I was searching for the best gluten free Serengeti Safari and found it! We had the best time and didn’t get sick or have to worry about what I was eating at all. All the food was delicious, this is what we did!
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We booked an 8 day Serengeti Safari and had a fantastic time, I was pretty nervous before hand that it would be hard to get gluten free food while on a safari or that there might not be an understanding of what it meant. I really didn’t need to worry though!
The Serengeti safari company
We booked our tour with Safari Soles, honestly they were exceptional from start to finish. Not only was the planning of our actual itinerary organised and well thought out they understood about allergies and that they needed to be planned for. I was in very capable hands!
Our Guide
We had Freddy as our guide and he was fantastic. He able to show us a huge variety of animals, everything from birds to elephants, lions and cheetahs and more. Freddy was understanding of my allergy and made certain to tell the staff at each lodge and tented camp we stayed with so they were immediately aware of my needs in regards to meals. Each day he would pick up a picnic hamper of hot foods for lunch and he made sure to ask if each dish was gluten free and to advise me of what everything was. In almost all cases each dish was made gluten free anyway but he alleviated all my concerns by double checking with the kitchen. On the top of our hamper it also had a sticker that confirmed the food was gluten free. His concientious nature really helped me relax and trust that I would be ok!
Tanzania as a gluten free destination
Tanzania is actually a great gluten free destination, I was concerned about wheat flour particularly in stew style meals but it is rarely used and I was never sick when eating traditional foods. I tried lots of the beans, meat stews, curried vegetables, rice, pilau (rice spiced rice dish), ugali (a maize flour porridge), Sukuma Wiki (a collard green style food with lots of onion and tomato) and Vitumbua (rice and coconut flour balls). I loved the food in Tanzania and was constantly amazed that I had so many choices of local foods!
My gluten free Serengeti Safari experience
I was so worried about so many things with our safari…should I take my own food, should I pack loaves of bread, do I need to double check at all the different lodges. This trip was so much easier than I expected and I really didn’t need to worry so much! Our safari company took care of everything with ease. We stayed at lodges or tented camps and they were aware ( and checked each time we checked in anyway) of my allergies. Every day the lodge would pack us a picnic hamper to take with us in the jeep which was labelled gluten free. Our guide also made sure he checked when collecting our hamper and was given a run through of each dish to make sure he knew if it was gluten free or not (most was!).
Then we had the cutest little picnic lunches each day, I loved this time to stop and really enjoy not only our meal but our experiences from the mornings game drive! Safari Soles also provided juice, beer, wine and soft drinks in the jeep and during lunch which was great.
Our Serengeti Safari accommodation
Safari Soles booked us into some of the most incredible lodges in the Serengeti. We were amazed at the high quality of both the rooms and the food at each. We loved staying at the cute bombas in Farm of Dreams and the tented camps of Safari Haven! Each lodge or camp was incredible and at times we were shocked at how good the accommodation was, when it was in the middle of a national park!
The food at all of the lodges and camps was excellent. The chefs came to greet us, they showed me what was safe at the buffet and also brought me gluten free safe foods to replace what I couldn’t eat. It was so professional and everything we ate was delicious.
Where we stayed on our Serengeti safari
Farm of Dreams
We stayed here after our day at Tarangire National Park. It was so beautiful, each room was a little bomba. The food was also excellent, There was a buffet for breakfast and dinner and the wait staff brought me gluten free bread which was great! Most of the dishes were gluten free naturally (which is pretty common of the food in Tanzania). On check in the staff asked immediately if there were any allergies and took note of mine. All the food was delicious, there is a cocktail pool bar and coffee shop there as well. Highly recommend a night here in your itinerary if possible!
Safari Haven Migration Camp
This was the highlight of the accommodation we had on our safari! We had no idea what to expect here, we drove out into the north of the Serengeti and felt so far from anywhere. We got a complete shock when we drove into the cutest camp set up! There was a main house where meals were served and individual tents for guests. Our tent was huge, the bed was very comfortable and the linens were luxurious! There was a full bathroom with hot and cold water and a proper toilet. We fell in love with this little camp. It felt like our own little private slice of the Serengeti and we both wished we had more nights here. The sunrise in the morning is not to be missed! The food here was also amazing. Again I was asked about my allergies and at dinner there were special gluten free pancakes for me. A chef walked me through my meals and made sure that I was comfortable with the food. Everything was so good and we were full after our meal! Breakfast was again just as good as dinner and the sunrise views made it extra special!
Safari Haven Tented Camp
This is the permanent camp to the Safari Haven Migration Camp and just as great! Our room was as perfect as the night before, a full king sized bed, bath in the lounge area, a full bathroom and an outdoor shower. It was another magical night in the Serengeti and we also recommend this stay! Our meals were just as good too, it was a buffet dinner and breakfast, apart from the bread I could eat everything. I was given some lovely warm gluten free rolls to have instead of the bread. Safari Soles booked us into lodges that were really aware of my gluten free allergy and I felt so safe at all times. I could have easily spent a couple of more nights here too!
Arusha Farm House
We stayed at Arusha Farm House for two nights and it was lovely, located just outside of Arusha it was quiet and a great calm place to return to after long days on our tour. Our room was clean and comfortable and the food was good too! The meals were served buffet style and every morning and evening a staff member would show me what was gluten free for me to eat. He also arranged a special dessert for me as I couldn’t have the cakes on the buffet. Safari Soles arranged a day trip from here to the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro where we saw a coffee plantation and ate a delicious lunch, again gluten free and delicious!
Booking a Serengeti Safari
It can be daunting to go ahead and book a safari, especially when you have allergies to consider. I wholeheartedly recommend Safari Soles, they looked after my allergy perfectly and I felt safe at all times. You can take a look at the tour that we did, it it was so comprehensive we really saw an incredible diverse range of animals and did it in such a comfortable manner that I would happily do it again! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions either in the comments or email, we are happy to help with anything!
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