Traditional South African food

Enjoy the tantalizing flavors of South African food

The wide array of cuisine available is overwhelming. From the deliciously diverse flavors of South Africa’s indigenous and multi-cultural rainbow cuisine to culinary specialties from all over the world.

All over South Africa, you can find strips of what looks like dark old leather that is eaten as a snack – this is the famous biltong. Biltong is a thinly sliced, tough and salty air-dried meat, most often beef or game like springbok, rather like beef jerky. You will also find droewors, air-dried sausages. Indigenous African peoples use to preserve meat by curing it with salt and drying in the air.

Bunny chow, this is South African fast food – and it has nothing to do with rabbits.

It’s a quarter or a half a loaf of white bread, hollowed out and filled with a hot and spicy meat or vegetable curry (or anything else that takes your fancy). Bunny chow originated in the city of Durban, some say when migrant Indian laborers working in sugarcane plantations had to take their food into the fields.

Potjiekos or ‘little pot food’ is an Afrikaans term to describe food cooked in layers in a traditional three-legged cast iron pot (a potjie) but essentially it’s a slow cooked meat and vegetable stew. Potjiekos can be served with pap (maize porridge), umngqusho (samp and beans), morogo (wild spinach), amadombolo (dumplings) and pot-baked bread (potbrood) or steamed bread (ujeqe).

As with meat, the “braai” (barbecue) is a favorite way of cooking fish.

The people at South Africa’s west coast, known for their fondness of “snoek” and crayfish, are particularly adept at grilling seafood over an open fire. In coastal areas fresh line-fish (catch of the day) is always a good menu option if you are a fish lover.

Come and enjoy some good South African food!

https://www.expatica.com/za/about/Top-10-foods-in-South-Africa-and-recipes_504435.html

https://www.south-africa-tours-and-travel.com/food-in-south-africa.html

You Only Live Once

South Africa is just one of the most beautiful jewels. From the north to the south, put on your adventure shoes, sleep over at breathtaking places and make each adventure a memorable one.

When taking an African Safari South Africa tourism has a secret weapon, and it’s the Kruger National Park with its intricate network of private game reserves or just make time and take the beautiful Mother City by its horns. (Cape Town)

Some interesting stuff to put on your to-do list:

WINE TASTING IN A “CAVE” AT KLEIN ROOSBOOM BOUTIQUE WINERY

Take a scenic Sunday drive along the Tygerberg Valley Road to Klein Roosboom and opt to have your tasting in one of the “caves”. Apart from the fact that the wines really are magnificent, you’ll get to experience them in a truly unique way.

ZIP AROUND CHAPMAN’S PEAK IN A CLASSIC (OPEN-TOP) SPORTS CAR

It’s the stuff that memories (and killer Instagram opportunities) are made of. Nothing beats the feeling of the wind through your hair and the sun on your face as you cruise along the road in a cool car with breathtaking views along the way.

YOGA ON A TIDAL POOL WITH SUP YOGA

The outdoor setting, gently lapping water, and endless ocean views enhance the overall experience. Plus, you get to go for a refreshing swim while you’re at it (several, in fact, depending on how often you lose balance).

RIDE A STEAM TRAIN TO CERES

The old beauty passes through the picturesque Witzenberg and Michell’s Passes en route to Demeter Station in Ceres, allowing passengers to enjoy the sights from the comfort of the spacious Lounge Cars, which were restored and refurbished in preparation for the 70-year-old train’s return to the rails in 2015.

HOP ABOARD THE FRANSCHHOEK WINE TRAM

You’ll get a glimpse into 300 years’ worth of rich history, while you sip in the views (and vino, naturally!)

All of Africa’s iconic safari species makes Kruger one of the world’s greatest wildlife-watching destinations.

Bush Walks:  Nothing can possibly beat the heart-stopping excitement of tracking rhino, elephant, and lion on foot through the heat of the bush.

Bird watching:  Bird lovers can look forward to seeing more than 400 bird species in their natural habitat.

Bush drives and nature walks:  Guided bush drives and nature walks get you up close and personal with the majesty that is the Kruger National Park.

Hot Air Ballooning and Helicopter Flights:  For the adventurous at heart looking for a unique way to experience South Africa’s most beautiful countryside, you can enjoy the majesty of the Kruger National Park through hot air ballooning and helicopter flights.

These are only a few of the many exciting activities that will keep you thoroughly entertained during your stay at the Kruger National Park.

Enjoy life and live the journey!

Sources:

https://insideguide.co.za/cape-town/unusual-things-to-do-in-cape-town/

https://lukimbi.com/2015/05/14/kruger-national-park-game-reserves/

Why South Africa is the most beautiful country in the world

It is full of beauty, both natural and man-made. Cape Town as a whole encompasses both of these, with the amazing oceans and views as well as the gorgeous architecture and culture.

Our coastal drives are above the rest. Chapman’s Peak and the Garden Route are a sight to behold, one that every South African need to see at least once in their lifetime.

Our diverse ecosystems and wildlife. Much of our wildlife can be seen in our national parks, which protect them and aid in maintaining their ecosystems. Not only is South Africa home to the Big Five and number of endangered animals. Such as the African Wild Dog and the Pangolin, but we also have a superb variety of marine life as well. Where else in the world could you view a whale from the shore and an elephant grazing with its herd?

Our diverse floral kingdom. Even though there is a number of alien plant species in South Africa, there are also numerous indigenous plant species. Our plant kingdom is diverse and home to incredible flowers, such as the King Protea.

Our unique mountains and what they hold. Our most famous mountain is Table Mountain, named as one of the new 7 wonders of nature, but there’s more. The Drakensberg holds its own beauty, such as the Amphitheatre, and the Swartberg displays technicolored sandstone cliffs and houses the Kango Caves, one of the most astonishing cave systems in the world. Our country is full of history and a lot of it has come from the earth, where we have found fossils and minerals that expand our knowledge.

We are one of the world’s most colorful countries. In Spring, there are thousands of different types of flowers that bloom, transforming the harshest environments, such as Namaqualand into beautiful, natural gardens.

Our sunsets are truly spectacular. No matter where you are in South Africa, our skies share the same beautiful hues and colors of sunset, reminding us that we are in Africa and that our country is beautiful.

 

Karreekloof since 1881

Why the name Karreekloof?

No one really knows, but it could be because of the many Karee trees that grew in the kloof on the farm.

It is a farm rich in history and formed part of the Anglo Boer War. Many famous people’s footsteps lie here.

Time can tell many stories they say.  For Karreekloof time is much needed to understand and appreciate every little detail of information.

Fortunately, Peter Wright, the previous owner of Karreekloof, who still stays on the farm, shares endless stories, history, and lifelong experiences through his eyes as well as stories told by his father and grandfather.  Four generations since 1822 and still stories are being told.

Karreekloof was once a trading store known as Lilienfeld & Wright. Many of the historical experiences may be of interest to the current generations and those to come.

Although farming was the primary activity at Karreekloof, trading with Afrikaner cattle, Catalonian donkeys, and black head Persian sheep was as important.

The famous writer Olive Schreiner spent much of her time at Karreekloof writing one of her famous books, The Story of an African Farm.  The Boer War, however, brought its hardships and difficulties to Karreekloof. A British officer Lieutenant Logan of Nesbitt’s horse was shot on the farm, which was buried in the small farm cemetery.

On 17 July 1962 former South African President PW Botha visited the farm leaving a letter in which he thanked the family of Karreekloof for their hospitality and kindness. “I hope that it will rain soon so that the farming interests may flourish,” was his wishes to the Wrights.

Always interesting to know, that no matter where footsteps are being left, it always leaves a mark of some sort of history.  It all depends on how you leave it.

This is why owner Wiaan van der Linde puts in all efforts to keep every little bit of history alive at Karreekloof through the new facelift and a museum – telling the stories of a long time ago.

 

KAROO CUISINE

Eating and drinking in the Karoo is a culinary experience not to be missed.

The Karoo is a large area with many towns! The region offers a variety of traditional and wholesome Karoo dining experiences to suit all tastes and budgets! From the deliciously diverse flavors of South Africa’s indigenous and multi-cultural rainbow cuisine to culinary specialties from all over the world.

The Karoo is well known for its Lamb.

It is believed that Karoo lamb is tastier and more flavorsome than lamb from other regions, the reason being the different types of shrubbery which the sheep in this region feed on. The fragrant bushes in the Karoo impart an unmistakable ‘herbiness’ to the lamb. Here, the sheep roam freely on farms eating the Karoo vegetation to their heart’s content!

Braaivleis (BBQ): The word braaivleis is Afrikaans for “roasted meat.”

The word braai (pronounced “bry”, rhyming with the word “cry”; plural braais) is Afrikaans for “barbecue” or “roast” and is a social custom in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. It originated with the Afrikaner people but has since been adopted by South Africans of many ethnic backgrounds. The word vleis are Afrikaans for “meat”.

Bobotie: Bobotie, a staple of South African cuisine. It is believed to have originated with the Dutch and gets its name from the Indonesian word “Bobotok”. Bobotie has been part of the South African cuisine since about the 27th century. Back then it was made mainly with mutton and pork which were combined. Nowadays it is usually made using either beef or lamb mince. Dried fruits such as raisins and apricots can also be added. Flavored with mild curry, the mince is then topped with a milk and egg mixture and baked in the oven. Usually served with yellow rice with raisins.

http://www.south-africa-info.co.za/country/article/279/karoo-cuisine

What types of food are served on safari?

Food served on safari

Meals are international in flavor with soups, salads, cold meats, pasta dishes, meat and fish dishes, bread and other starch.

We prefer to use good, wholesome home-style cooking at elegantly set dining tables. Sometimes under the stars, guests can discuss and debate the day’s events with their fellow guests.

‘The more remote the lodge: the simpler the menu, the more central the lodge: the more sophisticated the menu.’

Wherever you are, you can count on tasty, wholesome food. Made by skilled hands and serve with Africa’s quintessential warm hospitality.

The fact that Africa is not considered a foodie destination is something of a tragedy, for those of us in the know. Not only is this continent home to a mouthwatering culinary offering inspired rich cultural heritage.

Boasts some of the most spectacular settings on earth for you to feast on breakfast, lunch, and supper.

http://www.go2africa.com/africa-travel-blog/30671

 

Roosterkoek

South Africa roosterkoek, a necessity at every braai (and festival)

Roosterkoek, it is hard to imagine a good old South African braai (BBQ) without it!

Roosterkoek forms such a big part of our South African culture.  Adorned with syrup, cheese, scrambled egg and bacon! Roosterkoek is literally pieces of bread dough that have been cooked on a grid over goals.

So although it is fairly easy to make roosterkoek, there are a few crucial points to get right before you can join the Roosterkoek Guild!

 

NB – Remember your roosterkoek is cooked on open coals. So once you start making the dough, also light your fire, or use the warm coals after you have braaied your meat. You must be able to hold your hands over the coals for 10 seconds without burning. Then the coals are ready! Any warmer than that and you will end up with charcoal offerings. Also, make sure your grid is very clean and I spray my grid with Spray ‘n Cook! You can also make roosterkoek on griddle pan if you yearn for them and there is a gail force storm outside!

Eco-tourism in South Africa’s wine lands

Eco-tourism in South Africa’s wine lands is thriving, with visitors to the Western Cape increasingly as interested in exploring the wealth of eco-tourism activities on offer as they are in sampling the region’s famous wines.

In fact, these days you don’t even have to taste the wine to enjoy a day in the wine lands. From accommodation, farmer’s markets and literary festivals to rock music festivals, mountain bike trails, and full-moon hikes, eco-tourism is creating huge public awareness around sustainability issues including recycling, energy conservation and minimizing environmental footprints.

Eco-tourism has become key in conserving biological and cultural diversity within a region. Job creation within local communities is one of the positive spin-offs. The high-yield, low-impact tourism model is a good fit in the wine lands, which typically offers highly personal and exclusive experiences to small groups of visitors at a time.

Eco-tourism is broadly defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people” (The International Ecotourism Society, or TIES, 1990). The mutually beneficial relationship between conservation, local communities and sustainable travel is at the very core of successful eco-tourism.

Biodiversity and Wine Initiative

In 2008, conservation history was made when the conservation footprint in the wine lands exceeded the vineyard footprint for the first time. What this means is that in less than four years, the wine industry has succeeded in setting more area aside for long-term conservation than is currently planted in the vineyard.

With this achievement, South Africa is leading the world in the conservation of biodiversity in this environment. It also illustrates the industry’s commitment to protecting our unique natural heritage.

Conservancies joint eco-tourism activities

Right now, one of the most exciting emerging trends in eco-tourism in the Western Cape is the way in which wine regions are getting involved by establishing conservancies and developing joint eco-tourism activities, drawing on the network of producers within the same area and pooling their resources.

https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/tourism-south-africa/travel/food/wine-ecotourism

http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/eco-tourism/

Aardwolf Facts

Aardwolf is a mammal that belongs to the family of hyenas. There are two subspecies of aardwolf that can be found in southern and eastern parts of Africa. Aardwolf inhabits open plains with enough rainfalls and sources of food. It avoids forested areas. These interesting animals are often killed by farmers due to misconception that aardwolves attack their livestock. Besides killing, aardwolves are threatened by habitat loss. Luckily, population of aardwolves is large and stable. They are not on the list of endangered species.

Main Characteristics

Aardwolves are a member of the hyena family. They have a body length between 55 and 80 cms (22 – 31.5 inches), a tail length between 20 and 30 cms (7.9 – 11.8 inches) and they weigh between 8 and 10 kgs (17.6 – 22 lbs). Their fur is buff or yellowish/white in colour and they have 3 dark, vertical stripes down each side and diagonal dark stripes across their fore and hind quarters. They have a mane of hair on their back that stands up when they feel under stress. This makes the Aardwolf look larger and appear more threatening. Their front legs are slightly longer than their hind, giving them a slightly downward sloping body. Their tail is bushy and they have dark eyes and a dark coloured muzzle. Their front teeth resemble those of hyenas but their molars are like small pegs. To compensate for this their food is ground up by their muscular stomach.

Habitat

Aardwolves are found on the open, grassy plains of east and south Africa. They are solitary and they rest in burrows during the day before becoming active at night. Their territory is between 1 and 4 square kilometres (0.6 – 2.5 sq. miles), depending of food availability, and they mark it with urine, dung and secretions from their anal glands.

Diet

Aardwolves mainly feed upon termites, in particular snouted harvester termites. They also eat maggots, grubs and any other soft bodies insects. Sometimes, but rarely, they will feed on small mammals, birds and carrion. Aardwolves don’t dig into the nests of termites, they just pick them up with their tongue. They can consume as many as 200,000 termites during one night.

 

 

Breeding

After a gestation period of approximately 90 days, 2 – 4 cubs are born in a den. They leave the den at 6 – 8 weeks old and between 9 and 11 weeks they begin to forage with their mother. By the time the cubs reach 16 weeks old they are weaned. Aardwolves reach sexual maturity by the time they are 2 years old.  Aardwolves are monogamous and both parents raise the cubs together. The primary duty of the male is to guard the den from predators. The breeding season is at different times of the year, depending on location.

Predators

Humans and dogs are the main predators of Aardwolves.

Subspecies

There are two subspecies of Aardwolf: 1. Proteles cristatus cristatus They are found in south Africa. 2. Proteles cristatus septentrionalis They are found in east Africa.

Interesting Facts

Aardwolves are also known as: Maanhaar Jackal Protelid  Aardwolf is the Afrikaans word for “earth wolf”

Similar Animals: Brown Hyena Spotted Hyena Striped Hyena

http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/carnivores/aardwolf.htmlhttp://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/aardwolf_facts/525/

Northern Cape Weather and Climate

Although the Northern Cape Province is mainly semi-desert, the western areas of the Northern Cape, including Namaqualand, a small section of the Green Kalahari and Calvinia, Nieuwoudtville and Loeriesfontein in the Upper Karoo fall into the winter rainfall area from April to September. Sharing the same climate as Namaqualand, it’s not surprising these two sub-regions will give you breathtakingly beautiful explosive displays of wildflowers during spring months from July to October.  The eastern summer rainfall areas experience thunderstorms that resonate across the wide plains and powerful bolts of lightning puncture the earth. The Northern Cape’s weather is typical of the desert and semi-desert areas. This is a large dry region of fluctuating temperatures and varying topographies. The annual rainfall is sparse, only 50 to 400mm per annum. In January, afternoon temperatures usually range from 34 to 40º C. In 1939 an all time high of 47.8º C was recorded at the Orange River. Summer temperatures often top the 40 º C mark.

Winter days are warm. The onset of the night bringing dew and frost to supplement the low rainfall of the region. Sutherland in the Karoo is one of the oldest towns in South Africa. Its average minimum is -6ºC. In winter snow often blankets the surrounding mountains. On the whole, you can expect to enjoy hot summer days and chilly nights when visiting the Northern Cape, South Africa.  To start planning your trip, explore the Northern Cape with us! Enjoy browsing our info pages where you will find all the Northern Cape Attractions and destinations, photographs to inspire you and a good selection of accredited accommodation in Kimberley. You will find a user-friendly guide to accommodation, with listings sorted by region, town, and suburb and by categories from hotels and guesthouse to self-catering options. We hope you enjoy your stay in the fascinating Northern Cape Province!

 

 

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