Bulawayo’s Wedding Venue With A Touch Of Safari And Wildlife

Step Into The Wild and the Free 2 Be Wild board partnered to create the venue, envisioning a space that blends natural and wild elements with the celebratory elements of a special life event.

The concept was to provide a unique experience to foreign brides who wanted to do something more than just get married. The proceeds from the venue hire go towards Free 2 Be Wild, which allows couples to make a positive contribution to the environment. This has been quite successful for intimate weddings, and has been gaining attention from the local market.

At Free 2 Be Wild, visitors have the opportunity to observe the animals in their natural habitat, with the beautiful sunsets as a backdrop. The semi-wild site is a perfect spot for people to appreciate the beauty of these animals and enjoy the wonders of nature.

The charm of this venue lies in its size and setting. Its intimate size creates a close, personal atmosphere, making it perfect for small, cozy weddings. The venue offers a unique backdrop that regular venues cannot replicate, making the wedding a truly special and meaningful experience.

“Step Into The Wild venue is ideal for bridal couples, both locally and from abroad, who want something special and unique with a touch of safari and wildlife,” noted Baye Pigors, Free 2 Be Wild founder. “As a result of Covid, couples are more likely to opt for a less expensive wedding, yet still desire something beautiful. Eloping has become increasingly popular, with the intention of having a more elaborate celebration in the future”.

Step Into The Wild offer a range of packages to suit different budgets – from hiring the venue and taking on the responsibility of organising the day yourself, to the Style Package where the venue is hired and Step Into The Wild will take care of the rest. The Wild Weddings package is the premium option, providing couples with everything they could need; from the venue and cake to background music and a photographer. This package is perfect for the bride who is overseas and wants to be taken care of.

When hiring a venue for your wedding, it is important to be aware of any associated costs. The venue hire usually includes tables, chairs, cutlery, crockery and glassware, but if you have a more elaborate design in mind, you may need to factor in additional hiring costs. You should also be aware of any restrictions on times and numbers and be aware of any cancellation fees that may apply if you need to cancel within a certain time frame.

At Step Into The Wild venue, a generator is available to provide lighting and music. Caterers in the onsite kitchen are able to prepare meals for special occasions. However, it is important to note that as the venue is located within a wildlife sanctuary, there are certain regulations and cut off times that must be followed. Guests must also be mindful of the fact that they are entering the home of various wild animals and must respect their privacy. According to Pigors, this is the most important message.

Although some may not be fond of the size or time limitations of the venue, it has proven to be an excellent choice for small, intimate weddings.

Management of the sanctuary has to take the animals’ needs into account when making decisions, but the uniqueness of the location makes it worth the effort. To provide maximum safety, staff are stationed at the venue to minimize animal interference and to ensure the safety of both animals and visitors.

Guests are limited to the venue and if they wish to explore the sanctuary, they can arrange for a personal guide.

From hosting breakfast meals to school events, the venue offers a wide variety of functions such as lunches, private dinners, and cocktail events.

The management of the venue are continually making changes to ensure that the space is as animal friendly as possible. They are continually looking for ways to improve the venue and keep it fresh and exciting. Their key goal is to keep the venue small, cozy and unique to the Bulawayo area, and to provide guests with the opportunity to experience the incredible work that Free 2 Be Wild sanctuary is doing.

Text by Martin Chemhere Images by Step Into The Wild

From DESTINATION ZW EDITION 5