Our CEO, David Ryan, has a special love for Africa. With more than 20 years of making travel dreams come true, he has seen it all and been everywhere. This year, he highly recommends four gay-friendly African destinations you should travel to. From Rwanda's forests, Namibia's sandy desert, Okavango Delta's veiny water channels, and Zambia's plains, Africa is waiting to be explored!
Out2Africa CEO, David Ryan, in his happy place – the bush
Love-ly Countries to Explore in 2025
These countries have unique characteristics (and personalities, if you will). But they share one thing – raw beauty. Their wilderness is unfiltered and uninterrupted.
Rwanda
The land of a thousand hills… and untamed forests, swamps, and savannahs. Rwanda is one of a few African countries where you can go gorillas and chimpanzee trekking.
This experience takes a walking safari to new heights (literally!) up in the mountains of Volcanoes National Park. As you walk through the bamboo forests of the slopes of dormant volcanoes, you silently step inside the sanctuary and home of gorilla families.
Standing a few metres away from these majestic creatures is life-changing
Nyungwe Forest National Park is also home to the golden monkey and chimpanzee. It’s one of the oldest forests in Africa and is simply magical! We’d recommend staying at the One&Only Nyungwe House as the best home base for your adventure.
Namibia
From foresty hills to sandy slopes, Namibia’s beauty is unlike anything you've ever seen and is a complete contrast to the mountains that hug you in Rwanda. In Namibia, you understand what “in the middle of nowhere” means in the most beautiful way. With all this space, comes silence. And serenity. Ohhhhmmm.
No, this is not a movie set – it's the dramatic Damaraland landscapes
Some lodges in Namibia are so remote that you cannot access them by car. You have to fly in by light aircraft! And what's more glamorous than a luxury fly-in safari in Namibia?
The alien-like terrain is a photographer’s dream. Some rocky landscapes look like they’d be perfect for a scene in a Star Wars movie, and the red dunes in Sossusvlei create a stunning contrast against the blue sky. The night sky is otherworldly. With little to no light pollution, you'll be able to see the beautiful white strokes of the Milky Way during certain times of the year (and if the moon is below the horizon).
Botswana
Namibia’s neighbour, Botswana, is rich in contrasting landscapes. The watery Okavango Delta stretches its veins deep into the land and is a wildlife haven: lions, elephants, colourful birds, African wild dogs, you name it.
It also offers a different kind of safari. Instead of sitting in a bumpy vehicle, you can go on a mokoro safari, drifting along the water in a mokoro, a traditional canoe, for a more immersive safari.
Trot and travel in style over the vast Makgadigadi Pans
In contrast, the Makgadigadi Pans are remnants of an ancient lake, now an endless salt flat. Many travellers explore these plains for photography, quad biking, game-viewing, and the history.
Zambia
South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is pristine and wild! The best way to explore Zambia is on foot. A walking safari eliminates all barriers and boundaries so that you can get down to Mother Nature's level and soak it all in.
The wildlife is incredible, from hippos and giraffes to zebra, lion, antelope, elephants, and buffalo. You can even opt to sleep out under the stars for a truly dreamy night.
If we were lions and this was our home, we’d stare too
Since you’re here, you might as well hop over to Victoria Falls. It's just sensational! Seeing the sheer force of the water gracefully plunging to the bottom of the gorge is something you have to experience for yourself. "Vicky" sure knows how to make a splash!
When to visit Africa
The best time to travel to Africa is every day. It all just depends on what you want to experience.
- For Rwanda, it’s too dangerous to trek gorillas during the rainy season due to slippery conditions, so we’d recommend going between June and September or December and February
- Namibia can get extremely hot, so the best time to visit is from May to October
- Botswana is a year-round destination, but its peak season is between July and October
- Zambia is also a year-round destination, but its peak time is a bit longer, from May to October
Africa might be off the beaten path, but you certainly don’t have to compromise on luxury
Pack Your Bags, Darling!
Ultimately, the best to explore Africa is every day! Our Travel Experts know which lodges are gay-friendly, where you can sleep safely under the stars, and which destinations are ideal for your bucket list. They take care of everything, so all you need to do is pack your bags and arrive at the airport. We manage transfers, lodges, activities, and itineraries!
Drop an enquiry today and tell us what your wildest African dreams are.
