Africa offers some of the world’s most enchanting dining experiences, each infused with the continent’s vibrant flavours, diverse landscapes, and rich cultures. From savouring Swahili-inspired dishes atop the rooftops of Zanzibar’s Stone Town to the riverside elegance of Zambia’s Sausage Tree Camp, these extraordinary spots offer meals as unforgettable as the surroundings.
Imagine fresh seafood enhanced with local spices, wild game expertly prepared, and sunset dinners under ancient trees or desert skies.
Here are some of Africa’s most incredible dining locations, where imaginative menus and breathtaking settings come together to create the ultimate feast for the senses.
Lunch in the river, literally: Zambia’s Lower Zambezi
When it comes to unique dining, it doesn’t get much better than having lunch with your feet in the Zambezi River. Sausage Tree Camp, tucked away in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, sits right by the river with views of reed islands. You can start your day with a delicious breakfast and great coffee, then opt to enjoy a three-course lunch in the river itself. At teatime, often there’s freshly baked chocolate cake. Dinner is a more intimate affair, often set in a boma-style area or outdoors under the stars, with a fire pit creating a cosy vibe. The view of the river at sunset is particularly magical, as the light reflects off the water and the wildlife can often be seen coming to drink.
It’s one of those places where everything feels extra special.
Stark exhilaration: Dinner in the Namib desert
At Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, you’ll dine in one of the most stunning settings imaginable, surrounded by Namibia’s massive dunes in the world’s oldest desert. Breakfast is often a relaxed affair, enjoyed as the sun rises over the dunes, casting soft golden light across the landscape. For dinner, the vibe becomes more intimate and special. Served on the terrace, you can watch oryx, springbok, jackal, and ostriches as they make their way to the floodlit waterhole. The air is crisp, and the distant dunes, bathed in the soft glow of twilight, create a magical setting.
The food is exceptional, with a menu that blends fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and African flavours, including vibrant salads, seafood, and game meats.
1920s safari style: Botswana’s wildlife-filled waterworld
Duba Plains Camp is Botswana’s first Relais & Châteaux property, set in a massive 80,000-acre private area in the Okavango Delta. The camp gives off a cool 1920s safari vibe, with leather armchairs and vintage maps. Breakfast and lunch are often served in the camp’s open-sided dining room or on the terrace, where you’ll have sweeping views of the surrounding floodplains and channels, teeming with wildlife. Depending on the time of year, you may catch sight of elephants, buffalo, or even lions roaming the plains as you enjoy your meal.
In the evening, after some sundowners in the bush, you’ll sit down to a delicious dinner. The camp’s dining area will have transformed into a dreamy setting, with the light of lanterns or a crackling fire adding to the atmosphere. The wine cellar is definitely worth a visit, with a collection of bottles handpicked by the owners, famous wildlife photographers Dereck and Beverly Joubert.
Smoke that thunders: Scale and imagination in Zimbabwe
At Ilala Lodge, you’re just a ten-minute walk from the incredible Victoria Falls – a wall of water, 1,688m wide, 100m high, throwing down 750 million litres a minute. The lodge’s Cassia Restaurant is an elegant yet relaxed space, surrounded by lush gardens, where you can hear the powerful roar of the falls. It’s a pretty magical spot, with tables set under tall, flower-laden laburnum trees and a menu that’s as creative as it is delicious. Plus, they’ve got a fantastic wine list with top selections from South Africa’s vineyards.
The vibe is laid-back but still feels sophisticated, with a real focus on comfort and warmth. As you dig into your meal, you’ll often hear the calming sounds of nature and the distant calls of wildlife, making everything feel even more peaceful and serene.
Swahili cityscape: A taste of Africa’s spice islands
Stone Town, the heart of Zanzibar, is a fascinating mix of Swahili and Arab influences, with winding streets, historic mosques, and tons of character. The Rooftop Tea House at Emerson Spice is a popular spot here, known for its creative dishes and amazing views over the rooftops and alleys of the city, with the warm breeze coming off the ocean. Starting at 6pm with sunset cocktails, the tea house serves up a five-course tasting menu – a great opportunity to try the freshest local seafood and clever use of spices and local ingredients.
As the sun sets, the space becomes even more magical, with the city lights twinkling below and a soft, calming atmosphere settling in. Staying at Emerson Spice, a beautifully restored merchant’s house, is worth it for the dining alone, with its colourful, almost theatrical spaces.
If you’ve been inspired and want to find out more, give us a call or enquire now to speak to an expert.
