South Africa: urban escapades

Dec. 11 2015

by misterb&b

South Africa is the most gay-friendly destination on the African continent, just 11 hours away from Paris. The constitution protects homosexuals from any discrimination and the legislation allows marriage and adoption for gay and lesbian couples. Of course, homophobia has not disappeared. But gay life is present and visible, especially in Cape Town, the gay capital of the country. This is one more reason to discover the magnificent city of Cape Town, but also the vibrant Johannesburg and the tropical Durban.

Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful urban destinations. The "Mother City" of South Africa, famous for the natural landscape that surrounds it (Table Mountain, the flat mountain from which waterfalls often cascade), is one of the most beautiful urban destinations in the world.the "Mother City" of South Africa, famous for the natural landscape that surrounds it (Table Mountain, the flat mountain from which clouds often cascade, and its Signal Hill and Lion's Head) is also known for Robben Island, the prison island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated and its beaches.

Table Mountain is accessible by cable car, the climb is essential to discover the breathtaking view of the entire Cape Peninsula. At sunset, climbing to the top of Signal Hill is a must, especially on a full moon night.

View on Cape Town from Table Mountain

A must-see, to understand the history of Apartheid, is the prison island of Robben Island, where you can see Nelson Mandela's (very small) cell; in the city center, the District Six museum. Bo-kaap, with its colorful houses, is one of the most picturesque areas of Cape Town. Not far away, the Victoria and Albert Waterfront, a huge complex of restaurants, cafes, cultural and commercial centers, will attract shopping enthusiasts.

The Bo-Kaap district

Willem, manager ofa small gay bed and breakfast in Cape Town, recommends that gay travelers stay in Greenpoint, Tamboerskloof, Gardens, Bantry Bay or Camps Bay. "I recommend a visit to the huge botanical garden of Kirstenbosch, not far from the Cecil Rhodes Memorial, from where you have a splendid view of Cape Town. He also advises to take the double decker tourist buses, which will allow you, via their 3 lines, the Yellow (city center), the Red (city tour), the Blue (mini tour of the peninsula) to discover the main points of interest of Cape Town.

Cape Town, and South Africa in general, is an amazing destination for food lovers, who will find remarkable restaurants at very reasonable prices. A few kilometers from the city center, the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are full of good restaurants, like the Boschendal estate, recommended by Willem: "This 17th century estate is beautiful, you can order a picnic or have lunch in their excellent restaurant. Other suggestions: "On Sundays, try the buffet at the Radisson on the Waterfront, with a view of the Atlantic and the harbor; in the city, I recommend the African restaurant Marco's Place; to the north, in Bloubergstrand, several Big Bay restaurants offer a postcard view of Cape Town, some of which offer Braai, the South African barbecue.

Dixon Street, one of Cape Town's gay streets, in the Waterkant neighborhood

Cape Town is undoubtedly the gay capital of South Africa, as Stephan and André, fromMan and Tree House, confirm: "The Waterkant neighborhood is a real gay village: with 4 bars, 1 sauna and many restaurants, it's a place where anyone who wants to meet local gays will feel safe. It's very easy to get in touch with people here! A large, ultra-modern shopping center, Cape Quarter, completes the landscape.

The flagship of the neighborhood is Café Manhattan, a gay bar and restaurant popular with locals and tourists. Other gay establishments in the area include Bubbles, which offers drag shows, and Amsterdam Action Bar and Bar Code, which are 100% male.

Clifton Beach

Among the many beautiful beaches in Cape Town, there are two gay beaches that are particularly popular during the southern summer. The first one, Clifton 3rd is a white sand beach in the city. Sandy Bay, a naturist beach, is wilder and only accessible by car.

And if you need a good reason to decide, you should know that the two main gay events in Cape Town are the gay pride, in February/March each yearand the MCQP (Mother City Queer Party) every December, which has between 5 and 10,000 participants. In 2016, Cape Town will also host the annual IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association) conference

Johannesburg

Built in 1886 during the gold rush, Johannesburg, Jo'Burg to its friends, has become the heart of South African finance and entertainment. Perched almost 2,000 meters above sea level, the metropolis is larger than Sydney, London or New York. Given the distances involved, travel by car is recommended.

The city is divided into very distinct neighbourhoods, including the vast central area, with the trendy Melville or Greenside neighbourhoods, and the suburban suburbs in the north and south, which border the huge townships such as Soweto in the south.

If you want to understand the system of racial discrimination that prevailed from 1948 to 1994, you should visit the Apartheid Museum. To get you in the mood, your ticket will direct you to one of the museum's entrances, the one for whites or the one for non-whites (photo below). Also worth a visit is Constitution Hill, in the grounds of a former prison where Nelson Mandela and Gandhi were imprisoned, and which houses the activities of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. And then the township of Soweto, which played a crucial role in the struggle against Apartheid and which it is recommended to visit with a local guide.

Newton, with its trendy little cafes, art galleries and museums, clubs and theaters is the cultural and cosmopolitan district of Johannesburg. Melville is one of the favorite areas for nightlife, with cafes, restaurants and nightclubs, as well as Sandton, Greenside, Maboneng and Braamfontein.

There is no real gay district in Johannesburg, gay or gay-friendly establishments are scattered all over the city, between Johannesburg and Pretoria in the north. Among them, the Babylon bar (in Johannesburg and Pretoria), the Simply Blue, frequented by the black and mixed population, but also the REC Room, a sauna-bar and Factory, a 100% male leather and fetish bar.

Gay pride in Johannesburg

Among the events on Johannesburg's gay agenda, the gay pride every year at the end of September/beginning of October since 1990, the oldest and largest gay pride in Africa; and the Out in Africa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in March.

A few kilometers further north, Pretoria is one of the country's three capitals, where the executive power is concentrated. It is also the "whitest city" in Africa. The gay pride takes place there every year in October. Among the gay places, the Babylon Bar and the Sauna Boyz, which is also a bar and restaurant.

Durban

On the coast of the Indian Ocean, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban is known for its year-round tropical climate, miles of beaches, surfers and cultural diversity, which is reflected in its architecture and gastronomy.

The seaside, Durban

In Durban, people like to live outdoors and you will be seduced by the seaside atmosphere that reigns along the "Golden Mile", this long tongue of golden sand that makes the reputation of the 3rd city of South Africa.

For the gay life, go to the Lounge, on 2 floors, with 5 bars, 3 dance floors and two open air terraces, it is the main meeting place of the local gay community.

Durban by night

To learn more about these destinations and how to make the most of your next urban getaway in South Africa, visit theSouth Africa Tourism website.