Food Options on a Safari
Food Options on a Safari : It goes without saying that a safari adventure would not be complete without meals. Usually, one would have questions regarding the schedule, the accommodation, the various safari activities available, and of course, the cuisine. Even while African safaris are renowned for their incredible wildlife, vast landscapes, and once-in-a-lifetime game viewing opportunities, the cuisine is still exceptionally delicious. What precisely are the safari’s dining options then?
What To Expect In Your Plate While On A Safari.
Generally speaking, grocery stores and farmers’ markets are located distant from game parks. Actually, most of them are just a charter flight away. But this doesn’t stop cooks from preparing delicious meals for the visitors. The majority of lodges collaborate with the neighborhood to source seasonal, dairy, and vegetable foods. Expect familiar fare with sporadic regional twists, generally speaking.
A la carte meals is a feature of very few safari lodges. The majority provide three-course dinners, big platters of prepared snacks, some decadent delights around tea time, and buffet-style dining. There are set menus at certain resorts as well.
Here Are The Usual Food Selections In A Safari.
We Accommodate All Dietary Requirements
We also serve standard, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan cuisine. Please notify us in advance if you have any other dietary restrictions. We are pleased to keep your stomach full and to work things out.
Breakfast or brunch: omelettes, quiches, and a selection of salads are all possible. Along with toast, sausage, pastries, charcuterie, cold meat, coffee and tea, continental breakfast is also commonly served. Bread, eggs, cheese, fruits, cereals, and bread are also widely available.
Lunch: You will typically have a picnic-style lunch in the middle of your game drive. In certain cases, guides and drivers will also return you to the lodge or camp for a substantial dinner prior to an afternoon or dusk game drive. Typically, food consists of fruits and sandwiches.
High tea: You will be served afternoon snacks, or bitings as they are commonly called in East Africa, before embarking on your late afternoon wildlife drive. The typical suspects include cakes, sandwiches, biscuits, quiches, tarts, and freshly roasted cashews or peanuts.
Sundowners: As you watch the sun set over the fields teeming with wildlife, you can have wine and beer along with a variety of nibbles like almonds, dried fruits, and savoury treats during your last game drive of the day.
Dinner: Usually served in three courses (soup, main dish and pudding), dinner is prepared at the lodge or camp. There will, of course, be a variety during your stay, ranging from meat, fish and pasta dishes presented with varied vegetables and sauces. A popular combination is butternut soup, vegetable curry and fruit pudding.
Drinks: You can have water, wine, beer, coffee, or tea as your beverage of choice. Although filtered water is usually available, if it isn’t, the camp or lodge will let you know ahead of time or supply water for you to drink every day.
As a general rule of the generality, the level of sophistication and the number of options available depends on the lodge’s distance from suppliers. There is a saying that goes, “The more sophisticated the menu, the closer it is to the town or city centre, the more remote the lodge.” Although this is to be anticipated, you shouldn’t undervalue the chefs at the safari lodges’ culinary prowess. In actuality, you could be taken aback. Individuals following specific diets don’t need to worry either.
Hats Off To the Camp Chefs.
Did you realise that camp chefs work on incredibly challenging tasks? In addition to having to prepare a range of meals to satisfy various palates, they also have to do these utilising products that are probably obtained from vendors or shops that are located far from the camp or lodge. Additionally, they make sure that none of these ingredients are ruined by mischievous creatures like elephants and monkeys, who have a habit of ruining camp kitchen gardens. Additionally, cold produce is checked to ensure it has not deteriorated. These camp cooks are truly deserving of appreciation. Additionally, they have culinary training in a variety of foreign cuisines (Asian, European, Mediterranean, etc). They are nevertheless able to create outstanding dishes in spite of all the hiccups and obstacles.
Ask And You Shall Receive.
African safari camps and lodges can be surprisingly accommodating if you merely let them know that there will be a vegetarian, vegan, or pescatarian in the home. The majority of lodges and campers are, as you may know, remote from suppliers. It is crucial that you let them or your trip organizer know about any dietary restrictions you may have well in advance.
If you have certain dietary requirements, consider the following while organizing your safari:
First tip: Talk to people. This is something that really, really matters.
Second tip: Mind the surcharge. If special things are ordered specifically for you, there can be a modest fee.
Third Tip: If at all feasible, pack your own snacks. See if you can bring in any of the snacks you often eat as part of your diet. It is crucial to be aware of customs laws and regulations, as many governments forbid the admission of agricultural products from other countries.
Fourth Tip: Reserve rooms at lodges that provide more than just fixed meals. Most likely, they are set on their set meals and/or don’t provide any plant-based options. However, asking doesn’t harm you. To accommodate their guests’ requirements and/or wishes, some lodges still go above and beyond.
Fifth Tip: Take into account visiting locations that are well-known to Indian tourists. Due to the high concentration of Indian visitors in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Mauritius, chefs there are more experienced in preparing plant-based meals.
It’s true that African safaris aren’t well-known for their delicious food. However, the main reason for this is its incredibly fantastic wildlife encounter, which is the highlight of any safari. For those who are aware, it is quite heartbreaking that it is not regarded as a destination for foodies. After all, Africa is not only the host to some of the most amazing locations on Earth for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, or even snacks; it is also, if perhaps quite covertly, home to some of the richest, most varied, and most delectable culinary experiences. Therefore, when on a safari, don’t worry too much about going hungry. Again, all you need to do is to let your lodge or tour operator know and things will be taken care of.