Darlings, it's time…Africa has been calling your name, which means you should move those gay African safaris from your wish list to your to-do list. Lucky for you, you're in the right place! Our most trusted, fabulous Travel Experts have compiled the ultimate list of the top eight African safaris for LGBTQ+ travellers. So, go mix yourself a delicious drink and sit back, as we're about to spill the tea on the ultimate gay-friendly safari experiences...
Africa is packed with fascinating wildlife
Gaggle of Gay-Friendly Fun in Africa
Where to start? The truth is that you can't really go wrong with a safari in Africa. However, we'd be lying through our teeth if we told you we don't play favourites! So, depending on what else you want to do while living it up in Africa, we can recommend the best safari destinations to pair accordingly.
Bush and beach? City and culture? Winelands and whales? It can all be done! Just leave it to our Travel Experts to tailor-make a gay African safari you couldn't even have conjured up in your wildest dreams…
Ready for the safari of your dreams?
1. South Africa Safaris
Oh, hello, safari paradise South Africa! You must've been, well, living under a rock if you haven't yet heard of the southern tip of Africa. Home to the notoriously fabulous Kruger National Park, where the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, African buffalo and elephant) roam free, and plenty of other creatures that will leave your jaw on the floor.
Our favourites within the Greater Kruger National Park include private reserves like Sabi Sand because they offer more exclusivity and luxury. Don't overlook the rest of the country, however. In fact, we even recommend you combine a few of these safari destinations as they all offer something unique! From Tswalu Kalahari's desert-adapted wildlife in the Northern Cape and Madikwe's African wild dogs in the North West Province to Phinda's unique blend of bush and beach in KwaZulu-Natal, there are so many dreamy safari settings to explore.
The best time to visit South Africa for a safari is any time that suits you, really. However, the conditions are great for spotting wildlife from May to October, as the bush is more sparse.
Meet the usually-shy leopards in Sabi Sand
Why you'll love it
- South Africa's game reserves are packed with unbelievable wildlife species, and Sabi Sand, in particular, is famed for its high density of the elusive leopard
- Exclusive-use, uber-luxurious accommodation options that will leave you feeling like the royalty you should've been born into
- When staying at the private game reserves, you can go on walking safaris, go off-road to get a closer look at the wildlife, stay out on safari after the sun has set, and more
Who's up for a horseback safari in Tswalu, the largest private game reserve in South Africa?
2. Tanzania Safaris
Cue "The Lion King" opening song…Tanzania and its neighbouring Kenya were made famous by this film. The vast savannah is teeming with fascinating wildlife, and there's just something about how the sun sets in a spectacular colour display that leaves you breathless.
The Serengeti National Park is the most famous of its fabulous settings, as this is where the Great Wildebeest Migration make their annual pilgrimage before crossing over to Kenya. Tanzania is also home to the highest mountain in all of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. Then, there's the Ngorongoro Crater that will leave you dizzy with delight. Plus, did we mention that you can easily add on a tropical island getaway by heading off to Zanzibar's nearby silky sandy shores? You can!
The best time to visit Tanzania if you want to witness the Great Migration in the Serengeti National Park is between June to September.
The Ngorongoro Crater is filled to the brim with wildlife
Why you'll love it
- Easy to combine your classic Big 5 safari with a beachside holiday in Zanzibar, so you can admire wildlife on land and underwater!
- The setting of part of the epic Great Wildebeest Migration, when over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra and other gazelle throng the savannah as part of their annual grazing route
- You'll love the fabulous flamboyance of flamingos flapping their feathers in Lake Natron, as well as Ngorongoro Crater's wildlife-rich trove
Snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro
3. Kenya Safaris
Just like its neighbour Tanzania, Kenya remains one of the best destinations for gay African safaris. And not only because of the magnificent drama that unfolds when the Great Wildebeest Migration passes through the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
There's also admiring Mount Kenya, lazing next to the sandy shores and swimming in predator-free Lake Victoria, exploring the capital city Nairobi's markets… It's not just a safari destination but a full-on holiday to tick all the boxes.
The best time to visit Kenya if you want to see the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara National Reserve is between mid-August and late October.
The Great Migration is a sight to behold
Why you'll love it
- Home to the Great Migration, the Big 5, Samburu Special 5 found nowhere else (Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, reticulated giraffe and beisa oryx), endangered black rhino, over 1,075 bird species, and sooo many more wildlife species
- The luxury tented camps surrounded by wide-open savannah will make you feel tiny yet powerful and is ooh-la-la romantic with all the luxuries you could desire
- There's so much to do, from hot air balloon safaris, walking safaris, running with Maasai warriors, cultural excursions, etc.
Float among the clouds on a hot air balloon safari
4. Okavango Delta Safaris
What if a world exists where humans are few but wildlife are aplenty? Where, everywhere you look, you just see winding waterways lined by papyrus plants and dotted with mini islands. Where big and small wildlife come to sip, splash and pounce. Well, darling, don't you "what if" another second longer.
Okavango Delta safaris are, quite simply, out of this world. It's a puzzlingly diverse and vast area that will steal your heart at first glance. We've travelled here many times, and it still leaves a lump in our throat when faced with its magic again. It's a wildlife wonderland that every fabulous traveller should get to experience at least once in their lives!
The best time to visit the Okavango Delta in Botswana is between May and September when the Delta is in full flow.
Bird's-eye view of the unbelievably beautiful Okavango Delta
Why you'll love it
- Mokoro safaris (a traditional dugout canoe) will bring you super close to the wildlife
- The sounds, smells, sights – there's nothing you won't love about this wildlife paradise, and because the lodges are so remote, you can enjoy a fly-in luxury safari and all the privacy your heart desires
- The largest inland delta in the world, the Okavango Delta's sheer diversity of wildlife and the complex ecosystem that exists here will leave you baffled
A mokoro safari is both serene and action-packed
5. Namibia Safaris
A land of contrasts, an African safari in Namibia will showcase things like desert-adapted wildlife roaming ruby-red dunes. If you want to flee from traffic noises and the crowds, Namibia is the ultimate digital detox destination, with the second-lowest population density on the planet.
Otherworldly? Check. Super private? Check. Ultra-luxurious? Check. Long list of safari experiences? Check, check check!
Etosha National Park is its most famous safari destination, and for good reason. Actually, there are many reasons! The name "Etosha" means "great white place", and its dazzling salt pans are home to over 114 mammal and 430 bird species. Damaraland is another must-see, with alien-like landscapes around every corner.
The best time to visit Namibia is during the drier months, from May to October.
Etosha National Park is packed with a wide variety of wildlife
Why you'll love it
- Etosha National Park safaris, where you'll get to see endangered species like the black rhino and the black-faced impala
- Admiring Damaraland's desert-adapted wildlife, San rock art paintings, and petrified forest will fascinate you
- We just can't get enough of the vastness and seclusion that Namibia offers, making it an utterly romantic and adventurous destination for gay African safaris
Namibia is wildly wonderful with so much to explore
6. Zimbabwe Safaris
What do you get if you mix the biggest waterfall in the world with sensational safaris both on water and land, as well as elephants standing on their back legs to reach fruit high above? Well, meet zen Zimbabwe!
Zimbabwe is well-known for being home to Victoria Falls, the sheer force of this massive waterfall curtain creating a mystical mist, complete with rainbows. Zimbabwe is also an incredible safari destination, whether you're watching hippos and crocodiles from your sunset cruise or you're out on a game drive in Mana Pools and Hwange National Park. We also love this country for its warm hospitality, and you'll feel right at home at the luxury lodges we recommend to our fabulous LGBTQ+ African travellers.
The best time to visit Zimbabwe is year-round, so it really depends on what you want to do. The drier months from May to October are best for spotting wildlife on safari. However, to see Victoria Falls in full volume, plan your trip around April to June.
Victoria Falls is a must-see on any gay traveller's bucket list
Why you'll love it
- Safari boat cruises on the majestic Zambezi River, whether at sunrise or sunset
- Game viewing in Mana Pools and Hwange National Park, with activities like game drives, canoe safaris and bush walks
- All the many adrenaline-fueled activities you can enjoy at Victoria Falls, from simply admiring it from all the viewpoints to zip-lining, gorge swinging, and more
Elephants in Mana Pools seem to defy gravity
7. Rwanda Safaris
Rainforests and Big 5 safaris, anyone? Meet Rwanda! It's a magnetic mix of dormant volcanoes, forested slopes, large predator-free lakes, and – best of all – the endangered mountain gorilla.
Volcanoes National Park is one of the most easily accessible places to go gorilla trekking. It was here that the late Dian Fossey studied these primates' human-like behaviour, which inspired the film "Gorillas in the Mist". You can also see the gorilla's cousin, the chimpanzee, in Nyungwe Forest National Park. But Rwanda is not all about the gorillas and chimpanzees, as Big 5 safaris await you in Akagera National Park, the continent's largest protected wetland.
The best time to visit Rwanda if you want to go gorilla trekking is during the short dry season from mid-December to early February or during June to September when it's the long dry season.
A gorilla family in their natural habitat
Why you'll love it
- Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, as well as seeing other primates like the rare golden monkey
- Big 5 safari activities in Akagera National Park
- Visiting Lake Kivu, one of the most scenic lakes, surrounded by tea plantations
Akagera National Park is one of the must-visit destinations for gay African safaris
8. Madagascar Safaris
Mysterious Madagascar will make you feel like you're on an entirely different planet, It's like a continent of its own, with some of its treasures found nowhere else on Earth! For example, the animated lemur made famous by the cartoon "Madagascar" (remember King Julian?).
With many truly unique treasures, Madagascar is the perfect gay African safari destination for those who love going off the beaten track.
The best time to visit Madagascar is between May and October or September if you want to skip the crowds.
The unique ring-tailed lemur is found only in Madagascar
Why you'll love it
- Over 90% of the wildlife found in Madagascar is found nowhere else on Earth, from the ring-tailed lemur play to fossa and more
- Diving in Nosy Be for an underwater safari to see colourful fish, turtles, rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, and more
- Lots of historical and cultural sites to see, from the famous Avenue of Baobabs, Stone Forests and rich culture of Antananarivo, the capital city
The famous Avenue of Baobabs
Dreaming of Gay African Safaris?
Let's make it a reality! Our Travel Experts can't wait to start tailor-making your dream gay African safari! Reach out today, and let's start planning!
