Page 430 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

428 SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Gay and Lesbian
Travellers
Enshrined in the constitu tion is
a clause protecting the rights of
gays and lesbians. But while
Cape Town is certainly the “gay
capital of Africa”, smaller towns
still retain conservative attitudes.
The cities have a host of gay
bars and theatre venues; the
Pink South Africa website is a
good resource for gay and
lesbian event listings. Purple
Roofs lists gay- and lesbian-
friendly venues all over the
country, including
accommodation options. Out 2
Discovery tour at Oudtshoorn’s Cango Wildlife Farm (see p232) Africa is a Cape Town-based
travel agency that can organize
Tour operators specializing in rape in South Africa is not tours and safaris all
tours for people with disabilities, high in popular tourist areas, over South Africa,
including sight- and hearing- it is still a risk for the specifically for the
impaired visitors, include Epic unwary. There are gay and lesbian
Enabled and Flamingo Tours. Rape Crisis market. There are
centres in also gay-friendly
major towns and tour operators,
Travelling with Children
cities. Women such as Friends of
South Africa is an ideal are, however, Dorothy in Cape
destination for a family holiday ready targets for Town who offer day
and the sunny weather allows mugging, so keep to trips with gay guides
for a variety of outdoor well-lit public areas to places such as the
activities. There is plenty of and don’t exhibit Winelands and
family accommodation, many any valuables (see Hermanus for whale-
restaurants have kid’s menus, also Personal Safety, watching.
and children receive significant p430). Always look as Jo’burg Pride in
discounts on entry fees if you know where Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade September, Cape
to tourist attractions and you are going and Town Pride in
game parks. do not offer a lift to, or accept a February, and the Pink Loerie
However, make sure that lift from, anyone. Sexual Mardi Gras in Knysna on the
they drink plenty of water, harassment is not too common, Garden Route in May are all
wear a high-protection sun although many South African major party events on the gay
screen, and are fully aware of males do hold rather and lesbian calendar. But by far
the potential dangers of wild chauvinistic attitudes, so be the biggest is Mother City
animals, snakes and insects in careful not to come across as Queer Project (MCQP) in
the bush. Consult your doctor if too friendly, as your interest December in Cape Town. This
travelling with children in a may be perceived as sexual. changes venue and theme each
malaria zone.
There is plenty of children’s
entertainment – especially
during local school holidays –
from aquarium tours and
petting farmyards, to theatre
and craft workshops.
The local press, entertain-
ment and listings websites
(see p414) and the SA Kids on
the Go website are all good
sources of ideas.
Women Travellers
Women should never walk
alone after dark, even on the
beach. While the incidence of Backpackers’ accommodation in the centre of Cape Town