St Helena Island in Full Colour
Be part of history on the first-ever LGBTQ+ group tour to St Helena—an island so pristine it feels like a secret kept by the South Atlantic. Picture cinematic cliffs and dolphin-danced seas, lava-carved tidal pools made for sun-warm swims, a serene hello with world-famous Jonathan the tortoise, and whale-shark encounters that feel like floating through living architecture. Days are soft-adventure chic; nights are tasting menus, barefoot fish-fry sunsets and starlit toasts with new friends who’ll feel like old ones by week’s end. Designed for exclusivity, safety and soul, this is your chance to write the opening chapter of queer travel on one of the world’s most untouched islands—claim the story before anyone else.
Be part of history. This is the first-ever LGBTQ+ group tour to St Helena—a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to an island so untouched it feels like a beautiful secret whispered just to you. Imagine a volcanic amphitheatre opening to a turquoise bay; Georgian façades bathing in late-afternoon gold; dolphins threading the bow as cliffs rise like cathedrals from the South Atlantic. Now layer in Afrigay’s signature: small group intimacy, unapologetic style, and a proudly inclusive space where you can simply be yourself—celebrated, not tolerated. This isn’t just a trip; it’s a milestone for queer travel in Africa, and your name is on the guest list.
We’ve curated the island’s icons into a week of soft-adventure chic: think whale-shark encounters that feel like drifting beside living architecture; a serene hello with Jonathan, the world-famous tortoise who’s seen centuries come and go; heritage lanes and hilltop forts that play with the light; lava-carved tidal pools made for sun-warm swims; and flavours that move from elegant tasting menus to barefoot fish-fry sunsets. By day, you’ll collect moments that feel cinematic. By night, you’ll sip, laugh and lean into starlight with new friends who’ll feel like old ones by week’s end.
Why this tour? Exclusivity, safety, and soul. St Helena is remote—in the very best way. You won’t queue behind tour buses or elbow for a viewpoint; you’ll have space to breathe, to connect, to fall a little in love with the world again. With Afrigay’s trusted hosts, local experts and gentle pacing, every detail is smoothed so you can savour the wonder. Join us at the start of a new chapter for LGBTQ+ exploration on the African map—and come home with a story no one else can tell.
Day 0 — Johannesburg Pre-Night: City Lodge OR Tambo Meet-Up
Our official rendezvous is the City Lodge at OR Tambo (inside the airport precinct). We overnight here so everyone is fresh and on-site for the early flight—no traffic roulette, no 4 a.m. panic. Slide in, check in, and exhale: hot showers, crisp sheets, and an easy evening meet-and-greet in the lounge for those who fancy a toast before island time begins. Early night recommended; tomorrow the ocean calls.
Day 1 — Wheels Up to the Middle of Nowhere (In the Best Way)
Via Walvis Bay and then—hello, South Atlantic fantasy. The road curls down into Jamestown like a ribbon; Mantis St Helena is your chic little base. We stretch our legs through Georgian streets, sneak a sea-dip if the water winks, and ease into island time. Dinner with Chef Roy “On the Deck”—salt air, local flavour, stars playing paparazzi.
Day 2 — Blue Water, Black Cliffs, Big Grins
Out on the Marine Safari this morning: fortress cliffs, birds riding thermals, and—if the ocean is in the mood—superpods of dolphins racing our bow. Mask and fins at the ready for a playful splash. Later, a Historic Jamestown wander: Jacob’s Ladder, quiet courtyards, stories etched into stone. Tonight, Dan’s tasting menu: small island, serious palate, clink.
Day 3 — Island Grand Tour: Lava, Legends, and Jonathan
A full loop with Aaron’s Adventure Tours: Deadwood Plain and Boer-War echoes; saplings at the Millennium Forest; the lava drama of Sandy Bay; wind-in-your-hair views from High Knoll Fort. In the gardens at St Paul’s, we greet Jonathan—unbothered, ancient, iconic. Back to Jamestown via Ladder Hill as golden hour sets the valley glowing.
Day 4 — Governors’ Grace & Wild Rock Pools
Morning grace at Plantation House, all polished wood and lawn-perfect stillness—plus a moment with the island’s most photographed gentleman, Jonathan. Then it’s boots on for Lot’s Wife Ponds with Rockmount Walking Tours: a sculptural coastal trail to turquoise basins cupped in lava. Sea-silk swims if the tide says yes. Dinner at Orange Tree Oriental—fragrant, cosy, just right.
Day 5 — Whale Sharks & Sundowner Sway
Gentle giants today with Dive St Helena—seasonal whale-shark snorkelling that feels like floating beside a cathedral. Afternoons are for naps, novels or a lazy promenade. As the sky rosés over the harbour, we gather at the Yacht Club: fish fry, island music, and the kind of sunset that turns conversations honey-slow.
Day 6 — Clifftop Trails, Picnic Perfection & Coffee Lore
Westward to Blue Point—a cliff-line ramble where seabirds scribble the sky. We unroll a picnic at Fairyland/Cason’s above Sandy Bay, then dive into a bean-to-cup coffee story at Wranghams: heirloom Arabica, hand-picked on volcanic slopes. Back to “On the Deck” for dinner—starlit table, murmuring sea, a little island magic.
Day 7 — Napoleon’s Island & Your Kind of Afternoon
History with a wink: Briars Pavilion, Longwood House and the Tomb—elegant, intimate, unexpectedly moving. Lunch at Bertrand’s Cottage, then choose your joy: a dive, an e-MTB swoop, a sea-float, a gallery browse. Evening at Anne’s Place in the gardens, and if the mood bites, a cheeky nightcap and a shimmy at Donny’s on the seafront.
Day 8 — The Ladder & The Long Goodbye
Early risers: Jacob’s Ladder is a 699-step love letter to your calves (and your bragging rights). One last breakfast, a final flirt with the market and makers, and that cinematic drive back up the switchbacks. You leave with sea-salt in your hair, new friends on your phone, and a promise to come back before the island forgets your name (it won’t).
South Africa
- Capital: Pretoria (executive); Major gateways: Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT).
- Language: 11 official languages; English widely spoken in tourism.
- Currency: South African Rand (ZAR). Cards widely accepted; ATMs common.
- VAT: 15% on most goods/services. Tourists can apply for a VAT refund on eligible retail purchases at departure—keep original tax invoices and allow extra time at the airport.
- Power: 230V / 50Hz. Plugs Type M (three large round pins) and newer ZA/Type N—bring a universal adaptor.
- Water: Tap water in major cities is generally safe to drink; bring a reusable bottle (or support a local community and buy one).
- Driving: Left-hand driving. An International Driving Permit may be required by some car rental companies—check before you travel.
- Time: UTC+2 year-round (no daylight saving).
- Health: No mandatory vaccines for most travelers. Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from/through a Yellow Fever risk area.
- Local culture: Warm, diverse and proudly multi-lingual. A friendly “Hello / Howzit” and a smile go a long way. Casual-smart dress is fine in cities; ask permission before photographing people; bargaining is normal at craft markets (not in shops), but while bargaining, remember who you are bargaining with – good people trying to make an honest living. Urban areas are broadly LGBTQ+ welcoming; smaller towns can be more conservative—read the room.
- Food & drink: Big flavors and variety—braai (barbecue), boerewors, bobotie, chakalaka & pap, Cape Malaycurries, Durban’s bunny chow, coastal seafood, plus world-class Cape Winelands. Great options for vegetarians/vegans and gluten-free on request. Legal drinking age 18.
International flights
- Not included in our packages unless specifically stated.
- We’ll confirm exactly which airport(s) to arrive/depart from (usually Johannesburg—JNB and/or Cape Town—CPT). If your trip starts in one city and ends in another, book an open-jaw ticket or add a domestic hop.
- Please wait for our written tour confirmation before booking personal international flights.
- Typical booking windows: best economy pricing ~3–5 months out; business class ~5–8 months.
- Check baggage rules carefully—some regional tickets are hand-luggage only unless you add a checked bag.
- Want us to handle it? We can book and ticket your international flights through our airline partners on request (service fee applies). If we ticket your flights, we’ll align schedules to the land itinerary, share fare options, and assist with changes if airlines adjust timings.
Domestic / regional flights (within your itinerary)
- Usually included in the package (unless otherwise stated) and ticketed in economy class.
- Allowances follow the operating carrier; details appear on your final docs.
- These fares are subject to change until ticketed due to airport/government taxes and exchange-rate movements. If third-party increases occur, a surcharge or refund may apply and will be communicated promptly.
Good to know: Names must exactly match passports; aim to check in 3 hours before international and 90 minutesbefore domestic departures.
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for medical cover, trip cancellation/curtailment, lost property and any paid-for activities. Please ensure your policy covers pre-paid arrangements, medical evacuation, and any optional adventure activities you plan to do (e.g., shark-cage viewing, hiking, paragliding).
Afrigay trips are hosted by either Mike or a trusted tour leader, with licensed local specialist guides in each destination. Your leader handles logistics, check-ins, safety briefings, day pacing and the fun flourishes that make a trip feel special.
Solo travellers are very welcome. You can:
- Room solo (single supplement applies), or
- Opt to share—we’ll try to pair you with a traveller of a similar profile to help you avoid the supplement. If we can’t match you, we’ll offer the best single rate available.
Inclusions vary by itinerary and are shown on the ‘What’s included’ tab. We always try to include a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner in the package so the group can connect at the start and celebrate at the end. Not all meals are included—we build in free time so you can explore the local food scene at your own pace. We happily cater for vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs—just let us know in advance. South Africa’s food culture is rich: think Cape seafood, Cape Malay flavours, a good braai (barbecue), and award-winning Cape Winelands wines.
Only the activities listed as Included on your trip page are part of your package. Anything else is optional and not included.
If you’d like extras, we can arrange them at additional cost—either before you travel or on tour—subject to availability, season, weather and (sometimes) minimum numbers. Prices are set by third-party operators and may change until paid.
Payment & policy: Optional add-ons are usually paid direct to the supplier (card/cash). If we pre-book on your behalf, charges will appear on your invoice. Cancellation/changes follow the supplier’s terms.
Safety & suitability: Some activities carry age/weight/fitness limits or require waivers. Your travel insurance must cover any optional activity you choose.
Your tour leader will advise what fits the schedule so add-ons don’t disrupt the group experience.
Tipping is customary but always at your discretion. Amounts below are guidelines. USD figures are approximate using R19 ≈ US$1 (please check your bank’s live rate).
- Restaurants/Bars: 10–15% of the bill (more for great service).
- Taxis/E-hailing: round up or ~10%.
- Hotel porters: R20–R30 per bag (~US$1–$2).
- Housekeeping: R20–R50 per room per day (~US$1–$3).
- Full-day guide/driver (private touring): R100–R250 per person per day (~US$5–$13, depending on group size/service).
- Tour Leader (multi-day Afrigay host): R100–R250 per person per day (~US$5–$13). This aligns with common global norms for group leaders on multi-day tours.
Your tour leader will brief you on any lodge-specific tipping pools or guidelines where applicable.
- Passport & copies, travel insurance details, and any required visas/certificates.
- Bank cards (notify your bank of travel) and a little cash for tips/markets.
- Adapters (Type M/ZA), power bank, and unlocked phone for local eSIM/SIM.
- Layers—South Africa can swing from warm days to cool evenings; a light rain jacket year-round.
- Sun protection—hat, SPF 30+, sunglasses; swimwear; comfortable walking shoes.
- Personal meds, basic first-aid, and any specialist gear for optional activities.
We’ll send a tour-specific packing cue sheet with your final documents.
We may make reasonable changes to the itinerary, accommodation, transport or sequencing when required by weather, safety, governmental advice, availability or operational factors. Equivalent or higher-quality services will be substituted where possible. Afrigay Travel, its staff and suppliers operate within South African law and industry standards; participation implies acceptance of our full Terms & Conditions issued at booking.
South Africa is one of the most LGBTQ+-affirming countries globally: same-sex marriage is legal, discrimination is prohibited by law, and Pride events are held in major cities. That said, comfort levels vary—urban areas are generally relaxed; smaller towns can be more conservative. Public displays of affection should follow local context. We partner with suppliers trained to welcome everyone, and we’ll brief you on safe, joyful nights out (and the best queer-friendly spots) in each city.
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