Perhaps it may come as a little surprising that there are now quite a few places for nudists to enjoy stripping down as nature intended in Africa, being that most of Africa is rather socially conservative still. However, South Africa, Mauritius and Namibia all now have designated places for social nudity. South Africa currently has by far the most nudist beaches and social spots in Africa, despite the fact that technically public nudity is still banned. However, areas are being designated “Official Nudist Areas” where you can enjoy being naked without any fear of prosecution, and even in the unofficial beaches you will not have any problems with the law. So if you feel comfortable in your own skin and want to experience the feeling of letting it all hang out whilst in Africa, here are a pick of the Top 10 destinations on offer for you.
Courtesy of Mpenjati Beach/sa-venues.com
Mpenjati Beach is located 140 kilometres south of Durban, and was for the past 2 decades a very popular ‘unofficial’ nudist beach. However, in 2015, it was designated the first “official” nudist beach and the 500 metre stretch of sand and the nudists that flock here – especially around the Easter Holiday weekend – are home to volleyball and sack races. The local town council in charge of the area has stated that no one will be prosecuted here and have no need to fear arrest. It also has the added bonus being in a very secluded, peaceful location on the coast of the Mpenjati Nature Reserve.
Courtesy of Gary Bembridge/flickr
Sandy Bay is another very popular nude beach, located in Cape Town. It was even popular during the times of Apartheid where attitudes towards nudity were much stricter, and is still tolerated to this day. It is not particularly accessible, being a good 20-minute walk from the nearest car park, or a shorter 10-minute clamber over rocks if you are agile and fit enough, but it is this seclusion that is both why it so tolerated, and why it makes an ideal sanctuary for nudists. The beach itself is surrounded by steep cliffs, giving even extra privacy.
Courtesy of Matthew and Heather/flickr
Located a stone’s throw away from Port Elizabeth – which is nicknamed “The Friendly City”- looking across to Cape Recife Lighthouse, is so called ‘Secrets Beach’, or to some locals ‘Shelly Beach’. Surrounded by sand dunes and bush, it is perfectly private from all directions, and it is why today it is so tolerated. Even during the repressive apartheid-era the landscape gave nudists enough warning if police were approaching so that they could cover up or leave before being fined. Today however, things are much more liberal in South Africa and you wont have this problem here.
Courtesy of Gaston Roulstone/unsplash
This beach is located between Port Alfred and East London. It is very secluded and inaccessible, which is great for privacy and relaxation, but also means that you probably shouldn’t go nude here if their aren’t any other nudists around, as it makes you a target for criminals. To get here, it involves a 3 to 4km walk downhill along a bush path and then a climb of a huge sand dune, until you finally descend to the beach itself. The most popular time is stated to be in December, but even then it is not that well known or crowded, which is perfect for nudists. There were rumours that the authorities were going to make this an official nudist beach in 2014, but it has not materialised yet, but may well in the near future.
Courtesy of suneden.com
Located around 50 kilometres from Pretoria, Sun Eden is a private resort on private property specially for nudists. Because it is on private property there is zero risk of prosecution, but the real icing on the cake is that it is located right on the border 4 kilometres from the Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve. So with over 100 species of birds, numerous types of trees and flowers and the opportunity to do a safari, this is something of a nudists paradise in South Africa. The resort itself has a swimming area, a club house with bar, a restaurant and a convenience store. A perfect vacation area for nudists.
Courtesy of harmonynature.co.za
Harmony Farm is located within the cliffs of the Magaliesburg mountains in the North West Province of South Africa. Another private resort specially for nudists, the resort includes a bar, an outdoor and indoor heated pool, as well as animals to enjoy such as Zebras.
Courtesy of thehootingowl.co.za
This self-catering nudist guesthouse is built in the traditional African Thatch Bush-Veld Lodge style and is located right on the coastline, adjacent to Marina Beach, on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast, roughly a 2 hour drive from King Shaka International Airport in Durban. Marina beach is really very special, even being nicknamed “The Honolulu of the South Coast”, set in a sub-tropical forest with valley views and numerous species of birds to enjoy. It includes a large 6 sleeper unit with 3 double en-suite rooms, a three bedroom eight sleeper cottage and even an open plan honeymoon cottage. So there is plenty for everyone here. Security is taken very seriously here, with the in-house alarm system linked to a Maser Armed Response, and an electric security gate. Also, one of the best things about this place is that it is LGBT friendly too.
Courtesy of sncdn.com
With such a witty name, Bare Necessities shouldn’t surprise you for being such a wonderful naturist friendly resort. It’s located on a small dairy farm where the owners make their own fresh cheese. The site offers two rooms and a campsite, which suits those who love camping or those who are on a budget. There are horses that you can ride at the farm, or you can bring your own, as well as any other pets. The site also has a small swimming pool. The site is located near Suurraak village in the Langeberg Mountains: The pass leading to the village offers many natural swimming pools. The village itself is also very special, with people still living an old traditional way of life, cooking on wood-burning stoves, using donkey-ploughs and horses to get around, and the buildings have been incredibly well preserved to the point it really is like stepping into the past. Hiking and biking opportunities also abound around the site and the village, which is blissfully untouched by development.
Courtesy of Wessel Venter/flickr
This private site in the Namibian desert – called Tsauchab River Camp – offers nudists the option of champagne breakfasts and a hot-air balloon flights: Nudism in a luxury setting. The camp has a cool Oasis, which will guarantee to cool you down even in the blazing mid-day heat of Namibia. It is so secluded that the milky-way is absolutely stunning by night, and hiking opportunities abound, with the area being covered in steep ravines, desert dunes and bushland that used to be the home of the famous Namibian bushmen.
Courtesy of Lukas Litz Obb/flickr
Situated on the northern coast of Mauritius, the beach is stunning, with white sand and crystal clear water, and it serves as a jumping off point for activities such as speed boat tours of nearby islands, lighthouse and Round Island, which is a sanctuary for native animals and Coin de Mire. Cap Malheureux is good beach for swimming and is quiet, whilst the near by village is very quaint and best known for it’s red roofed church named La Notre Dame Auxiliatrice. Although full nudity is prohibited for the time being, topless sunbathing is accepted.
Courtesy of Chuckas_McFly/flickr