Missing video
Sorry, this video could not be found.
Ethical eating with eco-epicurean food tours
Eco-epicurean eating tours
San tour guides explain indigenous plants
Did you know?
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden sell seed for edible indigenous plants you can plant at home.
There are a range of eco-epicurean tours in South Africa that allow you to eat, drink, and travel without having a negative impact on the environment.
Issues of preserving indigenous edible plant biodiversity are increasingly pertinent in current culinary circles. There are several epicurean wine and food tours, which allow the traveller to sample, savour, and help to preserve our indigenous pantry.
In KwaZulu-Natal, traditional healer Dr. Elliot Ndlovu offers tours of the Kamberg, which introduce travellers to the healing and culinary uses of Zulu indigenous plants, followed by a traditional Zulu lunch.
Near Yzerfontein, at !Khwa ttu!, San guides lead tours during which they demonstrate their hunting and gathering skills, and share their ancient knowledge about tracking animals, edible and medicinal plants.
Kontrei Traveller’s eco-epicurean food tours are rooted in the Slow Food philosophy of food that honours the palate and the planet. Designed around the tastes and time constraints of the client, you can explore organic wine or immerse yourself in Cape Malay cuisine.
For those with an afternoon to spare, visit Franschhoek wine estate Solms-Delta’s veld kos (wild food) garden. Learn about endangered edible plants once gathered and consumed by the Khoi and the Xhosa, then eat them in the estate's Fyndraai restaurant.
Prince Albert based cookery school, African Relish, focuses on regional and artisan producers. They offer cooking classes, farmers' market excursions, and farm visits combined with a range of hands-on cooking classes using only locally sourced produce.
In Gauteng, Karin Spottiswoode offers edible indigenous summer fruit tours of the Kloofendaal Nature Reserve.
No epicurean adventure would be complete without wine. The Green Mountain Eco Route is the world’s first biodiversity wine route. Gourmets can independently explore its eco-fiendly wine farms and homegrown country cuisine, or join a 4-day gourmet slack-pack hike, and walk, eat and drink their way through the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
African Relish
Phone +27 (0)23 541 1381
Fax: +27 (0)23 541 1386
Mobile: +27 (0)82 319 7031
Enquiries: jeremy@africanrelish.com
Fordoun Hotel & Spa
Dr. Elliot Ndlovu
Phone: +27 (0)33 266 6217
Email: info@fordoun.com
!Khwa ttu!
Phone: +27 (0)22 492 2998
Email: info@khwattu.org
Kloofendal Walks
Karin Spottiswoode
Phone: +27 (0)11 674 2980
Kontrei Traveller
Phone: +27 (0)21 871 1715
Email: ndt@kontrei.co.za
Green Mountain Eco Route
Phone: +27 (0)21 844 0975
Email: info@greenmountain.co.za
Solms-Delta Wine Estate
Phone: +27 (0)21 847 3937
Email: info@solms-delta.co.za
How to get here
The Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, where the tours take place are easily accessed by air, as well as roads and rail.
Get around
Book with a tour operator or hire a car.
What will it cost
The cost of a tour will vary according to the length of the tour and the amount of food and accommodation involved. A half-day tour will generally cost in the region of R400 (30 Euro).
Length of stay
Tours can range from 1/2 day excursions to 14-day trips with meals, accommodation and transport included.
What to pack
Your tour operator or the establishment can assist with what items (if any) you should bring/pack for your tour.
Where to stay
With the exception of Kloofendal Nature Reserve and Solms-Delta wine estate, all the tour options mentioned include accomodation options.
What to eat
Never sample unknown or indigenous fruits, plants or roots without first consulting your tour guide.
Best buys
Ben-Erik Van Wyk and Nigel Gericke. People's Plants: A guide to useful plants of Southern Africa. Briza. 1998