For Jewish families, the question is often not whether Shabbat can be observed in Africa.

It is whether it can feel like Shabbat.

The answer is yes, but the experience depends on where you are travelling and how thoughtfully the journey is arranged.

In cities such as Nairobi, Arusha, Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Victoria Falls, local Jewish communities and Chabad centres may offer opportunities to attend Friday evening or Saturday services. In more remote safari regions, there may be no synagogue nearby. That does not mean Shabbat has to become complicated.

A private safari can be planned around your observance from the beginning.

Your accommodation can be prepared before sundown. Kosher meals can be coordinated in advance with appropriate suppliers, including kosher meat suppliers such as Moishe's Butchery in South Africa and, in East Africa, Chabad communities where suitable arrangements are available. Fresh challah, kosher wine and other provisions can be arranged before you arrive, rather than leaving your family to solve the details once you are in the bush.

And when Friday evening arrives, the experience can become remarkably simple.

The game drive ends with enough time to return before sunset. The vehicle is put away. Phones become unnecessary. Your family gathers together as the African evening settles outside.

Perhaps there is no synagogue that week.

There is still a table.

There is still challah.

There is still wine.

There is still the quiet beginning of Shabbat, surrounded by the sounds of the African night.

For families who want to attend a service, we can build the itinerary around access to an established Jewish community when geography allows. For those spending Shabbat in the wilderness, the goal is different: to make observance feel natural, dignified and completely unhurried.

The wilderness does not have to compete with Shabbat.

With thoughtful planning, it can become its setting.

Kosher food in Africa is certified by the Beth Din of South Africa which is the Jewish religious court responsible for ensuring that food and other products meet the standards of Jewish dietary laws.

Stainless steel pots and pans are boiled and torched clean between each meal or for a nominal fee new pots, pans, plates, and cutlery/flatware will be supplied and be inspected by you when you check into the safari lodge or camp, or if you prefer you can bring in your own pots & pans.  After every use, they are washed in a special designated area.  During your stay, you are more than welcome to inspect the kitchen to ensure you are pleased with how your meals are being prepared.

Deluxe Option

At our approved Kosher Safari Lodges, Pareve meals will be prepared fresh on-site by chefs who have been trained in kosher catering, and at your request, kosher milk products as well as kosher meat from a Mehadrin Commission Kosher Butchery will be brought in.

Private & Exclusive

A Mashgiach who is Shomer Shabbat and has completed the Mashgiach kashrut course will be flown into the safari lodge.  If the lodge doesn't have a dedicated kosher kitchen, he will set up a temporary separated kitchen with new cooking utensils & equipment as well as import the Kosher approved ingredients including Chalav Yisrael & Mehadrin meat as well as shabbos candles and fragrance for havdalah.  He will supervise all the cooking.

If needed we can also get a private Jewish Kosher chef from a recognized kashrut authority to accompany him.  Both of them are very involved in the Jewish community in South Africa and work with full permission of their overseeing Rabbi. 

Shabbat While On Safari:

For all lodges & camps that we recommend Eruv is key, so we ensure the lodges/camps we select are on enclosed grounds.  To avoid elevators we book rooms at lower levels as well ensuring they don’t have electric pass keys or they are electronically disconnected during Shabbat.

To ensure compliance with Jewish dietary laws Shabbat dinner and lunch are cooked before Shabbat starts. A stove or grill with a blech or an oven will be used to keep food warm over Shabbat.

Hot water for tea or coffee over Shabbat will be boiled and preserved in flasks.

Activities during Shabbat

Whenever available we will select kosher safari Lodges that have watering holes where animals visit and from the comfort of your chair, you will have a wildlife viewing experience during Shabbat.  Another option during Shabbat is to have a Walking Safari in the Masai Mara or Serengeti escorted by an armed guard