Outdoor Safari Wedding Venue

You’re ready to plan a safari elopement, and we are here to help with options for your outdoor Safari wedding venue. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including options, prices, and what to expect. The top options for an outdoor safari include Kruger National Park, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and the Zulu Nyala. Let’s get started on your African adventure!

What is the definition of a safari?

A safari is an overland journey to observe or hunt wild animals, especially in East Africa. The “Big Five” game animals of Africa are lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and Cape buffalo. They form an important part of the safari market, both for wildlife viewing and big-game hunting. For a safari elopement, we are leaning into the “journey to observe” part. This is especially appropriate because we consider all Honeybee Weddings and elopements an adventurous journey with your fiancé!

When we’re researching safari elopement venues, we focus on places where you can go out into the safari zone and also have a special, intimate ceremony back at the camp. If you haven’t already, check out the link below where we discuss elopement versus a wedding, and what to pack.

African Safari Wedding Guide

When to Go

May to October is the dry season and is generally considered the ideal window. It has warm, sunny days and very little rain. This also means there are fewer mosquitoes (lower risk of malaria in many areas) and that wildlife is gathering. If you’re heading to parks like Hwange National Park, this is prime game-viewing season. If you want to get hyper-specific, July to October is the best time to go. Animals are easier to spot due to the dry vegetation. 

Outdoor Safari Wedding Venue: Kruger National Park

On the southeast side of Africa is Kruger National Park, which became South Africa’s first national park in 1926. It is a major tourist attraction, and in 2024 it drew nearly 2 million visitors. Wildlife conservation, education, and tourism are the KNP’s main objectives, making it a premier venue for wildlife weddings. Siyabona Africa offers a four-day safari wedding that includes a stylish, romantic ceremony in a dry African riverbed, luxurious accommodation, and incredible memories under the African sky.

Day one: A scheduled flight from Johannesburg will take you to an airport close to the Kruger Park, where a private car will take you to a private Kruger Park safari lodge bordering the Kruger National Park. After lunch, you’ll head out on your first open safari vehicle game drive and return to the lodge for a private dinner at the Bush Observatory under the African stars. Get ready for an African destination wedding of your dreams as you fall asleep to the sounds of African wildlife. 

Days two and three: A local minister will conduct your ceremony in a dry riverbed. There will be sparkling wine, a bridal bouquet featuring the region’s indigenous flowers, and a wedding gift awaiting you. Indulge in your wedding cake and take in an incredible performance by local Shangaan dancers on the happiest day of your lives.

Enjoy refreshments and canapés on your first afternoon game drive as a married couple and return to the safari lodge well after sunset, where the wedding celebrations continue with a delicious wedding dinner under the African sky. 

Day four: A private car will take you to Hoedspruit Airport, where a flight to Johannesburg and beyond awaits.

4-Day Safari Destination Wedding in Kruger Park | Krugerpark.co.za 

Outdoor Safari Wedding Venue: Zulu Nyala

On the southeast side of Africa is Zulu Nyala. The safari wedding venue is located in the wilderness of Hluhluwe in KwaZulu-Natal.

There are two ceremony venue options: Zulu Nyala Game Lodge or The Quarry. Both overlook the panoramic views of the private reserve. At the Game Lodge, you can prepare for your day in style with spa treatments before the big moment. Create a magical, night-time setting under starry skies at their unique Quarry venue or Game Lodge restaurant, with both venues offering that African bush atmosphere. 

What sets Zulu Nyala apart from other wedding venues is that they are a fully functional hotel, offering gorgeous settings for your wedding ceremony and luxurious rooms for you and your guests to stay in after you have partied the night away.  

Zulu Nyala Game Lodge provides a unique bush experience in the heart of one of South Africa’s most diverse conservation regions. Nestled between the wilderness reserves of Mkuze, Hluhluwe, St. Lucia, and Sodwana Bay, this lush stretch of paradise is home to a wide variety of game with spectacular views and scenery. The privately owned reserve is home to over 40 different animal species and magnificent birdlife. A variety of game reserve activities and excursions are available to all guests of Zulu Nyala Game Lodge and Heritage Safari Lodge.

African safari elopement cost

Wedding packages start at approximately $665–$800 for ceremony venue hire, with full venue options ranging from $2,325–$2,650. Guest packages are about $40 per person, while on-site accommodations begin at $112 per night, including breakfast. 

Weekend Wedding Ceremony Venue: Starting at $800

• Weekend Quarry Venue Hire: Starting at $2,650
• Wedding Package: Approximately $40 per guest
• Weekday Wedding Ceremony Venue: Starting at $665
• Weekday Quarry Venue Hire: Starting at $2,325
• Wedding Package: Approximately $40 per guest

• Single Room: From $112 per night, including breakfast
• Shared Room: From $127 per night, including breakfast (up to two guests)

Zulu Nyala Wedding Information

Outdoor Safari Wedding Venue: Zimbabwe

For an outdoor safari wedding venue that can’t be beat, Zimbabwe, specifically the Victoria Falls, is the place. This is one of the world’s largest waterfalls, with a width of 5,604 ft. It is formed by the Zambezi River. Along the vast river, you’ll have sightings of pods of hippos, fish-eagles, and bustling antelope herds. Check out the elephants coming to drink at a nearby waterhole and bathe in the golden sunsets! 

Pst – these golden sunsets are also your cue for an incredible wedding ceremony.  Exchange your vows in front of the falls with the rushing water to keep your ceremony private.

The Victoria Falls Safari Collection estate offers a unique venue for weddings, elopements, and honeymoons. Situated 2.5 miles from the mighty Victoria Falls and set amongst the pristine African bushveld, they offer a variety of accommodations. 

Victoria Falls Wedding Ceremony Venues

Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a large destination wedding, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge offers several unique ceremony locations:

Resident’s Lounge: Perched at the highest viewpoint on the property, the Resident’s Lounge overlooks a private watering hole and the nearby national park. Sunset ceremonies are especially stunning, making it an ideal setting for intimate weddings of up to 15 guests.

The Amphitheater: This open-air venue features a stage and terraced lawn seating. As the largest ceremony space on the property, it can comfortably accommodate up to 200 guests.

Indaba Conference Room: A charming thatched-roof venue with French doors opening onto a balcony overlooking the African bush and the mist of Victoria Falls in the distance. The room includes its own bar and restroom facilities and can host up to 100 guests for a ceremony.

Queen Nandi Place: One of the property’s newest and most elegant venues, Queen Nandi Place offers panoramic views toward Victoria Falls and provides a sophisticated setting for couples seeking a luxury wedding experience.

Victoria Falls Wedding Reception Venues

After the ceremony, couples can choose from several memorable reception locations:

Queen Nandi Place: This modern event venue combines upscale amenities with breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness.

Indaba Conference Room & Boardroom: The Indaba Conference Room can host up to 70 guests for a seated dinner or 40 guests with space for a dance floor. For smaller celebrations, the Boardroom accommodates up to 30 guests for an elegant dinner reception.

The Boma Restaurant: Known for its authentic African atmosphere and renowned game dishes, The Boma can be reserved exclusively for large wedding celebrations of 250 guests. Smaller groups can reserve one of the restaurant’s private “villages” for a more intimate reception.

Off-Site Wedding Venue Options

For couples looking to exchange vows in one of the world’s most iconic natural settings, ceremonies and receptions can also be arranged away from the lodge:

• Victoria Falls Rainforest – Say “I do” surrounded by the lush rainforest and the thunderous backdrop of Victoria Falls.
• Santonga Bush Dinner Site – Located less than a mile from the lodge, this private outdoor venue is perfect for a romantic reception or gala-style celebration beneath the African night sky.

All of these options make the Victoria Falls one of the best outdoor safari wedding venues. To learn more about Zimbabwe, check out the guide below!

Zimbabwe Wedding Guide

Kenya Wedding Guide: Safari Elopement

There are tons of great options for your outdoor safari wedding venue in Kenya, straight out of a storybook. Popular choices include Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, and Laikipia. 

Over in the Maasai Mara, Kenya Safaris offers a private guided tour for you and your spouse. It’ll bring you face-to-face with Africa’s iconic wildlife on the northern edge of the Serengeti. With off-road access and expert local trackers, you’ll witness dramatic predator-prey scenes up close. What really hooked us for the Kenya wedding guide: hot air balloon rides included.

The Amboseli National Park & Chyulu Hills Safaris made the list for an immersive experience. You can stay at OI Donyo Lodge, a luxurious safari lodge in the Chyulu Hills, with views of the savanna across to Mount Kilimanjaro! There are deluxe suites with a private plunge pool, lounge, dining area, bar, swimming pool, spa, gym, and safari boutique. There are also game drives, night drives, horse riding, guided walks, mountain biking, Amboseli National Park day trips (!!), and helicopter excursions. This is a great option for couples who want to stay in one place and get access to all their African dreams. 

Kenya Wedding Guide

No matter where you want to go in Africa, Honeybee Weddings will be there every step of the way to help you plan and start your next chapter. Fill out the form below and check out our discount list!