South Africa Food and Tipping Practices

South Africa is a multicultural destination with a plethora of different cultures having a mark on the country’s food landscape. When exploring restaurants in Cape Town, Durban, or Johannesburg, or while staying at safari lodges, you’ll come across a variety of flavours and dishes. Let’s explore what you can expect while on a South African holiday.

South African Cuisine and Food Culture

South African cuisine is a delightful fusion of flavours and culinary traditions that reflect the nation’s rich history and multiculturalism. Many favourite South African dishes include influences from other African countries, the Netherlands, France, India, and Southeast Asia. A focus on hearty, flavourful, and satisfying dishes can be found throughout cultures and traditions.

A popular South African pastime that simply must be experienced while here is a braai. People gather together to enjoy a meal based on meat grilled on an open flame. Many safari lodges in South Africa treat guests to braais during their stay.

Must-try South African dishes include:

• Bobotie (a Cape Malay dish)
• Biltong (a meaty snack)
• Bunny chow (hollowed-out bread filled with curry)
• Chakalaka (a vegetable relish and popular side dish at braais)
• Samp and beans (a staple in traditional Xhosa cuisine).
• For dessert, don’t miss out on melktert (milk tart) and koeksisters (a type of fried doughnut).

Tipping in South Africa

At Discover Africa, our tried and tested strategy is to ask the lodge manager or your guide for assistance with tipping. As a general guideline, we recommend about US $20 per person per day for your guide, about US $15 for trackers, and about US $20 for general staff (porters, cooks, cleaners, waiters, watchmen, etc.). Some lodges have an anonymous tip box for all their staff, but you’re also welcome to give a gratuity directly to the person who helped you. If you’re staying in a city hotel in South Africa, work on US $15 porterage per person.

As for dining out, the norm is between a 10% and 15% tip on the total amount of the bill (depending on the level of service). For a group of five to six people or more, some restaurants add a gratuity directly onto the bill, so check first to avoid double tipping.

South African food is about rich, diverse flavours, hearty meals, and a strong sense of community. A holiday in this country is a culinary adventure and has something to offer every palate.