During our time in South Africa we went on 3 safaris in total. For the first we flew to Johannesburg and headed to Kruger National Park which was incredible! However, when it comes to the garden route (and saving yourself a flight) we went to the following two gay friendly safaris.
Gay Friendly Safaris in the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve blew us away. This is a 5-star safari experience with a heavy focus on conservation, authenticity and environmental impact.
The 58-hectare reserve is completely open meaning that your guides have to actively track the wildlife. As a result, it becomes so much more exciting and authentic when you do spot one of their animals.
When it comes to the accommodation, we stayed at the Dwyka tented lodges. These were luxury lodges, with private outdoor jacuzzis where you could drink champagne under the stars.
If experiencing a safari game drive in South Africa is on your travel ‘bucket list,’ there’s never been a better time to do it. From the elephants to rhinos and lions to the monkeys and warthogs, observing the wildlife in their natural habitat from such a short distance can be an incredibly surreal and once-in-a lifetime experience, one that any avid traveler would likely rate as unforgettable.
South Africa is also a destination becoming increasing popular with the LGBTIQ community. Post-apartheid, it’s a country that was among the first to outlaw sexual discrimination as the fifth country worldwide to legalize same-sex marriage.
And while the country has much to offer with cities such as Cape Town, Sun City, Durban and Johannesburg, the main attraction of the country by far is visiting safari game lodges. In partnership with South African Tourism, I was fortunate enough to join a variety of international media representatives for a Safari South Africa experience at Shamwari Game Reserve (Sarili Lodge) in Port Elizabeth.
It’s a ‘must-do’ experience and most safari lodges are easily accessible via short flights from most major cities. Located just over an hour drive from Port Elizabeth airport; our lodge is set within more than 25,000 hectors of land with 6 separate (and equally stunning) 5-star lodges, animal education and rehabilitation facilities and an explorer camp. And while it’s an indulgent experience for solo or couples traveling together, it’s also family-friendly so everyone can relax and explore. The lodge is also a safe and friendly environment for all individuals and at no point in my stay did I feel anything other than completely welcomed.