Chanukah has always been about bringing light into unexpected places.

Imagine lighting the first candle as the African evening settles around you, the last warmth of sunset disappearing beyond the savannah while lanterns begin to glow outside your private lodge.

For families accustomed to celebrating Chanukah at home, Africa offers a rare change of perspective. The rituals remain familiar. The setting does not.

A private safari vehicle can take you into the wilderness at first light, where elephants move quietly through the acacia trees and lions rest in the golden grass. By afternoon, you return to a beautifully prepared lodge, with time to swim, rest, or simply sit together without the usual demands of everyday life.

As evening approaches, the details have already been handled.

Kosher meals are arranged in advance with trusted suppliers and private chefs. Depending on the destination, kosher meat can be sourced through established suppliers such as Moishe's Butchery in South Africa or, in East Africa, through Chabad communities and other trusted kosher networks. Familiar provisions can be waiting before you arrive, so your attention remains where it belongs: with your family.

Then the Chanukah candles are lit.

Perhaps beneath an African sky.

Perhaps on the private terrace of your suite.

Perhaps after dinner beside a glowing fire, with nothing around you but wilderness and stars.

Children watch the flames while elephants call somewhere beyond the lodge. Parents realise that nobody is checking the time.

The beauty is not that Chanukah has been transported to Africa.

It is that the familiar suddenly feels new.

Eight nights become eight opportunities to slow down, reconnect, and create memories your family will still talk about years from now.

Because sometimes the most meaningful way to celebrate tradition is to experience it somewhere you never expected.

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