Watermelon Gazpacho
Ingredients : 1 large tomato, pureed ½ medium serrano chili 2 cups fresh watermelon cubes 1 tsp red wine vinegar ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp red onion, minced ½ cucumber, seeded and finely chopped 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh dill, plus a little whole for garnish ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled Salt
Read MoreSmoked Salmon Mousse with Steamed Zulu Bread Melba Toast
In the early 1900s, the method of smoking was developed to further preserve salted fish, so that it could travel longer and provide sustenance to soldiers in remote locations. Who could have forecast that this mouthwatering delicacy would become a worldwide favourite for people of many cultures? One such iconic use of smoked fish is
Read MoreMakweti Sugared Shortbread Cookies
Every family has a secret and at Makweti, we think the best kind are secret family recipes, passed down from generation to generation. Many of these recipes hail from bygone eras and rich cultures. They serve as delicious reminders of age-old heritage, true treasures of the past that can be shared with family and friends
Read MoreMakweti Chicken Biryani – a Feast for Fellowship
South Africa is an eclectic mixing pot of diverse cultures adopted from different territories – not only from the southern African region but from all over the world. Spanning centuries, native folk, Dutch settlers, British colonists, French Huguenot and Mediterranean settlers, and Indian emigrants have all contributed to shaping our country for what it is
Read MoreMakweti Safari Lodge Stokbrood (Bread on Stick)
When it comes to dining al fresco under Africa’s star-scattered skies, there’s little that can compare with the simple enjoyment of fresh bread baked over an open fire – the aroma of homemade dough mingled with the crisp outdoors. At Makweti, we pair this uncomplicated, hearty treat with a mug of lightly-curried, smooth butternut soup,
Read MoreLentil Bobotie Cigars – A Vegetarian Delight
One of Makweti’s most popular hors d’œuvres are our homemade, bite-sized Bobotie Cigars – a perfect combination of traditional South African cuisine and delicate fine dining. Of course, we couldn’t let our vegetarian guests miss out on the full flavour of this mouthwatering treat, so we’ve concocted a lentil-based recipe that’s just as good! The
Read MoreA wild menu of survival
You are what you eat, or so they say. Can you imagine this was true, I would think many of us would cringe to think what we would look like, how we would think or what would inspire us, based on what we had for breakfast. Most of us, I dare say, would be horrified
Read MoreMakweti Crunchies – a Decadent Daybreak
If there’s one thing that we do particularly well in South Africa, it’s creating “padkos” which, literally translated from Afrikaans, means “way food”, or “food for the road”. A local favourite snack and traditionally South African, the oat crunchie is a way of life and travel in South Africa – easy to pack into a
Read MoreSpiced Pear, Amarula Ganache and Chocolate Roulade
The Marula tree has graced the earth since around 10,000BC, forming part of many age-old legends, a sacred and intricate thread of African culture and heritage. The local people have revered the Marula tree for hundreds of years, calling it ‘The Elephant Tree’ because its succulent fruit attracts elephants (and many other animals) from miles
Read MoreJust Ask Us! Do wild animals get tick bite fever like humans and domestic animals do?
Thank you for the question. It’s a very relevant question for a number of reasons and one not easily answered in a short response. There is so much we don’t know about tick borne diseases (TBD’s), and yet there is a ton of information on this as well. The short answer is “yes”, in some
Read MoreA Sweet and Nutty Caffeine Fix – Coffee Pecan Nut Pie
Although pecan nuts are not naturally endemic to South Africa – they are an American nut tree – an unlikely but fortuitous chain of historical events brought them to South African soils many years ago. In the late 1800s, politician and mining magnate Cecil John Rhodes dreamed of a continent connected by railway, from Cape
Read MoreSaving the Precious Pangolin
To honour World Pangolin Day, Makweti guide, Neil Davison, asked world authority and research ecologist, Jonathan Swart, to tell us a little more about the elusive pangolin, the world’s most trafficked animal. Their discussion sheds light on what the current pangolin population faces, and what the Welgevonden Game Reserve is doing to ensure that these
Read MoreMy Home, Your Home
We were drifting. The process of going with the flow, with little effort but much to gain. Entranced by the peace and quiet, we were focused but none the less drifting. Up in the open grasslands close to where Welgevonden Game Reserve and Marakele National Park meet, an area dotted with numerous segwapi or white
Read MoreA Summer Breakfast – Makweti Vetkoek
Nothing beats getting up to a day of adventure and African safaris, especially when it begins with mouthwatering pastries and steaming, strong coffee. One such pastry that remains a firm favourite at Makweti, and South Africa as a whole, is the traditional vetkoek (pronounced “Fet-cook”). Speculated to be a derivative of the early Dutch settlers’
Read MoreWhy do some Kudu bulls and Buffalo have mud on their horns?
Colin Responds The kudu male, a wily creature with superb bushcraft, is usually shy and retreating to the point he and his kind have been called “the grey ghosts of Africa”. They seem to quite literally melt away when disturbed, leaving one with the question: “Was he actually there?” Indeed, their coloration lends them the
Read MoreMakweti’s Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée
Although the origin of the iconic Crème Brûlée remains a mystery, it’s believed to have first appeared in Europe during the 1400s. However, the Crème Brûlée became officially recognised cuisine in 1691, when it finally appeared in a French cookbook written by the illustrious chef François Massialot, a Parisian chef who served princes, dukes and
Read MoreMakweti’s homemade lemon meringue ice cream
Summer in South Africa is all about exploring the great outdoors, soaking up the sunshine (we recommend SPF 30+!), and finding ways to celebrate this glorious season with family and friends. What better way to cool down on a hot summer day than to indulge in a serving of wickedly-sweet ice cream. At Makweti, our
Read MoreJust Ask Us! Why do Nightjars sit on the Road at night, and so often?
Neil responds There is much to be discussed on this matter, however the reason or reasons appear obvious once known. Nightjars, as their name would suggest are nocturnal birds who spend their days well concealed, resting up either on branches of trees or on the ground. Camouflage is key. Once night falls, they take to
Read MoreThe Greatest Love Story
Flowers. Symbols of love, of hope and joy, perhaps of prosperity. Given as gifts for forgiveness, for admiration, adoration, for death and consolation. Their perfume, an intoxicating vapour that excites, makes giddy, sometimes disgusts and even cause you to faint. They hold much power and symbolism to us, but their hidden strength tells of a
Read MoreJust Ask Us! Why do only some birds migrate, and do they eat when migrating, on route?
Colin responds. Migration is usually a seasonal movement from an area entering a colder, leaner time (winter) to an area that is warmer and where food is still readily available. This covers two important factors conducive to breeding: a suitable climate and access to abundant energy resources. Birds that remain in the former area most
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