Katelyn & Zach Tie the Knot!
Grab your passport for an unforgettable wedding experience. Join the happy couple in South Africa for a once-in-a-lifetime destination wedding set at the luxurious safari lodge in the heart of the African bush, 18 on the Hill. This isn’t just a wedding — it’s an immersive adventure wrapped in five-star comfort, golden sunsets, and extraordinary wildlife encounters. Imagine arriving to sweeping savannah views, elegant thatched-roof suites, and evenings spent under a sky bursting with stars.
Between celebrating Katelyn’s 40th birthday (shhhh, we’re going to say 30), the wedding and New Year’s Eve, you’ll head out on thrilling game drives in search of the Big Five, sip South African wines around a glowing fire pit, and enjoy chef-curated dinners in breathtaking open-air settings. Picture exchanging stories after spotting elephants at sunrise, then dressing up for a candlelit reception beneath ancient acacia trees as lanterns flicker in the warm night air… Uniquely at this exclusive-use all-inclusive 9 suite property in Greater Kruger National Park.
This is your invitation to turn a wedding weekend into a bucket-list journey — a chance to explore, connect, and celebrate in one of the most spectacular landscapes on earth. Come for the love story. Stay for the adventure. Leave with memories you’ll be talking about for the rest of your life!
DETAILS:
December 28, 2026 - Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa where you’ll take either a short domestic flight to Hoedspruit Airport. After an hour drive to the lodge, you’ll enjoy a late lunch or snack before freshening up. Then you’ll embark on an evening game drive in search of the Big 5! Around 8pm, you’ll return for a delicious dinner under the stars.
December 29, 2026 - This morning you’ll arise early, have some coffee/tea and embark on a sunrise game drive. Around 9am, you’ll return to the lodge for a full breakfast and then have the rest of the morning and early afternoon to relax by the pool or enjoy a spa treatment. Around 5pm, you’ll embark on your evening safari wedding ceremony. Arriving at the perfect hilltop scene, you’ll enjoy some canapes and cocktails before sitting down at 6:30pm for a sunset wedding ceremony of Zach & Katelyn. You’ll return to the lodge afterwards for dinner and an night of celebrations.
December 30, 2026 - This morning you can head out on another safari adventure or choose to sleep in. Today you’ll lounge, relax, catch-up with old friends, meet new ones and relish in the African landscape. This evening you’ll enjoy another game drive in search of lions, tigers & bears (jk, only lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffe, hippo, kudu, leopard, buffalo, warthog…)
December 31, 2026 - Today is another fully-inclusive day with two game drives, a great breakfast, lunch and celebratory dinner in honor of your final night on safari and toast to 2027!
January 1, 2027 - This morning you’re welcome to embark on another game drive or relax. In the late morning, you’ll be taken to the Hoedspruit Airport for your flight to Johannesburg OR… if you’d like to explore more of Southern Africa, a visit to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, the Durban coast or the iconic Cape Town are all easily accessible and can be planned by Global Citizen Journeys. (Joshua, the owner, previously worked for the South Africa government and owns a villa in Cape Town and spends half a year in “the Mother City”.
Costs (based on shared accommodations)*:
Four-nights of accommodation, all-inclusive with game drives and all meal - $2,020 per person
Domestic flights between Johannesburg & Hoedspruit - ~$250 per person
Tipping of ranger, guides & staff - ~$150 per person
International Flights to Johannesburg - ~$1,800 per person
After the 9 rooms have been reserved at the exclusive-use lodge, additional reservations will be made at a nearby lodge (for sleeping only). Meals, experiences and or extensions outside of these dates can vary, but an estimate is $300-$400 per person per day is appropriate.
*Various payment options are available including Check, Zelle, Venmo & Stripe. Payment made via Venmo incurs an additional 1.8% fee, while credit card processing via Strip incurs a 3% transactional fee.