Vegan/Vegetarian food availability?

[nomadicvegan]

My husband and I have booked a 3-night walking safari on the Napi trail between Pretoriuskop and Skukuza rest camps. We are both vegan, meaning we don't eat animal products (no meat, fish, dairy or eggs). The SANParks website has this to say about meals on this trail:

"The trail provides simple but wholesome meals prepared by a cook on either an open fire or a gas stove. Trailists with special dietary requirements must please realize that although the trail can cater for some (e.g. vegetarians) it is very difficult to suit every individual’s special need. Prior arrangements in this regard are essential. We will help if it is in any way possible."

We have tried emailing SANParks and messaging them on Facebook to make these prior arrangements but have not received any response. We do not require anything fancy; we'd just like to know that there will be basic food for us, such as pap and gravy, or rice and beans.

Can anyone tell us whether vegans can be catered for on this trail, and how we might make this request?

Any info on the availability of vegan food at Pretoriuskop camp would also be greatly appreciated.

[Meandering Mouse]

A very warm welcome to you nomadicvegan.

I would try to send a mail to Pretorius Kop and ask them to pass your dietary requirements on, just to make sure that they are aware of your needs. There should not be a problem. There is usually good communication between the starting camp and the trail staff.

The trail meals are usually very diverse and offer a wide variety of veggies and salads. I should not imagine that there should be a problem. Some starch is always on the menu.

The breakfasts are usually a light picnic meal in the bush. That is often fruit, some biscuits and fruit juice. They do have cheese and/or biltong/dry wors. This might be where there is the least choice. I would say that it might be worth while to take a few nuts to nibble on, if you are needing a filler. .

If you want to buy food in the shop, there is a very limited choice at Pretoius Kop. There will be things like baked beans, tinned peas and bread. There are often trail mixes, a combination of dried fruit and nuts. There is a Wimpy that would be able to cater to your needs. I am sure that they would not mind rustling up a suitable salad. I have noticed an improvement in the veg stocks that the shops carry. I have seen pack of veg that include tomato, onion, peppers and possibly potato. If you find nice avos before you enter the Park, I would suggest that you buy some.

I do wish you a wonderful tail with many, marvelous memories.

[Hippotragus]

Very good advice, MM.

nomadicvegan - maybe pack a few lightweight extra nibbles, just in case! I am sure they will try to cater for your needs as much as they can.

Enjoy the trail!!

[Crested Val]

A warm welcome to the forums nomadicvegan!!

Pretoriouskop phone and email addresses:

Telephone: 013 735 5128/32
Duty Phone: 082 802 1203

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

I do hope that you come right with the food, and that you enjoy your trail.

[nomadicvegan]

Thanks so much to all three of you for your helpful replies!

I have just sent emails to the addresses provided by Crested Val, so I am hopeful that it will all be sorted.

[Meandering Mouse]

nomadicvegan, I do wish you a wonderful trail experience. May you come back with wonderful memories.

[Imberbe]

I would suggest that you supply sufficient extra food for yourself.

The cooks on the trails are generally speaking not really skilled in this "specialized" type of diet. They do also work with limited budgets, which will prevent them from spending extra money on your personal needs.

I am sure they will try if informed, but you are sure to need some extra food.

Enjoy what is sure to be a special experience

[nomadicvegan]

Thanks, but we definitely don't need any specialized foods. As I mentioned in my original post, common plant-based staples such as rice and beans or pap and gravy will do just fine. And these are generally much cheaper than animal products, so the organizers will probably end up saving money when catering for us.

I've just received a reply from SANParks via email, and it seems that they are happy to accommodate us. But sure, we'll bring some trail mix and other snacks just in case.

Cheers!

[Crested Val]

So glad that you heard back, and that you can be catered for.

We have vegan friends, and they are very easy to feed when they come to visit

Once we knew what they could not eat, everything else was on the menu!!!

As Imberbe says it will be a wonderful experience, so wishing you all the best.

Maybe you can share some photos when you return home, or write a Travel Report?

[nomadicvegan]

Hi Crested Val,

I'm actually the author of a vegan travel blog, so yes, I'll definitely be writing a travel report! I'll be traveling around southern Africa for the next three months, so I imagine I'll have lots to share about the trip. I'll post a link here once I've published something. Thanks for your interest!

[Meandering Mouse]

I am pleased to hear that all is well and that you received a reply.

Good luck with your writing.

Why not copy and paste your blog writing onto out trip report thread. It might be helpful to other travelers experiencing similar issues. You will also reach a wider audience.

[Elsa]

Saw this recipe on line and thought those who are on a vegan diet might like to try it.
Not really something one would whip up in the park but possibly for a treat at home while waiting for the trip to arrive or to help with withdrawal symptoms once home.




A delicious and easy Vegan Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bomb Smoothie recipe

Ingredients
2 bananas frozen
1 cup almond milk
3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
2 tablespoons good quality cocoa powder
1 tablespoon hemp seed powder optional
2 blocks 80% dark chocolate melted

How To
Place all the ingredients, except the melted chocolate, in your blender or smoothie maker.

Blend until combined and smooth.

Set the blender to low speed and carefully pour the melted chocolate into the smoothie.

[Meandering Mouse]

Wow, that looks quite decadent.

[baseballsp123]

eh, what's the different of vegan and Vegetarian diet? are they the same... can you eat nuts?I love nuts or just vegetables

[Hippotragus]

As far as I know, and I stand to be corrected, vegetarians can eat eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt etc., but not meat. Some (called pescatarians) can eat fish, but not animal or fowl meat. Vegans cannot eat anything derived from an animal - or use anything from an animal i.e. leather, eggs, dairy products, gelatine etc.

The shops in Kruger do stock some vegetables and fruit, but are not specifically geared to vegetarians or vegans. Special food requirements should be purchased before entering the park.