A huge part of the safari experience is the cuisine. There’s nothing like eating the local food to experience the culture and we take food very seriously here at Lalibela. In fact, be prepared to eat, because when you’re not out on game drives, there is always something delicious to snack on.
Our lodges are all unique in their safari experiences and this extends to the cuisine itself. We like to make sure we cater for everyone! Traditional South African cooking is diverse and rich in flavour, and we like to put a little South African twist into all meals. Our chefs are warm, friendly and full of life and this reflects in their cooking!
For some, mealtimes are about sharing in conversation, stories and different dishes. This is what we encourage at Mark’s Camp, Lentaba Safari Lodge and Tree Tops Safari Lodge. We have buffet dining for all meals, which encourage conversation and allow you to sample lots of different, delicious dishes!
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“My favourite dish is “basically everything”.
If my guests are “belly” happy, then I am happy!”
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Nomakaya, Lalibela Chef
A Typical Dining Day at Lalibela
Before your early morning game drive we make sure your stomachs are full with a continental breakfast of fresh fruits, cereals, toast and lots of coffee!
Brunch is a big affair, there’s nothing like being out in the open air to get stomachs rumbling. After your first game drive, expect to fill up on eggs, bacon, fruit, toast and cereal, with added surprises like eland sausage or rooibos scones.
A late lunch is the perfect preparation for the evening game drive. Expect international cuisine with South African twists, such as beef sliders on roosterkoek or venison pies.
There’s a classic South African saying – ‘Magies vol, ogies toe’ which means ‘stomachs full, eyes closed’ – and dinner guarantees just that. Dinner is when we really let the richness of safari cuisine shine through with warm, hearty dishes such as ostrich steak and sherry jus, or lamb curry with parsley rice, and sticky poached pears for dessert.
The game drives themselves also leave ample time for snacking with sunrise and sunset stops for drinks and snacks. Hot coffee and rusks in the mornings, sun-downers and biltong in the evenings!
