My mother and I will be traveling to South Africa in October and are worried about what to eat, specifically while at our game lodges. We will be staying at the Ngala Safari Lodge and Arathusa. Should we avoid ice? What about fruits and vegetables? We live in the US, in Western NY, and are concerned about getting a stomach bug. What kinds of things are usually served at meal time?

Everything is safe to eat. If you have dietary restrictions, let the camps know before you go and send a reminder e-mail, or have your travel agent deal with it. The tap water is filtered at both camps. You'll be fine. I have been to both camps and even my husband who has a very sensitive tummy, had no issues. We do take a pepto pill twice daily whenever we travel - even domestically. The water where we live has very low mineral content so any change is difficult for us (well, him). Have fun!!!

I stayed 8 nights at Ngala Safari Lodge Sep 2008, drank and ate (too much) of everything there. Ice in cokes, salads, fruit. Not a hint of problem. Same can be said for around 60 nights at several other safari camps in SA over the last 5 years. Our only within last 10 years such problem occurred in USA, Yosemite National Park at a Park restaurant.

regards - tom
ps - but do carry some medication just in case.

Hi there

I can concur with the other postings - everything is safe. Do keep in mind that even though you are in the bush, you are looked after by well-trained staff working in lodges with high standards - it's not as if they wash the veggies in the river... (as is the case in other places on mother earth...) My ex-partner had a very sensitive stomach and got sick while a bug was still miles away, but even he never encountered a problem at any of the lodges we've been to (and that's quite a few!).

Interesting, I thought we would have to be extra cautious! This is reassuring though. Even the ice is okay? I am assuming most lodges are using filtered water?

The ice is made from 1) bottled water, or 2) filtered water. The fruits and veggies are great, and taste as they should; mostly organically grown rather than pumped with air as they do Stateside to make the trip from farm-to-table. Kind of like locally grown tomatoes which are widely available this time of year in the States... yummy! yummy!

You're more likely to get tummy upset due to the long travel, hectic schedule and weather than the food you eat or water you drink.

Go and enjoy and do remember to leave room for dessert! In fact, "eat dessert first"

We didn't even think of the points you are making.

It's totally safe - if you have some dietry requirements just let those lodges know in advance.

The only thing we do while traveling the tropics: We drink regular coke in order to kill minor germs IF (only IF!) as a precaution.

Happy travels!

I'll add my reassurances here. We stayed at Ngala Tented and ate everything. I always had ice in my drinks. Sometimes a camp will tell you not to drink the water in your room, because it's not filtered. When that is the case they provide bottled water for you every day. We ate lots of fruit and salads. Never had any problems in 10 days. Don't worry--the camps are professional and the last thing they want is any sick guests.

By the way, the food at Ngala Tented was wonderful. I'm sure it's similar at the lodge. Enjoy.

Thank you everyone - What a huge relief! We are so excited for this trip we can hardly stand the wait. We leave on October 1st and will be sure to post a detailed trip report when we return.

I'll just throw in my 2c as I get so much great info here and I should return the favor..I am a very picky eater and was worried about what I would eat in South Africa- oh my, the best food - wish I had it here - fresh veggies, good menus, plenty of choices and we stayed at Ngala Tented and I asked them for more salad options at lunch - and voila, the very next day - plenty of veggie salads and soups. No stomach problems at all. They were always trying to get me to eat more and I adored everyone at the camp - you will have a great time...enjoy!

MB

I am reiterating everything said in this thread. You will be fine and most likely eat too much.

A book we love on the subject is disguised as a cookbook but is actually much more.
http://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Safari...1317530&sr=1-3

OOHHH AKR1!! Kitchen Safari is one of my favourite books... I have to admit though - every time I page through I get "homesick" for the bush & a nice bush dinner...

I would be more concerned about anti-malarial side effects than tummy upsets

What are the side effects & how common are they in yr experience?

On safari, you can eat anything with impunity. But be prepared, just in case, so get a prescription for some Xifaxan.

shouldbewriting,

Re: anti-malarial meds. On our TZ trip, my partner and I took a daily Malarone pill. I never had any stomach issues, but DP had occasional discomfort until she decided to take a pepto-bismol tablet with it. There's another type of anti-malaria medication, Lariam, that has a documented history of causing hallucinations, delirium, and even psychosis in some people.

We haven't been to South Africa. Yet. But we had no GI issues with the food in any of the Tanzanian camps or lodges.

You'll have a variety of foods similar to nice restaurants at home along with an occasional local dish or game meat. Eat and drink whatever is served. Definitely enjoy an Amarula (cream liqueur made from the marula nut) night cap somewhere along the way. Have a great mother-daughter trip.

Side effects from malaria pills? Though I no longer take Larium because of the documented problems, I never had a problem with it or any other anti-malarial. You may want to get a few extra days worth of pills and start them early, before leaving home to check out any negative effects.