Kenyan and South African wedding consultants say there’s a rising demand from U.S. couples for African bush weddings as part of a larger trend for destination weddings, according to a report in TravelWeekly.

Couples who want to renew their vows or get married in settings not normal for them can do so accompanied by traditional Masai singing, with Masai elders giving their blessing in Kenyan game reserves, or have a wedding feast prepared South African braai (barbecue) style.

As 2013 sees the trend towards destination weddings continue, Africa has become the ultimate destination for romantics, the report said.

There’s a variety of bush wedding venues in South Africa, from five-star hotels and lodges to intimate farm settings and outdoor venues where nature provides the decor.

Arrangements can be as glamorous or as understated as the bride and groom want, said Nic Griffin, CEO of South Africa’s Thornybush Game Lodge. “We have seen a growing demand for weddings,” he said. Thornybush can accommodate up to 150 guests.

Kate Bain, owner of the South-African based Wedding Company, said bush weddings are increasingly popular with international couples.

“The destination wedding concept works really well at a bush venue as the bride and groom can incorporate a braai (South African barbecue) or dinner the night before the wedding, which sets a great tone for the rest of the festivities,” she said.

Joshua Oyalo, director of sales and marketing for Explore East Africa, said he’s seen a remarkable increase in U.S. travelers wanting to get married in Kenya. “A major preference is getting married in the Masai Mara as couples want to either renew their vows or get married in a setting that’s not normal to them.”

The Masai Mara is the most famous wildlife conservation area in Kenya, located southwest of Nairobi along the Tanzanian border and Serengeti National Park. It has the highest concentration of game in Kenya and the largest lion population, including the black-maned lion.

Numerous lodges in Kenya cater to wedding guests and are tailoring weddings to suit their needs. The Porini Lion Camp, located in 20,000-acre Olare Orok Conservancy in Kenya, organizes ceremonies on a scenic hill overlooking the Mara landscape. The ceremony is held in the camp with flowers harvested and prepared locally using indigenous plants. The couple is welcomed by traditional Masai singing, with Masai elders giving their blessings. The couple can tailor their special day to include a bush dinner, a game drive or a walk with the Masai.

Pippa Van den Berg, wedding coordinator at I Do Inspirations in South Africa, has seen more inquiries for bush wedding venues from international guests. “Bush venues are popular as couples are able to spend more time and do more activities with their wedding guests in a beautiful setting,” she said. South Africa’s bush venues are still fairly affordable in terms of the facilities and activities they offer, she said.

For the ceremony, guests can choose a deck overlooking a waterhole, a romantic spot under trees on the banks of a river or an intimate bush clearing. Game reserves like Thornybush in Limpopo and Londolozi and Ulusaba in Mpumalanga are well known and popular bush wedding venues.

Travel agents can play an important role in organizing a destination wedding, said Fanie Fourie, project manager of the Aleit Group in South Africa. “Agents can become involved in numerous facets of the wedding planning process. Apart from the typical travel and accommodation arrangements for the wedding couple and their guests, they can also become involved in the planning of honeymoons. This can provide a great platform for building strong relationships with your client.”