We arrived at NAKO Safari Lodge just as the sky was clearing from a late-morning drizzle, the air cool and fresh, carrying the earthy scent of the bush. After reaching the lodge, lunch was served: a bobotie jaffle—crisp and golden. It was warm, fragrant filling releasing hints of curry spice with every bite. The flaky bread gave way to the soft, savoury minced meat, perfectly balanced by a side of crisp fries. Alongside came a cucumber and pineapple salsa, the sweetness of the fruit lifting the spices of the bobotie, and a dollop of chutney that gave the plate its final flourish. It was the sort of lunch that was comforting yet intriguing—familiar South African flavours, but delivered with the kind of thoughtfulness that made each mouthful linger.

We lingered over the last sips of our drinks before heading out for the afternoon game drive. The meal had been filling without being heavy, leaving just enough room for anticipation—of both wildlife sightings and the next culinary offering waiting back at the lodge.

Dinner later that night began as the bush fell into darkness, the air cooling quickly, and the distant calls of hyenas punctuating the stillness. The dining area was softly lit, the tables set with a quiet elegance that didn’t feel out of place in the wilderness. The first course was tomato and basil soup, a simple dish on paper, but here it came alive. The soup was rich and velvety, the basil fresh enough to cut through the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. The homemade bread rolls on the side were still warm from the oven, their crusts thin and delicate, ready to be torn open and dipped into the soup until the bowl was left clean.

For the main course, we were served chicken mango curry, plated with care beside a mound of fluffy basmati rice. The chicken was tender, the sauce an aromatic blend where the gentle heat of curry spices met the natural sweetness of ripe mango. It was the kind of flavour pairing that drew you back for another bite before you’d even finished the last. Alongside came a medley of roasted vegetables and a selection of sambals that added texture and tang. The dish managed to be bold without being overpowering, each element complementing the other in quiet harmony.

Dessert was a vanilla pannacotta crowned with a strawberry coulis. The pannacotta itself was smooth and delicate, holding just enough firmness to keep its shape but melting away instantly on the tongue. The coulis, bright and tangy, cut through the creaminess with precision, each spoonful balancing richness and freshness. It was a graceful end to the meal, light enough to leave us content but not weighed down—important, as the calls of the wild still beckoned just beyond the lodge lights.

The following morning began before sunrise, with coffee and rusks before our early game drive. The cold air of the pre-dawn bush sharpened our senses, and by the time we returned, breakfast was a welcome prospect. We sat down for an egg benedict with salmon, the poached eggs yielding their golden centres over a layer of smoked salmon that was delicate yet full of flavour. The hollandaise sauce was creamy and lemony, binding the dish together without overwhelming it. On the side, an omelette came perfectly prepared—light and fluffy, folded over a choice of fillings that added just enough savouriness to make each bite satisfying.

Breakfast at NAKO was unhurried, much like everything else here. Between mouthfuls, we watched the lodge grounds stir to life—the sun casting a warm glow over the bush, birds calling from the treetops, and the occasional rustle in the distance hinting at unseen wildlife. It was food paired with place in the truest sense; the meals were not simply sustenance, but part of the experience, woven into the rhythms of lodge life.

What stood out across all three meals was a consistent attention to balance. Ingredients were fresh and well-handled, flavours confident but never excessive, and each plate carried an awareness of the setting. Whether you were returning from a dusty game drive or simply taking in the views from the deck, the food always felt in step with the moment. It was clear the kitchen took as much pride in its craft as the rangers did in their guiding, and that the dining experience here is as integral to the lodge as the wildlife that surrounds it.

NAKO Safari Lodge manages to offer something rare: a culinary journey that doesn’t try to compete with the bush, but rather complements it. Every dish felt intentional, designed not just to fill, but to heighten the sense of place. And in the same way that each game drive holds the promise of something new, every meal here feels like a small adventure—familiar enough to comfort, yet layered with the kind of details that make you pause, savour, and remember.