LGBT vacations in South Africa
In 1998, South Africa became the first country in the world to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. It was the fifth country in the world to legalise same sex marriage - and remains the only country in Africa to do so.![]()
History of LGBT rights
From 1948-1994, homosexuality was a criminal offence in South Africa, punishable by up to seven years in prison. Gay people were harassed and persecuted, events were outlawed and activists were imprisoned under the harsh apartheid government. In 1998, under President Nelson Mandela, the Employment Equity Act was passed, with the aim of achieving equality in the workplace. A number of companies have since been taken to court following discriminatory incidents, with the court ruling against them. This was followed in 2000 by the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, a comprehensive law which forbids discrimination by individuals, private organisations and the government. This may be based on – amongst other things – sexual orientation, gender and HIV/AIDS status, as well as race, religion, disability, etc.
Appropriately for the country nicknamed the ‘rainbow nation’, the push for greater LGBT rights continued throughout the 2000s. As early as 2002, the court ruled that same sex couples should be given the same rights as married couples with regards to adoption. Same sex couples can adopt a child together, as well as adopting each other’s children. In 2006, the South African parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of a bill permitting same-sex civil marriage. In addition, openly gay people may serve in the South African armed forces, and transgender people are permitted to alter their recorded gender in the population registry, allowing them to acquire updated passports and other identity documents.
Our South Africa Vacations
South Africa & Mauritius vacation
Africa and the Indian Ocean. Cape Town, Safari and Mauritius
From
£3795
16 days
inc UK flights
South Africa and Swaziland safari
Lodge safari all encompassing South Africa & Swaziland
From
US $2545
17 days
ex flights
South Africa vacation
Explore Cape Town, the Winelands and the Garden Route
From
£2300 to £4500
15 days
inc UK flights
Cape to Windhoek Namib desert camping safari
Camping safari from Cape Town to Namibia, Sossusvlei, Etosha
From
US $2375
14 days
ex flights
South Africa luxury vacation, Garden Route & safari
South Africa Super luxury Cape town, Garden Route and Safari
From
£3900
18 days
ex flights
South Africa safari and Mauritius beach vacation
This luxury itinerary combines a wildlife safari with relaxation time on the beach
From
£3340 to £5100
13 days
inc UK flights
South Africa walking vacation
Active walking vacation Kruger Swaziland Zululand Drakensberg
From
US $2215
14 days
ex flights
self-drive trip into Limpopo, South Africa
A self-drive trip into Limpopo, South Africa's hidden gem.
From
£2150
12 days
inc UK flights
Camping safari in Southern Africa
Camping safari highlights of Zimbabwe, Botswana & Kruger
From
US $2035
16 days
ex flights
Safari adventure vacation, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique
An extraordinary camping safari across South Eastern Africa
From
US $2830
22 days
ex flights
Cape Town to Victoria Falls small group camping safari
"Overland" camping safari to Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe
From
US $2945
21 days
ex flights
Mozambique, Zululand & beach small group safari
Relaxing Beach & Bush safari through South Africa Mozambique
From
US $2260
14 days
ex flights
Zimbabwe & Botswana game tracker accommodated safari
Adventure lodge safari through Kruger, Zimbabwe and Botswana
From
US $2830
16 days
ex flights
Attitudes towards the
LGBT community
I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say sorry, I mean I would much rather go to the other place. I am as passionate about this campaign as I ever was about apartheid![]()
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu, speaking at the launch of the global United Nations Free & Equal global education campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in 2013
Just as the end of apartheid has not resulted in equality for South Africans, regardless of race, so enshrining equality and rights in law does not mean that there is no discrimination against LGBT people. Within some black communities, it is claimed that homosexuality is “un-African”, as it is associated with colonialism or Western culture. Even the South African President, Jacob Zuma, has been particularly outspoken against the civil marriage bill, and LGBT people continue to face social stigma – particularly in rural areas and in more traditional communities. South African society is comprised of many races, religions and contemporary and traditional beliefs and customs; unsurprisingly, therefore, attitudes towards sexuality and transgender people vary widely across the country. Sadly, discrimination and even violence towards homosexuals, including the horrific practice of “corrective rape”, is not uncommon, although as with most violent crime in South Africa, this takes place largely within local communities (particularly in poor townships), and the threat is often overstated, with foreign visitors unlikely to be targeted. And in a country with one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world, the reluctance of gay men to be open about their sexual orientation can cost them their lives.
Attitudes may be changing, though. While a survey carried out by the Other Foundation in 2008 found that some 84 percent of South Africans did not believe that homosexuality was morally acceptable, by 2013 this had dropped to 61 percent, with significantly increased support for same-sex marriage. However, other reports, as reported in Mamba Online, have showed a disturbing reversal in this trend in Gauteng province, and Human Rights Watch has reported on the harassment and violence faced by black lesbians and transgender men in particular. Journalist and filmmaker Laura Fletcher’s 2014 documentary African Pride covers some of these issues, including the contradictions between law and culture that influence the complex attitudes towards homosexuality in South Africa.
For more information on attitudes towards LGBT people in South Africa, see the full report from the Other Foundation. Interestingly, the report is titled “progressive prudes” because, according to the organisation, “the majority of South Africans think that gay and lesbian people should have the same human rights as other people and should be part of the cultures and traditions of South Africa – even though the majority also think that sex between people of the same sex is morally wrong.”
LGBT travel in South Africa
South Africa is a draw for many LGBT travelers as it is by far the most welcoming country on the continent. Equality is enshrined in its law, and it has many LGBT-owned tour operators and accommodations, as well as several festivals and events celebrating LGBT culture across the country, from Pride marches and film festivals to street parties. Cape Town, South Africa’s “Pink City”, is renowned for its LGBT community, events and nightlife, with the district of De Waterkant, close to the V&A Waterfront and Green Point, one of the main hubs. Other cities, including Johannesburg, Durban and Knysna, also have growing gay scenes, and the South Africa Tourist Board has several pages on its website promoting LGBT travel, with information on accommodation, venues and events.
While all the tour operators we work with describe themselves as LBGT friendly, it is worth asking questions to learn more about how this is put into practice in their South Africa vacations. It is easy to operate an LGBT-friendly tour in socially liberal Cape Town; however, it is less straightforward to incorporate village tours, homestays and explorations of South Africa’s more traditional cultures into an LGBT-friendly vacation. Good operators should be able to share information about customs and beliefs – not just for South Africa as a whole, but for individual regions and cultures across the country.
While all the tour operators we work with describe themselves as LBGT friendly, it is worth asking questions to learn more about how this is put into practice in their South Africa vacations. It is easy to operate an LGBT-friendly tour in socially liberal Cape Town; however, it is less straightforward to incorporate village tours, homestays and explorations of South Africa’s more traditional cultures into an LGBT-friendly vacation. Good operators should be able to share information about customs and beliefs – not just for South Africa as a whole, but for individual regions and cultures across the country.
And while we always do our best to call out any discriminatory or other unethical behaviour within the tourism industry, we also recognise that there is a very fine – and at times blurred – line between expressing your identity (whether on the grounds of sexuality, religion or political beliefs, for instance), and being respectful of local customs as a responsible traveler. We would generally advise, for example, avoiding skimpy, see through or overly tight clothing, as well as public displays of affection when visiting more traditional communities. However, this advice applies for all visitors – regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Our top South Africa Vacation
South Africa & Mauritius vacation
Africa and the Indian Ocean. Cape Town, Safari and Mauritius
From
£3795
16 days
inc UK flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about South Africa or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
LGBT festivals & events
Read more in our guide to LGBT vacations
More about South Africa
South Africa is definitely a year-round destination, with hot summers, mild winters and a climate that varies dramatically across the country.
There is much to draw travelers to South Africa - including the stunning coast, incredible wildlife, and diverse cultures. But perhaps its enduring appeal is also down to how easy it is to travel in a country whose attractions are so wild - with superb roads, fantastic cuisine and comfortable lodging at all budget levels.
It may be a cliché but South Africa really does have something for everyone - with winelands, wildlife, camping and luxury lodges - not to mention the culture, from vibrant modern cities to tribal rituals.
We've chatted to tour leaders, vacation companies and recalled our own adventures to pick out of top four things to do in South Africa.
Kruger National Park is one of South Africa’s most celebrated destinations, and rightly so, home to diverse and abundant wildlife – including the Big Five – over 500 species of birds and a great range of beautiful habitats.
South Africa is home to diverse landscapes, hopping with all creatures great and small, from the Big Five on game drives, to humpback whales that skim the coast.
Towered over by Table Mountain, bordered by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and on the doorstep of wildlife and wine country, Cape Town is way more than just a city.
The Garden Route delivers a diverse dose of South Africa in a single trip: dramatic coast and unspoiled landscapes, wildlife and cool city culture, game viewing and whale watching, hiking and kayaking.
Prolific wildlife, wild beaches, biodiverse wetlands, jagged mountains, Zulu culture and 19th century battlefields – KwaZulu Natal is dramatic, delightful and diverse.
Like any form of community tourism, township tours should be led by the people who live there, be sustainable and non-intrusive.
There is a huge difference between legal game meat and illegally hunted bushmeat in Africa: one is sustainable, the other drives species closer to extinction.
Incarcerated for 27 years for opposing apartheid in South Africa, Nelson Mandela went on to become the country’s first black head of state.
This is by far one of the easiest African nations to travel in with children, with plenty in South Africa for families to enjoy from comfortable lodges to brilliant beaches and amazing wildlife.
Read insider tips from our vacation companies - from how to really get under the skin of South Africa and where to see wildlife in Kruger, to the best way to explore Table Mountain.
Responsible tourism in South Africa has come a long way since the days of big game hunters and Apartheid.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Niko Knigge] [Top box: Niko Knigge]
[Violence against lesbians protest: Charles Haynes]
[Cultural experiences: South African Tourism]
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