4 Wildly Romantic Wedding Destinations in Africa
Imagine saying “I do” beneath a vast Serengeti sky, or sharing your first kiss as newlyweds framed by Namibia’s burnt-orange dunes. Africa is full of unspoiled spaces that are endlessly photogenic and perfect for romance. If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding in a soul-stirringly beautiful place, Africa has an abundance of these. Below are four of our favourites.
1. Greater Kruger, South Africa: leopard tracks and elephants
The Greater Kruger region—home to Sabi Sands and Timbavati—is one of the most iconic safari landscapes in Africa.
Bea Sagemüller, who got married in the wild at Sabi Sands’ Earth Lodge, recalls,
“We wanted a quiet bush wedding, just the two of us. It was a remarriage. They organised everything…from the priest and the photographer to the setting and a tiny wedding cake for two. Our guide and photographer knew elephants were my favourite and took us to a place where they often roam. It was magic from beginning to end.”
Another lodge perfect for a safari setting wedding is Tanda Tula Safari Lodge. It’s an intimate wedding setting, where you could see an elusive leopard before breakfast and sit watching elephants from your deck in the afternoon.
Exchange vows in the bushveld beneath a canopy of acacia trees, with the warm, resonant sound of African singing or the ever-present soundtrack of bird calls (and the occasional lion roar).
After your vows, celebrate with those closest to you in a boma, with fine South African wines and gourmet cuisine under a blanket of stars. In the days that follow, you and your guests can unwind with game drives, spa treatments, and lazy afternoons at the pool—all surrounded by the raw beauty of the Kruger bush.
2. Serengeti, Tanzania: vows at golden hour, balloon rides at dawn
If your idea of romance involves golden grasslands and the raw energy of the wild, Sayari Camp in Tanzania’s northern Serengeti is a unique East African safari wedding destination. Located near the Mara River, renowned for its dramatic wildebeest crossings, this safari lodge also boasts an excellent position for spotting big cats.
Sayari’s tented suites feature deep-soaking tubs, private decks, and sweeping savannah views, inviting you to relish restorative moments in nature. Imagine an intimate ceremony at golden hour, with light streaming across the plains and a few giraffes silhouetted in the distance.
Enhance your ceremony with a private game drive, a bush dinner under the stars, a sunrise balloon safari for two, and relaxation around the rim-flow
3. Sossusvlei, Namibia: desert silence and starry skies
If your heart skips a beat at the sight of wide, silent desert landscapes and sun-drenched dunes set against the backdrop of an endless blue sky, Sossusvlei in Namibia is the wedding destination you didn’t know you needed.
This iconic desert setting, with towering sand dunes, is a dream for photographers and those who prefer to escape the crowds. Picture photos of the bridal couple set against the landscape of Deadvlei, where ancient camelthorn trees cast sculptural shadows across the cracked clay. It’s surreal, dramatic, and utterly unforgettable. (Here are a few wedding photos, which we think are marvellous, taken by award-winning photographer Cane Gessel at Deadvlei).
Wilderness Safaris’ Little Kulala lodge offers exclusive-use weddings for couples seeking privacy and elegance in one of the world’s most unique environments. Plan a sunrise ceremony beneath a dune, followed by a champagne breakfast and a private flight over the Namib. In addition to staying in your suite, you can “ditch the conventional four walls and sleep out under the stars” on your rooftop under the Namibian sky. And with gourmet dining and design-forward desert suites, this is also a honeymoon made in aesthetic heaven.
4. Mauritius: turquoise waters and frangipani-scented air
Mauritius has long been a favourite for honeymooners, but it also makes an idyllic destination wedding spot. Mauritius sets the stage for an effortlessly romantic wedding with warm turquoise waters, palm-fringed beaches, and island sunsets.
Whether you picture a barefoot beach wedding with your toes in the sand, a lush garden ceremony, a modern celebration at a five-star resort, or exchanging vows aboard a catamaran drifting on the Indian Ocean, Mauritius provides an abundance of options. Many hotels offer dedicated wedding packages complete with planners who handle the details—from legalities to local musicians and Mauritian flower arrangements.
After the vows, your wedding celebration melts seamlessly into a honeymoon. Imagine snorkelling hand-in-hand through coral gardens, paddleboarding across glassy lagoons, or indulging in a couples massage with the sea as your soundtrack. Inland, explore hidden waterfalls or wander the botanical gardens at Pamplemousses.
Whether you choose the desert silence of Sossusvlei, the wilderness of Kruger, the Serengeti, or the sandy shores of a tropical island, your wedding in Africa is certain to be spectacular. We’d love to help you create a tailor-made trip to Africa. Our local travel expertise will ensure that your wedding and honeymoon plans unfold seamlessly, leaving you to focus on what matters… each other.
Happy travelling,
The Leopard Team