It’s hard to believe it’s been three years since I started this little corner of the internet! Back then, I was just starting out, full of ideas and a touch of nervous excitement. Now, as I look at the amazing community of over 200 followers, I’m filled with so much gratitude.
Thank You!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to each and every one of you who has followed along on this journey. Your comments, shares, and likes mean the world to me. They fuel my passion to keep creating and sharing content that I hope you find informative, engaging, or just plain entertaining.
Celebrating Together
To celebrate this milestone, I did this write up just to thank you all for being there. I have learned so much from many blogs I follow and hope to keep learning from you all.
Here’s to Many More!
Here’s to many more years of learning, creating, and connecting with this wonderful community. I’m so excited to see what the future holds for this blog, and I can’t wait to share it all with you.
Sushi is not the kind of meal to have daily. And so having it brings with it lasting memories to dwell on. This Japanese delicacy is prepared in a few restaurants in the part of the country I was in. I also had the opportunity to try out crocodile cuisines in the same area. And I must add that the delicious taste of crocodile delicacy should be celebrated independently of the animal’s behavior. It is natural to associate the behavior of crocodiles with consuming their meat. This will cause you to miss out on that unique taste crocodile has.
If you desire good sushi, Sea Spice Restaurant is the perfect place and I must say it did it for me. Eating ordinary is cheaper of course. But life is not meant to always be ordinary. Special moments come with special meals and celebrating a birthday is a good enough reason to have some sushi.
I tagged along on this sushi adventure. Sea Spice Restaurant offers diversity on its menu including sushi. I have only come to learn that I had Uramaki, Maki, and Rainbow roll sushi types. These are not the only types of sushi we ordered but that is what was at our disposal that I know by name.
I must admit there was some skill in the preparation of the sushi. The ingredients tasted fresh and I could see the innovation in the rolls. My absolute favorite was the Maki sushi. I feel I need lessons to use the chopsticks because I just can’t wrap my head around how to use them. My love for food has also taught me that one should never feel embarrassed to use eating tools the wrong way. Confession, I used a fork.
Having sushi goes hand in hand with a cozy environment. Sea Spice once called Ocean Basket experienced a transition in terms of ownership of business yet one thing is true about this place: I have had mouth-watering seafood in the same space.
I loved the simple design of this restaurant. Nothing too fancy. The walls were talking. The design was that of sea creatures which am sure were intended to match the theme of the restaurant. The restaurant is not just a sushi bar but one could enjoy samosas, prawns, oysters, mussels, calamari, and the like. You are at liberty to enjoy indoors or better still, outdoor meals.
This restaurant had attentive staff and this enhanced the experience.The food’s appearance and flavour exceeded all expectations, taking the dining experience to a new level of pleasure. It was clear that each ingredient had been carefully chosen and cooked, making for a delicious experience that remained long after the dinner was over.
Expect to spend about 20 dollars for both plates.
What a treat this was! I loved having what I usually don’t have. I couldn’t help but compare sushi to crocodile to see what tops my list.
I do recommend trying good crocodile dishes from Zest, Zambezi Cafe, and Avani Hotel. My first experience having well prepared crocodile was at Zambezi Cafe. These were crocodile spare ribs. This inspired me to give it a second shot at Zest and Avani Hotel.
Zest Restaurant is a small place that offers crocodile meat and has a bar.
As I mentioned earlier, there’s a common misconception that those with delicate taste buds or sensitive stomachs may prejudge crocodile meat based on the reputation of the creature itself. However, being someone who relishes culinary adventures, I decided to challenge any preconceived notions and embarked on a dining experience at Zest. With an open mind and an appetite for exploration, I opted for the intriguing choice of crocodile meat.
When the crocodile dish arrived, the presentation was impeccable — a testament to the chef’s skill and attention to detail. The aroma wafting from the plate hinted at the culinary journey about to unfold.
Savoring the crocodile meat, I was pleasantly surprised by the tender texture and subtle flavors. It was a revelation, challenging any preconceived notions I might have had. I loved sushi as well but my favourite dish from these two restaurants happens to be crocodile. If one critically thinks about what a crocodile eats, it would be a reason to never try it. I looked past all that and discovered a meal I will add to my list when I have an extra 15 to 20 dollars to spare on food not cooked from home! You must try it out too.
High-end cuisine is usually prepared by talented chefs. Hotel restaurants utilise seasonal and fresh ingredients. This implies that whatever you order, you can count on a tasty and filling meal. You can count on Marriott Hotels for this.
How it all started
Marriott International began as an A and W Root Beer franchise. This was in Washington, D.C., in May 1927. That is when founders J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott got their business started. Thirty years after, J.W. Marriott expanded into the lodging business.
In 1989, the Warsaw Marriott, the company’s 500th hotel, opened in Poland. It is the first western-managed hotel in Eastern Europe and the tallest hotel in Warsaw. Marriott International announced its collaboration with hotelier Ian Schrager. It then created EDITION Hotels, a new lifestyle luxury boutique hotel brand.
The brand’s first property opened in Waikiki, Hawaii, in 2010. Later on, Marriott International acquired Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. This made it the world’s largest hotel company.
Marriott International is at the top of the list. It has been the global leader for seven consecutive years. It is having 31 brands, 8,194 hotels, and over one and a half million rooms in 138 countries. It is the largest hotel chain in the world in 2023!
Experiences in such places often times leaves long-lasting memories. This was another food adventure trip. What is funny is that I went on my own to quench some food desire. I didn’t want home cooked food. I was in for a treat.
Which Marriott Hotel did you dine at?
I decided to do lunch at Protea Hotel in a town called Ndola. This hotel is a Marriott Hotel. I was there to see how they do their lunches. It was a delightful experience. As a Marriott Hotel, the service was top-notch. It created an inviting atmosphere for lunch. The tasteful display of the meal I chose was impressive. This hotel made my lunch outing a memorable and satisfying occasion.
The hotel is keep up to the standards so far. I had to check if the restrooms were as clean as should be. It is safe to say you could enjoy reading a magazine and sip on some soda whilst in there.
The colour theme of the hotel is rich. It has combination of brown, dark chocolate, and cream. Those are a good fit. This was a sophisticated tone. The hotel’s design was well executed by its designers. They must have put much thought into it. You will love the hospitable, aesthetic and pleasant atmosphere. This improved my eating experience in general.
I ordered some fries, a salad, and pork. My order sounds ordinary yet it was tasty. I choose to savour a beautiful blend of flavours for my lunch. The salad presented a cool blend of veggies. My order’s star was the delicate pork, which was cooked to a deliciously soft texture.
The mixture called “Rocky Shady” turned out to be a nice surprise. It was expertly prepared with the ideal ratio of ingredients. The drink’s flavours merged to create a pleasant combination. This drink’s mixology revealed the bartender’s skill. I must say the 45 minutes drive from where I was to this place was worthwhile.
The beauty about Africa is that you could have such a meal with a $20 on you. I could have had lunch elsewhere but once in a while, a little pampering does not hurt. The hotel has lovely accomodation and it was not necessary to spend time there.This will be an experience for another day. When you find yourself in this part of the country, do stop by even just for a dining moment like I did. You will get refreshed by the serene environment.
People travel for different reasons. Some do it for the sake of quenching gastronomic desires. This is among my favorite things to do. Some foodies are passionate travelers who don’t limit themselves. They seek out many cuisines.
Foodies embark on a never-ending mission to please their cravings. They have no fear of searching out unusual ingredients and advanced cooking methods. They try foods with old-fashioned recipes passed down through generations. Food holds the ability to exceed language barriers. It also fosters connections between individuals from different backgrounds.
You will get to sample a wide variety of cuisines when you travel to most of the Southern African countries. You will find all sorts of foods in the lively street food vendors and bustling markets. For example, you can savor a savory braai in South Africa. Their take on barbecue. Imagine tender meats marinated in a mixture of spices! They’re cooked well thanks to skillful grilling. This would go well with some delicious side dishes.
Namibia as another example, is a country that has distinct food customs. You may get a taste of its rich traditional foods like potjiekos. This is a slow-cooked stew cooked in a cast-iron pot. Plus, you could have biltong, a sort of dried and cured meat. Most southern African countries offer unique tastes. These will offer experience that will please even the pickiest eater.
Venturing further north to Zambia, don’t miss the chance to try nshima. This is a staple food made from maize meal. This thick and filling dish is often paired with relishes called ndiyo. As a tourist in Zambia, take your food journey to another level. There is no time for that waitress to explain to you what you will be eating. This article will do that for you.
Hygiene is very important. I must add that some restaurants should up their game in this area. Other restaurants are a no-go area because of this. I went to a local food restaurant called Harriet’s. This restaurant is in the tourist capital of the country. It has tourists frequenting it. Blend in with us by being a step ahead. Know those local dishes to enhance your experience of a different culture.
Some of these local restaurants are indoors. Most of these kinds of restaurants also have outdoor settings. This is ideal in most seasons except in the wet and cold seasons. As you have your local meal, you can enjoy street and city views.
What is Zambia’s staple food?
Zambia’s staple food is nshima. This is like potatoes. The difference is that mashed potatoes are on the fluffy side. Some Zambians, especially our male folk may amaze you with their love for nshima. I met these tourists who commented on the same. They felt their Zambian friends they made whilst staying here idolize this nshima. I had to tell them why it is so.
Most men here who have physical jobs need to fill up their stomachs well. Nshima fills up your stomach so that you don’t have to think of other meals for many hours. These men mock foods like pasta to be ‘bird food’ that won’t do wonders for your tummy.
This nshima is not eaten how you would mashed potatoes. I have had mashed potatoes with nothing else. The taste is okay because of spice, margarine, or butter. You cannot have nshima on its own. It tastes flat. Nshima goes with relishes like fish, meats, and veggies.
What accompaniments go with nshima?
When it comes to accompaniments, it is up to what you would want. Real foodies are adventurous so try fighting the picky side of you. You can have nshima with fish which is fresh or what you call dry. ‘Dry’ because of the process it goes through. This is something like smoked chicken. Some love their fish that way. This means you buy the dried fish but still boil it after. The most common fish we have is bream. It is usually fried and some like it in gravy. Some want the gravy prepared on its own.
You could also have nshima with T-bone, beef, or chicken stew. There are two types of chickens. The first is the one you would find in a supermarket or butchery. The other type called village chicken has tougher flesh. These are chickens reared by individuals. They eat anything they find like insects, lizards, or fruits. They aren’t reared in a professional way. What is funny is some people prefer a lizard-eating chicken. They claim it is tastier. This is the one you see below. Meat and chicken stews are common even in other countries. In other countries expect to have them with rice or potatoes. What may not be common is a stew that has a combination of chicken feet, liver, gizzards, and intestines. I can’t say I have had this stew. From observations, people love it! I have had chicken livers not as a stew.
I have mine roasted with spices, green pepper, and onions. I hate imagining the intestines of a chicken boiled. If something grosses me out, I would rather have it roasted. I know that being an adventurous foodie means ditching the act of being picky. But I have my limits. Intestines are intestines. They are the passage for poop. If not washed well, then you ate poop.
We have what you call kapenta which is like tiny sardines in tomato and onion sauce. If you wanna blend in with us, call it kapenta. Get to that local food restaurant and ask for nshima with kapenta and veggies of your choice. When it comes to kapenta, expect a seafood aroma. If you don’t like the smell of seafood, you may not like kapenta.
And the veggies?
There is a large variety of veggies to go with your nshima and meats. Zambians love meat! I have met very few vegetarians here. The vegetables we have are rape, impwa, ifisashi, and cabbage (which tends to have fewer greens and I don’t like that). Okra is on the list. It is slimy but my favorite.
There is a liking for some vegetables cooked in peanut butter sauce. This is what I listed as ifisashi. Without peanut butter, one can use pounded groundnuts. This is powder-like instead of paste-like.
How do I eat this nshima? It’s so sticky.
It’s always funny to watch non-locals eat nshima. The struggle is real! Lol! And yes, you can use a fork and knife. The truth is it is not meant to be that way. Hygiene first. Wash thy hands in a thorough way. Pinch that big lump of nshima so that you have a smaller piece. Make that piece into a round shape. Use thy thumb to make a small depression in your ball of nshima. That small depression scoops the accompaniment. Then, enjoy the taste of your food. Bon appetit!
How much?
Prices of local foods are affordable. What is more expensive is nshima with T-bone or fish. This is about 3 to 4 dollars. The rest of the restaurant’s food is below that price range. Vegetarians pay less than this. Consider taking on this journey of local Zambian food.
Cafes are great locations to relax, take in a warm atmosphere, and have a delicious cup of coffee. For those looking for a break from the daily grind, these lovely spots provide a retreat. Cafes are the ideal setting for deep chats with friends. They provide peaceful moments of isolation because of their laid-back vibe.
These spots are the perfect place to catch up on work, read a compelling book or people-watch. Freshly brewed coffee in the air will tantalize your senses. It will foster a welcoming and cozy atmosphere.
Cafes are places where you can Imagine yourself curled up in a cozy corner. They sometimes have soothing music playing in the background. This is what I walked into at Kubu Cafe. I went there for a conversation. I didn’t realize I was there for two meals and some dessert. I realized it’s enticing to remain for a while and enjoy the experience. This is because of their charming decor, gentle lighting, and plush seats as well.
An excellent cafe should provide its customers with a warm and pleasurable experience. A decent one needs the following things below:
Coffee Quality: Good coffee is the foundation of any cafe. A customer wants a well-made espresso and brewed coffee. They desire a range of premium teas and other beverages. I am not a coffee addict. I could tell the clients around Kubu Cafe were enjoying their coffee. I was enjoying my cappuccino.
Comfy Seats: A variety of comfortable seats create a warm atmosphere for customers. Some individuals might like the cozy embrace of a plush couch. Shared tables offer a unique setting for seating. This setting fosters a feeling of neighborhood and encourages interaction between varied groups.
When I linked up for a chill, I tried the shared table. We stuck around for a while and I ended up on a couch. I must say Kubu Cafe had a variety of seats which makes it an ideal hang-out spot for both individuals and groups. I even noticed baby seats which means every age group had a seating arrangement.
Wide Range of Menu OptionsandConsiderate Pricing : Variety is vital when it comes to designing an alluring menu. A cafe should have a wide variety of tastes and dietary needs. This helps customers find something they enjoy. At Kubu Cafe, you will have variety on the menu. What was on their board was not all there was on that day.
There is something for everyone at Kubu Cafe. The food ranged from mouthwatering croissants to savory sandwiches. I enjoyed the colorful salads, and mashed potatoes with a juicy t-bone steak. Going out to eat with someone means you can taste some of their food. My partner in crime at this cafe picked their chicken schnitzel with fries. I must add that it was well-prepared food that needed a signature dessert after. There is nothing that does it for me more than chocolate cake. Yummy…
Charging stations and WiFi: It has become more crucial for businesses to cater for their tech-savvy clients. Today’s world is fast-paced. Wi-Fi and charging stations are an efficient method to improve client experience. Having stuck around Kubu Cafe, we soon were in need of some charging. We didn’t care much about the WiFi because we had ours.
Sufficient Hours of Operation: Cafes should have enough hours of operation. This might influence a business’s success. It can decide to keep later hours or open earlier. This may draw a greater variety of clients. I liked that Kubu Cafe had these hours of operation.
A successful cafe blends hygiene, friendliness, and competent personnel. It is safe to say Kubu Cafe did well in these three areas. I was helped by one staff member who gave recommendations on a book sold there. Cafes may create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages repeat business. So the next time you enter a cafe, enjoy the right atmosphere. I left Kubu Cafe feeling refreshed.
We travel for different reasons and one of these reasons are for the experience, food wise. Some people have selective taste buds while others choose to be adventurous and expose their mouths to much. It’s okay to be traditional but when you feel daring to do exotic foods, try out these eateries that will make you appreciate these foods.
One of the most captivating and serene African islands you will fall in love with is Zanzibar. There is lots you are gonna see but definitely lots to eat too. If you love dining out like I do, why not try out one of these:
1) Mangi Beach Bar and restaurant (in Nungwi)
The outside of Mangi Beach Bar and Restaurant
I wanted to know a bit more of Zanzibar than just its popular center which is Stone Town. I chose to do a day in the north of the Island. Having met some cool people that also wanted to head there, I tagged along. We had transport and just put some fuel and off we went. From Stone Town, it took us like one hour to get to the north of the Island. Have you ever been determined to have a meal with a view? Someone did alert me how the northern parts of Zanzibar particularly Nungwi are home to turquoise waters and I wanted to experience this. We started off at about 9 O’clock and got there at close to 11.
The mashed potatoes always win
You are gonna love this restaurant for its views and outdoors (provided it’s not pouring). I particularly liked the pine trees am guessing I didn’t mistake for coconut trees. The other thing you may like is how there is provision for you to enjoy your own space or chill with others. This is not a restaurant you should go to on a date and dress to kill…. in heels…nop. There is beach sand and I think you now know what your dress code should be, should you find yourself on a special date. I loved their wide selection on their menu but my focus was more on my favorite mashed potatoes with chicken stir fry. Yummy…Their pizza is actually delicious.
2) Wild Dove Cafe (in Nungwi)
Wild Dove Cafe
Now some restaurants in Zanzibar are well known and have a large following. For Wild Dove Cafe in Nungwi, I can’t say that is the case. It is an upcoming restaurant that I see making it big should they continue with the meals I found. The place itself is nothing too fancy and you find it near Highland Bungalows in Nungwi.
You will like this place for the fair prices. It is found just in the dusty small roads of Nungwi so I guess no charging high prices here for things like views. I must say I had at least two to three good meals here and this was enough times to recommend others to give it a try. Their menu had burger, in curry, grilled and fried selection. There was pasta and noodle selection as well. That wasn’t all. They also made sure to cater for those that do desserts.
3) Zenjis Food Lover’s Joint (in Stone Town)
This restaurant is one of the most popular ones on the island. I particularly liked the location. Sometimes we don’t want to go so far in the outskirts to have that meal with a view. It’s okay to be within reach.
The maze streets of Stone Town
This restaurant is found in the heart of Stone Town. As you enjoy walking through the maze streets of Stone Town trying to find your way around, you will find this restaurant. I had a meal here that has made me recommend this restaurant to others. The setting of the restaurant is more like outdoor with a gazebo and well arranged tables.
Zenji Food Lover’s Joint Restaurant
I had company and opted to try seafood. I am a sucker for well done spicy, fluffy mashed potatoes. Knowing very well I come from a landlocked country and seafood is sold but not the one fresh from the ocean, I ordered some prawns. They were one of the most fresh prawns I have ever tasted.
Zenji Food Lover’s Joint
The food, I must say, was well prepared and we were surrounded by helpful staff willing to give help at our request. Whenever you are in Stone Town, do try out this restaurant.
4) Lukmaan (in Stone Town)
Another restaurant I heard people talk much about was Lukmaan restaurant found in the heart of Stone Town. It is highly rated and boasts the best local, dining experience award in previous years. I enjoyed two meals there. This place was packed both times I went there which can only mean that many find it a perfect dine in pick.
Lukmaan Restaurant
I wanted to try out seafood because it is actually expensive back home! I particularly loved their succulent prawns that were slapped with some salad. The restaurant has wide variety on the menu: Arabic food, fish, all sorts of seafood and pizza. The price range of food on their menu is from about 50 cents for the naan to about $15.
5) New Monsoon Restaurant
Walking around in Stone Town, I did find a restaurant just close to where I lodged. The New Monsoon Restaurant it was. It was beautiful inside out. You can dine from the outside or inside but with the scotching heat of the Island, I chose to sit outside. The view you have sitting outside is that of people walking down the paved roads. In the evening, you could catch a glimpse of street markets and ocean view. Forgive me for my love for mashed potatoes but I was at it again. The chicken mishkaki went perfectly with it. They made sure the salad was fresh and colourful. I tried looking for something to wash this food down and Indian Whiskey was just perfect.
New Monsoon Restaurant (Outside)
Should you be in Stone Town, Zanzibar for whatever reasons, do stop by because this place prides itself with the ability to offer multi cuisine, Indian and Indo Chinese food created at high standards.
6) The Silk Route (in Stone Town)
I felt like Indian food and because this place was just a stone throw away from where I lodged, trying it out was easy and it actually felt like visiting India! What I liked first about this restaurant was the view when on the next floor. You could see parts of the ocean and the busy town of Stone Town and am guessing it’s more heavenly in the evenings! The theme colors inside were orange, brown and cream.
The Silk Route Restaurant
The beauty about having someone to dine with was cost sharing which leads to having what we desired to have like….wait for it…lobster!!! It was my first experience and I didn’t regret it a single bit. It came with potato wedges and a salad. The second time around, I got rice and some beef stew which was medium hot spiced. Tasty! This restaurant has a wide selection on their menu and if you have a 15 cents to $20 on you, you could walk out of this place with a smile.
I needed a treat and I let my appetite lead the way. My taste buds whispered they wanted something scrumptious and not home made. I looked up a few hotels from booking.com and found a resort called The Quorum. I loved the general outlook of the place and headed there.There are restaurants I know of that are not much of an attractive package in terms of outdoors but the food they serve is on point. I was in the mood to enjoy a meal with a view or in a place that appeals greatly to the sense of beauty.
Arrival
I didn’t necessarily make a call, reservation or anything like that. I just got on a cab and arrived there. The place had a parking lot on the outside and I think I only saw two cars on the inside. Most cars were parked outside. Am thinking there should be a bigger parking lot should there be a big event there. So unless there is parts of the resort I didn’t see, I gave them 3 stars for the parking lot.
Upon arrival, the guard did alert someone to take me to the reception and I saw some smiling and welcoming staff and I must say it was smooth sailing. I however understood in no time that this was a club hotel and there were some parts of it that I wanted access to that well…. I couldn’t get to simply because I was not a member. There was a way around it though. I stuck around in the wait room
About the resort
This resort is a club hotel or those kind of resorts that offer membership and loyalty programs. https://www.thequorumzm.com I went there to have an eat out at the spot I saw on booking.com only to be told ‘access denied’ because I was not a member. Ouch! I didn’t let that slide. After digging deeper, I found out I could still have access as a non member if I had one of the services in the resort like spa and spend about $30 dollars minimum there. It was fine by me.
Fast forward, I finally stepped into the restaurant I wanted to dine in because of it’s views. Though found at the resort, it had another name called Mafinga Peak Rooftop Restaurant. This place boasted a sophisticated yet informal atmosphere. There was another restaurant downstairs that I could easily access but that’s not the one I saw on booking.com. I had to get access to the rooftop restaurant.
I don’t think I want to rate their loyalty or membership programs that almost caused me to miss my dining opportunity because this is the lifeline of this resort, it’s a club hotel and ‘members only’ is the password for most services here. I am sure it has its pros but a con is definite, there are one time customers that they may miss out on that may never necessarily want to be all timers or regulars. It’s good that the way out of this was to make customers like us make use of other services as key to another.
The dining area
The dining area had two sides. One side had tables with four seats and others two seats closer to the bar area and covered by a glass demarcation and the other side that was more spacious had comfy sets of casual chairs. The theme colour was lime green a bit of white here and there with a brown floor. There was a seriousness to the place with a touch of casual. What a combo! The place can be ideal for family, business and group gathering yet perfect for an intimate or romantic get away. The beauty with this place is, the restaurant area is not all you see but as you enjoy your food, you have a beautiful view to go with it.
I loved that the place and neighborhood aren’t noisy. The music playing in the background was soothing. Rating the dining area as far as the general vibe is concerned was a 4 star. The reason for not having a 5 star was because the rooftop glass shield meant to enjoy spectacular views has to be super clean all the time because it’s glass. Had this been of other material like marble, a definite 5 star here. Glass easily shows blemish.
The other things that added a touch of beauty to the place is the fountain like structures around the restaurant that added to the relaxed mood. The orange flower pots added a touch of cheerfulness. The ceiling had beautifully hanging simple chandeliers which am sure look heavenly at night time. The rest rooms had a chocolate brown theme and the walls were slapped with modern oval mirrors.
Let’s order!
I was in the mood to have something meaty, a bit of Greek salad and my forever favorite, mashed potatoes. I want to always remember the medium grilled meat I was served. This steak was mildly charred on the outside and still had the brown all through and am sure it was a slow process to avoid it being too tough but succulent.
My Greek salad had simple yet perfect combination of tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, crisp onions, olives in olive oil. I found my mashed potatoes creamy and full of amazing flavor. They were fluffy and well served in a cute bowl.
The bar informed me that the cocktails they had always contained egg whites and they were nice enough to ask if I was allergic. I wasn’t. Funny thing is I have forgotten the name of this cocktail but it had strawberries, fresh lime juice, gin etc. Totally loved the cute glass they used.
As far as the food was concerned, the level of yummy was definitely a 5 star and I should have congratulated the chef. I spent about 40 dollars for the meal and that’s because of some taxes to go with the kind of place. I had two of those cocktails.Wink wink.
Lasting impressions and recommendations
The place is cosy and I loved it’s vibe. The staff bent over backwards to give great service. No place is perfect but so far it’s living up to it’s stars. I would go back again but this time to enjoy the room services.
The last time I filled you in on this safari trip, I was still on the part where I have a dream to be licked by a baby giraffe in Kenya. I have seen this happen and would like for it to be my experience but anywho this safari got me exposed to lots of animals I mentioned earlier and even the giraffe which I have not been so lucky to spot on my tours.
After seeing the animals I mentioned earlier, I then saw a handful of zebras but tonnes of impala! These animals and it’s relatives,species or look alikes do out number many animals you will see here and in most game parks maybe because the others are more shy , I don’t know but it’s either that or they breed per second!Lol! And it is for this reason that I never have the ‘WOW!’ moment when I see them because I have seen too many of them.They are otherwise a beautiful creation!
If by any chance, Zambia is on your hit list, do drop by this place and enjoy lots of their services like boat cruising, lion feeding, cheetah and elephant interaction, game driving , cheese tasting, fishing, horse riding and lots more!
The other thing I enjoyed as part of the package was the buffet lunch! There was such a wide range of foods like barbequed chicken, variety of sausages, lots of cheese types, potatoes cooked in many ways.You will thank them later but you surely need this heavy lunch after close to two and a half hours game drive and an hour boat cruise.
After the game drive, we got to a place in the game reserve where there was a water body called Lake Kasenga.If you like, you could enjoy some fishing but since this was not part of the package, it will come later I guess. The same group that I went with on the game drive was with me on the cruise. The word ‘cruise’ makes you think of the fancy boats and all but we used an ordinary looking boat that kind of looks locally made but with an engine.It still did the trick. I wish I spotted hippos here but nope. Beauty of the views and some animals coming to refresh themselves made the trip so memorable.
PRICES?
Their price ranges for some activities I recall inquiring on were as follows:
-Elephant interaction -About $30 -Cheetah experience -About $30 -Horse riding – About $30 -Lion feeding -About $12 – Boating – About $10 I did find the prices in this range but do check out their website for more or latest info : https://www.chaminuka.com
LASTING IMPRESSIONS AND OPINIONS
1) REMOTE LOCATION: The place is in the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia and offers outdoor activities for outdoor lovers and this is one thing I loved about this place.
2) TOURISTIC: It had a touristic touch and of course that is why I am writing about it. Many tourists flock to Zambia to go to the south for the Victoria falls but this place can be described as the hidden gem for those that just don’t want the usual, ordinary or the norm.
3) PRICEY ACCOMODATION:Because it was in the outskirts, accomodation was more on the pricey side and I did a day trip for that reason but if your piggy bank is full then why not spend a longer time? My thought was for the place to consider a backpackers as well.
4) HELPFUL STAFF: The staff, absolutely organized and helpful,very professional and knowledgeable, a reason to stay there longer.
I really get bored being in one place for too long.I don’t know who suffers from this condition but it’s depressing to have a monotonous life.
Nshima
The same feeling applies to food and views.Sometimes I am okay having my traditional Zambian staple food which is called ‘nshima’ but I wouldn’t want to give my mouth a bore by having it continuously the way I see it get eaten here.
Having a mother that was a hotelier,was literally married to food and fussy about food presentation, those things kind of rubbed on to me.
I feel eating out refreshes your soul.Leave your fridge, stove, pots, pans alone and head straight to a place all that can be done for you PERFECTLY.
No one wants to visit a four or five star hotel and come back loaded heavily with disappointments.We all expect perfection or something close to it!
I had already listed lunch and the target upscale hotel in mind was Radisson Blu hotel.
I may never be sure whether Radisson Blu is a four or five star hotel but the bottom line is it is an upscale hotel where only the best should be good enough.
Being in Lusaka at that time, I took a cab and off I went only to be so well received by a guard at the main gate and the other enterance.No one wants a grumpy waiter, guard or whatever.
I chose to have my lunch at the pool side.I found just few people outside, nothing that could interfere with my looking like a weirdo taking selfish selfies or asking employees to take photos of me for me…..coast was clear, just enough noise.
LET’S ORDER!
I ordered pork spareribs and mashed potatoes. I love potatoes! This was definitely going to go well with a cocktail. And it did! There is a lot of tantalizing that goes on from order time, to eating time and since I was not in the mood to go through that agony, I found something to keep me busy.Viewing!
Let’s order
I went round the hotel enjoying site seeing.When you seek meals in an upscale hotel, even the decor and vibe of the place are a biggie!
Ablution block so clean
I went round and I must say the decor fits well in the theme of the hotel.The hotel has some lovely decor and interesting art work that clients with an eye of art would fancy.My honest opinion is they should not let the same decor up for too long.There should be some changes every now and then .
The front view of the hotel
EATING TIME!
One of things to use to rate a good restaurant as far as I am concerned is length of time of the order. It shows how efficient the staff is.Of course other things come into play like the number of clients. Judging from the length of time it took to prepare the food to it’s mouth watering taste, one may think it took forever to prepare it.
The chef took a good 30 to 40 minutes which I think is the average waiting time for the kind of meal I ordered.Besides, I even inconvenienced the chef by changing my order slightly eating into preparation time.
The first thing I noticed when I saw the food was the generous portions. I have dined out with a 25 dollars I spent on the meal but left with my stomach protesting it didn’t get enough. I was not only stuffed but satisfied.The former has to do with quantity and the latter, quality. My general rating food wise was 9 out of 10!
FINAL RATING
The location of the place is perfect if you want an urban, boutique, close to everything kind of location which was a 9 out of 10.
The staff were super helpful and friendly and this is treatment they gave not for show but if it was fake, I am glad it looked real! That was a 9 out of 10.
I however didn’t appreciate what appeared to be a mini bar right next to the pool which I believe is for those enjoying the pool.I wasn’t there to swim but my eyes told me that place needed a touch up, ASAP before more critiques spot it.
My unbiased rating is a genuine 8.9 out of 10.Experiences differ.Mine was awesome!
WanderwithFaith 