It’s the best part of any trip: The food! I went into our safari experience with no expectations of the meals. I wasn’t really thinking about it. I was thinking about the rhinos, lions, zebras, and giraffes! That’s why I was so delighted to find that every bite of every dining experience was over and above anything I could have anticipated. We never had a bad bite, but here are the best things we ate at Solio Lodge.
Bush Breakfast
A Bush Breakfast is just what it sounds like on safari: Breakfast in the African bush! Our spotter and driver prepared breakfast for us during our morning game drives, always picking a spot within sight of–but a safe distance from–the wildlife we came to see. It was all delicious.
When they asked what we wanted for breakfast, we gave them several options: Oatmeal, eggs with cheese, fruit, yogurt, pancakes, sausage, bacon. We were just giving options that would work for us, including my toddler daughter. We were shocked the next morning when they made it all! This was more than enough for three days’ worth of breakfasts, and we actually asked for less the next day. I couldn’t believe how tasty everything was, and they made it all with a camp “kitchen” attached to the safari truck. Come hungry!
Keep reading: The Best Things to Do at Solio Lodge
Lodge Breakfast
Most days we were out on a game drive for breakfast, but the last couple of mornings, we took it easier and ate at Solio Lodge before heading out for the day. Again, the food was incredible. Guests can choose from fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, banana bread, fresh juices, and more, in addition to a full menu that included an omelette, eggs Benedict, avocado toast, etc. We came hungry and left full for hours.
More here: Tips for Your Safari with The Safari Collection
Lunch
Lunch was always served outdoors, in full view of the animals in the Solio Game Reserve. (Watch out for the monkeys–they’re braver than you want them to be!) Every day, we enjoyed a unique appetizer, family-style entree and sides, plus dessert, all of which tasted like perfection. My favorite? The chicken and pineapple tacos. Having lumch with rhinos, impalas, and monkeys gave us that true, “safari” feel; having such gourmet options made us feel like we were fine dining at the same time. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but lunches just might take the cake for me as far as what we ate during our stay at Solio Lodge.
Keep reading: The Most Important Reasons I Took My Toddler on Safari (and would I do it again?)
Sundowners
Were we hungry after lunch, during our afternoon game drives? No. Did that stop us from enjoying a sundowner? Also no. Each afternoon, we got front row seats to the large and small game at Solio while munching on sweet, fresh fruit and savory treats. Our favorite? The cheese and onion pastries the last day. I could eat those every day of my life and never get tired of them… And I don’t even like onions. What is this voodoo magic?
Read on: How to Visit the Rhino Orphanage at Solio
Dinner
As if all the food we ate throughout the day wasn’t enough, the fine dining offered at dinner was completely over the top. The chef came out to talk with us at lunch to explain the entree options for dinner, and we would choose at that time. From appetizers to dessert, we couldn’t stop talking about how delicious every dish tasted. We thought, surely nothing could top the first dinner, but the second one did. Surely nothing could top that, but then it did. The real star each night? Dessert. No need to save room; you’ll do what it takes to make room!
Read next: How to Apply for a Kenyan Visa (special note for single parents)
Coffee
The most important meal of the day? Definitely coffee. Each morning started with a wake-up call that included coffee service. My friend got locally roasted, Kenyan French press, while I indulged in a latte every morning. We didn’t leave out my toddler, however. She got milk. What took it all over the top? Rhino cookies! They’ve thought of everything.
But the coffee delights didn’t stop at wake-up time. Even the coffee at our bush breakfast was amazing. And the iced coffee in the afternoons was awesome. Really, you can order any coffee, any time of day, and you should. It’s all included, all available, and any employee can make it happen. Whether you prefer your coffee in bed, on the deck at sunrise, or in the lobby on a cozy couch, it’s a coffee drinker’s version of Heaven.
Read more: What It’s Like Staying at Solio Lodge by The Safari Collection
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