Imagine the thrill of exchanging your vows under the vast African sky overlooking the wild animals during your intimate safari wedding. This is exactly what Dave and Michelle pictured when they chose to have their intimate safari wedding in South Africa. If you’re considering a destination wedding that’s truly unforgettable, keep reading to discover why a safari wedding might be the ultimate dream for your elopement or destination wedding.
About The Safari Wedding Venue- Isambane Lodge
Dave & Michelle chose to have their safari wedding in the Balule Nature Reserve at Isambane Lodge. Isambane is an eco friendly lodge that hosts up to 10 people. This is perfect for those wanting an intimate safari wedding with just their closest loved ones. Isambane lodge has 3 luxury tented rooms and 2 cabins. All the rooms have their own bathrooms and showers. The rooms also have their own decks overlooking the wild. Isambane lodge is not fenced in, therefore animals can roam around freely throughout camp. This means that you could possibly wake up to any of the big five roaming around! The big five includes: Lions, leopards, rhinos, hippos and elephants, however, there are plenty of the other animals to observe as well.
How to get to your safari lodge
South Africa is known for their amazing safari lodges that are located in Kruger National Park or in the outer Kruger. The closest International airport is O.R Tambo airport in Johannesburg. After arriving in Johannesburg International Airport you can transfer to the smaller airports located near your safari lodge. Kruger Park Airport, Hoedspruit Airport and Nelspruit Airport are some options to fly into from O.R Tambo. Your safari lodge should have a transfer available to transport you from these airports to your safari lodge. Some transfer companies I recommend are SWIFT transfers and TROPHY transfers.
Safari Wedding Itinerary Example
Depending on the safari lodge and how many days you are staying, here is a typical safari wedding timeline example:
Day of Arrival:
- 12PM :Arrive at nearest airport and take transfer to lodge
- 1PM: Arrive at safari lodge, unpack, take in your beautiful room
- 2PM: Lunch and drinks
- 4:30PM: Afternoon safari game drive into evening (sundowner drinks and snacks included)
- 7:30PM: Arrive back at lodge for 3 course dinner
- 9PM: Bed
The Wedding Day:
- 5AM: Sunrise Safari game drive with coffee/tea/hot chocolate and rusks included
- 8AM: Arrive back at lodge for breakfast
- 11AM: Couple’s massage
- 12PM: Relax at pool with cocktails/book overlooking the watering hole
- 1:30PM: Lunch
- 2:30PM: Hair and Make Up starts, photographer arrives for photos
- 4:30PM: Afternoon game drive starts
- 5:30PM: Ceremony at a beautiful, intimate location in the wild
- 6:30PM: Sundowners + Sunset portraits
- 7:30PM: Arrive back at lodge for 3 course dinner
- 8:30PM: Photography ends
- 10PM: Bed
Last Full Day at Safari Lodge:
- 5AM: Sunrise safari game drive (Optional)
- 8AM: Breakfast
- 10AM: Relax (Can do massages on this day as well)
- 1:30PM: Lunch
- 4:30PM: Sunset safari game drive
- 7:30Pm: Dinner
- 10PM: Bed
Day of Departure:
- 5AM: Sunrise safari game drive (Optional)
- 8AM: Breakfast
- 10AM: Shuttle transfer back to airport
You can always add on extra days or choose to explore other parts of the country as well. I highly recommend Assured & Taylored to assist you with extending your travel experience in South Africa!
What to Pack for Your Safari Wedding
When traveling from a different country to South Africa, I’m sure you’re wondering what to pack for your destination safari wedding. Here is a list of basics to remember when traveling to South Africa for your safari wedding:
- Your wedding outfits (Dress, veil, suit, tie, belt, dress socks etc).
- Your wedding shoes. Flat shoes are recommended for your wedding, but you can alternate with heels if you’d prefer that!
- Your wedding rings
- Any important details for your wedding day such as: jewelry, vow books, invitations etc.
- Comfortable clothes suitable for very hot, cooler and rainy weather on days besides your wedding day
- Your passport
- Sunblock
- Plug adapters
- Toiletry bag (toothbrush, tooth paste, razor, hair brush and hair accessories etc)
The Intimate Safari All Inclusive Wedding Package
Dave and Michelle chose the intimate safari wedding package for their destination wedding in South Africa. This package is an all inclusive package which takes care of you as soon as you arrive at the airport!
This All Inclusive Intimate Safari Wedding Package Includes:
- 2 Nights Accommodation + Meals at Isambane Lodge
- 5 Hours Photography Coverage
- Ceremony setup + bouquet
- Hair & Make Up
- Couple’s Massage
- Private Romantic Game Drives
- In country transportation to lodge and back.
Total: $6,500
You can also include the following add ons:
Extra guests, extra photography hours, extra nights, cultural dance performance, table decor + set up. If you’d like to inquire about my packages, please fill out my contact form below:
More about Heidi Straus Photography – Safari Wedding Photographer
At Heidi Straus Photography, we specialize in capturing the magic of safari weddings and elopements—where romance meets the wild. A safari wedding is unlike any other, and it requires a photographer who understands the unique challenges and opportunities of the setting. From golden-hour portraits with wildlife in the background to intimate candlelit receptions in the bush, we use natural light, artistic composition, and expert timing to create images that truly reflect your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Beyond capturing stunning wedding images, we also provide guidance on the best times of day for photos, top locations within the reserve, and insider tips for making the most of your safari wedding experience. With a deep love for Africa and its natural beauty, we’re here to document your day with creativity, passion, and attention to every detail.
If you’re dreaming of a safari wedding in South Africa and looking for a photographer who understands the magic of the bush, we’d love to be part of your journey. Get in touch to learn more about our safari wedding photography packages and how we can bring your vision to life! 🚀📸
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