This does not detract from the standard of the dining experience, particularly given the range of quality Africa safari packages available online, however, it’s vital that you disclose any dietary requirements to your safari expert well in advance.
This article offers a comprehensive breakdown of what food you can expect from various types of accommodation whilst embarking on your African safari adventure.
Lodges
Africa is home to some incredible chefs – including the best female chef in the world- and their work made all the more impressive by the fact that safari lodges are usually a chartered flight away from any source of ingredients.
However, working under such circumstances does often limit the number of options on the menu, and this becomes more apparent the further into the wilderness you get.
Most lodges offer buffets and platters, as opposed to a la carte dining, and have partnerships with the local community to ensure a constant supply of fresh ingredients - creating vegetable gardens and chicken coops.
Mobile safaris
If you’re on a mobile safari which travels between lodges, you can expect the same high standard of food that you’d typically receive in a lodge.
However, if you are navigating between temporary camps, the chef will be operating out of a portable kitchen with limited appliances, and a limited menu as a result.
Island Escapes
The smaller, more exclusive hotels tend to offer set menus, while the resorts usually offer large buffets bursting with variety. Here, you will typically find home comforts with many traditional European dishes, as well as some more exotic local choices, including an array of seafood options and curries.
City stopovers
Cape Town is arguably Africa’s gourmet capital, so if you’re enjoying a temporary stay here, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Home to some of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, the city located at the southern tip of the continent boasts a series of fine dining establishments, blending heritage with local quirks - a real treat for the taste buds.
Have you been on a safari? Let us know what you thought of the food down below!
Tanzania safaris always revolve around the Wildebeest Migration – however the big cat viewing in Tanzania is also second to none and on any luxury safari in Tanzania you will find that the more remote you are, the better your chances of seeing big cats.
They gravitate towards more remote areas away from the large numbers of vehicles of say the Central Serengeti. Private concessions usually offer the best chance of seeing lions, as they often have fantastic anti poaching systems, which means the animals gravitate towards these areas, knowing they are safe havens. Lions are facing as much danger from poaching as the elephants and rhinos are, and their numbers have been in decline for over ten years.
Here are our top five camps for seeing lions on a Tanzania safari:
Siwandu Camp
Siwandu Camp lies on the border of the territory of two different prides of lion, which means there is often lion action right in the camp as they protect their border lines. Siwandu is situated on the waters of Lake Nzeraker, part of the Rufiji River system. It is in the perfect setting to experience the remarkable landscape and wildlife of the Selous Game Reserve. This reserve is the largest in Africa and has over 2,100 species of plants, 400 different bird and 4,000 lion.
Chada Katavi
This remote camp sits in Katavi, which is famous for having a very high density of predators. The untouched surroundings of Chada Katavi and the intimate setting of just six East African Safari tents makes this intimate tented camp welcoming and friendly. Each comfortable and relaxing tent, with wide open fronts give a fantastic view of the plain below. Evening drinks around the campfire are a tradition as it helps to finish off a day of excitement out in the wilderness.
Lamai Nomad
Lamai Nomad sits in the Northern Serengeti on the border of the Masai Mara and offers fantastic lion viewing, they often sit on rocky outcrops and peep over as you drive past. Lamai Nomad is situated amongst the rocks of Kogakurla Kopje, just a few miles from where the wildebeest cross the Mara River. There are 12 rooms and they are split into two lodges, the main lodge consists of eight rooms and the smaller private lodge of four rooms.
Serengeti Safari Camp
Serengeti Safari Camp moves to follow the wildebeest migration and so is always in the thick of it when it comes to lion action. It has six open-plan walk-in meru tents with en-suite bathrooms and new eco-flush toilets. All the camps are simple but personal to give the guest a more warming feel.
Azura Selous
The lodge is located on the Ruaha River in an exceptionally remote part of the Selous which is a haven for lions. It offers 13 air conditioned rooms. Azura Selous proves itself to be a breathtaking destination where game viewing has only increased in the years. The lodge suites have their own private plunge pool overlooking the river and the main area is set around a great infinity pool with a restaurant nearby.
They gravitate towards more remote areas away from the large numbers of vehicles of say the Central Serengeti. Private concessions usually offer the best chance of seeing lions, as they often have fantastic anti poaching systems, which means the animals gravitate towards these areas, knowing they are safe havens. Lions are facing as much danger from poaching as the elephants and rhinos are, and their numbers have been in decline for over ten years.
Here are our top five camps for seeing lions on a Tanzania safari:
Siwandu Camp
Siwandu Camp lies on the border of the territory of two different prides of lion, which means there is often lion action right in the camp as they protect their border lines. Siwandu is situated on the waters of Lake Nzeraker, part of the Rufiji River system. It is in the perfect setting to experience the remarkable landscape and wildlife of the Selous Game Reserve. This reserve is the largest in Africa and has over 2,100 species of plants, 400 different bird and 4,000 lion.
Chada Katavi
This remote camp sits in Katavi, which is famous for having a very high density of predators. The untouched surroundings of Chada Katavi and the intimate setting of just six East African Safari tents makes this intimate tented camp welcoming and friendly. Each comfortable and relaxing tent, with wide open fronts give a fantastic view of the plain below. Evening drinks around the campfire are a tradition as it helps to finish off a day of excitement out in the wilderness.
Lamai Nomad
Lamai Nomad sits in the Northern Serengeti on the border of the Masai Mara and offers fantastic lion viewing, they often sit on rocky outcrops and peep over as you drive past. Lamai Nomad is situated amongst the rocks of Kogakurla Kopje, just a few miles from where the wildebeest cross the Mara River. There are 12 rooms and they are split into two lodges, the main lodge consists of eight rooms and the smaller private lodge of four rooms.
Serengeti Safari Camp
Serengeti Safari Camp moves to follow the wildebeest migration and so is always in the thick of it when it comes to lion action. It has six open-plan walk-in meru tents with en-suite bathrooms and new eco-flush toilets. All the camps are simple but personal to give the guest a more warming feel.
Azura Selous
The lodge is located on the Ruaha River in an exceptionally remote part of the Selous which is a haven for lions. It offers 13 air conditioned rooms. Azura Selous proves itself to be a breathtaking destination where game viewing has only increased in the years. The lodge suites have their own private plunge pool overlooking the river and the main area is set around a great infinity pool with a restaurant nearby.