Shiviko Kruger, a private villa lodge on the doorstep of Kruger National Park, has introduced a fully kosher offering built to Mehadrin standards, giving observant Jewish families a way to experience the Big Five without leaving their religious practice behind. The lodge continues to welcome all guests, with each villa’s independent kitchen allowing a genuinely kosher stay to run alongside its wider offering.
The initiative began in early 2025, after a travel agent approached Shiviko on behalf of kosher-observant clients. Michael and Anica, who had previously run fully kosher operations at other properties and understood the religious requirements involved, saw the enquiry as an opportunity to close a gap in the market, instead of accommodating a one-off request.
Shiviko brought in KCSA (Kosher Certified South Africa) and KIB (Kosher in the Bush) to evaluate the property. Because each villa operates its own kitchen with a dedicated team, the assessment confirmed the lodge could move forward with a proper kosher offering. KIB then returned to run a three-day training programme across the entire team – guides, butlers, chefs, housekeepers and management – so that everyone understood the customs and requirements of catering fully to kosher guests. The team completed the training with certification.
“From our very first meeting, the enthusiasm of the Shiviko Kruger team for hosting kosher guests was immediately apparent,” says Adrienne of Kosher in the Bush. “Their willingness to learn, their positive attitude and their genuine interest in creating a welcoming environment for kosher travellers made a strong impression on us.”
Meat and dairy areas are completely segregated, with optimal Mehadrin standards maintained throughout. The lodge offers meat, dairy and parev preparation, has introduced Chalav Yisrael, and keeps mevushal wine on site. A mashgiach arrives a day ahead of each kosher booking to kasher the kitchen and oversee the unpacking of a dedicated kosher kit, then supervises every meal prepared on site for the length of the stay. Shiviko has also expanded its supplier network to include specialist kosher suppliers from Johannesburg and works directly with KCSA and KIB whenever a mashgiach is needed, or questions arise from the team.
Chefs, butlers and waiters have worked under the direct supervision of KCSA-certified mashgichim, using dedicated, sealed kosher keilim opened only by the mashgiach on duty. KCSA operates under the halachic authority of Rabbi Avigdor Bokow, who worked with the OK Kosher laboratory in the United States early in his career and has studied kashrus practices in London, Israel and the US. Only Mehadrin, Glatt and Chalak shechita are used on site.
Shabbat observance has been built into the guest experience. Villa lighting can be run on timers or switched manually; guests who prefer not to travel can spend the day in Shiviko’s green zone, a walking area beside the lodge, in place of a game drive, and there are no lifts on the property to navigate.
Each villa comes with its own private guide, chef, butler and housekeeper, along with a private open 4×4 vehicle reserved exclusively for that villa’s game drives, so an observant family’s schedule never has to compete with anyone else’s.
Children are well looked after too. Back at the Clubhouse, there is a swimming pool with two slides and a soundproof cinema with popcorn and slushie machines, while the activity programme includes junior filmmaking, beadwork, marimba lessons, tree planting, and wildlife and cooking sessions. Babysitting is available on request, giving parents time of their own.
Families can spend the morning tracking the Big Five through Kruger, the afternoon at God’s Window or the Blyde River Canyon, and sit down that evening to a Mehadrin-supervised dinner back at the villa, kashrus intact the entire way round.
