Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 474849 times)

Yosef_S · « **Reply #240 on:** June 01, 2015, 05:43:34 PM »

Quote from: ponash123 on June 01, 2015, 03:56:05 PM

What do people do about kosher food in Kruger?

Believe it or not, there is a lot of kosher food available in Kruger! I did a safari there in March, (haven't gotten around to writing a TR yet, but since you asked I'll try to summarize what we did) and was actually quite surprised by what wound up being available to us.

In each rest camp (we stayed in Skukuza, but I'm told this is the same throughout the park) there is a 'General Store' which sells food, utensils, souvenirs, and much more. In this store we found a ton of kosher products with the Beth Din hashgacha, including, milk, cheeses, canned fruits and veggies, snacks, drinks, ice cream, tuna, fresh bread, etc. The store also sold raw fruits, vegetables, eggs.

Not knowing any of this would be available to us, we brought shelf stable Meal Mart meals, tuna, crackers, instant soups, etc from the US, along with Meal Spec style heater pouches. We wound up not eating most of that though, and instead buying fresh veggies from the camp store and cooking them on the fire which we built next to our hut. This is definitely what I would recommend doing.

The other thing which I would recommend, which we couldn't do because of timing, is to arrange with a local butcher in Joburg (assuming that is where you're connecting en route to Kruger) to deliver raw meat products to you at JNB airport. There are fridges at the huts in the camps, and you can buy a grill for relatively cheap price in the camp store. (As an aside, the pricing in the camp store was fairly cheap in general, with USD being as strong as it is, the pricing was comparable to what you'd find in a typical US supermarket, not in a tourist-centric convenience store with a total monopoly!) As I said, we were unable to make such an arrangement with a local butcher because of our quick connection in JNB, but I know someone who did, and could get you the contact information for the butcher shop if you would like.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

PlatinumGuy · « **Reply #241 on:** June 01, 2015, 05:50:07 PM »

Quote from: ponash123 on June 01, 2015, 04:22:59 PM

From home or buy in Cape Town or Joburg?
Also, would you recommend flying to Joburg and then connection to Cape Town or flying straight to Cape Town?

Joburg has a brand new Four Seasons

AJK · « **Reply #242 on:** June 01, 2015, 05:52:36 PM »

Quote from: Yosef_S on June 01, 2015, 05:43:34 PM

Believe it or not, there is a lot of kosher food available in Kruger! I did a safari there in March, (haven't gotten around to writing a TR yet, but since you asked I'll try to summarize what we did) and was actually quite surprised by what wound up being available to us.

In each rest camp (we stayed in Skukuza, but I'm told this is the same throughout the park) there is a 'General Store' which sells food, utensils, souvenirs, and much more. In this store we found a ton of kosher products with the Beth Din hashgacha, including, milk, cheeses, canned fruits and veggies, snacks, drinks, ice cream, tuna, fresh bread, etc. The store also sold raw fruits, vegetables, eggs.

Not knowing any of this would be available to us, we brought shelf stable Meal Mart meals, tuna, crackers, instant soups, etc from the US, along with Meal Spec style heater pouches. We wound up not eating most of that though, and instead buying fresh veggies from the camp store and cooking them on the fire which we built next to our hut. This is definitely what I would recommend doing.

The other thing which I would recommend, which we couldn't do because of timing, is to arrange with a local butcher in Joburg (assuming that is where you're connecting en route to Kruger) to deliver raw meat products to you at JNB airport. There are fridges at the huts in the camps, and you can buy a grill for relatively cheap price in the camp store. (As an aside, the pricing in the camp store was fairly cheap in general, with USD being as strong as it is, the pricing was comparable to what you'd find in a typical US supermarket, not in a tourist-centric convenience store with a total monopoly!) As I said, we were unable to make such an arrangement with a local butcher because of our quick connection in JNB, but I know someone who did, and could get you the contact information for the butcher shop if you would like.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Great info... though the camp we stayed in most definitely did not have such a lavish kosher spread.

Yosef_S · « **Reply #243 on:** June 01, 2015, 06:02:48 PM »

Quote from: AJK on June 01, 2015, 05:52:36 PM

Great info... though the camp we stayed in most definitely did not have such a lavish kosher spread.

When was this? I can't speak from experience, but when I asked, I was told that all of the stores carry the same product line.

AJK · « **Reply #244 on:** June 01, 2015, 06:09:39 PM »

Quote from: Yosef_S on June 01, 2015, 06:02:48 PM

When was this? I can't speak from experience, but when I asked, I was told that all of the stores carry the same product line.

This was December 2013.

Remember Kruger is about the size of NJ. It's entirely possible different stores carry different items.

Yosef_S · « **Reply #245 on:** June 01, 2015, 06:12:05 PM »

Quote from: AJK on June 01, 2015, 06:09:39 PM

This was December 2013.

Remember Kruger is about the size of NJ. It's entirely possible different stores carry different items.

Of course! I was only asking because when I was there in March 2015, the employees in the store in Skukuza told me that all of the stores carry the same product line.
It's possible that things changed between 12/2013 and 3/2015, and it's possible the lady in Skukuza was just wrong.

igorek1 · « **Reply #246 on:** June 15, 2015, 04:30:59 PM »

Nice thread. Would anyone be willing to chat on the phone for 15 min or so. I am particularly concerned with kosher food options on safari trips (we world like to book one with a tour company such as nhongosafaris.com) and would like to know first hand experiences on what to expect. Thank you all who contributed.

Yaalili · « **Reply #247 on:** June 15, 2015, 10:14:14 PM »

Quote from: igorek1 on June 15, 2015, 04:30:59 PM

Nice thread. Would anyone be willing to chat on the phone for 15 min or so. I am particularly concerned with kosher food options on safari trips (we world like to book one with a tour company such as nhongosafaris.com) and would like to know first hand experiences on what to expect. Thank you all who contributed.

Be sure to ask for the R140-160 discount per day, for not taking their food vouchers.

igorek1 · « **Reply #248 on:** June 15, 2015, 10:18:13 PM »

Quote from: Yaalili on June 15, 2015, 10:14:14 PM

Be sure to ask for the R140-160 discount per day, for not taking their food vouchers.

What do people eat? I understand that when you are with a tour company you are moving quite a bit and that creates a problem with refrigeration and perishable food. Am I wrong?

Yosef_S · « **Reply #249 on:** June 17, 2015, 05:05:59 AM »

I did my safari through Nhongo, scroll up and take a look at what I wrote about food. If you have more questions, feel free...

ponash123 · « **Reply #250 on:** June 24, 2015, 04:54:35 PM »

I have an iPhone and would like to get an international sim card. I am traveling to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. Will it work in all locations?

Yaalili · « **Reply #251 on:** June 26, 2015, 12:43:10 PM »

Quote from: ponash123 on June 24, 2015, 04:54:35 PM

I have an iPhone and would like to get an international sim card. I am traveling to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. Will it work in all locations?

Zambia and South Africa have free international text and data with t-mobile plan.

Racer7400 · « **Reply #252 on:** July 13, 2015, 01:03:09 AM »

does having rental car status mean anything in south africa? meaning if i want a full size should;d i reserve that or reserve a mid size and upgrade with hertz status? thanx a lot sorry if this has been asked before.

Freddie · « **Reply #253 on:** July 19, 2015, 10:45:22 PM »

I was encouraged to post here.
I ate a ton of these:

Yaalili · « **Reply #254 on:** July 20, 2015, 10:51:13 AM »

Quote from: Freddie on July 19, 2015, 10:45:22 PM

I was encouraged to post here.
I ate a ton of these:

Is that the bar wrapped in rice paper?

Freddie · « **Reply #255 on:** July 20, 2015, 02:56:40 PM »

Quote from: Yaalili on July 20, 2015, 10:51:13 AM

Is that the bar wrapped in rice paper?

Yes. The inner wrapper is edible rice paper.
The outer wrapper that you can see in the pic is plastic.

Yaalili · « **Reply #256 on:** July 21, 2015, 11:18:32 AM »

Quote from: Freddie on July 20, 2015, 02:56:40 PM

Yes. The inner wrapper is edible rice paper.
The outer wrapper that you can see in the pic is plastic.

Yeh I had it before, they sell it in CH too under the BD hechsher.

philbenjoe · « **Reply #257 on:** July 28, 2015, 02:17:50 PM »

how much time is needed for CPT? to cover all the main attractions etc

AJK · « **Reply #258 on:** July 28, 2015, 03:00:21 PM »

I'd say 3 days.

philbenjoe · « **Reply #259 on:** July 28, 2015, 03:05:07 PM »

so Wednesday noon to Sunday morning would enough time?

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Name	Type	Hours	Contact	Location & Description
Avron's Place (Sea Point)	Meat	S – T: 11am – 3pm; 5pm – 10pm; F: 11am – 2:30pm	+27 (0)21 439 7610 Link	19 – 33 Regent Road - Oldest kosher meat restaurant in SA. The humbly adorned, family-friendly eatery, serves a wide variety of dishes, including beef ribs, burgers, mixed grills, boerewors, Cape lamb curry, vegetarian platters, pastas and sushi. Prices rather reasonable. On Tuesdays there's a special on its beef burger and chips (R49 instead of the usual R59). Offers takeaways and catering and packed Shabbat meals for visitors. For the Sephardim the meat is Bet Yosef. But check to make sure.
The Press (Sea Point)	Meat	S – T: noon – late; F: 11am – 3pm; Sat: 1 hour after Shabbat till late	+27 (0)21 434 7724 Website	176 Main Road - Restaurant and Bar (many craft beers on tap).
Coffee Time (Gardens)	Milk	M – T: 8am – 3:30pm; F: 8am – 3pm	+27 (0)21 461 8414	20 Breda Street - Set in an old house in a lush, garden environment. Lawn seating with views of Table Mountain. Breakfast, brunch or lunch. Menu includes scrambled egg, salmon and humus wrap, fish bobotie with homemade chutney, tuna lasagne, sandwich, salad, quiche or smoothie. Early-morning special between 8am and 11am (a combo of two eggs, grilled tomato and mushrooms goes for R25) and also serves a delicious, and incredibly popular, buffet lunch every Wednesday between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Gluten-free and sugar-free options. Offers catering. Proceeds support the Astra Centre.
Café Riteve (Gardens)	Milk	S – T: 8:30am – 5pm; F: 8:30am – 3pm	+27 (0)21 465 1594 Website	88 Hatfield Street - Located on a piazza that’s part of the same centre as the historical Gardens Shul, the South African Jewish Museum, the Cape Town Holocaust Centre and the Jacob Gitlin Library. Large and varied menu includes three-egg omelette, sushi salad, grilled hake, falafel with dukkah wedges and humus, tuna and mushroom cannelloni, smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich and chocolate ganache-filled croissant. Also sells range of shakes and juices as well as kosher wine and liquors. Offers catering, takeaways, no delivery. They had some CY, just ask. The earlier you go the more likely the have.
Goldies Deli and Diner (Sea Point)	Meat & Pareve	S – T: 8:30am – 8pm; F: 8:30am – 4:30pm	+27 (0)21 439 3008 Link	174 Main Road - Meat and parev deli and bakery - next door and connected to The Press. Menu include burgers, steak rolls, schwarmas, bagels, salads, fish cakes, breakfast plates and more. Specials every Wednesday and Friday (deals like a three-course meal for four for R120). Delivery is free in Sea Point. Bakery treats include carrot cake, cinnamon twists, chocolate brownies, doughnuts, cupcakes, apple crumble, croissants and teiglach. Offers Shabbat meal orders.
Café B'tayavon @ Highlands House	Milk		021 461 1100	9 Gorge Rd, Highlands Estate - Snacks and Light Meals
Jean's Kitchen @ The Kaplan Centre	Milk		021 650 3064 info@jeanskitchen.co.za	The Kaplan Centre - University of Cape Town - Tea, coffee, sandwiches, gourmet salads, falafel etc
Baskin Robbins @ Mojo Market (Sea Point)				Note: This is the only kosher B & R All ice creams, ice cream cones, milkshakes and waffles are Kosher, milchik. The following topping ONLY are kosher: Crushed Almonds, Crushed Cashews, Fudge, Mini Astros, Mint Crunch NB: Cakes are NOT KOSHER

Name	Cost	Distance from CPT	Description and Notes
Boulders Beach	R170	35 min	• "I found that there were two different entrances, boardwalk and beach. The boardwalk has a higher density of penguins but if you want a better experience, I recommend visiting the beach side- especially at low tide. Because of the tide I was able to walk past the few dozen folks on the beach, climb under and over some boulders, and encounter effectively a different private beach- with penguins!!" • For budget travelers, take the train to Simonstown and from there a cab to Boulders beach - R20.
Betty’s Bay		1.25 hours	Also features African Penguins though less crowded than Boulders beach, though further.
Chapman's Peak Drive	R45/car	45 min	• Beautiful scenery, you have the mountain on one side and the ocean on the other side, great pics, great to make a BBQ come during daylight hours. NOTE: You need Rand or an SA issued card to pay for the Chapman's Peak toll.
Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point	R360/pp	1.5 hours	• LONG but AMAZING drive • almost a full day activity
Lions Head			• Hike - not difficult • Paragliding - around $85 (prices might be outdated). Book ahead
Robben Island			Tours depart three times a day and take about 3.5 hours, consisting of a ferry trip to and from the island, and a tour of the various historical sites on the island that form part of the Robben Island Museum. These include the island graveyard, the disused lime quarry, Robert Sobukwe's house, the Bluestone quarry, the army and navy bunkers, and the maximum security prison. Nelson Mandela's cell is shown. Reviews are mixed
Table Mountain (Cable car or hike)	~R350		• Follow on Twitter for updates on if open or closed • Cableway costs ~R350 rand pp - depends if morning or afternoon • Can repel down • 895 rand pp (prices might be outdated) • repel for like 15 mins • hike back up is 25 mins • Closes 6pm • BOOK IN ADVANCE
Signal Hill			Go there for a sunset with bit more a "local" flavor. Views aren't great compared to Lion's Head and can be quite crowded at sunset.
V & A Waterfront
The Garden Route			long scenic drive

Kirstenbosch Gardens
Shark Diving	$88 +$34 for video (prices might be outdated)	2 hours	Can do in Gansbaii. Links:1, 2, 3
Sandboarding			Bring goggles!
Skydiving	$170 (prices might be outdated) Cheaper
Quad Biking (ATVs)
Hout Bay market
Kayaking at Hout Bay	Link		Amazing experience. Views may very but can often see Heaviside dolphins jumping right in front of you
Cheetah Outreach			Where you can go and pet cheetahs and other animals super cool. Website
Aquila Private Game Reserve		2 hours	Pricey but quality accommodations for overnight stays. Good for people who aren't leaving Cape Town area but want to see wildlife. Some dismiss as a "glorified zoo"
Cango Wildlife Ranch		5 hours

Cbs	Link
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Yaalili	Link
Yehuda57	Link
Ponash123	Link
Yehoshua	Link

Name	Type	Contact	Location & Description
Corner Cafe (Glenhazel)	Milk	+27 11 440-3160 Link	Corner of Queens square and cross road in Glenhazel. Corner Café is the best place to go (or maybe the only) for kosher gluten free muffins. I’m told they’re very good. They also have great breakfasts and pastas, but I usually stick with a toasted cheese and chips.
Dee-Jays (Sandton)	Milk	+27 11 883-2265 Link	Morningview Shopping Centre, 100 South Road, 2196 - Dee-Jays provides casual dairy food that is perfect for a breakfast out with the family. Their fishballs are really good and if you need a cake in the Sandton area, they’re the place to go.
Market Cafe (Norood Mall)	Milk		Cholov Yisroel cafe
KosherWorld, Mi Vami Kosher and Chop N Wok (Glenhazel)		+27 11 440 1402 Website	1 Long Avenue, Johannesburg, 2192
Gelatisimo (Glenhazel)			Across the road from Kosher World, authentic Italian gelato. Chalav Yisroel. Absolutely fantastic.
Michelos (Glenhazel)	Milk	+27 11 885-1500 Link	17 Northfield Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Michelos is the second best pizza restaurant. They are very centrally located (in the Jewish area of Glenhazel) and their food is nice. Never go there the night after Pesach because you’ll wait hours but most other times are good, plus they serve chalav yisrael.
Nandos Kosher (Savoy)	Meat	+27 11 885-1496 Website	553 Louis Botha Ave, Savoy, Johannesburg, 2090, South Africa - Nandos is a large chain of Portuguese chicken restaurants, but there is only one kosher Nandos in South Africa, so be aware that you can’t step into any of them! They serve top notch chicken but be sure to also try their beef burger (and order extra sauce).
Next Door "Non-CY" (Norwood)	Milk	+27 11 728-2577 Link	80 Grant Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Next Door is rated as a top restaurant in Johannesburg, kosher and not, so you know it must be pretty good. It is usually full so booking is highly recommended. While their sushi may not be top class, their pizzas certainly are and, if you’re around in Summer, definitely try their fish braai (barbeque in South African).
Pie Works (Sandringham)		+27 11 485 2447 Website	74 George Ave, Johannesburg, 2192 - Their pies (clearly) are the best kosher pies in the country and are perfect if you want to buy some to take home and reheat. Their burgers are delicious and the have a milk side with pizza that is really good. They’re situated on what is known as the Kosher Strip, so any Jew will be able to direct you.
RTG "Ready to Go" (Norwood)			A fast food place next door to ... Next Door. While they do offer steak and a Chinese menu, the focus is their extensive burger and hot dog menu.
The Deli Store (Sandton)		011-656-3142 / 4915 info@thedelistore.co.za, http://thedelistore.co.za/menus/main-menu/	Shop 52, (opposite Woolworths) Morning Glen Shopping Mall Cnr Bowling & Kelvin Road Gallo Manor - Reviewed in CBS's TR, as having excellent food for very low prices. According to Google is "Permanently Closed".
So Sushi (Glenhazel)
Jozi Blue (Glenhazel)	Milk		They have some items Cholov Yisroel, which they will serve on disposables on request

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Author Topic: Southern Africa (SA/Zim/Zam/Botswana/Namibia) Master Thread (Read 474849 times)