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Safari Bush Wedding

Say ‘I do’ in the untamed African wilderness with our unforgettable safari bush wedding. Let the vibrant wildlife and African landscapes be the backdrop to your love story. 

Instead of having your guests pile up gold-wrapped gift boxes with items that you already have two of, like toasters and wine decanters, tell your friends you want to celebrate your nuptials in Africa on a safari bush wedding, and instead of gifts to rather share their love and celebration of your nuptials by helping to secure a rhino’s continued freedom, or make solar lanterns for a local community.

Imagine making your marriage a symbol of how you want to live your lives together – Unselfishly. About experiences rather than things. About giving rather than taking. About making the world a better place!

We invite you to confirm your love for each other in some of Africa’s most idyllic and romantic safari bush wedding hideaways. Affirm your love in front of a gathering of Kenyan Maasai men, women, and warriors dressed in their most delicate beadwork, which is a truly traditional experience. Or celebrate your safari bush wedding nuptials with a simple ceremony set out in the middle of an African plain or with one of our finest Relais & Châteaux African safari camps as your backdrop.

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We can arrange your safari bush wedding celebration in any of our Kenya and Botswana safari camps. Many a celebrity couple have elected to sneak off to our safari camps with a dozen or so close friends for a private and authentic celebration of their wedding vows in Africa.

Most couples opt to have a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony with us while obtaining their civic marriage license in their home country. However, there are those who prefer to arrange their legal marriage while on safari. This does require a little more paperwork and planning and is governed by the applicable country’s marriage requirements – an indicative list of what is usually required is shared below. The exact conditions and requirements will be confirmed at the time of your enquiry.

Botswana Marriage Requirements

BOTSWANA: MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS
To enable foreigners to register a marriage in Botswana, they need to apply for and obtain a Special License from the District Commissioner in order for them to have a wedding in the ‘bush’.

To apply for a Special License, the couple which intends to get married must provide complete and clear copies of the following documentation before travel:

  • Valid passports and copies with a minimum of a 6-month validity;
  • Birth certificates-copies;
  • Full residential address of both partners;
  • Certificate of no impediment to marriage from their respective countries in the case of single persons (bachelor and spinster);
  • Death certificate and former marriage certificate (if relevant) in the case of a widowed person;
  • Divorce decree absolute in the case of a divorced person;
  • Return air ticket for the couple, and the couple must be physically present before the Registrar of Marriages when the application for the Special License is made. Guests should plan to stay in Maun for up to 2 days for all arrangements to be confirmed. The processing of requests takes place from Monday to Friday except for public holidays, during which the Registrar of Marriages needs to prepare and issue the Special License. Once the District Commissioner issues the Special License, the couple may celebrate their wedding in the ‘bush’ with a commissioner, pastor or priest;
  • Details of occupation for both partners;
  • Father’s name, full address and occupation;
  • Affidavit stating that neither person wishing to get married has been married previously. This must be prepared in your country of residence prior to arrival;
  • Two witnesses must be present at the marriage;
  • All documentation must be officially translated into English and accompanied by original copies;
  • Dutch couples must first apply to the Dutch Council for clearance to wed.

The couple must bring original copies of the above to Botswana in order to ensure the successful processing of the license.

Kenya Marriage Requirements

KENYA: MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS

  • Valid passports-copies with a minimum of a 6-month validity;
  • Birth certificates-copies;
  • Full residential address of both partners;
  • Certificate of no impediment to marriage from their respective countries in the case of single persons (bachelor and spinster);
  • A death certificate and former marriage certificate (if relevant) in the case of a widowed person;
  • Divorce decree absolute in the case of a divorced person;
  • Return air ticket for the couple;
  • The couple must be physically present before the Registrar of Marriages when the application for the Special License is processed. They must remain in the country for the next four days, which allows time for the Registrar of Marriages to prepare and issue the Special License;
  • Once the Registrar of Marriages issues the Special License, the couple may celebrate their wedding in the ‘bush’ with a commissioner, pastor or priest;
  • Details of occupation for both partners;
  • Father’s name, full address and occupation;
  • Separate Statutory Declaration sworn at a Solicitor/Notary Public’s office, stating separately that each guest is single and free to marry. Each certificate should bear the Solicitor’s stamp and signature and must be completed in your country of residence before arrival;
  • All documentation must be officially translated into English and accompanied by original copies;
  • Dutch couples must first apply to the Dutch Council for clearance to wed;
  • 2 x Colour photographs of each person.

The couple must bring original copies of the above to Kenya to ensure the license’s successful processing.