Eating our way through the South African Bush

Posted By Jon Nickel-D'Andrea on Jul 18, 2016 | 1 comment

One of the best parts of traveling to a new country is getting to sample some of the local food, and what better way that going to a small, out of the way, locals only restaurant in the middle of the bush?

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Eating our way through the South African Bush
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In an effort to maximize our Marriott points and to get to see a bit of the countryside, we decided to book a hotelgoom at the Protea Hotel Nelspruit, but it was about a two hour drive from the Kruger Gate. We had a flight out the next morning from Nelspruit airport, so we figured that staying down that way would be easier, because you never know what you’ll run into along the way!

Before we left the hotel we had a chat with one of the safari drivers who told us that we absolutely must head to a place called God’s Window. It’s a gorgeous part of the countryside and can’t be missed when you’re driving around. And since we’re gonna be heading that way, there is a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant only identified by two South African flags on the side of the road. He says “you’ll know because it’s the only thing for miles.”

Well, we’re up for an adventure, so SURE! Here we go!

Boskombuis Restaurant Entrance

Directions to God’s Window

Pictures from God’s Window

The entire drive was gorgeous, with expansive views over valleys, gorges, rain forests, and savannah. We must have passed through 8 different climates in driving just an hour. South Africa is such a varied and diverse place, and deserves to be explored!

After visiting God’s Window, we headed north for about another 20 minutes to see what was so amazing about this hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

The promised “flag” entrance

Can you see the person in the red shirt in the background walking? That’s Goodwill, who was soon to be our waiter. You see, we showed up at 16:15, and they closed at, you guessed it, 16:00. We told Goodwill that we were driving since Kruger Park and were starving. He said “I don’t have much to offer you, but I could give you some stew that we have prepared…” Are you kidding? Absolutely! We’ll take whatever we can get since you’re opening up the restaurant after hours for us.

Entrance to the Restaurant

As we turned the corner, the reason that this restaurant is such a favorite with locals became apparent. It’s freaking GORGEOUS. Just look at this place!

Boskombuis Restaurant

Since we already knew what we were getting (Potjiekos) a menu seemed a moot point, but I asked for one just to get an idea for you, our readers, of what other foods were offered.

Boskombuis Menu

At a rate of almost 15 ZAR to the USD, this place was an RIDICULOUS deal. Sitting at any place like this in the USA would be impossible due to the long wait list, and I’m sure that a basic hamburger would be $25, if nothing else for the view alone. We could get a homemade stew for $5.60? Heck yes!

Cold Beer, Riverside

Potjiekos, Beef Stew

Enjoying a meal on the river, South Africa

We wanted to take this moment to thank Goodwill once again for showing us amazing hospitality and allowing two weary travelers to sit down for 30 minutes and enjoy an amazing home cooked meal. We would have had at least another 2 hour drive ahead of us to the hotel with grumbling stomachs if it weren’t for you. We hope that when we return we can see you again and try some of the more amazing meals that you have!

Here’s all the contact information for our readers, and if you’re close, please do yourself a favor and see this place! Smaaklike ete!