Tailor-made Holiday · South Africa
The Out Of Office Safari Collection
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
Discover the magic and mystery of the African bush from the comfort of a luxury safari lodge. Pursuing the Big Five on a game drive is one of the great bucket list experiences and at Out Of Office we're all about elevating safaris to the next level.
If you're planning the perfect safari, choosing the right lodge and the right location is key to making your trip a success. That's where we come in. Our selection of hotels and lodges have been hand-picked by us to give you the best possible safari experience.
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We've sent many Out Of Office travelers on safaris over the years. Naturally, we only work with the most gay-friendly hotels and safari lodges in Africa, individually vetting each destination to ensure they meet our inclusive standards. You can be rest assured that you'll be met with a warm welcome, whichever accommodation you choose.
Our Out Of Office Safari Collection gives you the lowdown on the best properties from across the African continent. We cover safari lodges in South Africa, from the Garden Route to the famous Kruger National Park. The latter is certainly the most famous safari destination in Africa, and the country is home to a number of national parks offering equally impressive wildlife experiences. Kruger National Park is vast - around the same size as Israel.
Whilst most of our safari packages are focused around South Africa, we also cover Tanzania; a flourishing and verdant country that is home to the most diverse concentration of game in all of Africa.
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.
Sabi Sands Game Reserve
Sabi Sands Game Reserve gives you the classic South African safari experience at Kruger National Park. This is one of the most stylish and luxurious game lodges. Meals and game drives are included in the price. You’ll be guided by an expert ranger and learn about the magic and mystery of the African bush.
There’s a range of lodges to choose from reflecting different styles. Chitwa Chitwa blends African design with a European twist. This lodge overlooks one of the biggest lakes in Sabi Sand. You might see wildlife drinking from the lake as you unwind on your private deck. Alternatively, Londolozi Game Reserve is family-run and a big draw for eco-tourists. There are five luxury lodges to choose from. The Pioneer Camp is the most private and it can host up to 14 guests.
Sabi Sands is the oldest game reserve in South Africa. If you’ve never been on safari in Africa before then this is always a safe bet.
View Sabi Sands
Gondwana Game Reserve
Located right in the heart of the Garden Route you’ll find Gondwana Game Reserve. This reserve is close to Cape Town and located in an 11,000-hectare Private Game Park. The Big 5 roam free here and you’ll be surrounded by dramatic mountain views. The reserve is covered in Fynbos vegetation that illuminates the surrounding valleys. The luxury suites are nestled within the verdant surroundings.
The lodges on offer are next level. The Kwena Lodge is based on classic Khoi-San dwellings and it comes with an infinity pool. The Bush Villas are very spacious and ideal if you’re traveling in a larger group – they come with two to four bedrooms.
For a full conservation experience, you can stay at the Tented Eco Camp. Stay in a luxury eco-friendly bush camp, learn about wildlife management, and enjoy game drives and lunches in the bush.
View Gondwana Game Reserve
Lemala
If you’d like to explore The Serengeti National Park then the Lemala properties are a great choice. They’re spread all over the Serengeti and include premium luxury lodges. The Serengeti may well be home to the world’s finest array of wildlife. You’ll find the best concentration of game in all of Africa.
The Lemala lodges cover much of the Northern Circuit. Some of the highlights include Wild Waters Lodge. It’s mid-stream on the Nile on its own private island. You’ll arrive at the island by helicopter or canoe. Waking up by the River Nile every morning will be an unforgettable experience.
Lemala Nanyukie is one of the more recent additions to the Lemala portfolio. It’s located in the Serengeti National Park in Eastern Serengeti, right in the heart of Africa.
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Thornybush Game Lodge
Thornybush has a collection of game lodges on its own private reserve in Sabi Sand and Thornybush Nature Reserve in Kruger Park. It borders Kruger Park – the animals are able to pass between the two. Thornybush has many highly knowledgeable guides who will show you the extraordinary wildlife in the Greater Kruger Park area.
It all comes down to what type of safari experience you’d like to have. They can offer Big Five safaris, romantic safaris, solo safaris and wellness safaris. The lodges are all very impressive. You can stay in a luxury tented camp, a game lodge or a villa. Thornybush emerged as one of the first private game reserves in 1955. They oversaw the translocation of a herd of elephants from Kruger, later introducing cheetah and black rhino.
View Thornybush Game Lodge
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 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.
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 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.