3 of the best venues for small weddings in Africa (on a budget)

You have popped the question and now you are trying to decide where to celebrate the big day. For adventure and wildlife lovers, an African wedding may be your ultimate dream, but is it possible to arrange small African weddings on a budget? At African Budget Safaris, we specialize in affordable tailor-made adventures in Africa. 

Get married on the beach by Azchael

Ideal for wedding party trips and small weddings in Africa, we will help you and your loved one create an unforgettable experience. Our wedding packages include all accommodation, transfers, and help with the paperwork. We will find the perfect place for you to tie the knot, set up pre- and post-wedding activities, and connect you with the right local people to organize your one-of-a-kind fairytale African wedding.

Here are three of the best venues for small weddings in Africa (on a budget)...

1. A small wedding in Victoria Falls

You’ll be hard-pressed to find better venues for small weddings than Victoria Falls. Overflowing with romance, the falls are a truly Instagram-worthy destination for couples looking to get married in Africa. Located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is the perfect destination for a romantic wedding celebration.

This World Heritage Site is one of the biggest waterfalls on the planet and is a spellbinding backdrop for a small African wedding. So much so, that one of our very own African Budget Safaris consultants decided to elope to Victoria Falls! You can read about her wedding experience, which included a romantic sunset cruise along the Zambezi River, an overnight canoe safari, special treatment from the hotel where they exchanged their vows and even had a leopard sighting! Victoria Falls is geared toward falling deeper in love and is the perfect place for small weddings in Africa. 

Victoria Falls at sunset by Sammy Wong

Planning a small wedding at Victoria Falls

With first-hand experience, our team of consultants offers a free service to help you plan your own African wedding. There are so many venues for small weddings to choose from and details to consider, so let us help you design an intimate wedding experience. 

The best time of year to get married at Victoria Falls is May to August - the mild winter months. September to April is generally very hot. During March and April, water levels are very high so there is a lot of spray from the cascading wall of water. This makes viewing the falls from the ground quite difficult - not to mention the fact that viewers get soaked to the bone by the spray rising from the deep crevasse of the gorge. 

Getting wet at Victoria Falls by Mark Fischer

As one of the Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is the ideal place to form a lifelong bond. Whether you prefer an open-air chapel on the riverside or an intimate indoor celebration, the staff at the lodges do their best to spoil you on your special day. There are also numerous open plots of land along the banks of the Zambezi that are used for small weddings in Africa. 

Activities to celebrate your wedding in Victoria Falls 

The fun continues after you’ve said “I do”. With the help of African Budget Safaris, you and your loved one can bask in the glow of your love while enjoying the natural beauty at one of Africa’s top wedding destinations. There are so many incredible things to see and do around Victoria Falls and we will make sure that your African wedding is an experience you’ll never forget. 

Adventurous couples might enjoy rafting, swimming in the Devil’s Pool, or maybe even a bungee jump into the gorge. A must for any visitors to the falls is The Flight of Angels - seeing the magnificent waterfall from a helicopter or microlight. Sunset boat cruises, cultural dining experiences to try local Zimbabwean specialities, and visits to the Chobe National Park are just a few of the experiences included on African Budget Safari wedding adventure packages.

Victoria Falls from above by Holger Wirth

2. Budget weddings on the beaches of Mozambique

Soak up the magic of Mozambique with an intimate beach wedding. Sink your toes into the white sands that hug the rugged coastlines as you make a commitment to your beloved. If a tropical wedding is what you are after, then Mozambique has dreamy venues for small weddings that are both rustic and elegant. 

Beach wedding by Key Notez

African Budget Safaris will ensure that you have the experience of luxury on a budget. We want your African wedding to take your breath away. Our insider knowledge gives you insight into the right lodges and hotels that offer fantastic catering, and charming locations for small weddings in Africa, with the touch of opulence you deserve on your wedding day. 

Get married and celebrate your nuptials in Mozambique

While Mozambique has fantastic weather throughout the year, September to November is considered to be the best time to visit Mozambique. During these months, Mozambique’s subtropical climate sees temperatures of 80 - 90°F (27 - 32°C), and it is whale migration time! A majestic sight from the shore or from a boat, humpback whales complete their annual migration back to the warm Indian Ocean that stretches the Mozambican coastline. 

Get married on the beach by kertayasa89

Expansive oceans with refreshing breezes make Mozambique an exquisite destination for a budget wedding. At African Budget Safaris, we are experts in experience-focused weddings. We will help you create a private Mozambique tour for your family and friends or just the honeymoon couple. If you want to go whale-watching, then add it to your wedding wishlist and we will include it on your travel itinerary.  

We can take you off the beaten track, exploring small fishing villages on remote islands, or ocean safaris to get up close and personal with Africa’s marine life. Many of our clients have enjoyed day trips to Bazaruto Island - a tropical paradise surrounded by pearl white sand, crystal blue waters, culinary delights, and friendly locals. 

3. Celebrate a small wedding in Cape Town, South Africa

If you can’t choose between seeing African wildlife and basking on exquisite beaches, then maybe the answer to your African wedding adventure is Cape Town! Here, the possibilities are endless, making South Africa’s Mother City an idyllic location for a small wedding in Africa. There are just so many romantic venues for small weddings!

In February 1659, Cape Town produced its first bottle of wine. Since then, many more vineyards have been established and the Cape now has a booming wine industry. There are so many fantastic wine farms in and around Cape Town, offering not only world-class wines but also stunning locations for budget weddings. 

Affordable wedding venues in Cape Town

Just as each wine offers a distinct taste and aroma, each vineyard has its own unique style and character. Surrounded by forests, gardens, or mountains, some wine farms are quaint and quirky, while others are lush and luxurious. Vineyards are ideal for small weddings because they are extremely well-equipped for hosting events, and taking care of all the details so you can just engage in marital bliss. 

From your rehearsal dinner to the wedding night and everything in between, the staff at these local vineyards will take care of everything for you. In-house catering can include simple canapés, buffets, or formal sit-down meals. You can arrange to have a moonlit dinner or an afternoon picnic lunch, with the vineyard sorting everything out behind the scenes, including floral arrangements, wedding cakes, and DJs.  

Small wedding in Africa by Justin Henry

At African Budget Safaris, we can build an affordable wedding package for you to enjoy a luxury wedding at one of Cape Town’s superb vineyards. December can be a busy time, so we recommend October to November, or January to February for a spectacular summer wedding. 

Include a safari with your wedding package

What would small weddings in Africa be without a trip to one of South Africa’s incredible game reserves? If you plan to get married in Cape Town, it doesn’t mean you need to miss out on a Big 5 safari. Whether you are planning a honeymoon safari, or want to also include your friends and family, there is a range of Big 5 safari destinations close to Cape Town. 

Between two and five hours from Cape Town, there are budget-friendly game reserves where you can get the chance to see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo). Aquila Game Reserve is about two hours drive from Cape Town and a favourite among travellers wishing to admire Africa’s incredible flora and fauna. 

Lioness at Aquila Game Reserve by Bernardo Mayer

African Budget Safaris can arrange full-day excursions from Cape Town, or if you would prefer a full immersion into the African bush, we can arrange for you to stay at affordable, yet luxurious, bush lodges. 

Get help choosing the best venue for your small wedding in Africa

Stunning sights and uninterrupted serenity: there are so many incredible venues for a small wedding in Africa. From the pristine beaches of Mozambique to the awe-inspiring magic of Victoria Falls, couples can design their own African wedding with the help of our team at African Budget Safaris. Your wedding bells can ring to the sound of African birdsong while sipping on local wines. Walk down the aisle under vast open skies, with zebras or whales on your guest list. 

Your nuptials will be even more memorable with so many enriching experiences at your fingertips. At African Budget Safaris, we will tailor-make your African wedding adventure, including activities that excite and delight you. Budget-friendly safaris, river cruises, island hopping, or adventure sports are all possible and affordable. We will recommend the right accommodation for couples looking for an intimate and luxurious African adventure. 

Contact the team at African Budget Safaris for more information about this free service.