Living Gluten Free in Africa!

Totally torn – that’s the only way to describe it!
The idea of visiting the one continent in the world that I had longed to travel to – ever since I can remember was totally outweighed by my food requirements, being a coeliac – but believe me, I did have major concerns!
If only I had known then, what I know now – 25 days into our Nairobi to Capetown camping safari, all my doubts would have been laid to rest!

Karsten had emailed Africa Travel Co about a month before our departure explaining my dietary requirements, including a link in his email to the Victorian Coeliac Society web site. However prior to our departure, we had had no solid reply from them stating that they were able to cope with this, hence my usual stash of gluten free muesli and muesli bars were packed.

On arrival, we met Josh, our tour leader, Peter our cook and Simon our truck driver.
Peter made a beeline for me and explained that he may need a little help from time to time getting his head around my diet.
25 days into the trip and I’ve had two questions from him – and they were usual tricky one’s – soy sauce and vinegar!
I’ve been healthy the whole trip, much to the disgust of my fellow travellers who have each had the odd “down” day. I’ve been vigilant with the water, only ever using bottled water, even for brushing my teeth. Peter is a stickler with everyone when it comes to hygiene – We wash our hands before every meal in three bowls – one with soap and water, another with Dettol and then we rinse. Our dishes are washed in three different bowls, but in the same regimented way – So germ wise, I’ve probably never been cleaner!
Peter has been superb – totally understanding my needs and has spoilt me rotten. If he does ever cook the main course and I’m not able to eat it, he whips up something equally, if not more yummy than my fellow traveller’s meals. They now queue to check out what I’m having as against there’s! I’ve missed out on the odd bowl of packet mix soup, but Peter always comes up with some other healthy alternative, even though on most days, a large helping of dinner and dessert are more than enough for me.

I feel blessed that I’ve discovered Peter and the Africa Travel Co. and would recommend anyone like me – a coeliac with a huge appetite for adventure travel, to not for one moment put off that much dreamt of trip to Africa!

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