If there’s one moment in life that deserves an unforgettable location, it’s a proposal. From intrepid rainforest hikes to iconic safari lodges and sand dunes in the middle of nowhere, these are our favourite spots around the world to pop the question and make your milestone moment even more special…
On safari in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Getting engaged is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, just like a safari, so if you’ve always wanted to spot the Big Five on the African continent, why not combine the two? Seasoned safari goers talk of the Moremi Reserve in the Okavango Delta with awe, and your days in the 5000 square-kilometre reserve will be spent surrounded by elephant, zebra, giraffe and countless predators. Alfresco lunches, firepit drinks, and morning coffee stops on the plains all offer excellent proposal opportunities, but we suggest waiting for sunset with a G&T in hand as the wildlife ambles in the distance.
Where to stay:
Opened in May 2024, Tawana Camp in the Moremi Reserve is a spangly lodge surrounded by towering ebony trees and located right on the lush Gomoti River to maximise animal sightings.
Gliding over Lake Pichola in Udaipur, India
The marble domes of the Taj Mahal are one of the most iconic sights in the world and a dazzling backdrop for a proposal to remember. But if your style is somewhere a little more off-the-beaten track, make a note of the desert city of Udaipur. Set against the purple ridges of the Aravalli Hills and full of winding streets of palaces and elegant havelis, die-hard romantics will fall head-over-heels in love. Our pick for where to propose? On an evening boat trip on Lake Pichola as the glow of the sun sets the water on fire and the city sparkles before you.
Where to stay:
Step off the lake and straight into the Oberoi Udaivilas. Permanently draped in flowers, the spacious suites all have views over the water and the palatial, sandstone façade looks like something from a fairy tale.
Immersed in the Namib Desert, Namibia
If you’re looking for a jaw-dropping landscape to match your big question, head to the ancient dunes of the Namib Desert in Namibia. Check in to &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge and you won’t have to go far: the lodge is surrounded by oceans of apricot dunes and spectacular gravel plains that have remained unchanged for millennia. The ultra-sleek glass, steel and stone suites all have 180-degree vistas – the perfect backdrop for magical moments – but if you’d like something more adventurous, drop down on one knee as you hike the ‘Long Dune’s’ winding crest, during a private stargazing experience, or after a flight across the desert expanse.
Where to stay:
&Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is spectacular in every sense. Located within a private reserve, you’ll have the desert views all to yourself and enjoy experiences led by some of the best guides in the country.
At the Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina
There are many places in Argentina that could claim the top spot for a proposal to remember – Iguazu Falls and the glamourous vineyards of Mendoza spring to mind – but we rather like the idea of framing your moment with the icy walls of the Perito Moreno glacier. Tucked away in the south of Argentine Patagonia, it’s one of the few glaciers in the world that is advancing and there are several viewing platforms and boardwalks from which to watch the large chunks of ice crashing to the fields below. If your other half is keen for an adventure, plan a hike across the top, walking past glittering glacial ponds and streams – and when you stop for a picnic, give your guide a wink and have a moment to yourself…
Where to stay:
Eolo Lodge is within easy reach of the glacier and the exquisitely-styled rooms are the perfect place to retreat to after a day of hiking and kayaking. Choose a corner suite with double windows and fully immerse yourself in the never-ending vistas.
On a private islet in the Maldives
Few scenes inspire romance as much as a powder-soft beach lapped by cerulean waves and a ritzy, glitzy villa to return to at the end of a hard day’s R&R… Enter the Maldives. Whichever island you choose, you’ll be spoiled for locations in the proposal stakes be it snorkelling through crystalline waters, flying across the waves on a private catamaran, or cocooned in a sent-from-heaven spa. But the Maldives really comes into its own for its private dining experiences, with meals set up on pristine private atolls, on tiny sandbanks surrounded by candles, and decks floating above the water (and even submerged below)… the choice is yours.
Where to stay
At Huvafen Fushi’s stilted overwater bungalows, luxury is the name of the game. Their destination dining is the star of the show, and the team will pull out all the stops when it comes to preparing a special dinner or picnic.
On a hot air balloon safari in Kenya
Proposing on the ground is one thing, but imagine popping the question 1000-feet in the air? Head to the Masai Mara and you could do just that on a hot air balloon flight, floating high above the storybook landscapes. You’ll take to the skies at sunrise and watch as the plains turn golden in the early morning light and zebra and giraffe gallop underneath you. Once your basket touches back to Earth, celebrate with a customary glass of champagne and a breakfast picnic complete with freshly-cooked pancakes over the fire and eggs just the way you like them.
Where to stay
Serian ‘The Original’ camp is deep in the wilds of the private Mara North conservancy. You might have to wake up a little earlier for your balloon flight, but the essence of a safari here – slow, insightful, and deeply engaging – will more than make up for it.
Star gazing in the Atacama Desert
According to the 2022 World Travel Awards, the Atacama Desert is South America’s most romantic destination. Its shimmering lakes, mountain-ringed valleys and pink salt pans certainly make it a top choice for a trip à deux, but it’s also one of the best places in the world for stargazing – and what could be more romantic than that? With no light pollution, a high elevation, and clear, cloudless skies, the views of our distant galaxies and clusters of shining stars are impossibly brilliant. There are numerous international observatories dotted around, but check into Explora Atacama for a front-row seat to the skies in their private observatory. Enjoy a ‘star tour’ with one of the world-renowned guides, and then spend some time just the two of you.
Where to stay:
As well as its impressive observatory, Explora also offers guests a desert spa, complete with sauna, steam room and four alfresco bathtubs, stylish rooms with a view, and an exquisite dining menu inspired by the local flora.
Deep in the jungles of Thailand
Thailand’s golden beaches and jungle-filled islands are famous the world over – and with good reason. Each one has its drawcard, from Koh Yao Noi’s blissed-out vibes to Koh Lanta’s world-class diving, but for a sprinkling of everything, head to Koh Kood. Often referred to as Thailand’s perfect island (really!), it’s an off-the-radar hideaway where the secret coves far outnumber visitors. All the usual suspects are present when it comes to proposal opportunities – coconut-lined beaches, snorkelling amid coral reefs, and intimate cooking classes – but the hidden gem has to be the forested interior. Start the day with a hike and surprise your partner with a romantic proposal beside a waterfalll, before celebrating with an al-fresco lunch.
Where to stay
A swirl of green amid the turquoise ocean, Soneva Kiri is a jungle escape where privacy is of the highest order. Our highlight is dinner suspended in a bamboo pod in the trees, the perfect end to the best day of your life.
