Top 8 Culinary Experiences in South Africa

African Travel, Inc. asked their wonderful safari specialists for their favorite culinary experiences in South Africa and a below is a list of their top 8.

1. The Test Kitchen
The Test Kitchen, which opened in November 2010, has the celebrated Luke Dale-Roberts cooking at his most creative in a distinctive contemporary space. The Test Kitchen, as its name implies, affords Luke the opportunity for maximum innovation as a chef and the dishes are a pure reflection of his creativity with flavors and ingredients.

2. Constantia Valley
The Constantia Valley is the oldest wine producing region in South Africa, with a history of wine making that spans over 300 years. Some of the finest vineyards can be found in the valley, including Groot Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Constantia Uitsig, Klein Constantia, Steenberg to name a few. It is also home to some of Cape Town’s finest eateries, ranging from established favorites to hot, new restaurants. There is something for everyone. La Colombe on Silvermist Wine Estate is positioned among the top restaurants in the world. The Greenhouse at Cellars Hohenhort consistently elevates the benchmark of modern South African cuisine. Foxcroft offers a laidback fine dining experience, while Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia, offers cutting edge cuisine. Bistro Sixteen 82 at Steenberg is another stalwart on the Cape Town dining scene, known for its innovative tapas and bistro-style dining.

3. Stellenbosch
Established in 1679, Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa and is arguably one of the loveliest. Taking the “Bites & Sites Classic Cape Cuisine Walk” is a fascinating (and tasty!) introduction to this vibrant university town. Enjoy a tea and rusk tasting, sample a variety of white and red wines from various award-winning estates, savor a trilogy of fragrant Cape dishes, and experience the legendary local sweet treats like koeksister, milktart and malva pudding – all while touring the town’s romantic oak-lined streets and outdoor art exhibitions.

4. Farmers’ Markets
Capetonians love a great outdoor market, and the pop up markets are a celebration of local foods, culture and community. Spend a relaxing morning or afternoon, mingling with the locals, at one of the city's most popular weekly affairs. The markets have something for everyone, with specialty traders ranging from local farmers, fine-food purveyors, organic merchants, to celebrated local chefs. Taste your way through freshly baked breads, organic vegetables, handcrafted cheese, sausage, wine, chocolate, craft beer and more.

 5. Cooking with Cass Abrahams
A half day Cape Malay cooking experience with Cass Abrahams. Cass is a local chef and authority on Cape Malay cuisine. During her career she has travelled the world showcasing South African fare, ran restaurants and written cookbooks. She has made it her mission to rescue the traditional recipes and share her passion and pride with those seeking a deeper understanding of the local food culture. During a “hands-on” experience in her home you will have an introductory talk on the history of the cuisine and the many spices used, followed by the preparation of several dishes. Then it’s time to sit back, relax, and appreciate your handiwork as you enjoy lunch.

6. Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms. The garden is at the heart of the farm, and is laid out over 8 acres, and divided into sections of fruit, vegetables, berries, bees for pollinating, indigenous plants, fragrant lawns, a prickly pear maze, ducks and chickens, and more. Every aspect of Babylonstoren is led by the ever-changing tapestry and botanical diversity of the garden. With a farm-to-fork philosophy, the menus are guided by what is available in the garden, and always reflects the season.

7. Bread & Wine Vineyard Restaurant
Set in the Moreson Winery, Bread & Wine Vineyard Restaurant is a staff favorite due to its rustic charm and laid-back atmosphere. Gorgeous trees provide a shaded retreat to enjoy the exquisite food, including the best charcuterie in South Africa hands down. 

 8. The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa Azure Restaurant
The Twelve Apostles is home to the award-winning Azure Restaurant and its magical international and indigenous cuisine. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the incredible views are some of the Mother City’s best and it is an overwhelming staff favorite for sundowners and sunsets. Whales can often be spotted in the mornings and afternoons, breaching right off the coast. Azure offers a high-end selection of entrees, including seafood, meats, and local African cuisine. From the delicate fresh oysters to the massive seafood platter, guests’ taste buds are infused by the finest organic ingredients and brilliant flavor combinations.

We're excited to unveil our new 2018 brochure featuring handcrafted, luxury safari experiences. These journeys immerse you in the unique wildlife, wonderful cuisine and authentic cultures of southern and eastern Africa. We encourage you to request your own copy so that you can begin to plan the safari of your dreams.

New trips for 2018 include:

Majestic South Africa: This thrilling 10-day experience includes four nights in Cape Town and three nights at Shamwari Game Reserve. Guests explore the vibrant sights, sounds and flavors of the “Mother City,” and spend their nights at the luxurious five-star Table Bay Hotel. Then they move on to Shamwari, where twice-daily game drives and nature walks provide plenty of opportunities to see big game such as rhinos, elephants, hippos, kudu, gemsbok, wildebeest, zebras, and hyenas, plus smaller animals and unique plant life.

Enchanting East Africa: This 11-day odyssey shows guests the urban pleasures of Nairobi, the iconic game reserves of Kenya and Tanzania, and the exotic spice island of Zanzibar. Guests start in Nairobi, where they stay at the famed Giraffe Manor and visit an elephant orphanage before heading off for five glorious days of game drives at Maasai Mara National Park and Serengeti National Park. Then it’s on to Zanzibar for a blissful seaside stay, and two days of relaxation and exploration of the island’s captivating architecture, food and sea life.

Ultimate South Africa with Victoria Falls: This stunning 11-day odyssey is the ultimate sensory journey, offering cosmopolitan exploration, wildlife viewing, and a visit to a bucket-list icon. Highlights include a helicopter ride over the stunning Cape Town skyline, wine tasting in the South African winelands, Big Five game viewing at Lion Sands Reserve and exploration of the breathtaking Victoria Falls. Along the way guests stay in stylish, exclusive surrounds at Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, the five-star Silo Hotel in Cape Town, and the magnificent treehouse suites at Victoria Falls River Lodge.

Did you know rhinos have been around for over 50 million years?

Now, 95 per cent of rhinos have been wiped off the face of the earth.

We at African Travel, Inc. are especially passionate about the protection of rhinos as they are such a big part of why many people want to visit Africa – the safari experience.

Can you imagine Africa without any rhinos?

Rhinos are killed for their horns which are made out of keratin – the same material that’s found in hair and fingernails. Currently, rhino horn is worth more than gold on the black market. It is often used in traditional Asian medicine and is thought by many to be a cure for cancer, though there’s no scientific evidence of medicinal value.

It’s important to recognize this day as if poaching continues at current rates, the rhino could be extinct within our lifetime.

On this World Rhino Day, we’re sharing ways you can help save rhinos.

1. Turn off your GPS location while on safari 
Poachers are now using unsuspecting tourists to hunt their prey. While on safari, tourists post photos of animals to social media sites, not realizing that embedded within the post or the photo is a geotag containing the GPS location of the photo or poster. This allows poachers to track animals of value. Click here to learn how you can turn off geotagging on your phone.  

2. Book African Travel, Inc’s Majestic South Africa Trip
When guests book Majestic South Africa for travel in 2017 or 2018, we will be donating $50 per couple, in their name, to go towards building a new rhino boma at Shamwari Game Reserve. The rhino boma will be a safe haven to rehabilitate injured or orphaned rhino until they are strong enough to be released back into the wild.

3. “When they buying stops, the killing can too.”
Do not buy any products made of rhino horn. In partnership with the TreadRight Foundation, we support WildAid, whose mission is to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes. For more facts, check out this infographic. 

Read our blog posts about micro-chipping a rhino and building a rhino boma.