African island elopement guide

If you’re ready to start planning your elopement in Africa, we have you covered. In this guide, we will dive into African island elopement options as well as other islands and how to get there. The three islands in Africa that we are focusing on are Zanzibar, Seychelles, and Mauritius. If you have your heart set on a different island, just let us know! This guide is meant to be a resource to help you get started on your planning. When you book with Honeybee Weddings, we will get to know you first, then create a personalized guide for you and your spouse. 

Zanzibar

Zanziba is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa. It is located in the Indian Ocean and consists of many small islands and two large ones: Unguja (the main island, informally referred to as Zanzibar) and Pemba Island. The capital is Zanzibar City, located on the island of Unguja.

Zanzibar is the closest of these islands to the African continent. If you want to book a safari elopement and have an island honeymoon, or vice versa, this is your best option to do both! Zanzibar has gorgeous white-sand beaches and rivals the ever-popular Maldives. If you’re looking for a hidden gem, this is it!

African Safari Wedding Guide

Zanzibar African Island Elopement: How to get there and where to stay

There are two choices to get to Zanzibar Island. You can either take a puddle jumper or a ferry. For both options, you’ll start by flying into Dar es Salaam. Then you can take a high-speed ferry to Zanzibar. The ferry usually takes about 1.5–2 hours. This is popular for backpackers and regional travelers. You could also take a short connection flight (20-30 minutes) to Zanzibar.

If you’re looking for a beach hut style, there are plenty of options on Nungwi Beach, Nungwi, Tanzania. At Safaya Luxury Villas, you will enjoy direct beachfront access with stunning sea views. You and your fiancé can relax on the sun terrace or take a dip in the year-round outdoor swimming pool. You’ll have modern amenities such as free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms. On site, there’s a garden, restaurant, and free bicycles. Be sure to ask about their honeymoon elopement packages!

Pro-tip: I recommend bicycling wherever you have your elopement, if possible. It’s a great way to cover a lot of ground and see more of the culture.

If you’re looking for an adventure elopement wedding, check out the activities on Zanzibar Island: water sports, cycling, snorkeling, and the Kichwele Forest Reserve. On the reserve, you may even see some of its wildlife, including multiple species of monkeys such as the Zanzibar red colobus monkey, Sykes’ blue monkey, and Vervet monkey. 

Airbnb Options

Wherever you go, you’ll be able to find Airbnb options too. Be sure to check the ratings and find a super host. One option for a Zanzibar elopement is a stylish, modern apartment right on the beach. You can have your coffee, take an early-morning swim, and watch the breathtaking sunrise. Feel free to join an afternoon soccer game. Kite to your heart’s desire. The kitchenette is equipped for simple meals, with restaurants nearby. It can be a busy beach at times with sporting activities. For those who love to experience the real essence of a country. This is for you.

Mauritius

Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, located about 1,300 miles off the southeastern coast of East Africa, east of Madagascar. 

For our hiking couples, we recommend Mauritius for its spectacular waterfall hikes. Tamarind Falls is the most famous and adventurous. Commonly referred to by their French name “sept cascades,” the seven waterfalls of Mauritius are exactly that: a series of seven waterfalls dropping through the upper gorge of the Tamarin River. A bit further downstream, there are four additional waterfalls before the river flattens out. You can also swim in the river depending on the time of year. 

Other popular waterfall hikes include the easy 100-meter Chamarel Waterfall and trails in the Black River Gorges. Waterfalls are a great place to exchange your vows. The rush of water drowns out the vows to anyone who may be nearby, so it feels really secluded and private. 

Mauritius African Island Elopement: How to get there and where to stay

You can get to Mauritius by flying into Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU), the island’s main international airport.

As for places to stay, LUX is a retro-chic tropical retreat tucked away on a peninsula bordering two coves. Each room, suite, and villa is designed to feel like home and features an outdoor bathtub overlooking the Indian Ocean. The resort is known for its wellness focus and culinary gems, including a fabulous Peruvian restaurant, an overwater Turkish restaurant, and even a rum treehouse.

We love this pick because there are so many unique experiences to have, and if you’re eloping on an African island, we’re going to assume you want something out of the box. Dinner in the Dark is an experience where you are blindfolded in a darkened, candlelit room, and you’ll focus on taste and smell alone. Enjoy a tantalizing dark dining experience with a 5-course meal that will stimulate your taste buds like never before, and let the light reveal the dishes’ secret identities at the end.

There is also a helicopter experience with the helipad located in the hotel’s gardens. It doesn’t get more convenient. The hour-and-a-half tour covers North, South, East, and West, including the famous trompe-l’oeil underwater waterfall. With its volcanic crater, peaks, islets, sugarcane fields, 7-colored earth, waterfall, 150 km of coral reef, and lagoons, Mauritius is even more beautiful from up there. Enjoy a glass of bubbly upon landing!

Seychelles

Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelles, is an archipelagic country consisting of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. Its capital and largest city, Victoria, is 800 nautical miles east of mainland Africa. Nearby island countries and territories include the Maldives, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and the French overseas departments of Mayotte and Réunion to the south, as well as the Chagos Archipelago to the east. Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa and the least populous sovereign African country.

Seychelles is known for dramatic granite boulders, turquoise water, white-sand beaches, and lush tropical forests. The islands feel cinematic and intimate compared to larger tourist destinations.

Seychelles African Island Elopement: How to get there and where to stay on your

A common way to reach Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) is via Istanbul or Qatar. Both flights will take between four and five hours, so when we say you’re out there experiencing the middle of the Indian sea, we mean it. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime African island elopement.

At the top of our list is La Pointe Beach Huts, ideal for eloping couples seeking a relaxing experience. The huts are nestled on the southern coast of Praslin in Seychelles, in a very quiet and secluded part of the island, on St Sauveur beach. The holiday home complex features six charming chalets and suites, each tastefully decorated and fully equipped with modern comforts. The sustainable development ethos ensures that they remain nestled within the original tropical forest and granitic rocks, preserving the island’s natural beauty.

The long beach has lapis lazuli waters, a thick fringe of palm and Takamaka trees, and granite boulders. Book boat trips for incredible snorkeling, island hopping, and unforgettable views of Seychelles’ turquoise waters.

Continental Africa Elopement Guide

Now, if you’re looking for a continental African elopement, we have you covered. Our safari guide is a deep dive into some of the best places: Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. Our list also includes Zimbabwe, specifically for Victoria Falls. A good safari elopement includes overnight accommodations, respect and appreciation for the country, and, of course, the chance to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat. 

African Island Elopement Health & Safety Info

It’s always important to check health and safety information when you’re traveling. The following vaccines are recommended for traveling to these islands:

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, flu, etc.).

In Zanzibar, there is a risk of malaria, though the risk is lower on the mainland. A general recommendation is to use strong mosquito protection that has DEET, a chemical used in many insect repellents to help protect against mosquito bites and other biting insects. Also, wear long sleeves at dusk. In Seychelles, the main concern is mosquito bites, not malaria. Again, sleeves and repellents work wonders!

Be sure to take care of your internal health as well. Always drink bottled or filtered water, avoid raw and undercooked seafood, and be cautious with street food. On the African islands, UV exposure is high, so heat exhaustion and dehydration are serious risks. Take precautions and use high-SPF sunscreen. Always hydrate! I promise, I’ll be alongside you, reminding you of this! Also, electrolytes are important. And be sure to pack a pair of water shoes for exploring reefs!

Travel tips:

Most tourism areas are considered safe for travelers, especially when working with vetted guides and lodges. Like any international destination, travelers should:

• Avoid walking alone at night in major cities.
• Use private transfers or trusted drivers (which YOU can help arrange, a huge selling point)
• Keep valuables secure and travel with awareness

Don’t worry, you’re not out here figuring this out solo—we help connect you with trusted guides, vetted vendors, and safe travel routes so you can actually relax and enjoy the adventure.

Other Islands to Consider

If you know you want an island elopement, but aren’t sure about Africa, we have a couple of other options for you! 

Faroe Islands Elopement

Our up-and-coming adventure elopement destination is the Faroe Islands in Denmark. We have been watching them grow for YEARS! One of the best parts is that it’s 100% possible to legally get married there.  

ULTIMATE Faroe Islands wedding guide

When arriving to elope in the Faroe Islands, you will land at Vágar Airport, which is actually the only airport on the Faroe Islands. Some options:

• From Copenhagen (Denmark) – 2 hours
• Edinburgh (Scotland) – 1 hour
• Paris (France) – 2 hours and 45 minutes
• Bergen (Norway) – 1 hour
• Reykjavik (Iceland) – 1 hour.

PSSSTT if you are interested in an Iceland elopement, here’s our how to elope in Iceland guide, and here’s our real-life couple we captured at Reynisfjara, Iceland!

We captured a Faroe Islands Elopement and have the full scoop! Lean into the day’s unexpectedness. Take the mid-ferry ride from Klaksvík, and embrace the tradition of raising a Faroese flag on the ferry because of your new marriage. Faroe Islands weddings are where you can switch up plans on the fly, all while honoring traditions in the most scenic places.

Lake Como Italy

Italy is one of the easier countries to legally elope to, and it offers beautiful locations for your ceremony and a two-day adventure. You’ll spend time exploring the culture before and after your vows. If this is of interest to you, check out our guide. This will be your resource for logistics, European conversion for money and electronics, and different hikes for our adventurous couples. 

Eloping in Italy – Americans’ Guide

Now, if you like Lake Como but want something more off the beaten path, I’m going to recommend Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. With incredible views, moderate hikes, and colorful architecture, Lake Garda makes the perfect backdrop to any elopement experience.

Where to Elope on Lake Garda

Honorable mention on this list to the Canary Islands off of Spain!

If you’re ready to elope in Africa, let’s set up a call! We’ll discuss your vision and learn your pain points so we can create the elopement of your dreams! Fill out the form below, and I’ll meet you in Africa for your incredible elopement.