The 'Mother City Queer Project' is Cape Town's equivalent of Mardi Gras in Sydney and has grown considerably in recent years, attracting increasing numbers of visitors from overseas. Held in December each year, the MCQP is a huge joyous celebration of art, culture and all things gay! Cape Town is well-established as THE gay capital of South Africa. In 1994 when the new Constitution was ushered in by Nelson Mandela it included, for the first time, the 'freedom of sexual orientation' clause. Years of frustration for the Gay and Lesbian community came to an end and a huge outpouring of creativity ensured, culminating in the first MCQP Event, 'Locker Room', which was an hysterical success and put MCQP firmly on the Annual Event calendar for the international Gay and Lesbian party circuit!.

Each year the MCQP has a different theme: 1995 was 'The Secret Garden', followed in 1996 by 'Twinkly Sea'. Other themes have included 'Safari Camp', 'Heavenly Bodies' and 'Toy Box'! As you can imagine, the costumes are lavish and the preparations feverish with organisers out in full regalia to promote the event weeks in advance!

There is a host of events and shows to visit during the festival, all of which culminate in the outrageous 'Mother City Queer Party'! This is to be held in Cape Town on 14th December 2002 with the theme being 'The Wedding' and it is the city's 9th Annual queer costume party. For 2003, a new event is currently in the planning stages being the MCQP Festival. This will run for a week before the party and will continue until 16th December 2003.

The Pink Loerie Carnival took place in Knysna on the 'Garden Route' between 22nd to 26th May 2002 with a host of events taking place including the 'Pink Party', the 'Muscle-Mussel/Oyster Party' and the fabulous 'Outrageous Concert and Party', as well as the float parade. Please ask for details of the 2003 event and tours exclusively for Gay and Lesbian travellers, which take in the Carnival and other areas of South Africa.

We are able to offer motorbike tours around South Africa - 'Out on Bikes' - again exclusively for Gay and Lesbian travellers with a minimum of 8 / maximum 15 drivers including passengers. Additionally, we can make arrangements for tours taking in South Africa's Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. In November / December 2002, we are able to offer an 'Eclipse Safari' tour, taking in the magnificent Victoria Falls before experiencing the thrill of a Solar Eclipse in Botswana. You then visit the Okavango Delta before travelling on to South Africa. Like our other arrangements, this tour is exclusively Gay / Lesbian.

Starting in Cape Town on 10th July 2003, we are also able to offer a guided tour within South Africa, exclusively for Lesbian travellers. Please ask our staff for full details of any of the arrangements detailed here!