3 week africa suggestion

Hi,
I only have three weeks to take off and would like to visit somewhere in
Africa for the first time in my life. To complicate things further I
can't drive. Where would people suggest? I have the following
preferences if it helps.

a) Independent travel (i.e. public transport)
b) Not too expensive (that probably excludes safaris?) and not too
expensive to get to from the UK (seems to exclude quite a lot of Africa)
c) Reasonably safe
d) Water that you can swim in at least some of the time
e) Relaxing rather than activities
f) Good food (I *am* a big fan of chicken, rice and peas)

Any ideas? I was idly thinking of Senegal but that is based on almost no
information.

Raphael

On the question of good food..... Africa is generally not a
gastronomically popular destination. Sub Saharan African food
"generally" tends to be unexciting (from a presentation and taste
perspective), particularly outside of the major centres and outside of
the major hotels and expensive safari lodges.

Nothing beats eating freshly grilled Tilapia on the banks of Lake
Victroria or barbequed chicken wings on the roadside in Uganda, or
fresh fish on the beach in Mozambique but it's not presented in a
manner that's aesthetically pleasing. It's just a piece of fish on a
plate with chips, usually with a luke-warm beer or Coke as well.

If you are looking for eating experiences more in line with European
eating-out experiences, then you should think about South Africa with
its myriad excellent restaurants in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape
Town.

If your idea of good food is not the restaurant experience, but rather
being in convivial places, interacting with the locals, eating local
food (usually tasty enough, but can be stodgy, tough, and ultimately
unexciting), and you have adventurous tastes (and possibly, a tough
constitution) then travelling to almost any African country can be
rewarding.

Regards,
Marc - Johannesburg


On Sat, 16 Oct 2004 11:55:34 +0100, lesshaste
wrote:

Hi,
I only have three weeks to take off and would like to visit somewhere in
Africa for the first time in my life. To complicate things further I
can't drive. Where would people suggest? I have the following
preferences if it helps.

a) Independent travel (i.e. public transport)
b) Not too expensive (that probably excludes safaris?) and not too
expensive to get to from the UK (seems to exclude quite a lot of Africa)
c) Reasonably safe
d) Water that you can swim in at least some of the time
e) Relaxing rather than activities
f) Good food (I *am* a big fan of chicken, rice and peas)

Any ideas? I was idly thinking of Senegal but that is based on almost no
information.

Raphael

On the question of good food..... Africa is generally not a
gastronomically popular destination. Sub Saharan African food
"generally" tends to be unexciting (from a presentation and taste
perspective), particularly outside of the major centres and outside of
the major hotels and expensive safari lodges.

Nothing beats eating freshly grilled Tilapia on the banks of Lake
Victroria or barbequed chicken wings on the roadside in Uganda, or
fresh fish on the beach in Mozambique but it's not presented in a
manner that's aesthetically pleasing. It's just a piece of fish on a
plate with chips, usually with a luke-warm beer or Coke as well.

If you are looking for eating experiences more in line with European
eating-out experiences, then you should think about South Africa with
its myriad excellent restaurants in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape
Town.

If your idea of good food is not the restaurant experience, but rather
being in convivial places, interacting with the locals, eating local
food (usually tasty enough, but can be stodgy, tough, and ultimately
unexciting), and you have adventurous tastes (and possibly, a tough
constitution) then travelling to almost any African country can be
rewarding.

Regards,
Marc - Johannesburg


On Sat, 16 Oct 2004 11:55:34 +0100, lesshaste
wrote:

Hi,
I only have three weeks to take off and would like to visit somewhere in
Africa for the first time in my life. To complicate things further I
can't drive. Where would people suggest? I have the following
preferences if it helps.

a) Independent travel (i.e. public transport)
b) Not too expensive (that probably excludes safaris?) and not too
expensive to get to from the UK (seems to exclude quite a lot of Africa)
c) Reasonably safe
d) Water that you can swim in at least some of the time
e) Relaxing rather than activities
f) Good food (I *am* a big fan of chicken, rice and peas)

Any ideas? I was idly thinking of Senegal but that is based on almost no
information.

Raphael

Marc Lurie wrote:
On the question of good food..... Africa is generally not a
gastronomically popular destination. Sub Saharan African food
"generally" tends to be unexciting (from a presentation and taste
perspective), particularly outside of the major centres and outside of
the major hotels and expensive safari lodges.

Nothing beats eating freshly grilled Tilapia on the banks of Lake
Victroria or barbequed chicken wings on the roadside in Uganda, or
fresh fish on the beach in Mozambique but it's not presented in a
manner that's aesthetically pleasing. It's just a piece of fish on a
plate with chips, usually with a luke-warm beer or Coke as well.

If you are looking for eating experiences more in line with European
eating-out experiences, then you should think about South Africa with
its myriad excellent restaurants in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape
Town.

If your idea of good food is not the restaurant experience, but rather
being in convivial places, interacting with the locals, eating local
food (usually tasty enough, but can be stodgy, tough, and ultimately
unexciting), and you have adventurous tastes (and possibly, a tough
constitution) then travelling to almost any African country can be
rewarding.


Yes that is my idea of good food (the fish especially). What I am not so
keen on is a diet of only rice and/or manioc (but then who is given the
choice). So do you suggest Uganda/Kenya for a short break?

Raphael


Regards,
Marc - Johannesburg




On Sat, 16 Oct 2004 11:55:34 +0100, lesshaste
wrote:


Hi,
I only have three weeks to take off and would like to visit somewhere in
Africa for the first time in my life. To complicate things further I
can't drive. Where would people suggest? I have the following
preferences if it helps.

a) Independent travel (i.e. public transport)
b) Not too expensive (that probably excludes safaris?) and not too
expensive to get to from the UK (seems to exclude quite a lot of Africa)
c) Reasonably safe
d) Water that you can swim in at least some of the time
e) Relaxing rather than activities
f) Good food (I *am* a big fan of chicken, rice and peas)

Any ideas? I was idly thinking of Senegal but that is based on almost no
information.

Raphael

Marc Lurie wrote:
On the question of good food..... Africa is generally not a
gastronomically popular destination. Sub Saharan African food
"generally" tends to be unexciting (from a presentation and taste
perspective), particularly outside of the major centres and outside of
the major hotels and expensive safari lodges.

Nothing beats eating freshly grilled Tilapia on the banks of Lake
Victroria or barbequed chicken wings on the roadside in Uganda, or
fresh fish on the beach in Mozambique but it's not presented in a
manner that's aesthetically pleasing. It's just a piece of fish on a
plate with chips, usually with a luke-warm beer or Coke as well.

If you are looking for eating experiences more in line with European
eating-out experiences, then you should think about South Africa with
its myriad excellent restaurants in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape
Town.

If your idea of good food is not the restaurant experience, but rather
being in convivial places, interacting with the locals, eating local
food (usually tasty enough, but can be stodgy, tough, and ultimately
unexciting), and you have adventurous tastes (and possibly, a tough
constitution) then travelling to almost any African country can be
rewarding.


Yes that is my idea of good food (the fish especially). What I am not so
keen on is a diet of only rice and/or manioc (but then who is given the
choice). So do you suggest Uganda/Kenya for a short break?

Raphael


Regards,
Marc - Johannesburg




On Sat, 16 Oct 2004 11:55:34 +0100, lesshaste
wrote:


Hi,
I only have three weeks to take off and would like to visit somewhere in
Africa for the first time in my life. To complicate things further I
can't drive. Where would people suggest? I have the following
preferences if it helps.

a) Independent travel (i.e. public transport)
b) Not too expensive (that probably excludes safaris?) and not too
expensive to get to from the UK (seems to exclude quite a lot of Africa)
c) Reasonably safe
d) Water that you can swim in at least some of the time
e) Relaxing rather than activities
f) Good food (I *am* a big fan of chicken, rice and peas)

Any ideas? I was idly thinking of Senegal but that is based on almost no
information.

Raphael

For fish and shelfish, I strongly recommend Mozambique. Anywhere from
Vilancoulos northwards, on the coast. There's just something about the
Portuguese influence on African food...

Uganda is wonderful, but for a short break I might prefer Zanzibar in
Tanzania, or Mombassa in Kenya.

You could also look at West Africa. Ghana would be a great choice.
Very friendly people, and a good "vibe".

South Africa is also a good choice because of the variety of things to
do. You can experience "real" Africa, as well as modern, vibrant
cities, and everything inbetween.

Regards,
Marc

On Mon, 18 Oct 2004 11:12:08 +0100, lesshaste
wrote:

Marc Lurie wrote:
On the question of good food..... Africa is generally not a
gastronomically popular destination. Sub Saharan African food
"generally" tends to be unexciting (from a presentation and taste
perspective), particularly outside of the major centres and outside of
the major hotels and expensive safari lodges.

Nothing beats eating freshly grilled Tilapia on the banks of Lake
Victroria or barbequed chicken wings on the roadside in Uganda, or
fresh fish on the beach in Mozambique but it's not presented in a
manner that's aesthetically pleasing. It's just a piece of fish on a
plate with chips, usually with a luke-warm beer or Coke as well.

If you are looking for eating experiences more in line with European
eating-out experiences, then you should think about South Africa with
its myriad excellent restaurants in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape
Town.

If your idea of good food is not the restaurant experience, but rather
being in convivial places, interacting with the locals, eating local
food (usually tasty enough, but can be stodgy, tough, and ultimately
unexciting), and you have adventurous tastes (and possibly, a tough
constitution) then travelling to almost any African country can be
rewarding.


Yes that is my idea of good food (the fish especially). What I am not so
keen on is a diet of only rice and/or manioc (but then who is given the
choice). So do you suggest Uganda/Kenya for a short break?

Raphael


Regards,
Marc - Johannesburg




On Sat, 16 Oct 2004 11:55:34 +0100, lesshaste
wrote:


Hi,
I only have three weeks to take off and would like to visit somewhere in
Africa for the first time in my life. To complicate things further I
can't drive. Where would people suggest? I have the following
preferences if it helps.

a) Independent travel (i.e. public transport)
b) Not too expensive (that probably excludes safaris?) and not too
expensive to get to from the UK (seems to exclude quite a lot of Africa)
c) Reasonably safe
d) Water that you can swim in at least some of the time
e) Relaxing rather than activities
f) Good food (I *am* a big fan of chicken, rice and peas)

Any ideas? I was idly thinking of Senegal but that is based on almost no
information.

Raphael

For fish and shelfish, I strongly recommend Mozambique. Anywhere from
Vilancoulos northwards, on the coast. There's just something about the
Portuguese influence on African food...

Uganda is wonderful, but for a short break I might prefer Zanzibar in
Tanzania, or Mombassa in Kenya.

You could also look at West Africa. Ghana would be a great choice.
Very friendly people, and a good "vibe".

South Africa is also a good choice because of the variety of things to
do. You can experience "real" Africa, as well as modern, vibrant
cities, and everything inbetween.

Regards,
Marc

On Mon, 18 Oct 2004 11:12:08 +0100, lesshaste
wrote:

Marc Lurie wrote:
On the question of good food..... Africa is generally not a
gastronomically popular destination. Sub Saharan African food
"generally" tends to be unexciting (from a presentation and taste
perspective), particularly outside of the major centres and outside of
the major hotels and expensive safari lodges.

Nothing beats eating freshly grilled Tilapia on the banks of Lake
Victroria or barbequed chicken wings on the roadside in Uganda, or
fresh fish on the beach in Mozambique but it's not presented in a
manner that's aesthetically pleasing. It's just a piece of fish on a
plate with chips, usually with a luke-warm beer or Coke as well.

If you are looking for eating experiences more in line with European
eating-out experiences, then you should think about South Africa with
its myriad excellent restaurants in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape
Town.

If your idea of good food is not the restaurant experience, but rather
being in convivial places, interacting with the locals, eating local
food (usually tasty enough, but can be stodgy, tough, and ultimately
unexciting), and you have adventurous tastes (and possibly, a tough
constitution) then travelling to almost any African country can be
rewarding.


Yes that is my idea of good food (the fish especially). What I am not so
keen on is a diet of only rice and/or manioc (but then who is given the
choice). So do you suggest Uganda/Kenya for a short break?

Raphael


Regards,
Marc - Johannesburg




On Sat, 16 Oct 2004 11:55:34 +0100, lesshaste
wrote:


Hi,
I only have three weeks to take off and would like to visit somewhere in
Africa for the first time in my life. To complicate things further I
can't drive. Where would people suggest? I have the following
preferences if it helps.

a) Independent travel (i.e. public transport)
b) Not too expensive (that probably excludes safaris?) and not too
expensive to get to from the UK (seems to exclude quite a lot of Africa)
c) Reasonably safe
d) Water that you can swim in at least some of the time
e) Relaxing rather than activities
f) Good food (I *am* a big fan of chicken, rice and peas)

Any ideas? I was idly thinking of Senegal but that is based on almost no
information.

Raphael

Marc,

a very precise description of the food situation, as far as I
can judge.

In the Kenyan wildlife lodges you usually get a decent variety
of food, English-influenced cooking. Quality depends on the
price you pay. There are always some lapses, and the food is
apparently never perfectly clean, so there is always some risk
of intestinal infection when you eat salads and similar.

But it's reasonable. With some carefulness it can be enjoyable.
Some things are tasty.

The thing I find most striking is that, in spite of having the
most wonderful tropical fruits at their disposal, fruit salads
are almost always very poor, few, uninspired types of fruit,
usually the less tasty ones like melon and papaya, almost never
mango, fruit often unripe (which is a general African problem,
apparently).

On the other hand, I often get very tasty starters and
particularly soups and sometimes quite good main dishes. I've
eaten both extremely good and rather poor and tough lamb in
Kenya. Sometimes you get tasty meat from wild animals like
antelopes.

If you want to eat like the locals do, my recommendation in
Nairobi would be the Kariakor Market (Kiswahili version of
Carrier Corps). Ask your driver to take you there and don't
expect fork or knife. I wouldn't go there after dark these days.

Hans-Georg

--
No mail, please.

Marc,

a very precise description of the food situation, as far as I
can judge.

In the Kenyan wildlife lodges you usually get a decent variety
of food, English-influenced cooking. Quality depends on the
price you pay. There are always some lapses, and the food is
apparently never perfectly clean, so there is always some risk
of intestinal infection when you eat salads and similar.

But it's reasonable. With some carefulness it can be enjoyable.
Some things are tasty.

The thing I find most striking is that, in spite of having the
most wonderful tropical fruits at their disposal, fruit salads
are almost always very poor, few, uninspired types of fruit,
usually the less tasty ones like melon and papaya, almost never
mango, fruit often unripe (which is a general African problem,
apparently).

On the other hand, I often get very tasty starters and
particularly soups and sometimes quite good main dishes. I've
eaten both extremely good and rather poor and tough lamb in
Kenya. Sometimes you get tasty meat from wild animals like
antelopes.

If you want to eat like the locals do, my recommendation in
Nairobi would be the Kariakor Market (Kiswahili version of
Carrier Corps). Ask your driver to take you there and don't
expect fork or knife. I wouldn't go there after dark these days.

Hans-Georg

--
No mail, please.

Hi Hans-Georg,

In Maputo there is a collection of small local restaurants (buracos)
on the road between Maputo and Costa do Sol. You can get fantastic
fish and shellfish, but as you say, don't expect a knife and fork :-)

Kampala has some fantastic eating spots, but you'll need to make
friends with a local in order to find them. I guess this is probably
true of any country/city.

Marc

On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 22:06:54 +0200, Hans-Georg Michna
wrote:

Marc,

a very precise description of the food situation, as far as I
can judge.

In the Kenyan wildlife lodges you usually get a decent variety
of food, English-influenced cooking. Quality depends on the
price you pay. There are always some lapses, and the food is
apparently never perfectly clean, so there is always some risk
of intestinal infection when you eat salads and similar.

But it's reasonable. With some carefulness it can be enjoyable.
Some things are tasty.

The thing I find most striking is that, in spite of having the
most wonderful tropical fruits at their disposal, fruit salads
are almost always very poor, few, uninspired types of fruit,
usually the less tasty ones like melon and papaya, almost never
mango, fruit often unripe (which is a general African problem,
apparently).

On the other hand, I often get very tasty starters and
particularly soups and sometimes quite good main dishes. I've
eaten both extremely good and rather poor and tough lamb in
Kenya. Sometimes you get tasty meat from wild animals like
antelopes.

If you want to eat like the locals do, my recommendation in
Nairobi would be the Kariakor Market (Kiswahili version of
Carrier Corps). Ask your driver to take you there and don't
expect fork or knife. I wouldn't go there after dark these days.

Hans-Georg