Only the truly adventurous will find this exotic wedding destination something to consider. I must say, I’d trade my wedding tiara for a pith helmet in a heartbeat! The setting you see here is Rock Lodge in Ulusaba Private Game Ranch Reserve in South Africa, where you can have an intimate ceremony or share it with family and friends. Up to 40 guests can be accommodated at Rock Lodge and nearby Safari Lodge. By the way, Ulusaba is owned by world-famous entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.

How does this sound? The wedding ceremony can take place in one of many stunning locations at Rock Lodge or out in the bush in a safari setting. Some travel agencies offer a spectacular helicopter flight through the Blyd River Canyon to Gods Window, followed by a wedding ceremony on “The Pinnacle, a place of breathtaking beauty high above the world.” I am so there!

That’s because I’m an animal lover, and if you and your fiance are, too, this is wedding party paradise. Professional rangers and trackers escort guests in safari vehicles or on guided walks. You’ll encounter lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, hippos and fabulous birds.

Rock Lodge or the travel agency will arrange the preparation and processing of all legal documentation and several other special wedding touches. The lodge offers several wedding packages. You can also arrange for bachelor and bachelorette parties at separate locations, cocktail parties, bush barbecues, candlelit dinners, beauty treatments at the lodge spa and a photographer, though your guests will probably have several cameras on hand in case a zebra or elephant decides she wants to be one of your bridesmaids.

You’ll spend your wedding night in a magnificent jungle retreat. Step outside on the deck and see stars like you’ve never seen them before. Here’s how one visitor described an African night: “Animals growling, monkeys singing, and large insects whistling, were all I can hear in this African wild orchestra…It was more like a calm and soothing jungle lullaby that was melodious.” Such sweet dreams at the end of the biggest day of your life.

Susan