Royal Malewane’s Exclusive Kosher Safari Experience

Unrivaled Luxury in the Heart of the Greater Kruger

Providing an exceptional kosher dining experience at Royal Malewane is about creating memorable culinary moments while maintaining the highest standards of compliance for our guests to the Greater Kruger.

Royal Malewane has always been a pioneer in catering to our guests’ changing needs. Food plays an integral part in the guest experience. For over seven years, the dedicated kosher kitchens at Royal Malewane have been catering to the needs of Jewish travellers.

“We can accommodate the strictest kosher diners,” Executive Chef Archie MacLean explains. “We have two dedicated kosher kitchens – one at Malewane Lodge and one at Waterside – that allows us to follow the rules. We have two stoves, two fridges, two sinks, two sets of cutlery, two sets of plates, and two sets of utensils – everything needed to separate meat and milk for every meal.”

He says the kitchen uses Beth Din-approved ingredients exclusively, with strict oversight from a mashgiach (Jewish culinary supervisor, approved by the Beth Din) when required. All meat comes from a trusted Johannesburg supplier and products are properly sealed and certified kosher.

Should the guests require it, a mashgiach can be organised from the Beth Din for their stay. They would come in a day before the guests’ arrival, kasher the entire kitchen and oversee the kosher food for the duration of their visit.

Chef Archie MacLean

Elevating The Dining Experience

Head Chef Michael Mandy explains: “We started cooking in a kosher kitchen because we wanted to offer fresh, well-tasting, presentable food for our Jewish guests, in line with our food philosophy at Malewane Lodge and Waterside, which is fresh ingredients and healthy food.”

Chef MacLean says, “The kosher dining guests who have stayed with us have been talking quite widely amongst themselves. They feel safe and secure when we give them the proper dining environment.”

Left: A family- style dinner setup at Waterside House, Right: Kosher dining at Malewane Lodge

Individual Dining Par Excellence

The Malewane Lodge and Waterside kitchens’ approach to kosher dining reflects our broader culinary philosophy. Every guest receives customised daily menus, ensuring variety and excellence throughout their stay. This attention to detail extends to all dietary requirements – the team handles hundreds of different requests monthly, with most sous chefs trained in kosher preparation.

The impact on guests is evident says Chef MacLean.
“The feedback from our Jewish guests is consistently excellent. Before arrival, we typically receive enquiries from agents ensuring everything is properly arranged. When guests meet our chef who will be preparing their meals, you can see their anxiety dissolve – confident they’re in capable hands.”

Africa House, One of Royal Malewane’s Exclusive Private Villas with Its Boldly Decorated Dining Space

Good to know:

All the lodges at Royal Malewane can do kosher dining but only Malewane Lodge and Waterside have kosher kitchens (with certification from the Beth Din of South Africa).

For a full kosher experience, Chef MacLean suggests booking both Farmstead and Farmhouse. He says, “We have two kitchens to split meat and milk. For higher level kosher diners, we can also kasher both kitchens with the help of a mashgiach.”

The separate kitchen facilities at Africa House enable us to maintain proper kosher standards, with dedicated spaces for meat and dairy preparation. (Meat dishes are prepared in the kosher kitchen and transferred to the service kitchen at mealtime. This two-stove setup allows for complete separation of meat and dairy).

Left: Personalised Service at Malewane Lodge; Right: Sundowner Drinks Stop on Safari

A Complete Kosher Experience

A mashgiach is also available to kasher the kitchens at Royal Malewane’s private villas at an additional cost. All kosher arrangements require four weeks’ notice. Pre-cooked kosher meals from Johannesburg are available and transported via Federal Air. Kosher wines can also be arranged upon request.

For any queries regarding kosher dining at Royal Malewane, please don’t hesitate to contact reservations@trp.travel.