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The adventure of a trip to Africa includes the many different dishes you can try. Like the continent itself, Africa's cuisines are endlessly varied and always exciting. Food is an essential part of culture, and the story of a country and its people is inseparable from what ends up on the table.
On a culinary safari through Africa, our general advice is to let your nose and your palate lead the way. That said, there are a few dishes you simply have to try while you're in Africa.
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If you're already a little familiar with the food and culture of South Africa, this is probably on your list already. Braai is the South African take on the barbecue, where steak, chicken, chops and boerewors – a richly spiced sausage – are grilled to perfection. In South Africa a braai is far more than just a meal; it's a social occasion. Music and drinks add to the festive mood. Choose your meat and enjoy it with classic sides such as maize porridge.
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You might not expect pizza in Tanzania, but this snack from the spice island of Zanzibar is hugely popular across the country. Unlike the pizza you know, this is dough with a spiced meat filling, along with vegetables and perhaps an egg or some cheese. It's then fried until crisp and served with a mango-chilli sauce. There are also sweet versions filled with banana or chocolate.
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Seswaa could well be Botswana's national dish: meat slow-cooked in a pot until it's wonderfully tender. Beef, chicken, lamb or goat can all be prepared this way, each boiled on the bone with onions, salt and pepper. Once the meat is done, it's served either on its own or over pap (maize-meal porridge), porridge or rice. Sometimes it's also shredded and used as a sandwich filling.
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This famous dish from Mozambique reveals the influence of various cultures in the country, such as the Portuguese. Also known as Galinha à Zambeziana, the speciality sees the chicken coated in a spicy sauce. “Piri piri” means “pepper pepper” in Swahili. The sauce is a blend of different spices with chillies, and it's used for fish dishes too. But it's the classic combination of lime, garlic, coconut milk and piri-piri sauce that makes this chicken so outstanding.
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Kapenta is the name of two species of fish that live in the freshwater lakes of this part of Africa and resemble sardines in size and preparation. They can be eaten fried or dried, on maize porridge, in a stew or with vegetables. Traditionally, kapenta is served with the maize porridge known as sadza and scooped up by hand rather than eaten with cutlery.
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Ugali is a staple food in Kenya and Tanzania, eaten daily by a large part of the population. Made from maize, it's a starchy side that's usually used like cutlery to scoop up your food. It's highly nutritious, very filling, tasty and healthy. Enjoy ugali as a side with beans, fish, curry or stew, and savour an essential part of East African culture.
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Clearly the dish with the sweetest name! Originally invented in Durban, this street food has since conquered the whole of South Africa. It consists of a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry. The curry can be meat or vegetable, but it's always full of flavour. Bunny chow reflects the Indian influence in South Africa. The Indians who came to the country as labourers in the 19th century remain an influential part of South African society today.
Made from cassava leaves, coconut milk, peanuts and garlic, this simple yet satisfying dish is typical of Mozambique. Unlike many of the other dishes featured here, matapa is a vegan dish. It can be eaten with rice on its own, but is usually served with fresh crab or prawns.
This traditional stew from Zambia is a complex blend of chicken, onions and garlic with lemongrass, ginger and chilli peppers. The dish's bold colour matches its heat. It's served with fried sweet potatoes, rice and yoghurt.
If your mouth is watering already, remember that this is only a small taste of the delights awaiting you in Africa. Every dish tells a story – it's not just a meal, but an experience. On our trips you can enjoy the very best of the countries you visit, from the wine and fine food of South Africa's Garden Route to the wide-open landscapes of Namibia. If you've got an appetite for adventure, join us on one of our upcoming trips and treat yourself to a feast for the senses!
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