The wildlife, classic tented camps and stunning scenery are the hallmarks of a safari.  You’re also likely to leave Africa astonished by the sheer ingenuity of safari chefs.  They can rustle up perfect soufflés and cakes from holes in the ground, make the best breakfasts ever over an open fire and offer surprisingly delicate flavours in the absolute back of beyond.   Here are some of our favourite examples:

There’s no need to head back to camp for breakfast when it can be prepared on the go at Sala’s Camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara.

Mobile safari breakfast at Sala’s Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya

Who needs a kitchen? Preparing a hot breakfast at Selinda Explorers Camp, Great Plains, Botswana

Full English breakfast at Selinda Explorers Camp, Great Plains, Botswana

Namibia Horse Safaris run extraordinary riding safaris through some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes.  The niftily designed mobile kitchen comes too, meaning there’s hearty food on hand after a long day in the saddle.

Namibia Horse Safaris Company camp kitchen (c. Teagan Cuniffe)

No compromise on quality just because you’re in the bush, as illustrated by this elegant picnic breakfast on a morning boat ride on the Rufiji river while staying at Sand Rivers Selous

Safari breakfast, Sand Rivers Selous, Tanzania, Nomad Tanzania

The chefs at Sosian Lodge in Kenya’s Laikipia region can produce a full English ‘breakfast for champions’ on this camp fire.

Campfire cooked breakfast, Laikipia, Kenya, Sosian Lodge, Offbeat Safaris

Children will love the open air breakfasts at Robin’s House on the bank of the Luangwa River in Zambia.  There’s nothing quite like toasting bread over the fire while listening to hippos honking in the river.

Children enjoying fresh campfire toast, Robin’s House, South Luangwa, Zambia

Most of the cooking at Sapi Explorers Camp in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools is done over an ingenious open fire contraption, but the chefs can also rustle up pizzas in ovens made from oil drums and are dab hands at baking cakes and bread in holes in the ground.

Sundowners and camp fire by the river, Mana Pools, Zimbabwe, Sapi Explorers Camp

You might want to do away with the bread oven after you’ve tasted bread fresh from a hole in the ground. It’s a technique perfected by chefs all over Africa, with this from Time and Tide’s King Lewanika.

Bread baked underground in Africa, Time and Tide King Lewanika,  Time + Tide Africa

Fresh coffee after a night spent sleeping under the stars – could there be anything better?  Singita’s Explore – the quintessential safari on the Serengeti plains, in Tanzania is among the best, with the chef arranging activities, meals (and coffee) entirely to guests’ preferences, as it is designed for private use.

Camp fire morning coffee, Singita Explore, Tanzania

China comes to Zambia with a stir fry lunch on a walking safari with Robin Pope Safaris, Zambia.

Walking safari hot lunch with Robin Pope Safaris, Zambia

Few fancy restaurants can compete with a glorious African morning, fresh coffee and eggs cooked on an open fire.  All part of the adventure on a sleep out under the stars with Time + Tide Africa safaris at Time + Tide Nsolo in Zambia.

Camp cooking in Zambia. Time + Tide Nsolo, Time + Tide Africa

How about this for a lunch location? On a camel safari with Karisia Walking Safaris, the lunch locations are in beautiful settings like under the shade of acacia trees. For dinner prepared in the bush they make wonderful suppers like succulent pot-roast garlic chicken.

Lunch tree, Karisia Walking Safaris, Kenya

Pot roast chicken, Karisia Walking Safaris, Kenya

Any questions on miracle cooking on safari?

If you’ve got this far and not found an answer to a question you have that we should have included, please ask in the comments section below, or pop us an email. We’ll be sure to reply and may amend the article to include our answer.

What next?

We would be delighted to help you plan a holiday, or answer any questions if you’re at an earlier stage. Our team of experts have travelled widely throughout Africa. They can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris.  If you would like to talk to someone who has been there and done it, please just send us an email or give us a call.

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