Africa
LGBTQ+ travel in South Africa
Marriage equalityLegal status
Is South Africa LGBTQ+ friendly?
Africa's most legally protective country, with gay scenes in Cape Town (De Waterkant) and Johannesburg; rural areas and townships are conservative and hate crimes occur.
LGBTQ+ laws
| Status | |
|---|---|
| Same-sex relationships legal | Yes |
| Same-sex marriage | Yes |
| Civil unions or partnerships | Yes |
| Legal gender change | Yes |
| Anti-discrimination law | Yes |
LGBTQ+ friendliness by place in South Africa
| Place | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cape Town | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Johannesburg | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Kruger National Park | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Durban | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Stellenbosch | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Pretoria | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Hermanus | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Knysna | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Plettenberg Bay | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Port Elizabeth | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Franschhoek | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Umhlanga | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Jeffreys Bay | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
LGBTQ+ friendly by place
- Cape TownLGBTQ+ friendly
- JohannesburgLGBTQ+ friendly
- Kruger National ParkLGBTQ+ friendly
- DurbanLGBTQ+ friendly
- StellenboschLGBTQ+ friendly
- PretoriaLGBTQ+ friendly
- HermanusLGBTQ+ friendly
- KnysnaLGBTQ+ friendly
- Plettenberg BayLGBTQ+ friendly
- Port ElizabethLGBTQ+ friendly
- FranschhoekLGBTQ+ friendly
- UmhlangaLGBTQ+ friendly
- Jeffreys BayLGBTQ+ friendly
Sources
- ILGA World database
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: South Africa
- SARS Customs online traveller declaration
- Department of Home Affairs: Remote Work Visa requirements
- Speedtest Global Index: South Africa
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.