Cape Town’s gay scene is predominantly white, though more and more LGBT-friendly clubs are beginning to emerge in the surrounding townships, where the majority of people are black.
Pretoria’s gay and lesbian scene has grown considerably in the last few years, whilst the gay scene in Johannesburg is notably multiracial. There are also smaller gay scenes in Port Elizabeth, Knysna and Durban and you’ll find an increasing number of LGBT-friendly clubs and bars in small town across South Africa.
There are a number of gay pride festivals in Cape Town during February and March (see www.capetownpride.org) and in Johannesburg in September and October. More recently, Pretoria and even Soweto now have Pride marches. There are also film festivals and street parties; Durban hosts ‘The Bent’, a monthly party held on the last Friday of every month.
Cape Town, being South Africa’s main hub for LGBT travellers, has a vibrant gay culture and attracts visitors from within South Africa, as well as globally. The heart of gay Cape Town is the chic De Waterkant, especially the entertainment strip of Somerset Road where you’ll find a good number of dedicated bars and clubs, as well as the inner-city suburbs of Green Point and Sea Point.
Although South Africa is a great destination for LGBT travellers and there are increasingly events and places where one can be openly gay, we also recognise that there is a very fine, and often blurred, line between expressing your identity and being respectful of local customs as a responsible traveller.
In the tourism industry, and more specifically in South Africa's more remote camps, lodges and hotels, staff have been welcoming a wide range of guests, from different countries and backgrounds, for many years. Rooms are almost universally configured with double or twin beds, as requested, without fuss, even where some camp staff may retain quite conservative personal views.
We'd advise all our travellers, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, to avoid overt displays of affection or sexual behaviour, as these could offend people. We’d also suggest avoiding skimpy, see through or overly-tight clothing when in more traditional or rural communities.
To conclude, the vast majority of people in South Africa are friendly to visitors, gay or straight, and in our experience, LBGT travel here is usually fine and uneventful.
Further sources of advice for LGBT Travellers
A few of the most obvious sources of advice for LGBT Travellers to South Africa are:- The UK Foreign Office (FCO) offers up-to-date advice for countries worldwide on their local laws and customs pages. Check out in particular:
- The pages for South Africa Travel Advice are essential reading for all of our travellers visiting South Africa. Don't forget to also read the advice for other countries that you may visit, or transit through, as part of your trip.
- There is more general advice, not specific to Africa, on the FCO's LGB&T foreign travel advice page.
- A less formal and very useful, hands-on source of information on events and organisation across the country is the on-line gay lifestyle magazine Mamba.
- More specifically for Cape Town, Gay Cape Town is a great resource for guidance on all things LGBT in the city.
- The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) provides information on the laws of countries worldwide, focused around a series of summary maps.
- The Wikipedia entry on LGBT rights in Africa is extensive, with a good country-by-country summary table.
Our top picks for holidays to South Africa
We'll always tailor-make your Town for you. Here are some of our favourites to inspire you.
Cape Genet Self-drive Safari
20 days • 8 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Enjoy fine-dining in Cape Town, whale-watching in Hermanus, and a range of walking and water-based activities throughout De Hoop’s Nature Reserve, the Klein Karoo and Plettenberg. This relaxed self-driven safari concludes with stays in The Winelands and Namaqualand.
US$2,990 - US$4,420 per person
Cape Grysbok Self-drive Safari
20 days • 8 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Explore Cape Town, Hermanus, Franschhoek and Namaqualand, amongst other memorable destinations, during this leisurely self-driven safari. Fine dining, varied activities and impressively comfortable lodges, estates and country houses await.
US$3,940 - US$7,320 per person
Bontebok Self-drive Safari
12 days • 5 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
This varied and great-value self-drive trip visits Cape Town, the Winelands and diverse sections of the Garden Route, staying at great places with real local character. It’s ideal for active couples and families who want to explore the Cape’s stunning locations.
US$1,430 - US$1,960 per person
Waterbuck self-drive
12 days • 6 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
A classic Cape and Garden Route self-drive taken at a leisurely pace and staying in charming boutique hotels. Great food and wine paired with spectacular scenery and an exciting array of activities.
US$2,450 - US$3,410 per person
Cape Mountain Zebra Self-drive Safari
12 days • 4 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Fine dining, luxurious accommodation and a wide of range of leisurely activities make this a superbly comfortable self-driven safari. Visit the cosmopolitan Cape Town, tranquil coastal retreats, stylish wine farms and spectacularly peaceful nature reserves.
US$3,710 - US$7,710 per person
Black Wildebeest Self-drive Safari
19 days • 10 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
Journey from South Africa’s cosmopolitan Cape Town to central Namibia’s Okonjima Nature Reserve during this self-driven safari. The route passes through a stunning variety of landscapes, offering access to this beautiful continent’s rich diversity.
US$3,330 - US$4,290 per person
The Highlights of Africa
17 days • 7 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
An epic adventure taking in some of Africa’s most incredible sights and wildlife experiences, from Cape Town to the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, the Maasai Mara and an encounter with mountain gorillas.
US$14,360 - US$19,690 per person
Leopard Safari
13 days • 4 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Victoria Falls, Botswana and Cape Town – a classic southern African itinerary combining luxury, wilderness, safari and culture. We can't think of a better way to spend two weeks.
US$12,240 - US$18,030 per person
Kwandwe Self-drive Safari
3 days • 1 locations
PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
An elegantly stylish lodge that is well suited to families, Kwandwe offers a range of safari activities and the chance to sight all of the "Big 5" during exploration of the Eastern Cape.
US$2,870 - US$4,460 per person
