An Unforgettable Serengeti Safari Elopement: Sarah and Stu’s Epic Adventure

Sarah and Stu’s Serengeti elopement was nothing short of extraordinary. Over five days, they embarked on a thrilling journey through Tanzania, with wild animals and breathtaking landscapes at every turn. From their intimate ceremony on the Serengeti plains to a private dinner under the stars, their adventure was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Get all the details below!

Are you ready to plan your wedding adventure? Learn how to elope here.

About This Elopement

Photography by Julia Goldberg Photography

“Over five days we traveled around Tanzania, taking photos at some of the most incredible places with animals all around us. Every moment of this elopement was truly unbelievable, and I feel so honored that I got to capture it.

Sarah and Stu’s wedding day they started in a bush camp in the middle of the Serengeti. They started their morning getting ready and drinking coffee together in their tent.

We took the jeeps out to the Serengeti to do a game drive, (spotting lions, elephants, and a leopard) before we found the perfect spot to stop and set up their ceremony.

Sarah and Stu got married in the plains of the Serengeti with just the two of them and the officiant. When the wedding was over, we popped champagne and they had their first dance on top of the safari jeep with all of our guides singing the Jambo song.

When we returned back to the amazing Bush camp we were staying at (Signature Serengeti), they had a stunning dinner set up in the bush, with twinkle lights and lanterns all around them and their own private chef for them to enjoy their first meal as a newly married couple by themselves under the stars.” [Julia, the photographer]

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Top Tips For Your Safari Elopement

“The safari company (Excellent Guides Tanzania) manages all the permits for the park for us.

This is truly one of the most adventurous and epic locations you can choose. Definitely making a whole trip out of this and not just the wedding is vital. Adding on things like relaxing in Zanzibar, going to the best national parks, and choosing additional add on adventures (like hikes, hot air balloon rides, kayaking, etc.) is the best way to make your trip memorable.

We planned this trip for an entire year to make it the best it could possibly be. I also worked with the Safari company on my own to make sure we set up the best experience for the couple…like planning a romantic dinner with twinkle lights all around them for their first dinner together as a married couple, champagne in their room, florals, and so much more.

It is SO important to find the right company that will help put something like this together. I had worked with this safari company before, so when I reached out to ask if we could make this happen they just asked what I needed and made sure to do it. I think having that connection with the company was absolutely vital in creating this elopement. I personally talked with them for months to set this all up and they were very communicative and helpful to make it all perfect.” [Julia, the photographer]

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Details We’re Loving

“As someone who has been absolutely obsessed with animals my entire life I was thrilled to have so many animal encounters in a wedding. We shot this wedding over 3 different days. On the first day we originally met up at a wildlife sanctuary where my couple got to feed giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests. They had a beautiful picnic in a hut in the sanctuary where giraffes were coming over and sticking their heads through the windows.

We saw so many incredible animals the entire time we were there and it just made the entire experience so exciting and wild at every turn. I think having that added level of wild in an elopement made the whole thing just that much more epic.” [Julia, the photographer]

Deciding to Elope

“We’re a couple that has always prioritized experiences and travel. We knew right away that we wanted our special day to be an adventure just the two of us could share for such an intimate and special occasion. We wanted the day to be solely about us, spending quality time together, our adventure in life together and sharing intimate and honest vows we wouldn’t share in a room full of people. We did our private vows and ring exchange for the elopement in the Safari, but we had the legal ceremony at home in Canada after so that family and friends could be included but the pressure of marriage was off. By eloping, we could be fully present and enjoy each experience.

We wanted to choose somewhere new we had never explored before so we could experience it all together. We’ve never been to Africa and a Safari was a huge bucket list of ours. Experiencing the untouched nature this planet has to offer and seeing truly wild animals; Serengeti National Park in Tanzania was calling our names. Flying to Africa from Vancouver, Canada is a long journey and a more expensive trip than our typical camper van roadies or Central America tree trekking. We opted to splurge for a once and a lifetime opportunity, a bucket list item that we’ll never forget!” [The couple]

Working With Experienced Vendors

“This is where we need to give ALL the credit to our amazing photographer Julia Goldberg! As soon as we mentioned Africa Safari, she hit the ground running! She put so much effort and research into the whole thing. She sent us a PDF package on how to elope and connected us with Lynn at Luna World Travel, and the planning process from there was so easy on our end.

Lynn had us describe how we envisioned the trip, from the misty hike up part of Kilimanjaro to the sunset elopement on the dry plains of the Serengeti. She partnered with Excellent Guides in Tanzania and together they planned every. single. detail.” [The couple]

Budgeting For Your Elopement Adventure

“As frequent travelers, we typically tend to be budget tourists, not fully caring about the accommodations or how we get about. We knew we wanted this to stand out from the rest, and treat ourselves to this once and a lifetime opportunity. We stayed in the most beautiful and romantic places. Every morning we had fresh coffee and every night we had scattered rose petals.

We had our own Safari Land Cruiser and amazing private driver and encyclopedia of all things cultural, vegetation, animal, and safety – our man Jerry! and have absolutely zero regrets. Everything was such a surreal experience that the two of us shared, now husband and wife, totally worth every penny and we will never forget. We spent about $ 20,000 CAD for our luxury elopement and honeymoon in one.” [The couple]

Memorable Moments From This Elopement

From the photographer:

“The Ceremony out in the plains of the Serengeti. I’ve never seen anything quite like it before. On the drive over there, we saw a herd of elephants and giraffes, lions, and even a leopard in the tree. It was so special to watch them say their beautiful and emotional vows to one another amongst the long tall grass of the plains. We really bonded with our incredible and knowledgeable guides who helped make this trip the best it could be.

When their ceremony was over we popped champagne and our guides started playing the ‘Jambo’ song and dancing with the couple who were on top of their safari van dancing together as the sun set behind them. It was just the most fun and silly moment drinking champagne and dancing with our guides out in the Serengeti. Something I definitely never thought I’d experience.”

From the couple:

“Being in the middle of a giant herd of elephants as Mothers guide their babies to the next watering hole is pretty wild. A safari glamping tent was a huge item on our bucket list as well. The night of our wedding we stayed at Signature Serengeti, one of the few camps that are actually allowed overnight in the Serengeti National Park.

Once we returned from the plains all giddy and married, they surprised us with everything. We had snacks and drinks prepared to watch the sun setting from on top of the hill.

Followed by probably one of the coolest and most thrilling experiences of our life – a private bush dinner. They drove us to a secluded location where they had a private chef create the most delicious meal, by lanterns and fire light. We were completely submerged in the darkness and the Serengeti. All the very close Lion roars, hyenas laughing and grasses scattering sounds encompassing us. Such a magical once-in-a-lifetime experience, we feel truly blessed to have had and one we will never, ever, forget.”

Final Words of Advice

From the photographer:

“Make sure you hire a safari company that is willing to work with you to get you what you want. But also being flexible! Communication can be tough and things get lost in translation. Everyone is doing the best they can with the tools they have. We had an incredible time, but with a trip this wild there’s always little things that can easily go wrong along the way! Staying positive and excited and enjoying the journey is vital.”

From the couple:

“Choose something that is uniquely you, cross off that bucket list together! Lean into exactly what you and your partner want for your dream elopement!

Planning a wedding is stressful, eloping is choosing to focus on the details that really matter. We typically plan ourselves or just go with the flow travelers, but if you’re choosing to elope, do it right. You don’t want the pressure or spontaneous hiccups to hit you on your wedding day. Trust the professionals and choose your team wisely!

Find a passionate photographer whose style you love and trust. You don’t want to be worrying or even thinking about them getting the right shots while you’re in the middle of your vows. The photos are worth it! Your family and loved ones will be so thrilled to see glimpses into your special day. They’ll be much cherished keepsakes and filled with so many memories for you to look back on and reminisce on such an important moment in your love story.”

Vendors

Photography | Julia Goldberg Photography

Safari Guides | Excellent Guides
Travel Agent and Planner | Luna World Travel
Officiant | Matthew Putnam
Venue | Signature Serengeti

Photos From This Elopement