Foodie Warriors’ Expedition to South Africa and Namibia – Guaranteed to Show You What You’ve Never Seen Before!

Text and photos / Foodie Warriors Biweekly

One of the world’s seven continents, the black continent where humanity originated, stretches across both hemispheres and is so vast it could fit 54 countries within its borders – this is “Africa.”

Foodie Warriors sets off on another 20,000-kilometer journey, collecting one plus one African nations in South Africa and Namibia. Is the legendary Rainbow Nation as colorful and vibrant as they say? Can Africa’s paradise for cheetahs make your dreams come true? Let’s go, AFRICA – this time, follow the Foodie Warriors’ wild squad to discover its beauty.

Group photo with Mandela at the Union Buildings

▲ When tourists take photos here for social media, it's a must – but normal shots are too boring and plain. Since you're in South Africa meeting the greats, why not spice it up with some fun back-dipping creative photos? Come on, smile!

South Africa is the only country in the world with three capitals. Its legislative capital is Cape Town, the judicial capital is Bloemfontein, and where Shaun and Lie are now is the administrative capital – Pretoria. The city is filled with various flowers and trees, hence it’s also called the City of Flowers!

Especially from September to November each year, when jacaranda trees bloom all at once, the whole city turns into a sea of light purple flowers. It’s said to be so beautiful it’s unforgettable. Too bad we didn’t catch the peak bloom during the shoot, but getting a sneak peek at a few early blooms was still satisfying.

Location: Union Buildings (also known as Government Hill)

Visit an Indigenous Cultural Village

▲ The Zulu people are recognized as the bravest and most skilled warriors in South Africa, and their war dance is considered their most impressive specialty. Look how the Foodie Warriors crew has adapted to the local customs, quickly bonding with the villagers as if they were family.

Choosing to visit an authentic indigenous cultural village is the smartest way to travel. Not only can you experience unique local flavor, but you can also deeply understand the lifestyle and various customs of the indigenous people. Our shopping queen, Sasa, wasted no time making decisive souvenir purchases upon entering the village. Beyond shopping, it was also essential to visit the tribe. The first two Zulu villages we visited are among South Africa’s largest ethnic groups. In Zulu, “Zulu” means heaven. In South Africa, they have a certain degree of autonomy and their own unique way of life.

Location: LESEDI African Indigenous Cultural Village

Dine on a Wild Game Feast

▲ “This is the first time I’ve ever had zebra meat.” How cool is it to say that? And it’s only available in Africa. They said zebra meat tastes like chicken, and warthog meat is somewhat similar to pork, but overall, the best dish of the meal was actually the bread. Hahaha.

The wild game feast is said to be a uniquely African dining experience. Calling it a “hundred beasts” might be a bit exaggerated, but a friendlier term would be exotic game. Just know these game meats are “pretty wild.” But hey, since you’re in such a wild country, trying some exotic game is just part of the adventure. Don’t worry – most of these rare animals either died from injury or were from overpopulated private wildlife reserves, so there’s absolutely no concern about illegal hunting. Relax!

Not only are the ingredients unique, but the restaurant’s cooking tools are also creatively designed. The skewers used to grill the meat are modeled after the spears of African tribal warriors – each uniquely shaped and loaded with various meats. They’re placed over a sizzling charcoal grill, where the intense heat melts the rich fat into the meat, making it tender and juicy.

Once grilled, the waitstaff will carry large skewers to each table, explaining the types of meat and slicing off a small piece for customers to try. You can then customize your bite with any of the various sauces on the table.

Location: Carnivore Steakhouse
Phone: 011-950-6060
Hours: 11:00 – 23:00
Price: Approximately R230 (tax included)

Ride Dune Buggies to See Breathtaking Views

Namib Desert – I’d say “vast and boundless” is the perfect way to describe this massive expanse. Covering a total area of 50,000 square kilometers, it’s even bigger than Taiwan. To fully enjoy this place, we’ll explore it from land, sea, and air!

We kick things off with the thrilling ride of dune buggies, speeding across this expansive desert to witness one of the world’s most unique sights – where ocean meets desert.

Go Paragliding

▲ Want to experience flying high and taking in the breathtaking view of where sea meets sand? You’ve got to sign up for this adrenaline-pumping activity. No need to worry about flying solo – professional instructors will guide you through the whole process. With enough practice, you’ll be able to truly enjoy the thrill of being in the sky.

Paragliding in Namibia is nothing like what you’ve done before. There’s no instructor flying alongside you – how far you go depends entirely on your skill. The key is to wait for the wind to pick up, then run forward with all your might!

The instructor joked that Sasa is quite talented and a great flyer. As for Yonglie… well, everyone deserves a second chance, right?

Take a boat to chase animals to Walvis Bay

▲The seal celebrity who came aboard to beg for food acted like it was in its own kitchen—super calm and totally unafraid of people. When it met tourists like us who went crazy taking photos, it was a perfect match; it didn’t mind how many shots we took.

Walvis Bay Harbor is all about taking a boat out to sea to see animals—what else would you do there!? Who knew that before the boat had even gone far, pelicans and seals were already competing to make an appearance, as if it had all been arranged, keeping the tourists on board snapping photos non-stop.

A big surprise in the middle of the trip was when dolphins joined in. Following the instructions of the guide on the boat, pointing now to the 12 o’clock direction, now to the 9 o’clock direction, we knew exactly which ones would show up and which would jump out of the water—it was like having a dolphin radar on board.