Kruger Shalati Unveils Trackside Dining: A Culinary Journey Rooted in Rail and Tradition

A New Taste of Kruger: Where Rails Meet Roots

If you’ve ever dreamed of dining under African skies, with the gentle rumble of train tracks beneath your feet and the scent of woodsmoke in the air, well, you’re in luck because  Kruger Shalati just made it a reality.

Nestled alongside the iconic Selati Bridge, where an old train stands suspended above the Sabie River, Trackside Dining has officially opened its doors, or rather, its iron-clad walls. And it’s more than just a place to eat. It’s a tribute to Kruger’s layered past, its land, and the people who call it home.

A Dining Experience on Track: Literally 

Three years in the making, Trackside Dining is no ordinary venue. The space is built with salvaged railway materials and framed by indigenous leadwood trees. Corrugated iron panels nod to traditional rural homesteads, giving the venue a rustic yet refined feel. It’s a design that tells a story — one of travel, transformation, and timelessness.

But the real magic? It’s happening in the kitchen.

Chef Vusi’s Foraged Feast

At the helm of Kruger Kitchen, the venue’s signature culinary concept, is Head Chef Vusi Mbatha — a name that’s quietly become one to watch in the South African food scene.

Mbatha’s menu doesn’t just showcase South African cuisine; it celebrates it. Think locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, many foraged or farmed nearby. One standout dish? A delicate spinach creation featuring “thyeke”, a wild green loved in traditional Northern Sotho and Tsonga cooking.

It’s this hyper-local, forage-to-fork approach that gives the food not only flavor but meaning.

More Than Meals: Moments Around the Fire

Trackside Dining isn’t just about feeding guests; it’s about feeding the soul.

By night, the space transforms into a cultural hub. Fire pits crackle. Stars glisten overhead. Guests gather not just to dine, but to listen to stories, watch live performances, and gaze into the cosmos guided by local storytellers.

It’s part restaurant, part ritual; a place where visitors are invited to connect with the land and its legends.

Rooted in Community and Sustainability

In true Kruger Shalati fashion, sustainability sits at the heart of the operation. Much of the produce is grown on nearby farms, with several ingredients coming from gardens tended by staff members’ families.

It’s this grassroots approach that’s winning hearts, especially on social media, where South African foodies and travel lovers alike are praising the project for its authenticity and respect for local culture.

“This is what luxury should look like in Africa, grounded, generous, and genuinely local,” reads one viral comment on Instagram.

The Verdict: A Must Visit for Conscious Travelers

In a region where luxury can sometimes feel out of step with its surroundings, Trackside Dining offers a refreshing new model: one that honors heritage, uplifts local voices, and nourishes the land as much as its guests.

Whether you’re a foodie, a cultural explorer, or just someone who loves a great story served with your supper, this new destination in Kruger should be high on your list.

{Source:Tourism Update }

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