Kenya

Food on safari: the taste of adventure!

The African safari is usually associated with serene plains full of grazing herds, the thrill of majestic big cats hunting for a meal, and the breathtaking sights of Mount Kilimanjaro. With these kinds of settings to dine in, it's not often that you hear about the food on the traveler’s plate.

That being said, there are plenty of culinary adventures to be found on your safari trail as well!

Africa has an incredibly rich and diverse food culture. Let’s take a moment to look at what kind of culinary experiences you can expect in this part of the world.

Eating on safari: what to expect

You can absolutely expect to find familiar, globally-popular foods on your African safari. Safari lodges are used to catering to people from all over the world, and they know what people like to eat.

Breakfast: Start your day well with omelets, cereals, toast, fruits, salads, or continental breakfast.

Lunch: You are most likely going to be enjoying your lunch in the middle of your game drive, in some stunning natural location. This will usually be served picnic-style, and Shadows Of Africa takes these meals very seriously.

Dinner: At dinnertime, you will typically be treated to a full three-course meal, taking advantage of local produce and the culinary talents of the lodge chefs. These menus will usually have a choice of 3 different starters, 3 different mains, and a selection of desserts. Usually, the menu will feature at least 1 meat-based and at least 1 vegetarian option.

Nothing that catches your fancy? Don’t be shy to talk to your waiter - in most cases, the kitchen will be more than happy to create a dish to your liking.

Drinks: Quench your thirst throughout the day with water, coffee, tea, wine, or beer. Filtered water will always be readily available when you travel with Shadows Of Africa. At your lodges, there will be drinks available as well, from sodas, to wine, to cocktails.

Some lodges will offer buffet-style dining, with plenty of snacks and other tasty treats available all day, while others will offer restaurant-style dining with set menus.

In more remote areas, you can expect simpler menus, but this doesn’t mean the chefs will put any less love in what they serve!

You can definitely find familiar foods, but you can also enhance your African experience by venturing into the local cuisine.

Delicious food in ‘the middle of nowhere’ 🍲

In the more remote corners of game parks, being far away from food markets and grocery stores, the supply of food can be more complicated. Most lodges will work with local communities for supply of vegetables, dairy, and seasonal products, also supporting the local economy.

Many chefs will serve familiar dishes with influences from local cuisine, with a little creativity, using what is available to feed travelers from all over the world what they want to eat.

Special dietary requirements 🍲

The most important thing to making sure your special dietary requirements are met is: communication.

Make sure to let Shadows of Africa know about any dietary requirements in advance, before your trip. With a little extra preparation, we will make sure that your needs are met at every stage of your trip.

We will also be able to check with lodges to make sure they can provide the meals you need.

East Africa is very accustomed to plant-based diets. Many of the local meals are purely plant-based anyway.

Hungry for safari? 🌱

Honestly, Africa should be more famous for its food. The continent is host to countless destinations for food lovers, with some of the richest cuisines in the world, and every corner has a uniquely delicious gastronomic experience to offer.

The perfect safari meal is a combination of a stunning location around you and beautiful food in front of you.

Come taste the adventure with us!

Let’s learn Swahili for your safari!

Jambo! (Swahili for “hello!”)

Quick quiz: Do you know how to say “have a good day” in Swahili? What is Swahili for “good morning”? What is “how are you” in Swahili?

Speak to people in East Africa in their native language, and they will surely give you a Swahili thank you (asante)! We have already taught you how to say “hello” in Swahili, now let’s keep going.

We can start you off with the basics: some Swahili words and phrases useful for travelers visiting East Africa.

Swahili greetings

People are big on greetings in East Africa. This is the most valuable thing to learn before your trip.

It only takes a small effort to create a positive first impression in any conversation, so let’s learn how to say “Hi! How are you?” in Swahili!

Hello: jambo / hujambo / ​salama
How are you?: habari gani?
Fine (response): nzuri
Goodbye: kwa herib (to one person) / kwa herini (to more than one person)
See you later: tutaonana
Nice to meet you: nafurahi kukuona
Goodnight: lala salama

General Swahili

Here are some very common Swahili words that will certainly come in handy.

Please: tafadhali
OK: sawa
Yes: ndiyo
No: hapana
Thank you: asante
Thank you very much: asante sana

Swahili at the market

What should you say in an East African market? These phrases might be useful!

How much is this?: Hii ni bei gani?
Can you reduce the price?: Unaweza kupunguza bei?
The price is too high: Bei iko juu

Swahili on safari

Know what you are looking at on safari in the local language! Here are some common animal names in Swahili to get you started.

Elephant: tembo
Leopard: chui
Hyena: fisi
Antelope: swala
Hippo: kiboko
Zebra: punda milia
Cheetah: duma
Giraffe: twiga

Swahili is the most widely-spoken language in Eastern Africa. Whether you’re planning to take a once-in-a-lifetime safari adventure soon, or just have an interest in the region, it is always a good idea to start learning!

Swahili is an official language of Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Wherever you go, knowing the language will come in handy.

Being able to converse with people in their own language, even a little bit, can go a long way towards bridging the cultural gap and breaking down communication barriers.

Like learning any language, practice makes perfect. Work at memorizing these Swahili basics and you’ll be sure to have a good foundation for your travel in East Africa.

Start your East-African journey today by learning some Swahili!

Now, tell us, how do you say “hello” in Swahili? ?

We Plant Trees. Together, Planting a Forest

Travel with us, and we plant a tree in your destination.

Shadows Of Africa has partnered with One Tree Planted to maintain and restore our beloved continent.

By supporting reforestation in the delicate ecosystems of our African home, we are making sure that this beautiful land will be around for much longer, so that it can continue to give life to its inhabitants, and that we can continue to enjoy its wonder.

Our partners at One Tree Planted have a mission to rebuild animal habitats, restore biodiversity, and improve the lives of the communities who rely on these forests by promoting sustainable forestry practices.

Trees are critical to protecting Mother Nature. They provide habitat for countless creatures, they filter the air we breathe, they clean the water we drink, and they play a big role in the fight against climate change.

Take a trip to Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, or Uganda, and we will plant a tree on your behalf!

Traveling with Shadows means that you leave Africa greener than when you arrived!

Our Top 5 Tips for Your Second Safari!

Recovered from your first African safari? Start getting ready for round 2!

The magic of safari is this: no two safaris are ever the same. Once you’ve been on your first safari, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be coming back for more! Trust us - we know from personal experience.

First-time safari-goes usually head for the more famous places, like the beautiful Serengeti or Maasai Mara National Park. The second time opens up more opportunities - once you have had your first taste of this unique experience, you naturally feel more comfortable exploring the less-beaten paths.

Here are our top 5 tips for your second safari:

Tip #1: Really enjoy the safari

You’ve already ticked off all of the Big 5, now you can relax and really enjoy! For those coming back again, we recommend taking it more slowly this time.

For most people, the pressure of having to spot all the animals is now off. If you do all of this on your first safari, and tick off everything that you wanted to see, now you can just relax and take everything as it comes.

Spend a few nights at one camp to appreciate the sunsets and sunrises. Spend a few hours with a family of elephants and watch how they spend their days. Focus on the quality of wildlife sightings, rather than the quantity.

A lot of the African wilderness’ beauty comes from its spontaneity. Of course, if you have a clear goal in mind (and a good safari guide!), you can certainly do everything you want. But on the other hand, if you head out on safari with an open mind, you will see many things you didn’t even know you wanted to see!

Tip #2: Make time for more than wildlife

Adding some cultural activities to your itinerary can make for a much more immersive African experience.

It should go without saying that Africa is incredibly rich in culture and history. It is well worth it to spend some time exploring the uniquely interesting life of the African continent and her people.

Of course, the African wildlife is what draws many people to the continent, but if you have already seen a lot of these majestic animals, you probably won’t feel the need to spend the extra time looking for them again. So why not go for something new!

Tip #3: Save money on accommodation to add more activities

Naturally, once you have spent some time with Africa’s wild animals, you will feel more comfortable being around them. Even if the idea of sleeping among lions still doesn’t excite you, you might be more open to spending your nights under the stars.

The money you can save on accommodation will mean that you can add more activities to your itinerary. Instead of opting for that luxury lodge, why not go on a balloon safari!

There are plenty of comfortable ways to save money on accommodation, so that you can add more to your adventure!

Tip #4: Visit in a different season

The Serengeti in the dry season is a completely different place than the Serengeti in the rainy season. The golden savannahs make way for lush green grass.

Animal behavior is different at certains times of the year too. From the Calving Season of the Great Migration, to the River Crossing in Maasai Mara, to the Whale Shark Season on Zanzibar, and even the Bird Breeding Season, where birds show of their spectacular breeding plumage to attract a mate - the timing of your trip can determine what kind of show nature will put on for you.

If you want to get the timing just right to see the landscape at its most vibrant or witness the special moments of an animal’s life cycle, talk to one of our experts and they will make sure you don’t miss out!

Tip #5: Check out another country or region

If you have been to eastern Tanzania for your first safari, you may not realize just how different Uganda’s natural environment is.

East Africa is a very biodiverse region. There are many animal and plant species that only exist in very specific areas. In fact, if you were to drive from Dar-Es-Salaam to Kigali, you may feel like you passed through many different worlds.

On top of the differences in wildlife and nature, East Africa is a region with very diverse cultures. This diversity exists between countries, but also within countries, as different communities have their own unique histories and ways of life.

If you visited one country or region on your first safari, don’t make the mistake in thinking that other places are the same!

Come back again!

The second safari is often even more enjoyable than the first. There are so many reasons to return to this great continent for another adventure.

You feel a well-earned sense of accomplishment after your first African safari adventure, but the second trip opens up many new and unique opportunities, making it well worth coming back!

Of course, the main point here is: you can’t see everything Africa has to offer in one trip, nor even in one lifetime. On the plus side, this means there will always be something new and exciting to greet you every time you return!

How was your first safari? Feeling like it missed something? Or just interested in knowing what else you can see in this endlessly-fascinating continent? Don’t hesitate to get in touch - our safari experts will make sure your second trip is even more memorable than the first!

Six Ways an African Safari Will Change Your Life

African nature is an incredibly powerful force. It leaves a profound impression on everyone who sets foot on these lands.

The pure and exhilarating natural beauty of the African landscape and all of its inhabitants is not something you easily forget. The experiences you have here will live on in your memory, but also in your spirit.

There are many ways an African safari can have a life-changing effect on you!

#1: You’ll reconnect with Mother Nature 🌍

You’ll get a glimpse at what it means to be truly wild. Seeing animals roam free as Mother Nature intended and without human interference is something special, and Africa may be the best place in the world to find that experience.

The best way to open your eyes to the full wonder of this planet is to fully immerse yourself in its nature: feel the breeze on your skin as it blows across the savannah, your hair waving like the grass; watch the sun set behind the Kilimanjaro, birds flying overhead; fall asleep to the sounds of nocturnal animals singing out through the jungle; wake up to the smell of fresh morning dew on the greenery around you.

Even simply standing in the broad plains, just being among everything that makes Africa so special is enough to feel changed. It reminds you of the fact that the human race is part of something much larger than itself.

You’ll feel a kind of reset in your body, and this can have a profound effect on a person. An African safari is good for the mind, body, and spirit. It opens your eyes to the true wonder of this planet, and makes you feel more connected to everything around you.

#2: You’ll learn to appreciate new things 🐘

It is hard to fully grasp the size and majesty of the African landscape from watching nature documentaries. Nothing compares to being here in person. Seeing these scenes in real life will definitely exceed your expectations.

You may come for the elephants, but you will leave with a deep appreciation for much more than that. These experiences will live in your memories and conversations for a lifetime.

Whatever expectations you had going into your first African safari, when it comes time to plan your next adventure, you won’t settle for anything less than spectacular. Your local zoo will never be the same again. 😉

#3: You’ll reassess your priorities 🌱

See the world in a new way. You’ll ponder this planet and your place in it while bearing witness to its wonders.

Stepping outside of your comfort zone always leaves you changed on a spiritual level. Whether it is realizing that the material things you once valued are not actually so important, or realizing that you need to make a change in the direction of your life, Africa has the power to make people really think about their lives on a profound level.

The peace you find by slowing down to the pace of Africa, watching herds of animals calmly drinking from a watering hole in the early hours of the day, will be a welcome break from your life at home.

You may just find that life makes sense again after your African safari…

#4: You’ll address your fears 🐍

Being in a totally new environment with totally new creatures can be a real shock to the psyche. The best place to address your fears is outside of your comfort zone.

By spending time with unfamiliar animals and in unfamiliar environments, you will get more comfortable, and suddenly you’ll realize that you understand these things better.

Your fear of snakes, spiders, or big cats will disappear when you see how they live, and you learn to appreciate their lives and their important place in the habitat. They won’t seem so scary any more after that!

Overcoming these fears comes with a great feeling of accomplishment, and one that lasts forever!

#5: You’ll contribute to wildlife conservation 🏞️

Making a positive difference to the planet makes a positive difference in your life (since you also live on this planet!).

Most safaris actively contribute to local conservation initiatives. The funds gained from these safaris go towards protecting the precious nature that we are lucky enough to enjoy on this continent. Many local communities rely on funding from international travelers to support conservation efforts.

African safaris are good to help you understand the natural world and the role of humanity in protecting and maintaining it. Ethical ecotourism is a great way to support conservation efforts, all while giving you the trip of a lifetime!

And finally…

#6: You’ll want to come back 🧳

You will never forget this experience. It’s something you can’t quite get anywhere else.

You will miss the friends you make on safari, whether the local people or the wildlife. You will miss the African sun on your skin. You will miss the incredible experiences you had here. You will long to return, to revisit your experiences, but also to discover new ones.

Unfortunately, you can’t see everything Africa has to offer in one trip, nor even in one lifetime. But the good news is: this means there will always be something new and exciting to greet you every time you return! There’s still so much to do and see!

Africa is waiting for you!

We know from traveler reviews that we have already helped many people have a life-changing experience in Africa.

Everyone who is lucky enough to come to this great continent forms a connection to the land. It engages all the senses in ways that you cannot find elsewhere. The wild teaches us how to coexist with the world and everything in it.

It affects everyone in a different way. The moment your food touches the ground for the first time, you feel something new and refreshing. As you experience life here, in all its many diverse beauties, that new feeling becomes clearer, and by the end of your trip you will understand something you didn’t before.

That feeling is forever.

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Tsavo: Kenya’s Greatest National Park

Have you seen Netflix’s Our Great National Parks series yet? Are you feeling inspired by the episode featuring Kenya’s incredible Tsavo?

The biggest national park in Kenya hosts an amazing variety of animals, plants, and adventure!

The new Netflix documentary series, narrated by none other than former American president Barack Obama, shows some of the most beautiful national parks in the world. In the third episode, you are taken on a breathtaking journey through Kenya’s Tsavo National Park.

The episode follows the animals of Tsavo and showcases the vast natural landscape that they call home.

Tsavo National Park

Kenya is famous world-wide among wildlife lovers for the incredible natural beauty in the flora and fauna across the country. As the country’s biggest national park (and one of the biggest parks in the world as well), visitors are treated to a spectacular theater of the wild.

Tsavo has an enormous amount to offer any traveler, but it is particularly famous for its bright red earth and the legendary “man-eater” lions. The park is also one of the world’s largest game sanctuaries - enormous herds of elephants, giraffes, buffalos, leopards, hippos, kudus, gerenuks, hirolas, and even the critically-endangered eastern black rhinos, all call this special part of the world their home.

If you are feeling inspired to see more of this natural wonder for yourself, why not come visit and bear witness in person?

Safari in Tsavo

There are many adventures to be found in Tsavo. See the red elephants on a four-day trip from Nairobi, or go for three days around Amboseli and Tsavo West parks.

If your goal is to see more of Kenya, outside of Tsavo as well, take the journey from Bush to Beach, safariing in several national parks and ending with well-earned relaxation time on Kenya’s serene coast.

On any safari in the region, you are sure to be amazed by the natural wonders of the great Tsavo.

A safari in Tsavo is great year-round, so there’s no reason not to start planning today!
Get in touch to take the first step on your safari journey!

Plastic-Free Safari

It has long been a thorn in the side of travel agencies like us to send out safari vehicles packed with single-use plastics.

Our Tanzania team has already found and implemented a solution: we have now installed refillable water canisters in our safari vehicles.

We designed custom brackets to fit the reusable canisters in the back of our safari cars, so everyone out on the trail with us has constant access to drinking water, without any unnecessary plastic footprint.

All of our travelers get their own reusable water bottles as a gift.

♻️ Reduce your carbon footprint with us ♻️

So when you’re going on your next safari with us, you will get your own reusable drink bottle. You can refill your bottles on our safari vehicles.

All you need to do is email us in advance and we will bring one for you. We appreciate you returning this at the end of the safari - we would like to recycle and minimize our waste as much as possible.

East Africa is a world-leading region on minimizing waste and banning single-use plastics. Travelers are not allowed to bring plastic bags when traveling to Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda or Zanzibar.

People here realize the harm that single-use plastics can cause, so we expect everyone visiting to keep this in mind as well. Help us create a plastic-free Africa.

Our Shadows team is always striving to minimize our impact on the natural environment that we are lucky enough to call our home. We want to do everything possible to make sure our visitors can have a plastic-free safari too.

When to Spot Whales in Mombasa

Spotting whales along the Kenyan coast

In early June, after travelling some 4000 kilometres from Antarctica, majestic humpback whales enter the waters along the East African shore and swim into warm tropical inner reefs to calve and mate.

Large numbers and their playfulness make them easy to spot, and offer an unforgettable sight. Imagine a 15 metres long, 30 tonnes huge creature jumping a summersault for its mate. And for you, too!

Whales can be spotted from the Kenyan coast as close as 500 metres from the shore. On a dedicated whale-watching safari you can easily see them. With a pair of binoculars, of course. So don’t miss out on a whaling trip when you are visiting Mombasa.

Your real adventure starts after boarding a whale-watching boat. Specialists behind the rudder and watch guards on shore combine their knowledge and lead you to one of what will surely be an unforgettable encounter.

More than ten species of whales and dolphins have been reported being seen along the East African coast. Besides the humpbacks, you may see the Bryde’s whale, both of the baleen whales, the toothed whale species orca or the killer whale and the sperm whale or cachalot, which is the largest toothed predator.

Whales are being thoroughly researched but remain a mystery; a new species was described only in 2019. They constitute an infraorder of Cetacea, an entirely aquatic group of mammals, along with dolphins and porpoises.

Since they have to breathe air, they have to surface - their surface behaviour was observed and described in detail. From anywhere in Mombasa you can start your whale watching tour to witness this behaviour for yourself.
Far less understood is their communication with sound - they sing the most beautiful songs and their sounds travel far, so you might even hear some.

For about a decade, a series of non-profit organizations in Kenya have been sharing their knowledge and responsibility to protect these mysterious mammals and ensure respectable and environment-friendly whale watching expeditions, just as the one that you’ll join.

Whales begin their journey back in late September and October, to the cold waters with an abundance of sardines and krill, a small shrimplike planktonic crustacean of the open seas.

So, if visiting Mombasa or staying anywhere on the Kenyan coast between June and October - don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity of encountering these mysterious, gigantic and yet gentle and highly intelligent creatures.