Cooking Wild Safaris at Shamwari

Presented by GOLD Restaurant at Shamwari Luxury Game Reserves, and managed by Stir Crazy Cooking School. COOKING WILD is a new and exciting alternative to learning to cook in Tuscany or France. Learn to cook in Africa amidst the Big 5, while on Safari. On this culinary safari you could be tracking the Big 5 in the morning and cooking in a luxury lodge that afternoon. It is the ultimate experience combining cooking activities and game interactions, which you can tailor from 3 days/2 nights by arrangement. Learn to master the tagines of Morocco, the spices of Zanzibar, the Cape Malay curries and venison from the African bush. Become a barbecue champion, cooking on open fires under the African skies, accompanied by the sounds of the wild.

SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival

Self-drive to the Reserve where you’ll be welcomed to your luxury Lodge for your Cooking Wild Adventure. Lunch is prepared for you on arrival, where you’ll get to meet the chef and other guests. After lunch you’ll have time to unpack and unwind before departing on an afternoon drive, to introduce you to the natural habitat and cultural influences on food in the area. Dinner and drinks in the lounge, where you’ll receive your course information and a briefing on your cooking safari activities.

Day 2 – A Day of Cooking

The day starts with a light breakfast on the veranda and an overview of the recipes for the day. Afterward, you’ll be shown around the kitchen and provided with the necessary tools to assist you with your cooking experience. The cooking tuition covers recipes for lunch, and you’ll enjoy what you have prepared in the morning. Relax after lunch and enjoy the sounds of the bush around the lodge. Preparation for dinner starts in the late afternoon and you’ll be done in time to freshen up for the evening. Enjoy a wine tasting during dinner with the food you’ve prepared.

Day 3 – Game drive, cooking outing and local discoveries

Enjoy an early coffee and self-made rusks before embarking on a morning game drive. Arrive at the cooking site in the bush to prepare a seasonal brunch or lunch, guided by the chef. After lunch proceed on an excursion to local producers in the area for an insight into the cultural influences and ingredients used in local cuisine. Continue the game drive, returning to the lodge in the early evening, where the chef will demonstrate how the local ingredients are use in the preparation for dinner. Speciality tasting presented by local farmers during dinner.

Day 4 – Day of Relaxation and Evening Cooking Class

Leave on a short early morning bush walk from the lodge before returning to a full breakfast in the dining room. You’ll be able to relax around the pool or enjoy a spa treatment in the privacy of your room (own cost). Enjoy a light lunch prepared by the chefs before starting the day’s cooking activities. Sundowner drinks and a tasting of local produce around the lapa before returning to the lodge to do the final touches to dinner.

Day 5 – Morning Cooking and Walking Trail

Start with a light breakfast on the veranda followed by a briefing of the day’s cooking activities. Have a leisurely lunch, enjoying what you prepared in the morning during cooking class. Relax in your suite, then depart on an early afternoon game drive or a bush walk with the rangers before settling into sundowners. A little later you’ll arrive at the bush boma for the final dinner around a campfire (5-day safari guests only) under the stars to prepare the finishing touches to the dinner, guided by the chefs in our bush kitchen.

Day 6 – Departure
Guests depart after a light breakfast in the dining room.

Contact Ilanga Travel for more information……