Some couples dream of a cathedral; others of the open sky, an acacia in silhouette and the sound of the bush at dusk. A safari wedding or elopement trades the ballroom for the wild — an intimate ceremony in one of the most beautiful settings on earth, with the people you love (or just the two of you) and a lion's roar somewhere in the distance. It is romantic, unforgettable, and far simpler to arrange than most couples expect.
Elopement or a small celebration
An elopement — just the two of you — can be gloriously spontaneous: a private ceremony on a deck above the river, a celebrant, a photographer and champagne under the stars. For a small wedding, exclusive-use lodges let you take over an entire camp for your family and friends, with the whole property, its chef and guides devoted to your day.
What we arrange
A ceremony setting chosen for the light and the view. A celebrant and the paperwork. Flowers, décor and a cake in the middle of the bush. A photographer to capture it all. A private dinner, sundowners and a star bed for the wedding night. And, of course, the safari itself — because the honeymoon can begin the moment the vows are said.
Lodges for a wild wedding
Exclusive-use camps and romantic lodges that host bush weddings beautifully:
Singita Boulders Lodge ★★★★★
From $2700 per person per night. The most design-forward safari lodge in Africa — contemporary glass-and-stone architecture on the Sand River. Sabi Sands, South Africa.
MalaMala Rattray's on MalaMala ★★★★★
From $1500 per person per night. Unrivaled exclusivity on 13,500 hectares — South Africa's largest privately owned Big Five game reserve. Sabi Sands, South Africa.
Umkumbe Safari Lodge ★★★★
From $400 per person per night. Sabi Sands quality at a fraction of the price — world-class wildlife without the world-class budget. Sabi Sands, South Africa.
Mombo Camp (Wilderness) ★★★★★
From $6500 per person per night. Repeatedly voted the world's #1 safari camp — the ultimate address in African luxury, with near-guaranteed lion, leopard and cheetah sightings on Chief's Island. Okavango Delta Botswana, Botswana.
Abu Camp (Wilderness) ★★★★★
From $6900 per person per night. Home to the Delta's most famous elephant herd — fall asleep to the sound of elephants below your Star Bed. The most intimate and emotionally moving camp in Africa. Okavango Delta Botswana, Botswana.
Wedding & honeymoon journeys to tailor
Private trips we shape around a ceremony and the honeymoon that follows:
- Romantic Honeymoon Safari — 10 days, from $6,000 pp
- Cape, Vines & Big Five Honeymoon — 9 days, from $6,800 pp
- Okavango Delta Romance — 7 days, from $9,500 pp
Where to marry in the wild
Our favourite regions for a safari wedding or elopement:
Start Planning
Every safari wedding we craft is private and built entirely around you — your dates, your pace, your budget and the moments that matter most. Our specialists have travelled this ground themselves and design each itinerary by hand. Speak to our team to begin, or browse our safari packages for inspiration.
