The African safari is usually associated with serene plains full of grazing herds, the thrill of majestic big cats hunting for a meal, and the breathtaking sights of Mount Kilimanjaro. With these kinds of settings to dine in, it’s not often that you hear about the food on the traveler’s plate.
That being said, there are plenty of culinary adventures to be found on your safari trail as well!
Africa has an incredibly rich and diverse food culture. Let’s take a moment to look at what kind of culinary experiences you can expect in this part of the world.
Eating on safari: what to expect
You can absolutely expect to find familiar, globally-popular foods on your African safari. Safari lodges are used to catering to people from all over the world, and they know what people like to eat.
Breakfast: Start your day well with omelets, cereals, toast, fruits, salads, or continental breakfast.
Lunch: You are most likely going to be enjoying your lunch in the middle of your game drive, in some stunning natural location. This will usually be served picnic-style, and Shadows Of Africa takes these meals very seriously.
Dinner: At dinnertime, you will typically be treated to a full three-course meal, taking advantage of local produce and the culinary talents of the lodge chefs. These menus will usually have a choice of 3 different starters, 3 different mains, and a selection of desserts. Usually, the menu will feature at least 1 meat-based and at least 1 vegetarian option.
Nothing that catches your fancy? Don’t be shy to talk to your waiter – in most cases, the kitchen will be more than happy to create a dish to your liking.
Drinks: Quench your thirst throughout the day with water, coffee, tea, wine, or beer. Filtered water will always be readily available when you travel with Shadows Of Africa. At your lodges, there will be drinks available as well, from sodas, to wine, to cocktails.
Some lodges will offer buffet-style dining, with plenty of snacks and other tasty treats available all day, while others will offer restaurant-style dining with set menus.
In more remote areas, you can expect simpler menus, but this doesn’t mean the chefs will put any less love in what they serve!
You can definitely find familiar foods, but you can also enhance your African experience by venturing into the local cuisine.
Delicious food in ‘the middle of nowhere’ 🍲
In the more remote corners of game parks, being far away from food markets and grocery stores, the supply of food can be more complicated. Most lodges will work with local communities for supply of vegetables, dairy, and seasonal products, also supporting the local economy.
Many chefs will serve familiar dishes with influences from local cuisine, with a little creativity, using what is available to feed travelers from all over the world what they want to eat.
Special dietary requirements 🍲
The most important thing to making sure your special dietary requirements are met is: communication.
Make sure to let Shadows of Africa know about any dietary requirements in advance, before your trip. With a little extra preparation, we will make sure that your needs are met at every stage of your trip.
We will also be able to check with lodges to make sure they can provide the meals you need.
East Africa is very accustomed to plant-based diets. Many of the local meals are purely plant-based anyway.
Hungry for safari? 🌱
Honestly, Africa should be more famous for its food. The continent is host to countless destinations for food lovers, with some of the richest cuisines in the world, and every corner has a uniquely delicious gastronomic experience to offer.
The perfect safari meal is a combination of a stunning location around you and beautiful food in front of you.
Come taste the adventure with us!
