Kenya Safari Destination Wedding: How to Get Married on the Masai Mara

Exchanging vows under an acacia tree, with the Masai Mara stretching to the horizon and a Maasai choir singing, is a wedding nobody forgets. A Kenya safari destination wedding is more achievable than many couples think, and we handle the event planning from paperwork to the cake.

Is a wedding in Kenya legally recognised?

Yes. A civil marriage conducted in Kenya is legally recognised in the UK, the EU, the USA and Australia. Requirements change from time to time, but you'll typically need:

• valid passports for both partners
• birth certificates
• proof of single status, such as an affidavit or certificate of no impediment
• a decree absolute or death certificate if previously married
• two witnesses on the day.

The notice of marriage must be lodged with the Registrar of Marriages in advance, at least 21 days before the ceremony. We recommend sending documents 6–8 weeks ahead. Our wedding coordinator guides you through each step. Some couples prefer a symbolic ceremony in Kenya after a registry-office wedding at home, which keeps the paperwork simple.

Where to get married

• Masai Mara: a hilltop or riverside ceremony in the bush at golden hour.
• Diani Beach: barefoot on white sand with the Indian Ocean behind you.
• Nairobi and Naivasha: historic gardens and lakeside lawns, easy for older guests.

Our signature wedding safari

The 8-Day Kenya Destination Wedding starts with breakfast among giraffes at Giraffe Manor, moves to the Masai Mara for the ceremony, then finishes on Diani Beach for the honeymoon. It's from about $5,145 per person sharing.

The wedding ceremony package (around $4,800 per booking, priced once however many guests join) includes:

• the officiant and legal paperwork guidance
• décor, bouquet and cake
• a Maasai choir
• 4 hours of professional photography for the couple.

Bringing guests

Add as many adults and children as you like to the booking, or ask guests to book the same safari separately. We can arrange guest safaris before or after the wedding, airport transfers for everyone and group dinners. Each guest booking can use our instalment plan: 30% deposit, then 40% and 30% before travel.

Planning timeline

Planning a proposal first?

Every wedding starts with a question. See our proposal safari guide, and plan the honeymoon with our Kenya honeymoon safari and beach guide.

Explore all destination wedding safaris or talk to our wedding team.