Food to taste during a Tanzania safari
Food to taste during a Tanzania safari: Tanzania is a tropical country which is located in East Africa and is famous for being a wildlife viewing destination and also for having amazing beaches and a beautiful culture as well as hospitable locals.
There are various attractions that Tanzania is popular for and these include Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro crater, the beautiful island of Zanzibar and its white sand beaches and many other attractions.
A safari is not complete without trying out the local cuisines for a different taste of culture. The meals to be had while on safari are a major question which crosses anyone’s mind during their first time visiting any destination. Tanzania is not any different and the local cuisine varies depending on the cultures in the country such as the coastal areas and those on the mainland.
Tanzanian food is very flavorful and is a blend of different cultures like Indian culture and Arabic culture. Western dishes can also be prepared for a guest staying at a lodge and are made with a taste of the Tanzanian spices and other ingredients.
A unique way of experiencing the Tanzanian food during a safari is by engaging in a cultural tour which involves interacting with the local community and learning more about their way of living such as food preparation which you can participate in.
An example of a cultural tour in Tanzania is a visit in Mto wa mbu town located a short drive from Arusha. During cultural visits to Mto wa mbu, visitors can join the local women as they prepare the meals traditionally with ingredients sometimes got from the local gardens.
Preparation of food during the cultural tours around Tanzania is a hands on experience and everyone is involves throughout the process right from picking out the ingredients fresh from the farm to cooking and also serving the local dishes which are prepared and it is an amazing experience.
Street food is also among the delicacies which are prepared in Tanzania and these include foods such as Chipsi Mayai (French fries and eggs), Mshikaki (skewered meat), nyama choma (grilled meat).
Most of the food sold in Tanzania is rich in carbohydrates and proteins and includes foods such as meat, fish, rice, chicken, beans, Ugali, chapatti, potatoes, cassava, samosas, Ndizi kanga, pilau, maize and eggs. The vendors are mostly women however men also prepare the food stuffs such as sea foods in Zanzibar.
Ugali is a common food which is served in different restaurants around Tanzania and it is a meal which consists of maize flour. Along the coastal areas of Tanzania, sea food is also prepared and you can enjoy this delicacy which is recommended during a safari in the country.
There are over 250,000 food vendors in Dar es Salaam alone. It has also been stated by some tourists who have tasted the Tanzanian cuisine that the food is a mixture of soup and also salads especially for lunch and dinner.
Different tented lodges and camps which are found inside and outside the national parks around Tanzania offer different meals to their guests during their safaris on full board and some on half board basis.
Some of the restaurants around Tanzania you can go to during a safari in the country include Mediterraneo restaurant in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar coffee house, Elements restaurant and lounge, BBQ village, Zuane Trattoria and pizzeria, savannah grill restaurant and Johnny’s bar and many others.
During Tanzania safaris, meals like breakfast are usually light and may include coffee or tea and chapatti or bread. There is also an option of having “uji” which is porridge made from millet or sorghum for breakfast.
A unique way of enjoying the food in Tanzania during a safari is by using the hands to eat which is a common practice among the locals. After washing hands, the meal is eaten and this is usually during lunch and possibly dinner.
Meat is a major food which is eaten among the people in Tanzania and during a safari; you will appreciate the different ways in which the meat is prepared using the local spices and ingredients.
The process of food preparation in Tanzania usually takes the forms of grilling, boiling and frying. Vegetables are usually boiled and another way of preparing the local dishes is by mashing.
Food is sometimes served on a big platter and shared especially rice mixed with chicken or meat. Traditionally, the food can be eaten while sitting on a mat and food tastes better this way especially when using hands to eat. This practice is also common among many other African communities.
A large part of the community living in Tanzania is Muslim and therefore ceremonies are valued highly among the locals. The locals are very hospitable and friendly and have passed on their traditions over time through their cooking.
Some of the unique practices when it comes to food include chewing cloves before the main meal which is done in Zanzibar. There are also many other customs and practices which are attached to the food preparation process and eating among the Tanzanian people like men not being allowed to enter the kitchen.
Apart from the delicious food which you can have in Tanzania during a safari, you can also explore the different types of beverages such as the traditional “mbege” which is a local drink in Tanzania which is made from bananas.
Other beverages include chai tea, coffee, fruit juices from pineapples, oranges, sugar cane an tamarind. Beers like kibo gold, tusker, Serengeti lager are also sold in bars, restaurants and hotels although some restaurants you go to during your safari in Tanzania may not offer alcoholic drinks for example along the coastal area as well as the islands.
Most lodges which are booked during safaris in Tanzania prepare food which their guests are used to and during the reservations stage; the guest can inform the lodge of any special dietary requests and the chef will prepare the meals to the satisfaction of the guest.
It is also important to inform the lodges where one is staying during a safari in Tanzania about any allergic reactions in regards to types of food. This helps the lodges to be able to prepare food which is in sync with what the guest requires.
Enjoy Tanzanian traditional food during your safari for a chance to experience different flavors of the local cuisine and get a taste of the culture.
