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What to Eat on a Tanzanian Safari – A Local Food Guide
By sumbi
11 Jan 2025
When you think about a Tanzania Safari, food may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it should be! Tanzania Safari Foods are full of exciting flavours influenced by Indian, Arabic, and African cultures. Every dish you eat here reflects the country’s rich history. You can expect to try flavourful stews, spiced rice, grilled meats, and fresh seafood.
For those staying in lodges, there’s also the option to enjoy Western-style meals with a Tanzanian twist. Tasting local foods on a Tanzania Safari gives you a real sense of the culture and tradition of the region.
What Type of Food Can You Expect on a Tanzania Safari?
When you’re on a Safari in Tanzania, you’ll find plenty of tasty food, from local dishes to familiar international meals. Trying local food is one of the best ways to experience the culture.
Coming toTanzanian Food, it is simple, fresh, and nutritious. What you eat may depend on where you are. On the mainland, people eat foods made with maize and rice. In Zanzibar, Swahili dishes often include seafood, spices, and coconut. Most of the food is made from local ingredients like plantains, maize, vegetables, and different meats like beef, chicken, and fish.
Here’s what food you can expect while on a Tanzania Safari Holiday:
- Breakfast – Enjoy eggs, toast, cereals, and fruits to start your day.
- Lunch – Picnic-style meals during game drives, often in beautiful settings.
- Dinner – A three-course meal with local ingredients, with options for both meat and vegetarian eaters.
- Drinks: Expect water, coffee, tea, wine, or beer throughout the day. Filtered water is always available.
Some lodges might offer buffet-style dining with snacks available all day, while others serve set menus. In more remote areas, the menus are simpler, but the chefs still put care into every dish.
While you’ll find familiar foods, don’t hesitate to try the local Tanzania Safari Food for a true taste of the country’s culture.
Extra Insight: If you want to try more local Tanzania safari foods, you can join a cultural or food tour. It’s a fun way to learn about the culture and make your safari even more memorable.
Some Local Foods to Eat in Tanzania
Tasting the local food is one of the ways you can uniquely experience the authenticity of Tanzania. The local foods are made from fresh and local ingredients which makes them delicious.
If you’re curious about what you should try during your Tanzania Safari, here are some of the most popular dishes to look out for.
| Dish | Description |
| Pilau (Pulao) | A spiced rice dish made with meat and flavoured with cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, and cumin. Popular along the coast, especially in Zanzibar. |
| Chapati (Flatbread) | Thin, round flatbread made from wheat flour, usually served with curries, stews, or beans. A favourite breakfast item paired with tea. |
| Ugali (Maize Porridge) | A staple food made from maize flour and water, similar to stiff porridge. It’s commonly eaten with meat stews, vegetables, or beans. |
| Nyama Choma (Barbequed Meat) | Grilled meat, typically goat or beef, cooked over an open fire. Often served with ugali or roasted bananas, marinated with spices. |
| Wali wa Nazi (Coconut Rice) | White rice is cooked with coconut milk, a popular dish in coastal areas. Often served with curries, stews, or beans. |
| Makande ya Nazi (Maiza & Beans) | A traditional dish made with maize, beans, and coconut milk, simmered with spices and onions. |
| Chipsi Mayai (Egg Omelette with Fries) | A popular street food dish made by frying French fries with scrambled eggs, forming a hearty omelette. |
| Mchemsho (Mixed Stew) | A simple meal of boiled meat (chicken, fish, or beef) mixed with vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes, flavoured with spices. |
| Ndizi Nyama (Banana & meat) | A tasty mix of plantains and meat cooked together with coconut milk, onions, tomatoes, and spices like garlic and curry powder. |
| Kiti Moto (Pork chops & Plantains) | Fried or roasted pork served with green bananas or ugali, often spiced with red chilli, garlic, and curry powder. Popular in Dar es Salaam. |
| Vitumbua (Coconut Rice pancakes) | Light and fluffy coconut rice pancakes, commonly found in Zanzibar’s streets. Made with rice flour, coconut milk, and cardamom. |
| Zanzibar Pizza (Crispy, Stuffed Bread) | A crispy pancake stuffed with fried onions, tomatoes, meat, eggs, and cheese. There’s also a sweet version with bananas and Nutella. |
| Mshikaki (Grilled Meat) | Grilled, marinated meat skewers, flavoured with tomatoes, onions, and chillies. Beef is most common, though chicken and goat are also used. |
| Urojo (Zanzibar Mix) | Known as “Zanzibar mix,” this spicy soup is made with raw mango, potatoes, and coconut milk, and served with barbecued meats or bhajias. |
| Samaki wa Kupaka (Grilled Fish in coconut sauce) | Grilled fish covered in a rich coconut sauce made with garlic, turmeric, and tamarind. Often served with rice or chapati. |
| Octopus Curry (Octopus in coconut) | A popular dish in Zanzibar, made with octopus cooked in a coconut curry, spiced with turmeric, garlic, and tomatoes. |
| Mtori (Banana & Meat Stew) | A traditional plantain soup made from bananas and meat, cooked with spices like garlic and black pepper. A breakfast favourite in Northern Tanzania. |
| Dawa (Cocktail) | A refreshing Tanzanian cocktail made with honey, lime, and vodka, perfect for relaxing after a long day of safari. |
| Mandazi (Tanzanian Doughnut) | A type of fried dough made from flour, sugar, and coconut milk, often flavoured with cardamom or cloves. It’s a popular street snack enjoyed with tea or coffee. |
| Kuku wa Mchuzi (Chicken Stew) | A rich and flavorful chicken stew cooked with spices and vegetables. Often served with rice or flatbreads, it’s a comforting meal loved across Tanzania. |
| Sukuma Wiki (Collard Greens) | A stir-fried collard greens dish cooked with onions, tomatoes, and spices. It’s a healthy and affordable side dish, usually served with ugali or rice. |
| Wali na Maharage (Rice & Bean Stew) | A simple and satisfying meal of rice served with a seasoned bean stew. It’s a staple in Tanzanian homes and is both filling and nutritious. |
| Mchuzi wa Samaki (Fish Curry) | A tasty fish stew with a mix of Indian and Swahili spices, often served with rice or coconut rice. The Flavors are aromatic and rich. |
| Maharage ya Nazi (Coconut Bean Soup) | A creamy bean soup made with coconut milk and spices. It’s a comforting and flavourful dish, usually served with rice or flatbreads. |
| Supu Ya Ndizi (Plantain Soup) | A creamy soup made from ripe plantains, coconut milk, and spices. It’s a comforting dish that highlights the region’s abundance of plantains. |
| Ndizi Kaanga (Fried Banana) | Fried banana slices seasoned with salt, pepper, or chili, and sometimes a splash of lemon juice. A perfect snack or side dish with a mix of sweet and savoury flavours. |
| Biriyani ya Kuku (Biryani) | A spiced rice dish with marinated chicken, inspired by Indian cuisine. It’s full of rich flavours from spices like cumin, cloves, and cinnamon. |
As you explore the Safari Tours in Tanzania, trying these local dishes will make your trip even more special. From grilled meats to rich coconut stews, the flavours of Tanzania are enticing. Get ready to enjoy a true taste of Africa on your next Safari in Tanzania!
Tanzania’s wildlife will wow you, but the food will win you over!
While you’re chasing wildlife on your Safari in Tanzania, don’t forget to chase some local foods too! From spicy rice to fried bananas, Tanzania Safari Foods add that extra kick to your adventure. So pack your appetite and dive into the delicious side with Sumbi Extra Miles Safari!
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