimbali course, staying here is the simplest way in: since December 2020 visitors need a member or an estate stay to get a tee time.
- For supervised sea swimming with children, take the short drive to Ballito's main beaches such as Willard Beach, which have lifeguards and shark nets.
- Fly into King Shaka International rather than driving from Durban: the airport is about 20 minutes away on the north side of the city.
- Use the estate's forest trails at dawn: the coastal forest is the most interesting nature on this stretch of coast, and the heat builds fast in summer.
Why we love it
- Coastal forest and Indian Ocean beach on one estate
- A way onto the members-only Weiskopf course
- Warm-water beach stay without malaria risk
- Twenty minutes from King Shaka International
Why guests love itThe estate is what makes this hotel work for families: a gated setting, coastal forest to walk in and the Indian Ocean, which on the KwaZulu-Natal coast is warm enough for children to swim in most of the year, unlike the Atlantic around Cape Town. Ballito is malaria-free, so the stay pairs easily with a game drive in a malaria-free reserve or a few days in Cape Town. The drawbacks are logistics. Ballito's beachfront, its tidal pools and its netted, lifeguarded beaches are a drive away, and the estate itself is calm after dark, which suits young children better than teenagers. With a rating of 9 from more than 1,300 reviews, guests clearly rate the setting and service.
Guest reviews
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