Sniffing Out Truffles Safari-Style

Only the truly adventurous need apply. The Tswalu Kalahari Truffle Safari, a guided search for meerkats, cheetahs and truffles, runs expeditions each spring in South Africa’s largest private game reserve, which covers an area of more than 100,000 hectares (1,000 km. sq. or almost a quarter of a million acres). Earning a spot on National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s Top 50 Eco-Lodges 2009 list, your home-base lodge will be plush, with private suites and a butler. Clearly, roughing it is not part of the itinerary.

At your request, a private driver-guide brings you to the best spots for gathering truffles—and points out animal tracks along the way. The guide knows how to keep you safe, so he’ll never send you out into the wild unless you’re in the clear. When not searching out delicacies you’ll get to indulge in a private picnic and hope to spy any of the 70 species of mammals and 230 species of birds (including endangered raptors) that live on the land. Sightings may include the elusive aardvark, aardwolf, pangolin and porcupine. Or take a day off and hang out at the resort, which hosts up to only 30 guests in total and boasts a luxurious spa.

While Tswalu offers a variety of safaris throughout the year, the truffle-sniffing variety runs during truffle season in April and May. An added safety bonus: Tswalu is located in a malaria-free area of South Africa.—Denise Shoukas

Denise Shoukas is a regular foodspring.com contributor
and is the author of foodspring’s food forager blog.

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