Top 9 Most Romantic African Wedding Locations

As destination weddings in Southern & Eastern Africa continue to explode in popularity, we've hand-picked the most romantic, iconic and down-right special African locations to say "I do".

1. Wolwedans

2. Bosjes Estate

There are not many places in Southern Africa that can rival Oceana’s unique combination of beach and bush, all nicely wrapped into one spectacularly scenic package. Weddings take place on the beach deck that overlook the flowing dunes and crashing Indian Ocean waves below. Perhaps best of all, for your wedding photographs you needn’t choose between posing on a rugged safari jeep with the bush as your backdrop, or standing barefoot on a pearly white beach – because you can have both!

If your idea of a romantic location is pretending you’re a castaway on a tropical island somewhere in the Indian Ocean, well then look no further than this dreamy lodge. Positioned on the beach of a secluded island just north of Zanzibar off the Tanzanian coast, here you can wiggle your toes into the sand of a tranquil beach during the wedding ceremony, the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lapping just metres away while the bright red hibiscus flowers scattered around you spread their fragrance. Once the nuptials are finished, dive into the gin clear water and enjoy some of the best diving in the world of this property that was recently voted Best Marine Safari in Africa.

Widely known as one of Cape Town’s brightest hidden gems, the award-winning 5 star Tintswalo Atlantic is nestled at the foot of Chapmans Peak, with stunning views over Hout Bay harbour and formidable Sentinel Peak within the greater Table Mountain National Park. Wedding ceremonies take place on a deck located at the foot of the ocean, with exquisite views over the bay and mountains beyond. What makes this venue truly special is that it less than 45mins drive from Cape Town, yet it feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city with just the sound of the crashing waves lulling you to sleep at night.

If your idea of the dream wedding is gliding in across a waterway in a romantic mokoro dug-out canoe, and saying "I do" while being serenaded by a chorus of wild birds instead of a church choir – then Moremi Crossing is the stuff your dreams are made of. Every year seasonal floods turn the Okavango Delta that surrounds the lodge into a water wonderland with tiny canals crisscrossing the landscape. In Africa water means life, and as the water arrives so does the wildlife. In massive droves. Situated on a tiny, picturesque island, Moremi Crossing is only accessible by chartered flight and the surrounding wilderness is best explored by mokoro, a traditional dug-out canoe.

It was on Livingstone Island that British explorer David Livingstone first gasped when he saw the mighty Victoria Waterfalls, exclaiming: “Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”. And spectacularly beautiful it is, not to mention oh so romantic. With a setting blessed by such natural beauty, it is no surprise that adventurous couples love tying the knot on this tiny island in the middle of the Zambezi river, just metres away from where the Zambezi river thunders and crashes down to the gorge below, sending up huge clouds of mist and painting the sky with many rainbows.

For the ultimate “Out of Africa” experience, the Serengeti Tanzania Four Seasons is hard to trump. You’ll struggle to find somewhere more exotic, untamed and wild. Yet you’ll never want for luxury at this plush lodge with its 5-star credentials. Here you can experience a true bush ceremony in the Serengeti National Park, amid the security of Maasai warrior. As the sun sets over the African plains the wedding party gathers around a huge bonfire to witness a tribal dance before tucking into a magical bush dinner underneath a canopy of brightly sparkling stars.

Nestled among the toes of the strikingly beautiful Cederberg Mountain range, just 5 hours drive from Cape Town, Bushmanskloof is a true gem in South Africa and a multi-award winning retreat for good reason. On your Big Day you can say your vows while admiring the view that extends across the ancient wilderness, steeped in San Bushman heritage, and generously sprinkled with ancient rock art over 10,000 years old. This area is South Africa’s equivalent of an ancient open-air Louvre, so generous were the San with their artwork.