Tailor-made Vacation · South Africa
Essential South Africa: Johannesburg, Sun City and Safari
Tailor-made, always
Every trip built from scratch around your dates, pace and preferences.
Your own specialist
One named person and a 24-hour number while you travel.
Hundreds of five-star reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot across ten years of LGBTQ+ luxury travel.
At a glance
This vibrant journey takes you from the urban energy of Johannesburg to the glamour of Sun City, before culminating in a private safari in one of South Africa’s most renowned game reserves.
Perfectly paced and crafted for those seeking variety, immersion, and indulgence, this journey allows you to experience the country’s contrasts - everything from contemporary city life to its sweeping savannahs.
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In Johannesburg, you will experience the country’s complex history and creative renaissance with a private tour of Soweto and the Apartheid Museum, followed by time in the buzzing Melrose Arch precinct.
Then, it is off to Sun City, South Africa’s legendary entertainment resort hidden in the bushveld, where luxury, relaxation, and adventure come together in one incredible setting.
The final chapter takes you into the wilderness, where a five-star safari lodge awaits in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve.
Here, guided game drives bring you face to face with the Big Five, while your private villa offers total seclusion under starlit skies.
We only work with trusted partners who help to ensure the best possible travel experience for you, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Day by day
This is a sample plan, not a fixed departure. Days can be added, removed or reordered, and almost every client changes something. Prices are an entry-level guide; your quote will be exact.
Days 1-3: Johannesburg
Begin your journey with a VIP meet-and-greet at OR Tambo International Airport and a private transfer to the African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel – Autograph Collection. Set in one of Johannesburg’s most stylish neighbourhoods, this five-star hotel is a chic base with easy access to the city’s cultural highlights.
Spend two nights in a King Guest Room with breakfast included, and enjoy the city’s unique mix of art, dining, and retail on your doorstep. A half-day private tour offers insight into South Africa’s past and present. Visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Mandela House Museum, and the Apartheid Museum, tracing the story of Soweto and the country’s iconic journey to democracy.
Back at the hotel, unwind by the pool, sip cocktails on the veranda, or recharge with some incredible food at the in-house restaurant before preparing for the next leg of your adventure.
Days 3-6: Sun City
After a scenic private transfer, arrive at The Palace of the Lost City, a five-star hotel at the heart of Sun City’s iconic resort. Surrounded by lush gardens, cascading waterfalls, and themed architecture, it’s truly a destination designed to impress.
Spend three nights in utmost comfort, enjoying world-class facilities including a tropical beach, golf courses, spa treatments, and live entertainment. In this resort, you will find indulgence at every turn.
Optional excursions include hot air balloon rides, quad biking, and cultural performances – or simply time to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.
Days 6-9: Madikwe Game Reserve
Your journey ends in the wild with the essential South Africa experience – a safari. Transfer to Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge, a boutique luxury lodge located in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations.
Stay in a spacious private villa complete with viewing deck, plunge pool, and uninterrupted views of the bushveld. Enjoy expertly guided morning and evening game drives where you can spot lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and more, all in their natural habitat.
In between drives, dine on gourmet meals, sip sundowners by the waterhole, and unwind in absolute peace. With its intimate setting and exceptional service, Jamala Madikwe delivers a safari experience that is both thrilling and deeply personal.
Our Experts
There's no better way to appreciate the natural world than by taking part in a South African safari. You'll have the chance to see the Big Five whilst never compromising when it comes to luxury.
The cosmopolitan hub of Cape Town is often overlooked as a fantastic travel destination. It has a palpably vibrant character and a flourishing food scene. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to experience something completely different.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first inquiry to homecoming. No call center, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.