Food In Africa
Tanzania and Kenya are the most popular destinations for tourists on a safari. Both countries have a wide variety of tourist hotels, from backpackers’ campsites to five-star establishments. There are a number of guesthouses that offer private rooms both with shared bathrooms and self-contained rooms. As long as you don’t mind basic accommodations, there is no need to spend more than $100US per night on a hotel or hostel. In less touristy areas, lodging can be found for as cheap as $5USD per night. Be wary of bed bugs, though – it may be advisable to purchase insect spray and bring along your own sheet if you plan to travel very cheaply.
In addition, the international Intercontinental and Hilton chains are also represented as well as a number of very highly regarded local chains. Small boarding and lodging establishments are ubiquitous in downtown urban areas for low cost, although these are rarely safe as they are located in high crime areas.
Homestays are increasingly gaining popularity. Part of the reason is that one is able to experience local culture in a deeper and more meaningful way. Most homes charge about $20 per night inclusive of meals. Some may include laundry on that price.
Establishments in South Africa can have themselve graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa on a 5 star basis. Many establishments make use of this service and you will see the star grading displayed on most advertising material. A hotel provides accommodation to the travelling public, has a reception area and offers at least a “breakfast room” or communal eating area. In general a hotel makes food and beverage services available to a guest, though these may be outsourced or provided by the hotel.
Bed and Breakfast establishments are becoming very popular in South Africa. The accommodation is usually provided in a family (private) home and the owner/manager lives in the house or on the property. Breakfast is usually served. Bathroom facilities may be en-suite. In general, the guest shares the public areas with the host family.
Egypt has a full range of accommodation options, from basic backpacker hostels to five-star resorts. Most major hotel chains are respresented in Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh and Luxor at least.
Food Eaten By The Locals
Chad / The Mustaphas of Dar es Salaam Village
The Mustapha family in their courtyard in Dar es Salaam, Chad, with a week’s worth of food. Gathered around Mustapha Abdallah Ishakh, 46 (in turban), and Khadidja Baradine, 42 (with orange scarf), are Abdel Kerim, 14, Amna, 12 (standing), Nafissa, 6, and Halima, 18 months. Lying on a rug are (left to right) Fatna, 3, granddaughter Amna Ishakh (standing in for Abdallah, 9, who is herding), and Rawda, 5. Cooking method: wood fire. Food preservation: natural drying.
One Week’s Food in November
Grains & Other Starchy Foods: ** Millet,* 4 coro – a “coro” is a Chadian unit of volume approximately equal to 2.1 qt; millet flour,* 3 coro; sorghum,* 3 coro.
Dairy: ** Milk,* 7 coro, from family cows.
Meat, Fish & Eggs: $2.16** Chickens,* 8.8 lb meat, after cleaning; goat meat, dried on the bone, 6.6 lb.
Fruits, Vegetables & Nuts: $7.19** Watermelons, 22 lb; harar (squash), 17.6 lb; dates, 1 coro; okra,* dried, 1 coro; red onions,* 1 coro; garlic,* 0.5 coro; tomatoes,* dried and milled, 0.5 coro; red peppers,* dried and milled, 0.3 coro; peanuts,* 3 coro.
Condiments: $8.54 Peanut oil, 1.1 gal; sugar, 0.5 coro; salt, 0.5 coro.
Beverages: $0.44 Tea, 3.5 oz; water, hand- or animal-carried half a mile from the wadi, for both drinking and cooking.
* Homegrown Food Expenditure for One Week: 10,200 CFA francs (Communauté Financiére Africaine)/$18.33 **
** Total value of homegrown foods, if purchased locally: $32.32
Eating Out
Produce is often of very high quality. Meat and milk can prove difficult for western taste and diets, so be sure that all meat is cooked through. At hotels, you won’t have any trouble, but if you venture into small villages, make sure that all water is filtered or boiled before drinking and all fruits and vegetables are peeled before eating.
Nairobi in Kenya has some of the finest eating establishments in Africa. Many different cuisines and types of restaurants are available, from fast food to fancy. Many five-star hotels have attached fine restaurants, which are expensive but worth it. Many restaurants can be found downtown and in the areas of Westlands and Hurlingham. Among the many cuisines available are Brazilian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, German and French restaurants. Fast food restaurants, mostly by South African chains (Steers, Nandos), are common in the larger urban areas.
South African cuisine is just as diverse as its cultures, with influences from British, Dutch, German, Indian, Malay, Portuguese and of course all the indigenous tribes. You will also find the usual array of international fast food outlets, McDonalds, KFC and Wimpy is well represented throughout the country.
Egypt can be a fantastic place to sample a unique range of food: not too spicy and well-flavoured with herbs. For a convenient selection of Egyptian cuisine and staple foods try the Felfela chain of restaurants in Cairo. Some visitors complain, however, that these have become almost too tourist-friendly and have abandoned some elements of authenticity. As in many seaside countries, Egypt is full of fish restaurants and markets–so fish and seafood are must-try. Frequently, fish markets have some food stalls nearby where you can point at specific fish species to be cooked. Stalls typically have shared table, and locals are as frequent there as tourists.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 at 11:18 am and is filed under Food. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.