Gay Travel

South Africa, the beautiful and vibrant country at the tip of Africa, was the fifth country in the world to allow legal marriages between same-sex couples.  Our new constitution also offers protection from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. For these reasons, along with world class facilities, breathtaking scenery and a range of gay festivals and events, South Africa can proudly welcome gay and lesbian travellers to its shores. 
The highlight of any visit to South Africa is a stay in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town which has distinguished itself as one of the top gay destinations in the world. 
The city pulsates after dark and has a dizzying array of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.  Besides international DJ’s such as Tall Paul and Carl Cox who regularly play in the city, Cape Town also boasts excellent home grown DJ’s that’ll keep you on your feet till the early hours of the morning.

Cape Town is also home to many gay festivals and events. The most well-known of these is the annual Mother City Queer Project. On a sultry summers evening in December beautiful people get dressed up in extraordinary costumes and loose all inhibitions as they dance along to the hottest DJ’s and bands. The Cape Town Pride Festival aims to create awareness around issues impacting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities. This celebration with a cause includes a film festival and lively pride parade among other festivities.

Other events around the country include the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras that takes place in the beautiful town of Knysna and celebrates the diversity of the gay culture.  The annual Sexpo, the world’s largest health, sexuality and lifestyle expo, attracts thousands of visitors with sizzling hot shopping and entertainment.  Sexpo takes place in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.  The Out in Africa Pride Film Festival showcases films from around the world.  Film festivals are hosted throughout the year in Port Elizabeth, Soweto, Johannesburg and Cape Town. 

Johannesburg, the financial capital of South Africa, rivals Cape Town in the amount of gay friendly restaurants, bars and entertainment on offer.  It is also the perfect gateway to Sun City, with its casinos and golf courses.

The Garden Route and the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal are other areas that are highly recommended for the gay & lesbian traveller. The Garden Route with its lush green forests, hidden coves and quaint villages, is one of the most romantic destinations in South Africa. Kwa-Zulu Natal attracts visitors from all over the world with its endless golden beaches, World Heritage Sites and a fusion of cultures. 

A “must do” when travelling to South Africa is a Big 5 safari. The term Big 5 refers to five of the Africa’s most magnificent mammals: lion, leopard, rhino, the African elephant and the Cape Buffalo.  The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park and Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal; the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga; the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve in Limpopo; the Addo Elephant National Park and Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape all have the Big 5. There is also the opportunity, in some of these parks, to observe the Big 7 which includes the African Elephant, rhino, lion, Cape buffalo, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark.
Game drives are spent in the company of experienced and very knowledgeable rangers and guests can look forward to not only the possibility of observing the larger animals in their natural habitat, but also to experience the outstanding bird life and leave with a keener understanding of the fragile habitats in which these animals live. Some lodges bring you even closer to nature by offering exciting guided walking safaris with an armed ranger – a once in a life time experience! 
Safari lodges offer luxurious accommodation, world class cuisine and traditional African hospitality in the tranquil surroundings of the unforgettable African bush.

There are many establishments all over the country that are either gay friendly or exclusively designed for the gay traveller. Chic, privately owned guest houses cater to the specific needs of the gay visitor, there are a wide variety of gay and lesbian nightclubs and bars, and several beaches are frequented by mostly gay sun seekers. 

UTC is proud to have gay consultants who understand the specific needs of the gay and lesbian traveller, and are dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences.