Out Of Office
Request a quote→ +44 20 7157 1570
Proudly LGBTQ+ experts and welcoming to all travellers +44 20 7157 1570

Inspiration

Gay Honeymoon South Africa

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.

South Africa Gay Honeymoons

South Africa is not just gay-friendly. It is the only country on the continent where same-sex marriage is fully legal and constitutionally protected, and that difference shapes everything from how couples are treated at hotel check-in to how openly they can hold hands on a sundowner deck. For a honeymoon, that matters more than most travellers expect: the freedom to simply exist as a couple, without translation or explanation, changes the shape of a trip.

Cape Town is the gay capital of South Africa. De Waterkant is the obvious base: a compact, walkable village of Cape Dutch houses on a hillside above the harbour, with bars like Beefcakes and Bronx Action Bar drawing an easy mix of locals and visitors most nights of the week.

It has a similar scale and energy to London’s Soho, but with mountain views at the end of the street instead of another building.

Johannesburg offers a different, less touristed version of the same thing: Parkhurst’s tree-lined main road is where the city’s gay professionals actually eat and drink, and it feels less like a scene built for visitors and more like a neighbourhood that happens to welcome them.

What sets South Africa apart from other honeymoon destinations, gay or otherwise, is the range packed into one country.

A week can move from Cape Town’s restaurants and Table Mountain’s cable car to a private safari lodge tracking the Big Five, then on to the Cape Winelands for two days of nothing but vineyards and long lunches.

Planning a Gay Honeymoon in South Africa

A South African honeymoon typically begins in Cape Town. Properties along the Atlantic Seaboard are built for sunset, with private plunge pools and terraces angled toward the water.

From the city, the Cape Winelands offer a different kind of luxury: boutique hotels set among vineyards, often no more than a dozen rooms, where the owner or winemaker might host dinner personally, and we can arrange a cellar tasting around the couple’s own schedule rather than a set tour time.

Franschhoek, the country’s food capital, has built its reputation on exactly this kind of hospitality.

Further inland, South Africa’s private safari lodges offer the most distinct register of romance the country has to offer. Suites open directly onto the bush, dinners are served under the stars rather than a roof, and we structure the days around two or three unhurried game drives rather than a fixed itinerary.

Few honeymoon destinations allow a couple to move between a five-star city hotel, a working vineyard estate, and a private lodge overlooking open bush, all within the same week and the same country.

In Short - Why South Africa?
1

Taste some of the world's most acclaimed wine in the Cape Winelands

2

Cape Town is the gay capital of Africa

3

Its boutique hotels rank among the most romantic in the southern hemisphere

4

Track the Big Five on a private safari

South Africa

Safari

Things To Do In South Africa

A safari is likely to be the centerpiece of a South African honeymoon. Tracking the Big Five through the bush with an experienced guide is a genuine highlight of travel here, not just for first-time visitors. We work with a select group of gay-friendly lodges, from intimate camps in the Cape region to the more expansive reserves around Kruger, each offering a different scale and style of safari experience.

A trip across the border into Zimbabwe for Victoria Falls is also worth the detour. Known locally as Mosi-o-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders,” the falls are audible from a considerable distance before they come into view, and the spray alone gives some sense of scale. Options here include a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, a guided walking tour along the falls, and dinner at Batoka Gorge, looking out over the gorge itself.

Together, the safari, the falls, and the more urban pleasures of Cape Town and Franschhoek cover a wide range in a single trip, which is part of why South Africa works so well as a honeymoon destination: few countries offer this much contrast without requiring multiple flights.

South Africa also pairs naturally with a stay in Mauritius, for couples looking to follow the safari and the Winelands with time on the coast.

South Africa

Winelands

Begin

The best trips begin with a conversation, not a booking form.

Start planning your honeymoonStart planning→

FAQs

Is South Africa Safe?

Sadly, the crime rates are very high. You shouldn’t wander around at night, nor should you wear clothes that signal wealth (leave the Rolex at home). It’s advisable to ask for cabs at your hotel and avoid no-go areas.

What is the best time to visit Cape Town?

Peak season runs from December to February, when the weather is warmest and the city is at its busiest. For wine touring specifically, the harvest months of February and March tend to draw the most attention, when the Winelands are at their most active.

What is the best time to go on a South African safari?

The dry season, from May to October, offers the best game viewing, since animals gather more predictably around water sources and the bush is less dense. The wet season, from November to April, brings a greener landscape and stronger birdlife, though wildlife can be harder to spot.

South Africa

Cape Town

Tailor-made

No two trips we plan are the same. Yours will be no exception.

Start planning your honeymoonStart planning→

Best Time For A Gay Honeymoon In South Africa

September through April is South Africa’s warmer half of the year and the best window for Cape Town and the Winelands, with dry, sunny days well-suited to beach time and vineyard visits. May through September, by contrast, is the strongest season for safari, since dry winter vegetation makes game far easier to spot around Kruger and private reserves.

That split makes September and October, along with April, the best all-around months for a honeymoon combining both halves of the country, offering decent safari viewing alongside comfortable Cape Town weather. December and January are Cape Town’s busiest, most festive months but also its priciest for both flights and hotels.

South Africa

Safari Lodge

Speak to a specialist

Your personal travel specialist, from the first conversation to the flight home.

Start planning your honeymoonStart planning→

Best Places To Combine For A South Africa Honeymoon

Cape Town and a private game reserve form the classic, beautifully curated South African honeymoon, typically Kruger or one of the smaller reserves in the Sabi Sand or Madikwe regions, connected by a short flight from Cape Town or Johannesburg.

Couples with more time often add a slow drive along the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, stopping at coastal towns and smaller reserves along the way, which adds a scenic, less-structured middle section to the trip.

Zanzibar, part of Tanzania, is a popular way for couples to close out a Cape Town and safari honeymoon with several final days on the beach.

Cape Town

Table Mountain

Considered travel

Tell us how you like to travel. We will shape the trip around it.

Start planning your honeymoonStart planning→

FAQs

Is South Africa legal and welcoming for a gay honeymoon?  

South Africa was the first country in Africa, and one of the first in the world, to legalize same-sex marriage in 2006, and its constitution explicitly protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Cape Town has long been considered the continent’s most established gay-friendly city, though attitudes in some rural areas remain more conservative than in Cape Town itself.

How many days should we plan for a South Africa honeymoon?  

Ten to twelve days allows time for Cape Town, the Winelands, and a proper three- or four-night safari without rushing. A shorter trip of seven to eight days works, focused on just Cape Town and a nearby reserve.

Which is better, Cape Town or a safari?  

They serve very different halves of a honeymoon: Cape Town for wine, beaches, and city energy and a safari for wildlife and a genuinely different pace. Nearly every South Africa honeymoon combines both rather than choosing one.

More honeymoon ideas worldwide

Showing 133–144 of 265

The Best Luxury Hotels in the Greek Islands

Tailor-made Holiday

The Greek Islands have always been one of our top destinations that our clients visit often. With some of Europe’s most charming hotels, particularly in Mykonos and Santorini, Greece is home to many world-class hotels.

7 days tailor-made from £2,800 per person View trip

The Best Gay-Friendly Luxury Hotels in Morocco

Discover the finest luxury hotels in Morocco Tailor-made Holiday

Morocco is the most visited country on the African continent for a reason. Its blend of ancient cities like Marrakech, Fez, and Casablanca, vibrant souks, and stunning landscapes such as the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert make it an irresistible destination. In the post-war era, Morocco was considered to be more gay-friendly than most Western countries.

7 days tailor-made from £2,620 per person View trip

Northern Gems: Castles and Coastlines

Tailor-made Holiday

Experience the captivating beauty and welcoming nature of Northern France with one of our most sought after itineraries. This carefully curated journey combines rich history, enchanting landscapes, and cultural treasures. From the grandeur of medieval castles to the dramatic coastal cliffs of Normandy, this adventure promises to enchant and inspire you. Begin your journey in the Loire Valley, home to some of France’s most magnificent castles and lush vineyards.

9 days tailor-made from £4,725 per person View trip

Classic France: Paris, Provence and Riviera

Tailor-made Holiday

Embark on an unforgettable journey through France with this meticulously designed itinerary. Discover the romantic allure of Paris, the picturesque beauty of Provence, and the sparkling elegance of the Riviera, offering a perfect harmony of culture, history, and luxury. Crafted with inclusivity in mind, this French escape is an inspiring adventure for those seeking classic French luxury.

9 days tailor-made from £4,200 per person View trip
Luxury

The Britannic Explorer, Belmond’s Luxury Sleeper Train

United Kingdom Tailor-made Holiday

Embark on the Britannic Explorer, the latest luxury rail adventure crafted by Belmond. This exclusive journey combines the charm of luxury train travel with the beauty of Britain's landscapes. From historic cities to rolling countryside, every detail of the Britannic Explorer experience is designed to immerse you in luxury, comfort, and culture. Whether you're savouring world-class cuisine on board or exploring iconic destinations, this journey is the perfect blend of indulgence and adventure.

3 days tailor-made from £5,800 per person View trip

The French and Italian Riviera: Nice to the Cinque Terre

Tailor-made Holiday

This 14-day trip runs the coast from Nice to the Cinque Terre by first-class train and private car, with five bases along the way, Nice, Monaco, Sanremo, Portofino and Porto Venere. You start in Nice at the Hotel Negresco, built in 1913 and one of the few Belle Époque grand hotels on this stretch of coast still run the way it originally was.

14 days tailor-made from £5,910 per person View trip

The Glacier Express to the Italian Lakes: Six Stops Through the Alps

Tailor-made Holiday

This 15-day trip moves from the Swiss Alps down into the Italian lakes across six bases, Zurich, Zermatt, St Moritz, Lugano, Lake Como and Lake Garda, joined mostly by train. You start in Zurich for two nights at the Dolder Grand, which holds close to 100 works of art across the hotel. A private guide covers the old town, and a day trip to Lucerne includes the cable car up Mt Pilatus.

15 days tailor-made from £9,500 per person View trip

Sigiriya to Ella: A Journey Through Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle and Tea Country

Tailor-made Holiday

Sri Lanka carries three distinct landscapes within a few hours' drive of each other, ancient rock fortresses, misted tea hills, and a wildlife-dense southern coast, which is what makes it one of the few destinations where a single trip can move through this much variety without feeling rushed. This 15-day itinerary was built by our travel specialists around that range, moving from the Cultural Triangle's ancient sites through tea country to the coast.

15 days tailor-made from £5,595 per person View trip

Classic France by Train

Tailor-made Holiday

Discover French elegance and culture on our Classic France by Train itinerary. This 10-day journey invites you to immerse yourself in the heart of France, traversing from the romantic boulevards of Paris to the culinary capital of Lyon, and finally to the sun-drenched Riviera in Nice.

10 days tailor-made from £2,960 per person View trip

Italy & Dalmatian Coast Cruise

Tailor-made Holiday

Venice's canals, a string of Adriatic ports, and Rome's oldest streets, seen at the pace only a ship allows. This tailor-made itinerary and Seabourn gay cruise pairs Italy with the Dalmatian Coast, moving from Venice's canals to a string of Adriatic ports before closing in Rome.

15 days tailor-made from £7,555 per person View trip

Luxury Mediterranean Cruise: Athens to Barcelona

Tailor-made Holiday

This itinerary pairs Athens's ancient core with a week at sea through some of the Mediterranean's quieter ports, closing in Barcelona. It's built around one of Seabourn's signature Mediterranean sailings, with the two city stays framing the cruise on either end. The trip begins in Athens at the King George Hotel, positioned in the city's historic centre.

14 days tailor-made from £5,825 per person View trip

Italy, Greece & Turkey: Luxury Gay-Friendly Cruise

Tailor-made Holiday

This itinerary moves through Italy, Greece, and Turkey, combining Rome and Athens with a seven-night LGBTQ+ friendly cruise of the Greek islands aboard Virgin Voyages, closing with a stop in Bodrum along the way. The trip begins in Rome, where ancient ruins and Renaissance-era architecture sit within a short walk of the city's best shopping and nightlife.

11 days tailor-made from £3,840 per person View trip

Frequently asked questions

What does Out Of Office do?

Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specialising in tailor-made holidays and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury holidays, 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 personalised 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 travelling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.

We welcome every traveller, 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, personalised service and discretion.

Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ holidays?

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 personalised 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+ travellers 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.

What our travellers say
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

Did you know?

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.

Our charity partner

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 travelling 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 enquiry to homecoming. No call centre, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.














    We will endeavour to have a member of our team call you at your preferred time.




    We ask so that we can tailor your itinerary accordingly.


    By submitting you confirm you have read our Privacy Policy.