South Africa Gay Travel

South Africa was the first country in the world to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. It was also the fifth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. Unfortunately, a forward-thinking political climate hasn’t translated to public acceptance, as social stigma is still thick across the country, especially in rural areas. When asked, “Should Society Accept Homosexuality?” over 61% of locals said ‘No’.

Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Legal
Right to Change Gender: Legal, but requires surgery
Same-Sex Adoption: Legal
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal
Equal Age of Consent: Equal

Gay nightlife revolves around Johannesburg and Cape Town, and both cities have thriving LGBT communities. To a lesser degree, both Pretoria and Durban have small gay communities. While South Africa is certainly leagues better than neighbouring countries, we still recommend gay travellers practice discretion in South Africa, especially in rural areas and townships.

Gay Villages in South Africa

Cape Town: De Waterkant

Pride Festivals & Events in South Africa

Cape Town: Annually, in Late February/March
Joburg Pride: Annually, in October
Pretoria Pride: Annually, in October
Durban Pride: June
Cape Town & Johannesburg: Out In Africa Film Festival. Annual.

Best Gay Beaches in South Africa

Cape Town: Clifton Third beach
Cape Town: Sandy Bay (Nude)
Durban: Virginia
Durban: The Northern point of Umhlanga (Nude)

Best Gay Bars in South Africa

Cape Town: Crew Bar (Bar and Club)
Cape Town: Pink Panther (Club)
Cape Town: Cafe Manhattan (Bar and Restaurant)
Johannesburg: Beefcakes (Bar and Restaurant)
Johannesburg: Trouble (Bar)
Johannesburg: Ratz (Bar)
Durban: Club Altitude
Pretoria: Rasputin

Best Lesbian Bars in South Africa

There are no lesbian-specific bars in South Africa. However, regular lesbian parties are thrown in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. Here’s a helpful Facebook Group that lists lots of Lesbian Events.

5. Victoria Falls

Located right on the border of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is one of Africa’s (and the world’s) largest spectacles – literally one of the largest, as it is nearly twice as tall as Canada’s Niagra Falls.

4. Cape of Good Hope

Deserted beaches, excellent bird watching and some exceptional biking and hiking await travellers visiting this small stretch of Table Mountain National Park.

3. Stellenbosch

This gorgeous and historic town is surrounded by South Africa’s best vineyards. Spend your day biking between estates sipping and supping.

2. Kruger National Park

This massive wilderness oasis on South Africa’s northeastern border is renowned for its biodiversity. On any typical game drive, you’ll likely spot most (if not all) of the Big Five safari animals: lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros.

1. Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the world’s most recognizable city lines (thanks, Table Mountain), unlike elsewhere in Africa. It is a melting pot of culture, cuisine, language and religion. Travellers are delighted by the wealth of activities available, from cultural highlights like museums and gardens to active adventures like world-class surfing and hiking. Be sure to indulge in the incredible restaurant scene and the raucous LGBT nightlife.

Best Time to Visit: Deciding when to visit South Africa depends on what you want to see. Cape Town is lovely from November to February, which is their summer. But it’s also the wet season in Kruger Park (and most other wildlife/safari hotspots). On the flip side, the best time for game viewing is typically June to October…there will be less rain on safari, but it will be cool and wet in Cape Town.

Electricity: A-, B- and C-type sockets.

Time Zone: (GMT+02:00) Harare, Pretoria

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.

Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for South Africa, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

Visas: There is no visa requirement for American, Australian, British and Canadian travellers to South Africa. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller. If you are travelling to nearby countries such as Zambia or Zimbabwe, you will likely require a visa which can be obtained at the point of entry.