Food, glorious food. And plenty of it. Each and every day. That's what you get on a Zafaris safari because we love eating well and go the extra mile to select camps and lodges that we know take cuisine seriously. You most definitely won't be on a diet when we send you off into the African wilderness, and even if you are, it won't last long. We promise. It's absolutely incredible what can be whipped up in the middle of nowhere, far from everywhere in the tiniest camp kitchens. So, here's a taster (pun intended) of what to expect in some of the places we absolutely love...



First up we have the absolutely fabulous Azura Retreats on Benguerra Island in Mozambique's Bazaruto Archipelago, which takes the art of beach dining to new heights. Their aim is to make sure you never eat in the same place twice, so you can expect breakfast at the edge of the Indian Ocean as it gently kisses soft white sand, a picnic lunch on a sandy island in the archipelago strewn with pansy shells, snacks on a sunset dhow cruise and a candlelit dinner beneath the stars somewhere stunning. 

Menus are based on what's fresh and available, and seeing as they're on an island, sensational seafood is always on the menu! With a wine cellar geared for pairing, the focus is on light, understated meals with simple ingredients. And if you have a craving for something special, no problemo - they'll do their utmost to meet your needs.

Over on the Mozambican mainland just outside Vilanculos is the jaw-droppingly beautiful Santorini Mozambique where local chefs cook up a storm to impress. Believing that food is something sensual to be savoured and filled with colour, flavour and scintillating aromas, Santorini's chefs are true artistes, baking fresh bread and pastries daily, making their own jams and fruit smoothies for brekky, blowing you away with a three-course lunch and a four-course dinner. Talk about a sensory explosion! BANG baby! BANG!

Santorini has its own garden growing veggies and herbs and makes its own sticky granola and an oozy chocolate fondant that's to die for. You can also get homemade ice cream at any time of the day. Because it's ice cream and when you crave it, you crave it. Gourmet pizzas are also par for the course, all accompanied with award-winning wines.

Off now to Tanzania where Gibbs Farm gives organic dining a fresh new take with a fabulous farm-to-fork approach that's just outstanding. With healthy farm cuisine prepared each and every day all washed down with organic Arabica coffee grown and roasted on the farm, breakfast is a sumptuous affair of freshly baked goodies and hearty yum-ness. Lunchtime sees a spread of organic dishes, and afternoon tea puts a new spin on scones, adding in coffee chocolate brownies and other delicious and terribly tempting naughy-but-nice gooey delights.

Candlelit dinners feature a range of English and Tanzanian influences resulting in a feast of fabulous flavours. 

And so, to Namibia and the ancient sands of the Namib, where Wolwedans, one of our fave desert destinations, is literally cooking up a storm. Lavish but unpretentious, meals at Wolwedans come dressed to impress with impeccable table settings in exceptional surroundings. Announced with no small amount of flair in the local Nama language, dishes are innovative, wholesome bush tucker of the highest order. 

Prepared with homegrown organic fresh produce (yes, they have their own garden in the desert - 10-out-of-10 for that one!) whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner you're going to be blown away by the sophistication achieved in such a remote and dramatic setting. Try their champagne laced breakfasts and bush dinners out in the wild, sandy yonder. They cost a wee bit extra but are well worth the expense!

In Botswana's Okavango Delta, Xigera is making a name for itself as a full-on foodie destination. Seamlessy blending fresh locally sourced ingredients with no small amount of African inspiration, the focus is on fresh, seasonal produce and a sense of place, with the boma offering al fresco dining experiences with divine views of the Delta to boot and impromptu bush breakfasts and picnic lunches adding variety. 

With lots of signature dishes to look forward to, and an amazing selection of fabulous wines to accompany them, Xigera adds new meaning to the notion of safari nosh.

And so, to South Africa, and one of the true pioneers of safari cuisine... Singita. Yes, we know Singita is not just in South Africa but also in Rwanda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, but its spiritual home is South Africa's Greater Kruger National Park. And no matter which of Singita's beautiful lodges or private villas you stay at you are guaranteed superlative dining experiences. And with soul too, thanks to their commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing.

The Singita culinary experience is a celebration of Africa with both contemporary African, African-inspired and Afro-fusion dishes hitting the high notes every time. Mouthwatering, filled with flavour, daring, innovative and just downright awesome, every meal at Singita is an adventure into fabulous flavours, from curried ice cream to futari - a Tanzanian sweet potato, butternut and coconut stew.

And if that's not enough to convince you, then how about the Singita Community Culinary School in South Africa and the Singita Serengeti School of Cooking which take carefully selected local students on a rigourous professional culinary course that produces 10 internationally qualified commis chefs apiece every year?

We'd also like to give a shout out to the inimitable Babylonstoren in Franschhoek for its amazing home-grown organic ethos and and the equally fantabulous Grootbos just outside Hermanus for its mind-blowing culinary works of art filled with colour and flavour.

And the best part of all of the above? With the exception of a few, bookable experiences that may cost a wee bit more, all of the food is included in the rate you pay! That's why you most definitely are not going to diet while on safari. Enjoy!