Allowing your eyes to gaze up and savour the beauty of the southern night sky, embellished with dazzling stars and constellations, accompanied by the sound of a myriad of bushveld symphonies... this is the ideal end to another magical day in Africa. Winter in the Lowveld region of South Africa is a pleasant season, with night time temperatures dipping just low enough to appreciate the comfort of a warming fire and the gentle glow of oil lanterns that illuminate each of our 5-star lodges as you sit down for a mouth-watering dining experience.  

Sabi Sabi’s food philosophy of ‘simple done well’ flows through each of our lodges, conveying the unique character of our chefs as they present distinctive touches to locally sourced and freshly prepared cuisine. True South African hospitality has been at the heart of Sabi Sabi for the past four decades and is testament to our culture of generosity, family and a ‘home away from home’ in the bush. And to complement our various dishes, a glass of boutique wine or one of our “difficult to choose” craft beverages are fine companions to a great meal.  Since 2015, Sabi Sabi’s extensive wine list has been recognised by the World of Fine Wines as having one of the best wine lists in the world, which is indicative of our commitment to stock proudly South African wines, and brings with them a story of the boutique “off the beaten track” wine farms and little-known vineyards where they have been sourced from.  Guests can also choose from an array of artisanal cocktails made from specially crafted gins... think Raspberry Rose or Cucumber & Mint curated cocktails – a perfect accompaniment while savouring the bushveld.  Or for a real thirst quencher, choose one of our South African craft brews from Darling Brewers, based in the Western Cape.

Breakfast, lunch and high tea at Sabi Sabi are equally memorable and are enjoyed in the indoor/outdoor dining areas of the various lodges where views of the surrounding bushveld are savoured in dozens of breath-taking settings that make each mealtime a special occasion.

Little Bush Camp, with its sweeping thatched roof covering the dining area overlooking a riverbed, lends the camp to being at one with nature. Private dining in the riverbed at dinner time, breakfast in the lush gardens or a picnic in the savannah-like open areas around the camp are delightful surprises. The bar area at Little Bush Camp, illuminated by copper glass lamps in the evening, is the perfect spot for a ‘night-cap’ before heading to bed.  

Bush Lodge’s famous safari dining area is a spectacular venue under the cover of a spreading thatched roof, with views of the unending bushveld and a well-frequented waterhole just metres away. Succulent fresh fruits, homemade pastries, hot dishes, local meats and cheeses, piping hot coffee and a range of other delicacies make breakfast a firm favourite, while lunches consisting of a variety of hot and cold dishes, fresh salads and delectable desserts satisfy any hungry guest. At night-time, the cladded boma with a roaring central fire beckons. Sociable dinners where guests interact with chefs at the various outdoor kitchen grills are a highlight and fireside conversations recollecting the incredible wildlife sightings of the day continue late into the evening.

Selati Camp, with its historic railway theme, treats guests to an intimate dining experience in the cosy boma or in the traditional farmhouse kitchen for evening meals, modelled on the warm and inviting kitchens of yesteryear where families would gather around large wooden tables and spend precious time together. Scrumptious meals and high tea treats are served on newly refurbished wooden thatched decks with undisturbed views of animals meandering to the nearby waterhole.

Fine dining in Mother Nature satisfies even the most discerning palate. A gourmet food experience awaits at Earth Lodge with breakfast and lunch served overlooking the expanse of the pristine bushveld – often joined by a herd of Elephant, taking advantage of the various water sources around the lodge.  Dinners are an illustrious affair and diners enjoy various areas where the evening sounds provide the perfect backdrop of “music”.  Dinners are served in the reed-enclosed boma with fireside braziers, around the central ponds or on the extended lawns with the unending night sky as your canopy.  The underground wine clear is dining with a difference, lit by candelabra suspended over a hand-hewn wooden table and surrounded by thousands of wine bottles.  Inspiration for dishes is drawn from the surroundings of Earth Lodge, sculpted into a slope of the earth with minimal interference on the environment. For guests who require a bit more privacy, meals can be enjoyed in the luxury of one’s suite.    

Whatever the location or lodge at Sabi Sabi, we invite you to sit down at our table and enjoy good food, great wine and exceptional company which will ultimately not only nourish your body but nurture your soul too.