Africa known as a place to see captivating landscapes, enjoy thrilling adventures and meet rare creatures up close, but there’s also an exciting culinary experience to be discovered here. After a breathtaking drive through the open plains, you’re sure to be hungry. And of course, one of the best parts about any holiday try new food.
Whether you choose to dine under the stars at a luxurious lodge. Settle down for a traditional African food safari bush meal by the campfire. Here are some of the mouth-watering dishes you may be lucky enough to sample.
What to expect in your plate while on Safari?
While on a safari, expect to find a mix of familiar international dishes with local African influences on your plate, typically served buffet-style at your lodge, including hearty breakfasts with options like omelets, toast, cereals, fruits, and sometimes local sausages, picnic-style lunches during game drives with cold meats, salads, and sandwiches, and full three-course dinners featuring grilled meats like “nyama choma,” local vegetables, pilau rice, and a variety of desserts, all utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the nearby community; vegetarian options are usually available as well.
Biltong
South Africa is a melting pot of cultures, and its food rightly reflects this diversity. The result is a vast collection of hearty, flavorsome meals that are sure to please. To keep your energy high as you enjoy your safari. Snack on biltong – a dried, cured meat that’s not dissimilar to beef jerky. It can be made from beef, ostrich, or kudu, and typically seasoned with a blend of spices and herbs.
Braai
A traditional African braai is much more than a barbeque – it’s an essential part of the culture here. Expect to find a variety of grilled meats, including steak. Sausage (boerewors) and chicken, served with sides such as pap (a maize porridge) and tangy tomato relish. Typically enjoyed outdoors, a braai is the perfect end to a busy day of sightseeing on safari.
Bobotie
A classic dish in this part of the world, bobotie is a comforting meat pie baked with a custard topping local food sexpect on a Tanzania Safari. Traditionally flavored with curry powder, turmeric. Raisins, and almonds, this warm and satisfying meal definitely one to try while in South Africa.
Wild game meat
One of the unique aspects of a safari holiday in South Africa the opportunity to try some wild game meat foods to try on an African safari. Many lodges serve local delicacies such as springbok and kudu (types of antelope), ostrich, and warthog. This can also be a more sustainable option, as many lodges source such meats from ethical game farms.
African drinks
The exact menu of your safari will depend on the type of package you purchase. But you’ll certainly be thirsty. South Africa renowned for its wine industry. So you can expect to have some of the best wines in the world available to wash down your bush dinner. Rich reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinotage go exceptionally well alongside dishes. Featuring red meat, but there’s also the crisp and refreshing whites like Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc to sample.
During the daytime, be sure to try rooibos tea – a caffeine-free herbal tea grown only in South Africa. It’s often served with breakfast or during a mid-afternoon break. Amarula is also well worth a try, a cream liqueur made from the fruit of the native marula tree.
More than a safari
African safari holiday not just an opportunity to see some of the world’s most majestic wildlife – it’s also a chance to savor the delicious local cuisine of this diverse region. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, be sure to let your safari guide know in good time so that you can enjoy an authentic South African dinner just how you like it.
Exotic Fruits and Vegetables on Safari
While meat-based dishes are often the focus of safari cuisine, you will also encounter a variety of exotic fruits and vegetables that reflect the rich biodiversity of the regions you visit. Many of these foods are fresh, vibrant, and packed with nutrients to help you stay energized throughout your safari. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular fruits and vegetables you can enjoy during your safari holiday:
Fresh Mangoes and Papayas: In many tropical regions, mangoes and papayas are abundant and widely consumed. These fruits are not only refreshing and sweet but are also rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Whether served as part of a fresh fruit salad or enjoyed on their own, these tropical delights are perfect for cooling off during a hot day in the wild.
Avocados: Avocados another popular fruit found in many safari destinations, especially in East Africa. Known for their creamy texture and mild flavor, avocados often served as a side dish or added to salads. Packed with healthy fats, they provide an excellent source of energy, making them an ideal snack to keep you fueled during your game drives.
Sweet Potatoes and Plantains: In various African countries, sweet potatoes and plantains are common sources of carbohydrates, providing a hearty base for many meals. Sweet potatoes often roasted or boiled, while plantains typically fried to create a delicious and crispy snack. Both are excellent sources of energy and often included in meals served at safari lodges and camps.
Safari Dining Experiences: Dining Under the Stars
One of the most magical experiences on a safari holiday. Enjoying a meal while surrounded by nature. Many safari lodges and camps offer special dining experiences. That allow you to eat under the stars, creating a memorable and atmospheric dining event. These meals typically consist of a variety of dishes, such as grilled meats, fresh vegetables, and exotic fruits. Often prepared by skilled chefs who incorporate local ingredients into their cooking.
Bush Dinners: A bush dinner is one of the most iconic dining experiences on a safari holiday. These outdoor meals usually set up in a beautiful location food on safari In Africa. Such as near a river or on a hill with panoramic views. Guests treated to a variety of freshly prepared dishes, including grilled meats, salads, and desserts. The ambiance, combined with the sounds of the wild, makes for a truly unforgettable dining experience.
Picnic Lunches: During your safari adventures, you may have the opportunity to enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the wilderness. These lunches typically packed by your safari lodge. Or camp and consist of easy-to-eat dishes like sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and refreshing beverages. A picnic lunch allows you to enjoy a break during your game drive or excursion while soaking in the natural beauty around you.
Kenyan Nyama Choma: Kenya is another African country that excels in grilling techniques. With nyama choma being the star of many safari holidays. This dish consists of succulent grilled meat—typically goat, beef, or chicken—seasoned with various spices. And served with a side of vegetables or ugali (a type of maize porridge). Often enjoyed in a communal setting, nyama choma is a fantastic way to unwind after a day of game drives while enjoying the rich flavors of Kenya’s cuisine.
Tanzanian Ugali and Sukuma: In Tanzania, ugali staple food made from maize flour, and it often served as an accompaniment to various stews or grilled meats. When food options in a Safari paired with sukuma (collard greens). Ugali creates a satisfying and flavorful meal that provides the necessary energy for your safari. This dish typically served in many safari lodges and camps, providing visitors with an authentic taste of the region’s culinary traditions.
Here are the usual food selections in a safari:
Safari food selections typically include a mix of hearty and portable meals like grilled meats, sandwiches, fresh salads, fruits, and local snacks. Meals are often served in a bush picnic style or at lodge dining areas. With options for vegetarian, gluten-free, and traditional dishes. Ensuring a satisfying experience in the wilderness.
Breakfast: Continental style with eggs, toast, cereals, fruits, and sometimes locally-sourced sausages one of what food to expect on safari with us.
Lunch: Usually a picnic-style meal eaten during game drives, including cold cuts, salads, sandwiches, and yogurt.
Dinner: A full three-course meal with a selection of starters, mains (often featuring grilled meats like “nyama choma”), and desserts.
Local flavors: Expect to encounter dishes like “ugali” (a maize porridge), kind of food to expect on an African Safari “mchicha” (spinach), “maharage” (beans), and “pilau” (spiced rice).
Vegetarian options: Most lodges cater to vegetarian needs with various vegetable dishes and legumes.
Drinks: Food & Drink Like While on Safari filtered water, coffee, tea, sodas, beer, and wine are readily available.
How to have a Vegetarian or Vegan Safari?
To have a vegetarian or vegan safari, choose lodges or tour operators that cater to plant-based diets. Inform your guides and chefs in advance about your preferences. Expect meals like vegetable stews, lentil curries, grain bowls, fresh salads, and fruit platters. Many safari camps offer eco-friendly, sustainable options. Some even source locally grown produce to ensure a fresh, delicious, and ethical dining experience in the wild.
