Do YOU have a burning desire to get back to the bush after months of various lockdown levels? If, like me, you have a hankering to head back, then consider a visit to Safari Plains where you can be pampered in mind, body and soul.
My wife decided to make the most of our time at the lodge and for once I concurred with her decision. We decided to focus on the food and opportunities for relaxation rather than getting up early for game drives.
The main dining room, which, given the fact that we here during the week, and shared the space with only one other couple, makes it look vast and almost uninviting. It is anything but! My previous visit was in March 2019, almost exactly a year before the pandemic caused the first 21-day lockdown and it was a busy and vibrant space then. And it will no doubt be again.
It was under the first umbrella on the right that we ate most of our meals as the weather was in our favour and it gave us the opportunity to spend time outdoors after having been cooped up at home for almost 7 months.
We did not even need to leave the lodge building to get to see wildlife, as it came to us. This was one of a family of giraffe that frequented the waterhole right in front of the swimming pool at the main lodge building.
And now for the food! And what a spread it was. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all presented with flair and panache. The food at each meal arrived at our table wrapped in plastic to make certain all the COVID-19 safety protocols were in place.
And the portion sizes…This quiche was a portion for one person that was served to my wife at lunch. When chatting with the lodge manager about how HUGE it was she said that she had had complains about the portions being too small! We could not figure out how ANYONE could complain about that aspect of the food offerings.
A salad as a starter at lunch. And much to my wife’s surprise, I ate each salad that was presented to me as well as ALL my vegetables at every meal.
I do not eat chocolate, but my wife does and she definitely enjoyed this interesting mousse.
Seafood in the bush. Calamari for lunch. This was BEFORE we had seen the Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher. But what was on our plates was not the ‘star’ of that doccie, hence us not feeling bad about enjoying what had been prepared and placed before us.
I do enjoy a light lunch when in the bush. And this wrap was exactly what I was looking for. Packed full of fresh ingredients, it was a delicious way to start an afternoon of hanging out in the Sala at our accommodation.
These potatoes were definitely worth foregoing dessert in exchange for a second helping. Roast potatoes are one of my favourite comfort foods and bring back many wonderful, happy childhood memories.
Another salad for one of the midday meals that we enjoyed. And another that ended in an empty dish.
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS. I broke with my tradition and ordered fried, rather than scrambled, eggs. Together with baked beans, hash browns, fried tomato and crispy bacon, this is the way that I like to start off a day in the bush. Yes, I did partake in some of the fruit, cereal and yoghurt on offer, but a traditional ‘Full English’ is the ‘real deal’.
We were at Safari Plains to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary and the staff went above and beyond to make our dinner both special and memorable for many reasons. To see a full posting on the dinner, use this link: https://travelandthings.co.za/2020/09/a-special-occasion-gets-shared-at-safari-plains/
And what better way to salute the Chefs and all of the kitchen staff who were instrumental in making this visit the culinary delight that it was.
To find out what is currently on offer at Safari Plains, visit their website for all the information you need to make a reservation. Click on the logo to access their site.
All images are the copyright property of
and may not be used without permission.
