The Glitter Trail South Africa
The Glitter Trail is a dazzling LGBTQ+ bus tour through South Africa’s iconic Garden Route to Cape Town — a vibrant mix of adventure, culture, and queer joy. From wine farms in Franschhoek and sea kayaking in Plettenberg Bay to ziplining over forests, exploring ancient caves, and sipping craft beer in charming small towns, this eight-day journey is packed with unforgettable moments. With boutique stays, bold flavours, and a finale in Cape Town featuring a helicopter flip and a night out on the town, it’s the ultimate celebration of connection, community, and carefree travel — proudly served with sparkle and style.
Get ready to dazzle on The Glitter Trail – a proudly LGBTQ-curated bus adventure through South Africa’s legendary Garden Route to Cape Town. This vibrant eight-day journey blends breathtaking natural beauty, offbeat experiences, and unapologetic LGBTQ+ joy into one unforgettable itinerary. From the sun-kissed vineyards of Franschhoek to the golden sands of Plettenberg Bay, you’ll cycle through wine farms, zipline over forest canopies, paddle alongside dolphins, and delve deep into ancient caves. Each day is packed with curated experiences and small-town magic, all shared with a fabulous crew of like-minded travellers.
You’ll stay in boutique hotels, toast local flavours at charming restaurants and breweries, and connect deeply with South Africa’s rich landscapes and spirited culture. And just when you think it can’t get better — the tour crescendos in Cape Town with a thrilling helicopter flip, a local foodie adventure, a Table Mountain moment, and a big night out. Whether you're flying solo or sharing the ride with friends, The Glitter Trail is your golden ticket to connection, discovery, and a whole lot of sparkle — all wrapped in sunshine and South African pride.
Day 1 — George → Plett: First Sips & Forest Friends
Touch down in George and sweep along the coast to Plettenberg Bay—blue bays, golden sand, instant holiday mode. A discreet Glitter Trail welcome kicks in on the coach (yes, the bubbles are bottomless), then lunch in Plett. Wander the treetops at Monkeyland & Birds of Eden—free-roaming primates and technicolour wings. Tonight we toast the week at The Sanctuary Restaurant—a stylish welcome dinner, easy laughter, and the first hint of the surprises to come. Overnight Plett Quarter.
Day 2 — Plett & Knysna: Kayaks, Ziplines & Sunset Sparkle
Breakfast, then glide out on a sea-kayaking adventure—keep an eye out for dolphins as the coastline shows off. We won’t judge you if you have a glass of bubbles on the way. Back ashore, Barringtons serves relaxed lunch and a cheeky beer tasting beneath the trees. After, head to Knysna for a forest-high zipline thrill, then come down gently with a sunset cruise on the lagoon. Dinner on Thesen Island (your pick, our recommendation). On the drive home, the coach playlist gets… unexpectedly fabulous. Just saying.
Day 3 — Caves & Feathers: Oudtshoorn
Cross the passes, with bubbles in hand, into the Klein Karoo for the Cango Caves—cathedral chambers, cool stone air, and a guided heritage walk. Roll into Oudtshoorn for lunch and free time to browse vintage façades and galleries. Late afternoon we meet ostrich royalty at Highgate, then settle under pepper trees for a farm-fresh dinner. If the stars align, you might catch a little Glitter Trail cameo before dessert. Overnight Queens Hotel by BON Hotels.
Day 4 — Karoo to Winelands: Barrydale, Montagu & Franschhoek
Sunrise coffee, then a scenic hop along the famous Route 62 to Barrydale for quirky boutiques, art galleries , a quick beer tasting and we cannot ignore the chance for a stop at Ronnie’s Sex Shop. On to Montagu for a leisurely lunch and a charming Dutch bike spin past white-gabled homes as we hear tales of seduction, treachery and intrigue. By late afternoon we sweep into Franschhoek—check in, freshen up, and dine locally. Keep your eyes open; sometimes our trail leaves surprises. Overnight Protea Hotel Franschhoek.
Day 5 — Franschhoek Flirt: Free Time, Bikes & Protégé
A slow morning to pâtisseries, galleries and prettiness (or spa and pool). After a light lunch at leisure, Bikes n Wines—an easy, guided pedal between estates with tastings en route and vineyard views for days. Tonight, Protégé Restaurant turns on the charm with clever, contemporary fine dining – a chance to dress up in your best. Back at the hotel, a nightcap and more laughs. Overnight Protea Franschhoek.
Day 6 — Wine Day → Cape Town
Linger over breakfast, then a full day of wine farm visits—private tastings, cellar chats, postcard panoramas. Lunch is at leisure on an estate terrace, naturally. By late afternoon we roll into Cape Town, bubbles still flowing on the coach, and check into Lion Roars Kloof Street Hotel—leafy vistas, mountain moods, city buzz.
Day 7 — Peninsula Icons & Vineyard Lunch
The big coastal sweep: Chapman’s Peak curves, penguin cameos, and wild-blue drama all the way to Cape Point. A languid lunch at Cape Point Vineyards—lake, lawns, ocean glimmers, clinking glasses—then golden-hour return to the city. Evening at leisure, unless you follow a glittering hint to something delightfully off-itinerary.
Day 8 — Table Tops, City Bites & Night Lights
Up the cableway to Table Mountain for sky-high selfies and jaw-drop views, then a stylish city spin—heritage corners, jewellery (because diamonds are a girls’ best friend), and hidden gems only locals know. This afternoon, Eat Like a Local delivers small plates, secret counters and stories you’ll tell at home; ending in a helicopter flip if you fancy the ultimate Atlantic Seaboard thrill. Tonight we dine under chandeliers at Kloof Street House, then it’s time to sparkle—one last night out with the crew and a final Glitter Trail surprise that ties the ribbon on the week. Overnight Kloof Street Hotel.
Day 9 — Cape Town Farewells… or Keep the Glitter Going
A lazy breakfast at the hotel, last selfies, swapped playlists and those glittery “see-you-soon” hugs. Your Afrigay hosts handle the details—luggage wrangled, check-out smoothed, airport transfers on cue—so you can savour the final morning without a single worry.
Not ready to fly? We’ll fold in an effortless encore: linger in Cape Town with rooftop swims, tidal-pool dips, gallery hops and a chef’s-table kind of evening; hop up to Jozi for Soweto by bike, Maboneng art walks and a skyline that glows at golden hour; slip into safari mode on a private reserve in Kruger or the Eastern Cape—twice-daily game drives, spa time and star-bright skies; or trade city lights for Mauritius, where lagoon-blue days, catamaran sails and creole flavours do their slow magic. Tell us your mood—romance, reset or more adventure—and we’ll make it seamless, Afrigay-style.
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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