Africa Safaris & Game Drives Kosher Safaris

The 7 Best Kosher Safaris and Kosher Safari Lodges (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 7 picks

The best kosher safari in 2026 is 18 On The Hill in the Balule reserve of the Greater Kruger, a nine-suite lodge with its own locked kosher kitchen and a kosher rate that includes the mashgiach. Other strong choices are Lion Sands Ivory Lodge (Beth Din of Johannesburg kitchen), Royal Malewane, Jabulani, Marataba, the self-catering Soetdoring reserve, and Gourmet Kosher Safaris' guided kosher tours.

Keeping kosher on safari is easier than most travelers expect. A handful of South African lodges now run dedicated kosher kitchens with separate meat and dairy sides, source from Beth Din-approved suppliers and bring in a mashgiach to kasher the kitchen before you arrive. Several also shorten Friday drives and adjust Saturday activities for Shabbat.

Standards differ. Some lodges include supervision in a kosher rate; others let guests self-supervise or charge for a mashgiach separately. Always confirm the supervising body, whether Chalav Yisrael and Mehadrin meat are available, and how much notice the lodge needs. Prices per person sharing per night: $ under $150 · $$$ $400–1,000 · $$$$ over $1,000.

1. 18 On The Hill — Maseke, Balule Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger

Nine luxury tented suites with a locked, fully equipped kosher kitchen and the mashgiach included.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Observant families · Couples

18 On The Hill is a nine-suite luxury tented lodge in the Maseke section of the Balule Nature Reserve, which shares unfenced borders with Kruger, so the Big Five roam freely. For kosher guests it runs a fully equipped kosher kitchen that stays locked unless a vetted, trained mashgiach is on site for the whole stay; self-supervision is not allowed, which is exactly what strictly observant travelers want to hear.

The kosher rate (ZAR 14,900 per person sharing per night in 2026) includes all meals, the mashgiach's costs, kosher house drinks, two game drives a day and conservation levies. Over Shabbat the lodge can arrange a shorter Friday drive or a Saturday night drive, and children of all ages are welcome, with suites that have their own plunge pools.

Good to know: Book the kosher rate at least 5–7 days ahead so the lodge can arrange the mashgiach, and fly into Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport, about an hour away.

18 On The Hill, Maseke Game Reserve, Balule Nature Reserve, Limpopo, South Africa

Google Maps Website

2. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge — Sabi Sands, Greater Kruger

A permanent kosher kitchen approved and supervised by the Beth Din of Johannesburg.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Luxury travelers · Observant families

Lion Sands' Ivory Lodge has a permanent kosher kitchen approved and supervised by the Beth Din of Johannesburg. A private mashgiach arrives before your stay to kasher it and stays to oversee preparation, and guests can also bring in a private Jewish chef to cook under supervision.

River Lodge and Fish Eagle Villa offer self-supervised or mashgiach-supervised kosher meals, Mehadrin meat and Chalav Yisrael dairy can be ordered, and drives are adjusted for Shabbos.

Good to know: Kosher stays cost extra and must be arranged in advance; ask for Ivory Lodge if you want the accredited kitchen.

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Google Maps Website

3. Royal Malewane — Thornybush, Greater Kruger

Two dedicated kosher kitchens, at Malewane Lodge and at Waterside, with a Beth Din mashgiach on request.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Luxury travelers · Multi-generational groups

Royal Malewane has run dedicated kosher kitchens for more than seven years, one at Malewane Lodge and one at Waterside, each with two stoves, two fridges, two sinks and separate sets of everything for meat and milk. Ingredients are Beth Din-approved and meat comes sealed and certified from Johannesburg.

On request, a mashgiach from the Beth Din arrives a day before you to kasher the kitchen and stays to supervise. Waterside, a private house, suits families who want Shabbat together.

Good to know: Choose Waterside for a family or group Shabbat with your own space.

Royal Malewane, Thornybush Game Reserve, Limpopo, South Africa

Google Maps Website

4. Jabulani — Kapama Private Game Reserve, near Hoedspruit

A Relais & Châteaux lodge with separate milchik and fleishik kosher kitchens.

$$$$ SplurgeBest for Couples · Observant families

Jabulani set aside two kitchens strictly for kosher food, one for dairy and one for meat, each with new, labeled equipment and tableware. It can provide a mashgiach, or you can bring your own, and you may also bring a kosher chef to cook alongside its team.

Mehadrin meat is available with notice, and Chalav Yisrael dairy needs at least 30 days. Breakfasts and lunches are dairy or parve, dinners meat.

Good to know: Give 30 days' notice if you need Chalav Yisrael.

Jabulani, Kapama Private Game Reserve, Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa

Google Maps Website

5. Marataba — Marakele National Park, Waterberg

A dedicated kosher kitchen, Shabbos-adjusted drives and kosher snacks on the water safari.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Families · Observant families

Marataba keeps separate meat and dairy preparation and storage areas with kosher-only cookware, sources ingredients, drinks and in-suite snacks from Beth Din-approved suppliers, and can order Mehadrin meat or Chalav Yisrael dairy in advance.

Guests choose self-supervision or a private mashgiach who kashers the kitchen and stays on site. Game drives are adjusted for Shabbos, and refreshments on drives and on the Miss Mara water safari are kosher.

Good to know: A good choice for a kosher safari closer to Johannesburg than Kruger.

Marataba, Marakele National Park, Limpopo, South Africa

Google Maps Website

6. Soetdoring Kosher Game Reserve — About two hours from Johannesburg, South Africa

South Africa's first self-catering kosher bush retreat, on a 300-hectare game reserve.

$ BudgetBest for Groups · Budget travelers

Soetdoring calls itself South Africa's first self-catering kosher facility in the bushveld: a 300-hectare private reserve with giraffe, zebra and antelope, a Beth Din kosher kitchen with separate meat and milk dishwashers, and mezuzot, siddurim and benchers in place.

It sleeps groups across Villa Gigi, Gigi's Lofts, Moliki Lodge and Lorna's Corner, with self-drive or ranger game drives. It is not a Big Five reserve, but it is ideal for community weekends and family simchas.

Good to know: Book a whole villa for a family Shabbat or community retreat.

Soetdoring Kosher Game Reserve, South Africa

Google Maps Website

7. Gourmet Kosher Safaris — Southern and East Africa, South Africa

Fully catered, hosted kosher safaris and private tours across Africa.

Best for Observant travelers · Groups

Gourmet Kosher Safaris grew out of Rabbi Yoni Isaacson's Africa Kosher Safaris, founded in 2001, and runs hosted group tours and customized private trips with gourmet kosher catering, from South Africa to the Great Migration in East Africa.

The team handles kashrut, guiding and logistics and hosts guests from arrival to departure. Dates and prices come on enquiry.

Good to know: Use it for a multi-country trip where you want kashrut handled at every stop.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

Can you keep kosher on an African safari?

Yes. Lodges such as 18 On The Hill, Lion Sands, Royal Malewane, Jabulani and Marataba have dedicated kosher kitchens with separate meat and dairy, and can arrange a mashgiach. Specialist operators such as Gourmet Kosher Safaris run fully catered kosher tours.

Who supervises kosher food at South African safari lodges?

Usually a mashgiach approved by the Beth Din in Johannesburg. Lion Sands' Ivory Lodge kitchen is approved and supervised by the Beth Din of Johannesburg; other lodges bring in a Beth Din-approved mashgiach for each stay or allow self-supervision.

How much notice does a lodge need for a kosher safari?

It varies. 18 On The Hill needs the kosher rate booked at least 5–7 days before arrival so it can arrange a mashgiach, and Jabulani asks for at least 30 days' notice for Chalav Yisrael dairy. Book as early as you can.

Do kosher safari lodges adjust game drives for Shabbat?

Many do. 18 On The Hill offers a shorter Friday drive or a Saturday night drive on request, and Lion Sands and Marataba adjust drive times for Shabbos, including early Friday returns.

Is a kosher safari more expensive?

Usually. 18 On The Hill's 2026 kosher rate is ZAR 14,900 per person sharing per night against ZAR 9,900 for its standard rate, and Lion Sands charges extra for kosher stays. The difference covers the mashgiach and kosher sourcing.

1. 18 On The Hill — Maseke, Balule Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger

2. Lion Sands Ivory Lodge — Sabi Sands, Greater Kruger

3. Royal Malewane — Thornybush, Greater Kruger

4. Jabulani — Kapama Private Game Reserve, near Hoedspruit

5. Marataba — Marakele National Park, Waterberg

6. Soetdoring Kosher Game Reserve — About two hours from Johannesburg, South Africa

7. Gourmet Kosher Safaris — Southern and East Africa, South Africa

Frequently asked questions

Related lists

The 10 Best Walking Safaris in Africa (2026)

The 5 Best Safari Travel Specialists for Africa (2026)

The 12 Best Safari Companies in Africa (2026)

The 10 Best Honeymoon Safari Lodges in Africa (2026)

The 10 Best Great Migration Safari Camps (2026)