A Tanzania Safari Elopement: An Intimate Wedding in the Serengeti

Carly D'Angelo-Hall
4 days ago
6 min read

An elopement couple sit on a black safari vehicle under cloudy skies in a dry, open landscape in Tanzania. The vehicle has logos on its side.

Tanzania Safari Elopement | Kayla & Grant’s Wedding Adventure in the Serengeti

Eloping while on a safari in Tanzania is one of the most unforgettable ways to get married. Kayla & Grant combined their wedding and honeymoon into one epic experience, spending their time surrounded by sweeping savannas, incredible wildlife, and even a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. For a couple of adventurers who love traveling the world together, a Tanzania safari elopement was the perfect way to officially begin their lives together.

Why Choose a Safari Elopement in Tanzania?

Tanzania is one of the most breathtaking countries I’ve ever traveled to, offering diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, rich cultural experiences, and some of the best hospitality in the world. A safari elopement gives you a private guide and vehicle, all-inclusive accommodations, and a completely personalized experience from start to finish. Once you arrive, there’s nothing to manage - no timelines, no driving, no stress. Your only job is to be present and enjoy the experience together.

I chose to present them with the idea of visiting Tanzania specifically because during the timeframe they wanted to travel, it would be at the beginning of their rainy season causing wildlife to be more active, the climate to be more temperate, and the Great Migration would also be moving through the area.

A couple stands smiling on a grassy field in the Serengeti, with a deflated green and beige hot air balloon in the background, creating a joyful mood.

Tips & Notes for Planning a Safari Elopement in Tanzania

If you’re considering eloping on safari in Tanzania, there are a few important things to know before you start planning. Safari weddings are incredibly unique - but they also come with logistics that are very different from traditional destination elopements.

Here are my biggest tips from firsthand experience:

When you’re inside national parks with dangerous wildlife, you’re not allowed to exit the safari vehicle unless you’re in a designated picnic or walking area. For ceremony locations and portraits, booking accommodations with beautiful grounds where guests are allowed to walk freely is key. Any photos taken during game drives are an amazing bonus—but not something to rely on.
Book a photographer (and/or videographer) with experience documenting weddings internationally. It helps immensely to work with someone who can create a custom package, stay at the same lodges as you, book through the same safari company, and join your transportation when needed. Transportation is often the biggest logistical constraint during a safari.
If you’re bringing family or friends along, many safari lodges and hotels offer ceremony or celebration packages.
If you’re wearing a suit, avoid black or navy. Flies are attracted to those colors - and their bites are not fun.
I strongly recommend getting legally married in your home country before traveling. This allows you to focus fully on the experience without navigating complicated legal processes abroad.
Book your safari through a reputable safari company that arranges all accommodations and transportation once you arrive in Tanzania. Safaris are largely all-inclusive, and I don’t recommend trying to drive yourself. Working with a travel agent in your home country can also make communication and problem-solving much easier.
If you want safari photos in your wedding attire, choose a lightweight dress, or bring a second dress you can easily slip on and off inside the vehicle.

Kayla & Grant’s Tanzania Safari Elopement Experience

Kayla & Grant were legally married in the United States before departing for Tanzania, which made the entire process much simpler. They flew into Arusha, the closest city to many of Tanzania’s most well-known national parks. On day two, their guide from African Big Cats Safaris picked them up, officially beginning their safari adventure.

I joined them a few days into their trip and acted as their personal paparazzi for four days, documenting every part of their experience - from game drives and a sunrise hot air balloon ride to visiting a Maasai village and exploring multiple parks. One of my favorite things about safari elopements is that the focus isn’t on staged or posed photos - it’s on the experience couples share together.

Day 1: Serengeti National Park Safari Elopement

I arrived on a small bush plane that landed on an airstrip inside Serengeti National Park, where Kayla, Grant, and our guide, Endani, picked me up. This was a private safari, which gave them incredible flexibility and allowed them to fully customize their experience.

Not long after we started driving, we spotted a few lionesses resting beneath trees. Shortly after, a large group of cubs crossed the road to join them. Hearing them calling to one another and watching them play felt like the perfect “Welcome to the Serengeti.”

They stayed at Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, located within the park. Before nightfall, they relaxed in the pool while watching a herd of zebras graze nearby. That evening, we could hear lions and Cape buffalo moving just outside the cabins - a truly surreal experience.

Two lions rest under a large acacia tree in a vast, dry savanna landscape. Sparse trees dot the horizon under a clear sky.

Two people in a safari vehicle look through binoculars and a camera. Open savanna landscape in the background, with a serene mood.

Lions and cubs roam on a grassy savanna under a cloudy sky. A tree is on the right, creating a serene and natural atmosphere.

Lions and cubs roam grassy savannah under cloudy skies. Two adult lions and six cubs, with trees and flat terrain in the background.

Giraffes standing in a grassy savannah, contrasted against a cloudy sky. Their distinctive spotted patterns are prominent.

Couple in a serene infinity pool gazing at a vast, blurred landscape. Black and white photo with a peaceful, reflective mood.

Two people in a pool overlook a scenic landscape with rolling hills and a cloudy sky, evoking a serene and contemplative mood.

Two people relax in an infinity pool overlooking a savanna landscape with grazing zebras and sparse trees under an overcast sky.

Day 2: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride Over the Serengeti

We had a 5:30 a.m. wake-up for their sunrise hot air balloon ride with Serengeti Balloon Safaris. Watching the balloons inflate and lift into the sky was fascinating. While Kayla & Grant floated just above the savanna, spotting wildlife from above, our driver and I followed along on the ground so we could meet them when they landed.

Kayla is also a photographer, so she brought her telephoto lens along and had an incredible time photographing animals from the air. After landing, they celebrated with a plated breakfast alongside the other balloon riders before heading out for another full day game drive.

Hot air balloon being inflated with fire at dusk. Dark sky, orange glow from flame. Silhouettes of people watching. Mysterious mood.

Two people in tan jackets, one adjusting the other's belt, stand in a group outdoors before a hot airballoon ride. Overcast sky.

People walk toward a deflated green and white hot air balloon in an open field. Overcast sky, muted colors, adventurous mood.

People prepare a hot air balloon for takeoff on a grassy field. The balloon is partially inflated, showing green and beige panels.

Two hands with rings clasp gently against a blurred green and beige background. Both wear brown sleeves, suggesting a serene mood.

Three deflated hot air balloons on a grassy field with people preparing them. A green vehicle is nearby, under cloudy skies.

Hot air balloon being inflated with fire, green and beige stripes. People and jeep nearby on grassy field under cloudy sky.

Two striped hot air balloons float over a grassy field under a cloudy sky. A person stands beside a covered vehicle in the foreground.

A hot air balloon floats in a vast savannah with distant hills and a cloudy sky, creating a serene and peaceful scene at dusk.

Hot air balloon descending onto a grassy plain, with distant trees and hills. Banner reads "Serengeti Balloon Safaris." Overcast sky.

Two green and beige striped hot air balloons over a dry savanna landscape, one inflated and airborne, the other deflated on the ground.

A group of people in a field listen to a man holding a champagne bottle. A wooden table with drinks is in the foreground under a cloudy sky.

Group of five people smiling, holding glasses in a grassy field with a hot air balloon basket nearby. They're dressed in neutral clothing.

Two people clinking champagne glasses in a field, wearing showing their wedding rings. A blurred vehicle is in the background. Mood is celebratory.

Bride and groom in beige jackets toast champagne glasses, smiling in a grassy field. Overcast sky and safari vehicles in the background suggest adventure.

Tables are being set up for breakfast on the savanna under an acacia tree.

Champagne bottles in a basket on a long table set for a group. Sign reads "Serengeti Balloon Safaris, Capt. Geert Peirsman."

People dine outdoors at a long table, surrounded by a savanna landscape. Sign reads "Serengeti Balloon Safaris." Black and white image.

Outdoor brunch under an acacia tree in a savanna. People seated at tables, two servers in white, cloudy sky above. Mellow, communal mood.

Hippos resting in a muddy river, with one leaning on another. The scene is calm, with earthy tones and dense greenery in the background.

Zebras grazing in a vast, dry savanna with scattered acacia trees and a cloudy sky. The scene feels calm and natural.

paw prints from a wild animal in the dirt

Elephants standing together under trees, in a green grassy setting. The scene is tranquil and natural, with earthy brown and green hues.

Antelope sitting on a large rock under blue sky, with a lizard nearby. The antelope appears relaxed, set against a natural landscape.

Smiling couple in a safari vehicle with a lion resting under a tree in the background. Open savannah setting, relaxed mood.

Two lions resting under a tree on a grassy savanna. The sky is cloudy, creating a serene and peaceful mood.

Buffaloes grazing in a grassy field with trees in the background under a cloudy sky. The scene is calm and earthy in tone.

Day 3: Wedding Photos, Crater Walk & Maasai Village Visit

After an early morning the day before, Kayla & Grant slept in a bit before helping each other get dressed for their wedding photos around the lodge. Although they were already legally married, they took time to share what they love most about one another and honored tradition by breaking the glass—a Jewish custom symbolizing the start of their lives together.

Originally, they planned to wear wedding attire during the game drive, but after a few days on safari, they decided comfort mattered most. This is a great reminder that it's okay to change up the plans and choose your happiness on a wedding day. And it's also okay to not wear your wedding clothes all day! They changed into practical clothing, and we made our way toward the Ngorongoro Crater, stopping along the way to visit a Maasai village and enjoy a short guided walk outside the park.

That evening, they stayed at Lion’s Paw Camp, perched on the rim of the crater with sweeping views of the caldera below.

Thatched hut labeled "MBOGO" on stilts with a thatched roof, overlooking a vast savanna under a cloudy sky. Peaceful, rustic setting.

Lace wedding dress hangs on a wooden porch overlooking a vast savanna landscape. The scene is serene, with muted natural colors.

Blue textured heels, silver jewelry, and a Burberry perfume on wooden floor. Accessories arranged elegantly, evoking a refined mood.

Gold ring in black box, Banana Republic 06 perfume, penguin cufflinks on wood surface. Elegant, rustic vibe.

Man in shirt and tie adjusts cuff on balcony with countryside view. Wine bottle on table. Black and white, relaxed mood.

Groom in a blue shirt stands on a wooden balcony, overlooking a vast savannah of the Serengeti under a cloudy sky, evoking a sense of tranquility.

Red wine bottle labeled "African Big Cats" beside a white "Mazel Tov" bag on a wooden table, outdoor setting, earthy tones.

Bride in a lace gown stands on a wooden deck, overlooking a vast landscape. The groom helps with dress details. Calm, intimate moment.

A person fastening the back of a lace wedding dress on a balcony with a scenic field view. The scene is serene and intimate.

Man adjusts a woman's dress strap on a balcony overlooking a serene, open plain. She smiles softly, wearing a white lace gown.

Bride in lace dress with pendant necklace, gazing down. Another person adjusts her veil. Soft background, black and white, serene mood.

A woman in a bridal gown adjusts earrings against a vast open landscape. She smiles gently, exuding a joyful, serene mood.

Bride in white floral gown stands on a wooden deck as a groom in a suit helps with her glittery sandals. Rustic setting, warm light.

Couple embracing on a wooden balcony, overlooking a vast landscape. The woman wears a lace gown. The scene is in black and white, evoking romance.

A bride and groom embrace and smiles at each other in an open landscape, conveying a loving mood. The background is the savannah of the Serengeti.

A bride and groom kisses on a balcony overlooking the Serengeti. The woman wears a lacy dress, the man a suit. The mood is romantic.

Couple on a wooden deck of a stilted cabin overlooks a vast, grassy savannah under a blue sky. Rustic, tranquil setting.

Couple stands on a stilted cabin balcony in a grassy, tree-lined landscape. They embrace, wearing wedding attire under a clear sky.

Couple in wedding attire walks hand in hand on a dirt path near huts, with trees in the background and Maasai warriors up ahead.

A wedding couple stands by an infinity pool overlooking a vast savanna. The bride wears a lace gown, and the groom is in a suit and pink tie.

Bride and groom embrace, standing outdoors. She wears a lace dress, he a suit. Background shows open landscape. Mood is tender and joyful.

A couple in wedding attire shares a kiss on their wedding day in Tanzania. The rolling hills of the Serengeti is in the background.

A couple embraces in a grassy field, the woman in a lace dress and the man in a blue suit with a pink tie, exuding a joyful mood.

A couple embraces joyfully in a grassy outdoor setting, with a thatched-roof building in the background. The mood is happy and romantic.

Bride in a lace dress and groom in a suit embrace in the Serengeti with distant mountains, under a bright, cloudy sky. Romantic mood.

A couple embraces outdoors, smiling. The woman wears a lace gown; the man is in a suit and pink tie. A sunlit field is in the background.

Bride and groom holding hands on their wedding day in Tanzania. The background is the savanna of the Serengeti

A couple holds hands in the savanna of the Serengeti with mountains in the distance. The woman wears a white dress, the man a suit and pink tie. Sunny day.

A couple embraces, overlooking a vast savanna landscape with scattered trees and a distant mountain under a partly cloudy sky.

A couple kisses in a grassy field with a mountain in the background. The man wears a suit, and the woman a lace gown, exuding romance.

Bride in white dress and groom in blue suit perform a ritual in a vast savanna landscape, with trees and a clear sky in the background.

Bride in white gown and groom in blue suit stand smiling in a vast, dry savanna landscape. Groom looks at his shoes. Clear blue sky.

Bride in white dress raises arms joyfully, standing with groom in blue suit on sandy terrain with savanna landscape in background.

A couple embraces, overlooking a vast savannah with zebras in the distance. Clear sky, serene and romantic setting.

A smiling couple wearing safari hats poses in a grassy plain. The woman is in a lace dress, the man in a suit with a pink tie. Vast landscape behind.

Two people smiling inside a safari vehicle, with sunlight streaming in. Windows reveal a sunny landscape. Camera and water bottle visible nearby.

Two people stand in an open-roof safari vehicle, looking out with anticipation.

Lion resting under a tree in a dry, bushy area. Golden fur contrasts with green leaves and brown grass, creating a serene, natural scene.

Zebras drinking from a muddy waterhole on a grassy plain under a clear sky. Striped patterns are vivid, evoking a sense of calm.

Couple hugging inside a safari vehicle. Sunlight streams through the windows, creating a warm and cheerful mood.

Couple smiling inside a safari vehicle with open doors. Bright sunlight filters in, creating a joyful atmosphere.

A couple kisses inside a safari vehicle. Bright daylight streams through the windows, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere.

Two people hug beside a Serengeti National Park sign under a blue sky. Text reads "Serengeti Shall Never Die." Dry landscape in background.

A group of Maasai people in colorful traditional attire, one playing a horn, walk across a dry, open landscape under a bright blue sky.

A group of Maasai in colorful robes walks across a dry, open landscape with distant mountains. Two people in foreground observe, wrapped in patterned cloth.

People in colorful traditional attire, smiling during a group activity outdoors. A person jumps while others watch, with a dry, rustic backdrop.

Two people in patterned shawls walk through an outdoor market in a Maasai village with colorful handmade crafts on tables, under a partly cloudy sky.

Giraffe standing in a savannah with sparse bushes, under a blue sky with white clouds. The scene is calm and natural.

Giraffes roam a grassy savanna under a cloudy sky. Brown and green hues dominate the landscape, creating a serene, natural scene.

Sunset over a caldera with a saltwater lake at the bottom. Foreground shows lush, silhouetted foliage. Warm, serene atmosphere.

a row of cabins under lush trees on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater Safari Experience

On their final morning with me, Kayla & Grant enjoyed breakfast overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater just before sunrise. We descended into the caldera - an inactive volcano now serving as a protected game preserve - where dramatic clouds hung over the rim as sunlight broke through above us.

The crater was full of wildlife, and in one designated area where exiting the vehicle was allowed, we may have pushed our luck slightly with some curious hippos. Thankfully, the moment passed safely, and we completed the ultimate safari goal by spotting the Southern White Rhino, officially checking off Africa’s Big Five.

Afterward, they continued on to their next accommodations on a coffee plantation, before heading to Zanzibar for a weeklong island getaway.

The sun peeks through trees overlooking the Ngorongoro Crater at sunrise.

Two people dining in a cozy outdoor setting. One holds a cup, the other laughs. Plates of food and drinks on the table. Warm ambiance.

Two people sit at a table with plates of food, chatting in a cozy, wood-paneled outdoor setting. Trees and buildings visible outside.

View from a vehicle's roof over a vast savanna under a dramatic cloudy sky. Sunlight peeks through clouds, creating a serene atmosphere.

Sign on rocky ground points to Hippo Pool and other sites. Moody sky with dark clouds looms over expansive golden field.

Vast landscape in the Ngorongoro Crater with grazing antelopes in the foreground, a lake with flamingos, and dark mountains under cloudy skies in the background.

Young lion cub lying in dry grass, with a focused gaze. The setting is earthy and brown, enhancing the cub's golden fur.

Cloudy sky over a serene landscape in the Ngorongoro Crater with trees, grassy fields, and a calm river. The mood is tranquil and earthy with muted colors.

Two people with cameras watch hippos in a lake. They're in the Ngorongoro Crater of Tanzania. There is a cloudy sky and grassy landscape.

Two people in outdoor clothing watch hippos in a lake under a cloudy sky. The scene is calm with grassy foreground and dark clouds.

Photographer captures man in a brown jacket by a lake. Overcast sky, grassy shore, and distant trees set a calm mood.

Two people smiling outdoors in a cloudy landscape, wearing jackets. The mood is cheerful, with picnic tables in the background. Black and white.

Yellow bird perched on safari vehicle antenna with cloudy sky and hazy mountain background. The vehicle is a grayish color. Peaceful mood.

Two people sit atop a black safari vehicle in a vast, cloudy savanna. The mood is adventurous with stickers on the vehicle.

Tall trees stand on a dry, grassy plain with a fog-covered mountain in the background. A herd of zebras grazes peacefully beneath the trees.

Elephants eat from trees with mountains in the background. They're in the Ngorongoro Crater National Park of Tanzania.

Two people in a vehicle laughing and holding cameras with large lenses, surrounded by safari scenery. Black and white photo.

Two people in safari vehicle watch elephant in the wild through binoculars. African savannah landscape, brown tones, lush greenery.

An elephant stands under a tree in the Ngorongoro Crater of Tanzania.

A hippo wades in a brown lake with distant birds. Mountains and a cloudy sky form the backdrop, creating a calm, earthy scene.

A lioness walks along a dry grassland near a lake with standing flamingos. Mountains in the hazy background under a cloudy sky.

Lion standing near a river on a grassy plain with distant mountains and cloudy sky. Browns and greens dominate the serene landscape.

Three zebras walk away across a dry, grassy plain. Their black and white stripes contrast with the golden landscape under a cloudy sky.

Scenic view of a lush valley with distant lake, surrounded by hills under a blue sky with clouds. Vegetation in the foreground. Peaceful mood.

Planning Your Own Tanzania Safari Elopement

I’m incredibly grateful Kayla & Grant trusted me to document such an unforgettable journey. Experiences like this are exactly why I specialize in adventure and destination elopements—capturing couples as they experience something completely new together at the very beginning of their forever.

If this Tanzania safari elopement inspired you and you’re dreaming of an intimate, experience-focused wedding anywhere in the world, I’d love to help you plan and document it. Reach out through my contact form, and let’s start dreaming up your destination elopement.

Let's Talk More!

Carly, the owner of Wild North Weddings, and an adventure wedding photographer, smiles in front of a mountainous background with misty clouds above.

I'm Carly, a destination wedding and elopement photographer + planning guide who's documented weddings from Hawaii to Tanzania. My top priority on elopement days is to help you create an experience, not just deliver great photos. I want to tell your wedding story, share the emotions you felt that day and the fun you shared together, and provide you with memories that you'll love forever. And in addition to photography, I'll also provide:

✓ Location Scouting & Research

✓ Vendor Recommendations

✓ Customized Timeline Building

✓ Activity Recommendations

✓ Assistance with Permits

✓ An exclusive elopement planning guide

If you're ready to take the first step towards your best day ever, fill out the contact form on my site! We'll talk about all of the possibilities, ease your mind of any hesitations you may still have about eloping, and get planning!

Adventure Elopement Package & Pricing