Prince Harry may have proposed to girlfriend Meghan Markle at home in London over roast chicken, but had they been in his beloved Africa at the time, any of the following locations couldn’t have failed to impress the future Duchess of Sussex. Here are five of the very best spots to propose – there is literally no way she (or he) can say no!
1. During an Out of Africa picnic at Angama Mara
Kenya
“I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills.” Who could forget Meryl Streep’s famous opening line in Sydney Pollack’s 1985 epic, Out of Africa? The dramatic Kenyan kopje where Streep and Robert Redford lovingly gazed into each other’s eyes today belongs to luxury lodge Angama Mara. And guess what? You can pretend to be them for a day and receive the ultimate Out of Africa treatment with an intimate picnic for two on the crest of the kopje. A Maasai naturalist will escort you up the hill to unveil an old-world picnic scene, complete with checked blankets, scattered cushions and bubbly on ice – with the famous view as an irresistible backdrop. Toast your other half as the sun sets, then seize the moment and drop down on one knee… You get the picture.
For an Out of Africa proposal to remember, add a night or two at Angama Mara to your Kenya safari
2. On a Rovos Rail trip
South Africa to Tanzania
A trip on Rovos Rail, often hailed as the most luxurious train company in the world, is high up on many a bucket list. Now, imagine proposing to your loved one whilst on board. Various routes are on offer, from three-day Pretoria to Cape Town trips, to an extensive 15-day journey all the way to Dar es Salaam. Life on board is luxurious to say the least; picture spacious suites complete with en-suite bathrooms, fine dining in an Edwardian setting, and special lounge cars from which to admire the passing landscapes. The general dress code is smart-casual, but you are expected to rock up for dinner in your finest garbs, meaning that you’ll really look the part when you pop the all-important question.
Learn more about a romantic Rovos Rail journey here
3. In a Treehouse at Lion Sands
South Africa
For a super intimate proposal in the middle of the bush, you can’t beat Chalkley Treehouse at Lion Sands Game Reserve. Imagine a four-poster bed, high on a platform in a centuries-old Leadwood Tree, surrounded by cushions, twinkling lights and a million stars. A guide will take you and an overnight bag (don’t forget the ring!) to the Treehouse at sunset where drinks and a picnic dinner await, and your only companions will be the nocturnal animals that roam below. It’s wild and authentic – and safe to say that a marriage proposal in this hopelessly romantic setting will be a hit.
Use our trip Pinotage to Predators as a starting point for a South Africa adventure, and add a night at Lion Sands for a touch of romance
4. During a sunrise balloon flight over Sossusvlei
Namibia
Thinking of popping the question while staying at the romantic &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge? Then hop on a hot air balloon at dawn for a soulful float across the Namib Desert – and a mile-high proposal (note – make sure that neither you nor your future fiancé are scared of heights!) As you drift amongst the clouds, the sun rises dramatically over the horizon, throwing hues of gold and rose across the vast sky, and revealing the mesmerising landscapes of Sossusvlei. Whip the ring out whilst your other half gazes out across the sand dunes and upon landing, toast the happy news over a champagne breakfast.
Start planning your Namibia safari today – and don’t forget to add a hot air balloon flight for the ultimate proposal!
5. On a dhow cruise in Zanzibar
Tanzania
There’s something truly special about being out in the open water – and never more so than aboard a traditional dhow sailing vessel in tropical Zanzibar. Used by fishermen for thousands of years, a cruise along the Swahili Coast equals a journey back in time. Surprise your other half with a private sunset cruise; as the sails sway in the evening breeze and you watch the sun set the horizon aglow, asking the life-changing question will come naturally. And if you really want to go all out, you can even hire a private butler or traditional Taarab musician!
Find out more about a dhow cruise here, and let your imagination run wild!
