What's it like travelling in Africa with an escort?

[down_to_business]

I am not talking about South Africa where homosexuality is accepted but in other areas where it is not. Has anyone travelled in Africa with an escort or as a gay couple? What was it like? Asking because I am considering going on a safari and wondering what would happen in someplace like Kenya where homosexuality is illegal. Would you be arrested for simply sharing a room (or a bed) with another man? Anyone gone and had a good experience?

[MscleLovr]

If you insist on doing this, you must be VERY careful. In South Africa you can be open as you are legally protected, but this is not the case elsewhere - even in Morocco you should be discreet. I have not heard of men being arrested for sharing a bedroom in Namibia or Kenya.

 

But are you not going to have sex? How will you dispose of the used condoms? Do you want to spend your holiday being very careful not to disclose your sexuality? In various African countries, the anti-gay laws have become draconian. If you are arrested and charged, you would spend some time in jail awaiting trial even if consular assistance is forthcoming...and African jails are dangerous places.

 

I strongly urge you to consider only travelling or going on safari in South Africa.

[Steven_Draker]

Check this out

 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/02/uganda-celebrates-anti-gay-law

[buckguy]

A friend of mine has done international health work in various African countries and has had his partner join him at intervals without problems. I have other acquaintances gay or lesbian, in similar work, who have done the same.

 

You have a bigger problem: Kenya is a very screwed-up country with a shaky government and rampant corruption and crime. I wouldn't go there, period. You'd be better off in S Africa or Botswana. What kind of safari are you planning: high end, fly-in with remote lodges; tented lodging and traveling with a group in Range Rover; something else? Will you spend a few days in a big city or at a non-safari lodge, in addition to the safari? The format will determine how much anyone is likely to know or care about your circumstances. Affection between men such as hand holding is not unusual in Africa, esp. in Muslim cultures but is more typical of young, presumably unmarried men. Sleeping in the same bed is not usual but will seem odd to people accustomed to working with foreigners.

 

I don't have much use for travel agencies but you probably should try to identify a gay or gay-friendly travel agency with experience in Africa; there probably aren't many such places, but the better travel agencies usually know something about one region of the world and not much else---if you ca identify a travel agency (prob in a gay ghetto with a lot of affluence), they will know which tour operators to book.

[down_to_business]

It is definitely just in the information gathering phase. Its something I may or may not do. Right now, I am probably leaning towards not doing it with an escort, if I actually do go. I am wanting to do this to see the animals, and Kenya and the Masai Mara National Preserve are often cited as one of the very best (along with Tanzania). "•Kenya -- In the southwest, the Masai Mara National Preserve is a haven for all of the big five animals, and you may see all of them in a single morning. Amboseli National Park has both elephants and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, and Lake Nakuru has flamingos, giraffes and leopards". Kenya also has one of a kind hotel I really want to stay at as well, Giraffe Manor http://www.thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor?mid=properties&rid=49-giraffe-manor##

 

I have located a gay travel agency specializing in gay travel to Southern Africa, but its looking more and more that if I decide to do it (Kenya and Tanzania), it's back in the closet, and without an escort

 

Thanks for the replies.

[jawjateck]

I have visited 3 countries in southern Africa, never with an escort. Traveling with a guy, sharing a room, or even a bed would not be a problem, but in the highly ¨Christianized¨ countries there and being somewhat legalistic, PDA's would raise eyebrows and generate subtle scorn.