So much goes into the planning of a wedding, from drawing up the invitation list to choosing table decorations to decide on a cake. One of the most important decisions is the venue where you and your significant other will exchange vows in front of your loved ones. Thankfully, Tanzania has a host of very different but equally romantic places to say ‘I do’. Lavan Photography has done the research for you, so here are our top three locations for a wedding to remember.
1 Dar es Salaam – city chic
If you’re stuck in traffic or fighting your way through crowds in the city centre, Dar might not seem like the most romantic place on earth. Far from it, in fact. But in the city and surrounding areas, there are hidden gems offering a haven of romance for would-be brides and grooms.
Several of the city’s top hotels offer elegant facilities for a romantic wedding ceremony or reception, including Sea Cliff Hotel on the Msasani Peninsula, with lush gardens and an ocean view; the charming Protea Hotel Dar es Salaam Courtyard; and the lavish Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro, with capacity for up to 400 guests.
City weddings can potentially save you and your guests’ money on travel costs if most of your wedding party is based in or around your location of choice. For those coming from afar, Dar’s huge choice of accommodation means there will be something to suit every budget for those staying in town after the wedding. Dar is also a good place to find photographers, caterers, bridal shops and everything else you need when planning a wedding.
Precision Air flies to Dar from Kigoma, Tabora, Mwanza, Entebbe, Musoma, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Nairobi, Zanzibar, Mtwara, Kahama and the Serengeti.
2 Zanzibar – island idyll
Whether you’re looking for an intimate wedding on an unspoilt beach or a lavish ceremony in an upmarket resort, Zanzibar has a multitude of options for a dream wedding to suit your style and budget.
The island’s long and colourful history has led to an island full of fascinating architecture, much of which is still standing, providing a unique location in which to tie the knot or a backdrop for your wedding snaps. Then there are the beaches, unspoilt and picturesque, for an intimate ceremony, with the gentle sound of waves and the sand between your toes.
If a hotel or resort wedding is your idea of romantic bliss, you’re in luck as the majority of hotels have facilities for weddings. Resorts in Zanzibar are generally of a high standard, but also vary dramatically in price, so there’s a good chance you will find what you need without spending a fortune – unless you have a fortune to spend, of course!
There is a diverse mix of local and international brands, with wedding favourites including the enchanting Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa with dedicated wedding planning teams and facilities for intimate weddings or large parties, and Essque Zalu, a stunning resort in northern Zanzibar offering breathtaking scenery and spacious reception venues.
3 Serengeti – wild romance
Perhaps the most extravagant – and expensive – wedding destination in the country, the Serengeti is undeniably romantic and offers a spectacular setting for an unforgettable wedding. Imagine saying ‘I do’ against a backdrop of the Serengeti’s world-famous
landscape, surrounded by your closest friends and family, before toasting the day with a glass of champagne as the sun sets on the horizon.
There are a small number of properties that offer wedding packages, notably Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge and Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti. Both enjoy fine locations within the Serengeti with luxury accommodation and facilities to ensure a magical day and various packages available to make the most of your stay. These packages are likely to cost more than an ordinary wedding, but for an extraordinary experience, we say that it’s worth it.
Due to the nature of Serengeti weddings, however, it’s unlikely that you would be able to bring throngs of family and friends to celebrate with you, so if you’re looking for an intimate wedding with just you and your significant other, or a handful of guests, the Serengeti is a perfect option.
Precision Air flies to the Serengeti from Dar es Salaam and Arusha four times a week.
