What's on my plate? Food on Safari

Photo courtesy of Bushman's Kloof 

Travellers to safari lodges will soon realise that there is more to experience that merely observing the local wildlife. There is a saying at game lodges "Guests go on game drive, and when they're not on game drive, they are eating". Food is served from the moment you open your eyes until you feel to full to breathe!

Before the trip is booked, agents around the world are asked questions such as:
"Can I drink the water?"
"I'm vegetarian, will there be something for me to eat?"
"Will there be milk available?"
"Can I eat the fruit and vegetables?"
"Are we only going to eat stuff like zebra and crocodiles?"

Once you arrive at the lodge, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the offerings of the on-site chef. Many game lodges exceed their city counterparts in terms of variety and flavour. The lodges are use to catering for discerning travellers who want their memorable experience to continue beyond the back of a game viewer.

Chef's are ready to serve at Kapama River Lodge

Game lodges are "isolated" and there is no store to pop out to if something is missing, running low or unavailable and lodge chefs are a special breed! They are able to plan in advance, order the right amount and as a last resort, get creative! It is highly recommended to warn them advance of any food allergies or special requirements. Chefs will cater to your requirements, but it does help them if you give them a little warning.

These trained professionals will take every care to ensure that the food is safe for their guests to eat. So, sit back and enjoy your meal, knowing that it's safe and tasty. At many game lodges, the water is safe to drink, but many cater for international guests by offering bottled water. Rest assured, you can open the tap and brush your teeth without any concern.

Lamb Chops - familiar for some & a new adventure for others - Idwala Game Lodge

The chefs plan their menus and try to offer guests the option of trying a local delicacy or sticking to something more familiar. Beef, chicken and fish in South Africa is of a high standard and you can taste the quality in each bite. Chat to the chef if you want to try something local but you want a safe option in case you don't like it. You can eat venison (such as kudu, eland, springbok or ostrich) but prepared in a familiar way. Most lodges will add a South African flair to their dishes allowing you to taste local delights!

During a day at a game lodge, you will be tempted to eat more than you have ever eaten before. Relax, enjoy the treats and worry about the weight when you get home.
Before the early morning start, expect a light breakfast - fruit, yoghurt, tea/coffee, juice - just a quick snack before you leave. After all the fresh air and adrenalin of chasing the sighting, your ranger will stop in the bush somewhere and magically whip up some more tea/coffee and possibly have a few treats in store.
Return to the lodge and the smell of a cooked breakfast will be welcoming you back. Now it's time for the full spread - cooked breakfast, pastries, fruit, cheeses, cold meats and much much more. And even if you think you can't have another bite, you will find yourself reaching for another taste!

A bush breakfast at Royal Malewane

So breakfast finishes between 10 and 11 then you head to the pool for a swim or back to your room to recover from the early morning start and before you know it, 13h00 arrives. Yes, it's time for lunch. Not all lodges choose to serve lunch. Many will skip this meal and offer a substantial high tea instead. Lunch is also an optional meal so don't feel obliged to join in.

Before the afternoon game drive, meet again for the safari tradition of high tea. Choose between sweet delights and little savoury nibbles, just enough to keep you full before dinner. Another tradition interrupts the afternoon game drive - the classic sundowner. Your ranger will pick a quiet spot where you can disembark the vehicle, enjoy a drink (Gin and tonic is the famous choice, but other options are also available) and watch the sun dip behind the horizon. Oh yes, there will be a few more snacks available just in case you're peckish.

A sundowner stop at Mashovhela Lodge

The true highlight of your food experience will be the dinners. Some lodges offer a buffet selection, while others opt between a la carte and a set menu, but none of these will disappoint. The very  luxurious lodges will take you to their wine cellar where you can select a wine to accompany your meal. At Sabi Sabi, chat to the sommelier and find a wine that matches your dinner selection.

The wine cellar at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

Delightful dishes at Royal Malewane 

Another special experience at any game lodge is the outdoor dining or "bush boma". This under the stars is a must for anyone visiting South Africa. It's how we eat at home! Don't worry - the quality of food remains as high as if it was served straight from the kitchen.

Fireside cooking at Jaci's Tree Lodge

Welcoming you with food at Royal Malewane

And some lodges may treat you to a welcome gift in your room - just another little bite to eat as you arrive!

Join Singita on their Gourmet Safari - combining wildlife and food - what more does a foodie want?

News Story: Zanu-PF poaching links exposed

Original article appeared on the Mail & Guardian site - here Zanu-PF poaching links exposed RAY NDLOVU AND YOLANDI GROENEWALD - Oct 08 2010 06:33

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Dawie Groenewald, the alleged rhino-poaching kingpin, has been linked to powerful Zanu-PF members in Zimbabwe, including Kembo Mohadi, the joint home affairs minister, and Jocelyn Chiwenga, the wife of army chief Constantine Chiwenga.

Groenewald, of Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris, was arrested with his wife, Sariette Groenewald, and a contracted hunter, Tielman Erasmus, in Limpopo last month in connection with poaching. Groenewald was released on R1-million bail and his wife on bail of R100 000.

Also among those held in police raids were two vets from the Modimolle area, Karel Toet and Manie du Plessis, and Toet's wife, Mariza.

Groenewald, a former police officer, is well known among Zimbabwe's ranchers. According to Johnny Rodrigues, the chairman of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF), Groenewald's association with Zanu-PF's top brass in running illegal hunting activities in Zimbabwe could open a can of worms.

"Groenewald's arrest is likely to expose a lot of high-powered people in Zanu-PF who are involved in poaching activities. The case is a time bomb waiting to explode," he said.

"These Zimbabweans are exporting resources for huge profits when they haven't put a cent into the safari business. It shows the dearth of law and order in the country."

In 2003 Groenewald operated Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris in Zimbabwe before it was banned in September 2005 by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

Safari industry watchdogs raised concerns that Out of Africa was involved in poaching and hunted on the farms of evicted white farmers in cahoots with war vets and Zanu-PF officials. Out of Africa denied the charges levelled against it.

Groenewald did not want to comment citing sub judice.

Rodrigues highlighted the allegedly illegal hunting operations of the unlicensed Zhove conservancy unit near Beitbridge. Farm owners in the area said that the unit, comprising state security personnel, war veterans and Zanu-PF activists, was a prime target of operators such as Groenewald. The farmers said that the unit "regularly receives hunting quotas from the department of national parks and wildlife".

According to the ZCTF, Zhove invaded five farms in Beitbridge this year. Zanu-PF's control of wildlife-rich areas had enabled it to use poached animals to feed soldiers and crowds at political rallies. Wildlife sources said that three elephants and three buffaloes were killed this week to provide meat for supporters at a Zanu-PF rally in Gokwe to open the Women's Development Bank.

Rodrigues said Zhove also sold animal skins to South African poachers, allegedly including Johannes Roos, who has been linked to a shady alliance, dubbed the "Musina Mafia" by locals.

Well-placed sources in Musina confirmed that Roos and Groenewald were "close associates".

In July Beeld newspaper exposed Roos as part of the "Musina Mafia" and implicated him in arms smuggling across the Zimbabwean border.

Roos's whereabouts are currently unknown, he is said by sources close to the poaching investigation to be in hiding.

An exiled Zimbabwe radio station, SW Radio Africa, has reported that Mohadi is associated with South African-based poachers and facilitated Groenewald's release in Zimbabwe after he was arrested for rhino poaching in the Bubi area.

It is also suspected that Groenewald was released after spending two nights in a Beitbridge prison in August last year as a result of Mohadi's intervention.

Attempts to contact Mohadi for comment were unsuccessful.

Zimbabwean wildlife sources said that, since 2000, when farm invasions began, Zanu-PF loyalists have extended their control over the country's lucrative safari business, grabbing all the best reserves. Jocelyn Chiwenga reportedly controls all concessions in the Victoria Falls area and deals with wealthy Americans.

The farmers said that Groenewald was still very active in Zimbabwe.

"Although they [Out of Africa] were banned from operating in the country, it is known within safari industry circles that they have been using an operation called Africa Dream Safaris to hunt in Zimbabwe," Rodrigues said.

Attempts to get a comment from Africa Dream Safaris were unsuccessful.

Video - Elephants at Gorah

Lodge of the Week - Gorah Elephant Camp

Sit back and watch the elephants pass you by

Classic luxury safari experience

The camp is based around a historical homestead (with certain buildings in the main lodge dating back to the 1700’s and 1800’s) overlooking a vast open area with a magnet-like waterhole that attracts masses of game. One does not feel like he or she has to leave the confines of camp as the game viewing from each private deck and the main camp patio is exceptional. The camp is a certified ‘Green Leaf’ setup so has minimal impact on its environment. With no electricity the lodge at night, lit up by lanterns and candles, is a sight from a fairy tale. Luxury tented rooms are ideally spaced around the main lodge. Although there is minimal electricity power in the camp, guests still have the luxury of a piping hot gas heated shower and adequate basic lighting in the rooms. The dining is fine whilst ever willing staff provide top quality service.

Gorah Elephant Camp is situated on a private concession in a prime game viewing area of the Addo Elephant National Park. There is a diverse range of habitat types in the park largely dominated by open plains and thickly vegetated hills. Elephants are everywhere and this is one of the best places in the world to view these giant pachyderms going about their daily routines. The park is also one of the few spots outside of the far northern areas of South Africa where one can view large herds of Buffalo in their hundreds (the largest herds of disease-free Buffalo in the country). Lions are often encountered on drives and fantastic sightings are consistent. The reserve is also a stronghold of the rare Black Rhino and these shy creatures often pop up at the waterhole in front of camp in the evenings.

This is a classic safari experience - charming, elegant and stylish. The camp is simple yet luxurious and the game viewing is excellent. It is perfect for couples and small groups looking to spend a few days on safari during a trip to South Africa. Here guests can enjoy the cream of what Africa has to offer.

Read more about Gorah and the safari experience offered 

Visit the main website for Gorah Elephant Camp to view their special offers

RATINGS BREAKDOWN
Core Ratings:	Sun Rays
Lodge and Camp	7.7
Safari Experience	6.9
Service	8.3
Facilities	4.4
Unique Rating	8.0
Conservation	7.5
Social involvement	6.3
OVERALL RATING:	8.3

Rhino Murder - South Africa Rhino Day Activation

The best lodges in South Africa for......Elephant Spotting!

Elephants are must see when you're on safari! Lodges advertised as Big 5 will have elephants on offer. But there are a few lodges that offer exceptional interactions with these gentle giants. Large numbers, herds that breed well or well behaved elephants make the experience more memorable for a first time safari goer.

Top End Lodges
It's all in the name - Gorah Elephant Camp says it all. Situated in the Addo Elephant National Park, this luxury experience from the Hunter's Collection will leave you surrounded by elephants.

Elephant visitors at Gorah Elephant Camp

Other top end lodges include the Sabi Sabi properties, the Singita lodges and the Mala Mala lodges.
Chitwa Chitwa and Simbambili are also considered elephant hot spots.

For the more adventurous why not try Transfrontier Walking Safaris? The chance to encounter elephants on foot is sure to suit any adrenalin junkie!

Upper End Lodges
Situated on a private concession of the Addo Elephant National Park is the lovely Nguni River Lodge
Savanna Private Game Reserve is also a top choice for elephant viewing! And the newly launched, Cheetah Plains is another great place to stay to see elephants.
And in Kwa-Zulu Natal, you can't go wrong with Mkuze Falls Lodge

Affordable Lodges
There are a variety of affordable lodges that offer excellent elephant viewing, but the two notable lodges are Elephants Plains Game Lodge in the Sabi Sand and Tembe Tented Camp in Tembe Elephant Reserve

An elephant outside Elephant Plains Game Lodge

There are many other lodges where elephants can be viewed. We recommend using The Game Lodge Index to find the lodge that meets your criteria. Remember, when using the Game Lodge Index's search function you can use the detailed search to find the perfect place for your safari!

Fun Facts about Elephants!

The gentle giants of the bush, elephants are a favourite for many safari visitors. One can sit for hours watching a herd feed and interact with one another. Many rangers will tell you that elephants have their own personalities and they quickly grow attached to certain characters. A sight that may surprise any first time visitor, is how this large, bulky creature can hide behind a shrub or a tree – amazing!

Let’s share some interesting elephant facts:

Elephants are the largest land animals in the world.

Elephant females are cows and the males are bulls.

New born baby elephant

 Elephants have the longest pregnancy of all the animals. It takes a female 22 months from conception to give birth.

Newborn elephants can stand moments after they are born but they are born blind and rely on their mothers to guide them. It’s a funny sight watching a baby elephant learn how to use their trunks!

Little elephants use their trunks to explore their environment

Female elephants will bear young until they reach the age of 50. Twin elephant babies have been known to occur, but are extremely rare.

The oldest elephant in the world reached the ripe old age of 82. In the wild, elephants will usually live for between 50 and 70 years.

The elephant trunk has more than 40,000 muscles in it!

Elephants have poor eyesight but an amazing sense of smell.

 

Elephants enjoy swimming!

Elephant tusks are elongated incisor teeth. The tusks have halved in their average length in the past 100 years due to the poaching of the larger tusked bulls

Elephant trunks are very mobile!

The ears of an African elephant are often described as similar to the map of Africa. They are also used to control body temperature. On hot days, elephants will flap their ears, circulating the blood in the network of veins, and returning to the head and body, slightly cooler.

Elephant feet are covered in a soft padding that help uphold their weight, prevent them from slipping and dull any sound. Therefore elephants can walk almost silently!

When they walk, the legs on one side of their body move in unison.

Elephants are herbivores and only digest 40% of what is consumed.

Elephants live in two groups. The first is a family group, led by a matriarch and consists of aunts, sisters and daughters with their young. The second group is a bachelor herd consisting of young bulls who have left the family group. 

Baby elephant sneezes and scares himself.

Photo of the Week - Elephants

Two very different elephant photos! You can choose which is your favourite for this week!

Mother and her calf by Nicole Lloyd

Off for a swim by Kev Collett Photography