When it comes to planning a destination wedding, nothing is more authentic than choosing a country in Africa. Imagine tying the knot with the lush Okavango Delta and its magnificent wildlife as your backdrop; perhaps you prefer having your wedding ceremony close to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls. With a safari wedding, you have the flexibility to decide on your dream wedding.
We’ve curated some top advice from our safari experts to help you plan your dream African safari wedding.
The number of people on your guest list will have a big impact on the location that you select. For instance, if you are thinking about throwing a huge celebration, you will need to make sure that there are enough places to stay nearby to accommodate all of the guests.
The welcome areas offered by the various wildlife lodges vary greatly from one establishment to the next. This will help you narrow down your choices for a safari wedding location in Southern Africa much more effectively.
Before you start thinking about decor or wedding attire, it is important that you choose a destination that embodies your African safari dream. Southern Africa is ideal in terms of climate and wildlife viewing opportunities.
It also boasts some of the most luxurious lodges and safari camps in Africa. We would recommend choosing a lodge or camp in Botswana, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.
Weddings, even intimate ones, require a significant amount of room. You should search for a lodge or camp that is able to accommodate both the ceremony and the celebration.
Tenting may not be an option for weddings like it is in the United States, so it is crucial to consider whether there is sufficient covered or indoor space for your party as well. Ideally, you should visit the venue you intend to use to host your wedding ceremony. This makes all the difference, since you will be able to see you your vision of your Big Day in reality. Nothing is worst than seeing a venue on your wedding day and finding out its everything you do not want.
It’s really pointless to stay on safari for 1-2 days. We recommend that you plan your stay wisely. A safari wedding is perfect because it not only caters to your wedding ceremony and celebrations but also makes for an epic honeymoon.
We recommend you speak to your safari expert about planning your honeymoon itinerary and activities after your guests leave. If you want to include your guests, you can always arrange a morning and afternoon game drive and spend the rest of the day enjoying the luxury activities your safari lodge has on offer.
The natural environment itself serves as the visual focal point of a safari wedding. You don’t want to draw attention away from that by making the wedding decor too complicated. Maintain a stylish and simple aesthetic, and let the location do the talking.
When it comes to wedding planning, having a detailed budget is essential. It is important to consider any additional charges, not just for yourself but also for your guests. For instance, airfare, visas, vaccines, rental vehicles, lodging, safari excursions, conservation fees, and tipping. Make sure you leave room in your budget for unplanned costs like, shipping costs, and baggage fees. Also, adding that welcome party or brunch the day after will cost you money. Don’t forget to inform your banking consultant that you’ll be travelling so you don’t get hit with foreign transaction fees or, worse, have your card declined at the last minute. You’ll also want to bring some cash in the local currency.
When getting married in a different country, you should expect the unexpected. Having wedding insurance will help protect your money and give you peace of mind. Some venues even require it. It’s best to sign up early, though some companies can work with short notice. Make sure you know exactly what policies are available and what kind of coverage you’re getting.