w_jrich

Often I have read generalities mentioning the food at various camps and lodges. My wife and I will be in Tanzania during the middle of August staying at the Kikoti Camp, Serengeti Serena Lodge and the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. We are curious about the type of food; i.e. meats (beef, mutton, wild game, chicken, exotic fowl???) vegetables, salads, fruits. Are the meals gourmet fare, rather standard buffet dishes or barely edible and best washed down with copious amounts of Tuskar(sp) beer? I understand that South African wines are often availabe (which sounds wonderful to me) and of course the standard gin and tonic. One other question, What exactly is a 'Sundowner?' I can't find a particular mix drink recipe for a Sundowner and rather think it is a reference to a time of day and not necessarily a drink. I look forward to your lively responses. Couting the days until I see an African sunset.

travelwmn

Sundowner refers to time of day. Normally, at sunset, you'll take a break from your game drive, get out of the rover, and have cocktails and snacks. It's like a mini-bush picnic.

There are many things I love about safaris: obviously the game, listening to the animals while falling asleep, sitting by the campfire and telling stories, and having a drink while watching the sun fall in the African sky. You'll never look at a sunset the same way again!

sandi

With few exception food is plentiful and edible. Breakfasts and lunches are buffet with a wide array of selections. Depending on accommodation, dinner can also be buffet, but often dinner is sit-down - though buffet for salads, soups, desserts - the main course being the one served. You will find Continental fare mostly, with some African specialties and interesting spices.

If you have any specific dietary requirements - i.e., no fish, no dairy, vegetarian, etc., do let your tour operator/outfitter know ahead of time.

If I recall correctly - Tusker is offered in Kenya, while in Tanzania it's Kilimanjaro - unless each country is importing from the other, you'll get the home brewed brew. Both are excellent.

"Sundowners" were clearly explained by travelwmn, however, in some places instead of bending your elbows out in the bush while still on safari, you'll do this upon return to your camp/lodge prior sitting down for dinner. Unless you are on private lands or outside park boundaries (you are at Kikoti), visitors/vehicles have to be off park lands by dark... so the sundowners will be back at your camp/lodge.

w_jrich

Thank you for your replies TRAVELWNM and SANDI. T
Our upcoming trip to TZ is our first African experience. Food is always an interesting part of travel and I'm hoping to encounter new and exotic taste sensations in Africa. We enjoy foods and wines with bold, rich flavors, so it sounds from your reports that we enjoy new taste sensations. We'll spend three nights in Zanzibar at the end of our stay and have found a great amount of information on the heavy dose of seafood awaiting us at the Karafuu Beach Resort. Thank you for weighing in on my question. I'm off to the gym so I can enjoy the safari buffets with a smidgen less guilt. Adios.

sandi

w_jrich - I'll be at Karafuu end of May. While not a fish eater (anything that swims), I'll let you know what the food/drink fare is like when I return.

africa_lover

Hi,
We stayed at Kikoti, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Serena last july (2004), and I do have to disappoint you a little bit regarding the South African wines. Although al the menus mentioned 3 or 4 types of white SA wine, every lodge only had 1 available (the rest had been sold out the night before) and it was always the same white wine( in all 3 lodges!!).
Food was good, I remember having the choice between sirloin steak and chicken one time, . It varied between standard and very good meals.
A drink you should try, is Amarulla made of the marulla fruit. It tastes a bit like baileys. I do believe it is made in South Africa.
My husband mostly took a beer as a sundowner and gin and tonic before meals.
In Zanzibar seafood is plentiful indeed, lobsters taste like heaven !

nkh

Also if you enjoy curry you may wish to try curry selections available - large Indian population and influence. In 2003 we found that a number of the vegetarian options were curry and enjoyed them very much (and we are not vegetarian)

Have a great trip!

uhoh_busted

I much preferred SA red wines to the white...but I prefer red wines everywhere.
Once I thought red wine gave me headaches, then I discovered I was actually suffering from hayfever, and after I began to treat that I've been able to drink red wine without a problem! Try game dishes when ever possible. We love kudu and ostrich particularly. The beers were also fine. Fresh veggies were outstanding!