What is the Food like on a Safari – a Taste of Uganda
Safari Meal – What will I eat on a Safari? The kinds of meals you are served on Safari
Safari Meals – A frequent question we receive is, “What will I eat on a Safari in Uganda?” The answer is simple; it depends on what kind of Lodge you are staying in. If you are in an upmarket, luxury, exclusive Lodge, then you will be served meals that exceed the quality of the best restaurants in Kampala or Kigali.
When we pick lodges for you, the Quality of the Meals served is a top Consideration for us whether the Chef is flexible and meets the needs of a Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, low-Sugar Diet Safari Goer.
What will I eat on a Safari? – A Taste of Uganda is what is on the menu, often as a delightful fusion meal. Though you come on a Safari in Uganda to see the Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Wildlife, we know that Safari Life is much better if you get “a Taste of Uganda.” At the same time, in the Perl of Africa, Safari Meals are part of your African Safari Adventure, well-prepared meals that offer you a Bites of Uganda, beyond the usual Safari Fare. If this is something that appeals to you, be sure to let us know, and we will make sure that you on Safari with us get a Taste of some of the best in the Pearl of Africa. We will do our best to accommodate you.
What will I eat on a Safari in Uganda, staying at Luxury Lodges?
A Taste of Uganda that is what you will eat while staying at luxury lodges on your Safari. Most Luxury Lodges have their gardens where they grow organic fruits and vegetables or will use some local gardeners to raise vegetables to their specifications.
Luxury Lodges will have experienced Chefs that will present their Culinary Delights that you will not soon forget. Meals at upmarket, luxury Lodges will often be creating an innovative taking what is available in Uganda and creating meals beyond your expectations.
If you have special requests for that particular taste of Uganda Dish, they will most likely prepare for you, aside from what is on the menu for that day.
What will I eat on a Safari in Uganda, staying at Mid-Range Moderately Priced Lodges?
You will not go hungry on Safari in the Pearl of Africa, Uganda. Freshly prepared food will be served at mealtimes, giving you a Taste of Uganda.
The meal that may lack some creative content will be Breakfast at mid-range lodges, and there is a sense of sameness to it. Take the initiative and order a Rolex chapati for Breakfast, at least ask for it, and you will have a refreshing change.
Fresh Fruit will be served at Breakfast and for dessert at mealtimes. There is a strong possibility that you will be served real Coffee and not instant though you might take advantage of our Coffee Lover Survival Instructions.
Variations of Ugandan Dishes will often be served. Chefs at mid-range lodges do not have the training and background of Luxury Lodge Chefs. However, we rarely get complaints. Mid-Range lodges are synonymous with Sumptuous Meals on Safari.
Dietary Needs on Safari
Nutritional Needs are most easily met using Luxury Lodges, though working with lodges, we can meet the dietary needs and requirements of our Clients in most cases.
Vegans and Vegetarians will have no problem surviving on a Safari. It takes a bit more planning for those wanting a Gluten-Free diet or requiring that Food is MSG Free.
Religious Diets can also be arranged. 12% of Ugandans are Muslim. A Kosher diet takes a bit more work. What most Safari Goers do not know is that Uganda has a small Jewish Group called the Abayudayas, who follow Kosher Practices.
Our Clients come with many different dietary requests, and we usually can meet their needs with a bit of extra work and planning.
If you have dietary needs for your Safari, we can assure you that you will not go hungry.
What to Eat While on a Safari- The Delightful Tastes of Uganda the Pearl of Africa
Not all things listed will be available at a lodge – but we will make Arrangements at your Request.
Uganda is the Tropical Fruit Basket of Africa. Ugandans consume more Bananas than anyone else in the world. There are 50 plus varieties grown here from the small dessert Bananas to Gonja – which you roast and eat as a snack. A perfect Banana for stir-fried dishes and one cannot forget Matooke, the daily bread of Ugandans eaten mostly mashed.
Pineapple, such as you have never tasted before, Uganda’s are simply the best. Papaya, fresh from the odd-looking but sweet tasting Jackfruit.
One cannot leave out Oranges and Tangerines, Lemons, Watermelon, Guava, Starfruit, and Avocados called Ovacados here.
When it comes to Fruit on Safari, you can have more than you imagined. Winston Churchill called Uganda Paradise. Visitors enjoy the favors of Uganda’s Fruit.
On Safari in Uganda – you will be delighted by the Fruit in the Pearl of Africa.
Rolex- something we do not wear but eat in Uganda:
The Tasty Rolex that comes anyway that you would like it, a Chapati with rolled eggs, vegetables, the most popular street-food, fast-food in Uganda, eaten from one of the end of Uganda to the other. Even hotels, Restaurants, and even Lodges have gotten in on the act and serve them.
In the USA. The closest thing would be a breakfast Burrito. This inexpensive dish has become a National Institution and even extended across its borders into Kenya and Rwanda. Visitors to Uganda love them and have taken the idea and recipe home with them.
There is even an Annual Rolex Festival that takes place in Uganda. CNN, Al Jazeera, Newspapers near and far have spread the message of the Rolex, Uganda’s favorite Fast Food and undoubtedly worth including it as a Taste of Uganda.
Rolex- A Favorite Taste of Uganda- Be sure to try it
Uganda Ankole Beef for Meat Lovers:
If you like a Steak, enjoy Beef, then Uganda should be your Safari Destination, its Ankole Cattle produces some of the best tasting Beef around. Ankole Beef – has the lowest Cholesterol Content but is not tough. Ugandans love their Muchomo roasted Beef on skewers. There is even a Muchomo Festival each year in Kampala where you have all the Beef, Pork, Chicken you want on a skewer.
Ugandans like their Beef, but also pork, they consume more pork per capita each year than any other country in Africa. Pulled-Pork Joints, as they are called, are found everywhere.
You will even find Muchomo offered by Roadside vendors. We do not recommend it since we want you to enjoy your Safari without having a case of Idi Amin’s Revenge.
You will not go hungry in Uganda – try a stick of Muchomo Beef.
Traditional Favorites in Uganda:
Luwombo with Matooke is a must if you want to taste traditional Uganda. Beef or Chicken stewed in wrapped Banana Leaves with mashed Plantain Bananas called Matooke here. Hopefully, there is some G-Nut Sauce for flavor. G-Nut Sauce is a ground Peanut Sauce that adds rich flavor to any dish when adequately prepared.
Chicken Luwombo is a traditional Christmas Meal in Central Uganda – a dish that is truly a Taste of Uganda. Lodges and Hotel Restaurants do generally not serve traditional dishes but offer a Fusion Dish instead. We, with your input, can arrange for you to eat some conventional Ugandan Meals that will delight you on your Safari in the Pearl of Africa.
Traditional Food is served in restaurants in the towns that we drive through, and a traditional lunch might be the right thing for you.
There are many more Delightful Traditional Ugandan Dishes that we can acquaint you with on Safari.
Fish- Ugandan Style:
Uganda is a landlocked country. However, 26% of the country is made up of Lakes and Rivers. Uganda is in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, and Fish are plentiful and prepared in ways that you will enjoy. Tilapia and Nile Perch are served most often, but one can also find Catfish and TigerFish in different parts of the country.
There is even the tiny Silverfish, called Mukene, here that is dried and served as part of a fish stew eyes and all.
Tilapia is the most common Fish, and a whole Tilapia is a favorite with Ugandans and customarily eaten with Fries.
The Nile Perch is also served in areas where it can be freshly caught. That would most often be along the Nile and Lake Victoria.
Not many visitors leave the Pearl of Africa without having eaten one of its tasty fish treats.
Unusual Tastes of Uganda on Your Safari in the Pearl of Africa
The exceptional items such as Nsenene will not be available at lodges, but we can arrange for them – some things are seasonal.
Nsenene – Grasshopper – A Crunchy Critter Treat:
Don’t snub your nose at the Rainy Season Treat of Nsenene – insects, according to scientists, may just become part of our regular diet in the future, but you can try them along with White Ants in Uganda now.
Nsenene is eaten mostly as a snack; they have eaten appeared in tin cans and packages in Supermarkets. They are very popular in Uganda, and many visitors take a liking to them.
Local Pubs will serve them, roadside vendors with large plastic-covered buckets will sell them by the cup, but is one Ugandan Food that is not served in mid-range or upmarket lodges.
If you are here in Uganda during the Nsenene Seasons of the year, our driver-guide can arrange for you to have a taste of them. They are typically consumed with a drink such as a beer or Waragi Gin. You might do the same when you try eating them.
Lake Bunyonyi Crayfish – not native to Africa
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Crayfish that came from Louisiana in the US via Lake Nakuru in Kenya courtesy of Idi Amin. They have thrived here and become a delicacy that visitors to the Pearl of Africa love.
Crayfish, if you enjoy them, then Lake Bunyonyi in Southwestern Uganda has to be on your itinerary. A perfect spot to relax and Chill Out after Gorilla Trekking.
While there try the various ways, Crayfish is served here, in ways that they have never thought of in Louisiana.
One thing you will know that the Crayfish came fresh from the Lake that day as you eat your Crayfish Curry, omelet, Pizza, Stew, Pasta, or Rice Dish.
Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’poor man/s lobster Destination, besides it is one of the most beautiful Lakes in Africa with that added Culinary Surprise.
The Liquid Tastes of Uganda – Drinks and Beverages:
You are not going to miss out on having a drink in Uganda from Bottled Water to Beer with Sodas in between, and the now-famous Uganda Waragi added on Top and surrounded by freshly squeezed Fruit Juices that will delight the senses.
Coca-Cola and Pepsi Products that you are familiar with are readily available. Diet Sodas will not always be there. Added Sodas that many are not familiar with are Stoney Tangawizi and Krest Bitter Lemon. The latter is perfect with a shot of Uganda Waragi Gin.
Beer is in abundance, including Moonberg Lager, that adheres to the German Purity Laws. Others use various ingredients and additives.
Unusual, not commonly available in Lodges will be Coffee Spirit, a local Coffee Flavored Gin, and Coconut Uganda Waragi. Most Lodges prepare freshly squeezed juices for their guests for meals such as Breakfast.
Wines are available at lodges. However, tasty wine will primarily found in upmarket lodges.
Coffee – The Best – except Ugandans don’t know it:
Coffee was born in Africa, Uganda is the birthplace of Robusta Coffee. The more flavorful Arabica Beans are also grown here.
Uganda is a significant exporter of Coffee, few drink it, yet some of the best Coffee in Africa comes from Uganda.
It is not uncommon to be served instant Coffee in a land that grows some of Africa’s best.
Most mid-range and upmarket Hotels and Lodges serve the better Coffee, and it like a second sunrise. To satisfy the cravings of Coffee-Lovers, we have provided Coffee-Survival Instructions that ensure your Safari goes smoothly.
A cup of coffee is like a second sunrise, and we know the importance of a rich cup of morning coffee as they sit on their porch and greet the African morning on Safari in the Pearl of Africa.
What will I eat on Safari in Uganda?-Our Take
Safari Meals – Lodges will serve freshly prepared meals such as today’s catch such as Tilapia Fish, Range-Free Chicken, Grass-Fed Beef.
There are Organic Vegetables and Fruit from the Garden. Local Spices accompanied by Fresh Juices or local Sodas, Beer, Ugandan Gin called Waragi mixed with bitter Lemon Krest Soda.
One does think of culinary delights on Safari, but we do. Uganda is the Pearl of enjoyment, with its delicious Tropical fruits, its tender Beef, fresh and organic Vegetables, all providing that extra touch to what you will eat on a Safari.
Take a look a look our Taste of Uganda and be delightfully surprised what awaits you here, such as Rolex, Muchomo, Matooke, Chicken Luwombo, and more.
What will I eat on Safari in Uganda? One thing we can guarantee, you will not go hungry on a Safari in Uganda.
