Dine in the bush at Tinga Lodge in Lion Sands Game Reserve

Eating out in the wilderness under an African night sky is a very special experience and we love seeing the reaction on our guests’ faces when we surprise them with a bush dinner.

Preparation for the bush dinner is a big team effort throughout the day. Our maintenance team will clean the area and take out the tables and chairs whilst housekeeping prepares the bathroom. Two hours before guests arrive, our service department will set up the furniture and the all-important bar. Having prepared some of the side dishes at the lodge, the kitchen staff will head out to start getting the braai (barbecue) area ready.

The lanterns are lit and the fire is roaring ready for when the guests arrive. They can’t quite believe how we have managed to create a fairy-tale setting in such a remote location. Drinks are poured and soon the conversation is flowing as they recount their wildlife encounters of the day.

We generally offer a traditional South African menu for our bush dinners.  After a soup starter, we serve meat from the braai, with pap (polenta), salad and sheba (a delicious tomato and onion sauce).  Malva pudding is always a winner for dessert. We can cater for special dietary requirements if we know in advance.

Weather can test us, especially in the summer months when we can have clear skies in the morning and some unpredictable rain in the afternoon, but we like a challenge. During the meal, staff are discreetly positioned to keep a look out for any curious animals, just in case they too are tempted by the delicious smells wafting from the braai.

Our job is to create memories for our clients and our bush dinners are often one of the highlights of their stay with us at Tinga Lodge.