New Trend: LGBTQ+ Families Want African Safaris

African safaris? Yes, queer families have developed an interest in them! In fact, LGBTQ+ family travel is growing as safari tour operators are poised to take advantage of its boom, according to Skift.

Although many places in Africa are seen as unsafe for queer travelers – particularly places like Uganda, where lawmakers recently passed legislation that criminalizes people who identify as LGBTQ+. However, Vacationer has interviewed safari travel experts, like Sherwin Banda, who believes there are places in Africa that are LGBTQ+ friendly.

According to David Ryan, CEO of South African-based tour operator Out2Africa, LGBTQ+ family travel is an emerging trend completley counter to longheld stereotypes of travelers in the community. Ryan siad, “Out2Africa’s guests haven’t had any issues with any of the safari companies it’s worked with,” describing them as LGBTQ friendly. Ryan attributes this sudden rise in LGBTQ+ family travel to the surge in same-sex couples having children. The LGBTQ+ family is growing, and Africa is at the top of their list. 

While the President of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association insists he would never tell travelers not to visit a particular destination, Ryan understands that members of the LGBTQ+ community are unlikely to visit an unwelcoming destination; We know where we are not wanted, and we tend to stay away from those places. 

So, are you interested in taking your family on an African Safari? It seems things are changing in good ways for LGBTQ travelers. 

Visit Out2Africa, African Travel Inc., and Wild Rainbow Safaris for more information on LGBTQ+-friendly safaris in Africa and book your African safari now!