21 Jul 2016
Tags: Safari, travel luxury safari, food and drink, Food, Gastronomy, Cusine, Luxury Travel
Whilst renowned for its superb cuisine it is Kwandwe Private Game Reserve's novel Guest Delights that really stand out within its gastronomic offering. Adding an element of surprise as well as a fun, innovative and interactive twist to the more typical safari sundowner* Kwandwe's chefs have added new set-ups for their safari 'stops' along with a wider variety of 'bites' for 2016.
There is the inventive Ladder Stop, an A-framed wooden ladder laden with bite sized goodies such as shot sized soups, mini-burgers and spiced pies. Served with sparkling wine, guests relax on original coffee bean bags surrounded by paraffin lanterns and watch the sun set. There is also the Kwandwe Soup Stop, which serves a traditional South African 'Braai' with meat skewers cooked over an open fire, enjoyed with a South African cheese fondue, served with roosterkoek (grilled bread cakes) and a selection of salsas. The Magic Tree Stop, lit up with lanterns, is one for the romantics.
Guest Delights need not always take place during the afternoon/evening game drive and can be designed around different times of the day and year. There is the morning Crumpet Stop, served warm with a mug of South Africa's Roobois tea, Amarula coffee and a variety of fresh fruit juices.
A particular favourite with families is the refreshing mid-day Ice-Cream Stop where individually packed homemade ice cream in bio degradable containers is served with a selection of fun toppings and sauces.
The vibrant Picnic Lunch Stop is more often enjoyed in the cooler months when the heat of the sun isn't so strong. Guests sit on colourful blankets and oversized cushions on a sandy bank of the Great Fish River, at a scenic spot on a cliff overlooking the dam or on open grassland under a tree with zebras browsing in the background. A basket full of homemade ciabatta sandwiches, mini-tartlets, koftas, lemon cheese cake, jam tarts, ice tea and more are served individually packaged in bio-degradable wrappers with bamboo cutlery and linen napkins.
Something that has already become legendary at Kwandwe are their Soup and Sherry Stops on their winter game drives. Refreshing Gin & Tonics are replaced with delicious homemade soup complimented by a local South African sherry. Kwandwe is also renowned for their hot Bloody Mary's (a spiced tomato soup with a measure of vodka to warm the insides).
The cuisine at Kwandwe has always been a celebration of the country's local recipes complemented with the classical flavours of French dishes. Guest Delights continue this theme with bites incorporating fresh seasonal produce sourced locally, including venison and seafood (Kwandwe is approx. 65km/ 40 miles from the coast), with some herbs and vegetables grown on the reserve.
Full board accommodation at Great Fish River Lodge including all meals and a variety of daily safari activities start from Rand 6850 (approx. £365; US$480; Euro435; AU$640)** per person.
Twitter: @KwandweReserve Facebook: www.facebook.com/Kwandwe
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
* Safaris are well known for their sundowners, where during an afternoon game drive or a bush walk, guests pause or 'stop' their journey to enjoy a drink (usually the famed G&T, or particularly in South Africa, a delicious glass of white wine) and a few nibbles as they watch the sun descend below the African horizon.
** Exchange rate correct as of 19 July 2016.