The Swahili word ‘Safari’ means long journey; going on a safari today may just be the journey of a lifetime. Kosher Safaris arranges safaris in several regions of both Africa and South America and aims to allow travelers to enjoy the nature and wildlife of the world while giving them the ability to keep Shabbos and Kosher.
Rabbi Yoni Isaacson, founder of Kosher Safaris, grew up in Johannesburg and took regular visits to the African Bush. As a Torah educator, he used to take his students on trips similar to the ones he took as a child and eventually thought of taking people on safaris as a business.
In the 12 years since he’s opened his doors to the bush, his trips into the bush have transitioned from school trips to 5-star gourmet tours and are now “the leading name in the kosher safari market and famous in the kosher travel world.”
With a range of offerings to fit every pocketbook, from budget to VIP, travelers are given the opportunity to see the Big 5 – elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard.
“There are so many different species of wildlife in Africa, and the search for them is as much a part of the experience as the sightings—a safari is not a visit to a zoo after all,” Isaacson said, listing giraffe, zebra, cheetah, and the African wild dog as some of the sightings outside of the Big 5. “I love it all. Big cat sightings such as leopard and lion are also highlights, and the Victoria Falls are always something special, as is the incredible mountain and ocean scenery of the Cape.”
Kosher Safaris offers trips to Southern Africa, East Africa, and Argentina. Each trip is unique, though the “Best of Southern Africa” itinerary is the most popular. South Africa is the continent’s most modern country and has the most developed tourism infrastructure. The country’s Kruger National Park, a reserve roughly the size of Israel, features amazing scenery and wildlife. Also in South Africa is Cape Town, the famous Victoria Falls, which contains the world’s widest single curtain of falling water, and Chobe River—the most densely populated large animal river in the world.
East Africa features the Serengeti – home of Mufasa, Simba, and Zazu. Millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate here annually accompanied by hungry lions and crocodiles. Scenic highlights include the continent’s highest mountain, the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, and the game rich Ngorongoro Crater.
The Argentinean Safari is very diverse: “From the jungles of the Iguazu, the world’s largest waterfalls, to the surreal valley glaciers of the South, this trip is a nature lovers dream.”
Regardless of the country, each trip is accompanied by a kosher gourmet chef and mashgiach certified by internationally recognized kashrut authorities. All food is prepared fresh on site.
“Our trips are centered round observant Jews and itineraries are all planned taking Shabbos into account. Where groups are large enough, we encourage daily minyanim and sometimes host scholars in residence and special interest trips as well.”
Kosher Safari trips are available year round. Southern Africa experiences a mild winter from May-August, which is one of the best times for safaris, and their summer—the American winter—is fantastic for game sightings and nature viewing. The Argentina package is run from November to March as the tip of Argentine is extremely cold from May through September.
For more information on a trip to Africa, visit http://www.aksafaris.com/. For information on trips to South America, visit http://www.latinamericakoshersafaris.com/. Each site hosts detailed itineraries and information.
