Travelogue from Tanzania: The food on safari

A wild array of wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and a vibrant culture – these are just some of the experiences awaiting you on a tour to Tanzania. And then there’s the food! For many of us, cuisine is an essential part of any journey. That certainly rings true for Liam, our Guest Relations Specialist. Read Liam’s travelogue from Tanzania and Zanzibar, which he visited in May 2025, and discover what food really means to him.

As some of my colleagues know, I am a lover of food and variety, always willing to try new dishes, and making sure that wherever I travel, the food will not disappoint me. On our recent tour of Tanzania and Zanzibar, I wanted to share my thoughts on some of the food we had during our safari. I’m sure everyone wonders what kind of food they can look forward to when they book their tour!

Tanzanian cuisine offers a variety of different flavours, influenced by the large number of cultures and regions within the country. Our breakfasts were served to us early, consisting of breads, pastries, and eggs, with each of our accommodations offering a variety of omelettes to start the day before heading out on a game drive. Fresh fruit is always an option, with pineapple and watermelon offered to us throughout our breakfasts. On some mornings, our breakfasts were packed up so we could head out early to spot the more elusive nocturnal animals (looking at you, hippos). We’d then enjoy our packed meal on top of the jeep, overlooking the Serengeti plains.

Our lunches were often served to us during our game drives, and each day we were provided with a hot lunch that had been meticulously prepared for us by the accommodations we were staying at. On some days, we had chicken with rice and vegetables, and on other days, a neatly prepared packed lunch was provided, consisting of salads, fruit and rolls. At no point was I concerned about the quality of what was served, and the taste was often fantastic. Our guide placed a cover over the bonnet of the jeep, and we ate in the open, with a fantastic view of the national parks and conservation areas we were visiting.

When it came to dinner, there was always a choice to make, whether the vegetarian option caught your eye, or if you wished to try something more ‘traditionally Tanzanian’. In most cases, the food was delightfully presented, and the taste was so good, it only made you want more!  One of the key things I learned during our time in Tanzania is that all the food provided to us and our guests is designed by a single executive chef, who ensures that no matter which wild camp or hotel you stay at, the food is prepared to the same high standard, using a consistent set of spices throughout. That chef also spends his time travelling between each accommodation as well to make sure the food is served to both his, and TourCompass, precise standards.

You may come to Tanzania for the nature, the Big 5, and the chance to experience a culture unlike any other, but you can also look forward discovering the Tanzanian and Swahili influences in every meal (along with a few extra pounds on the scale when you get home). But as they say in Swahili, Hakuna Matata (no worries!).

Liam, TourCompass