One of the first things international guests often say when they see the fire being lit is, “Oh, so you’re having a BBQ!” And while the comparison makes us smile, it’s a little like calling a cathedral “just a building.” A braai is not simply the act of cooking over flames—it’s a deeply rooted South African tradition that brings people together in a way that’s hard to describe until you’ve experienced it. It's ritual, it's rhythm, and it's home.

It's about connection

At its heart, a braai is about connection. Yes, it involves grilling meat—often over wood or charcoal—but it’s just as much about the pause it creates in the day, the conversations that linger longer than the smoke, and the way everyone seems to gather instinctively around the fire. Braais can be casual affairs with friends on a weekend or more elaborate celebrations that carry on late into the night. There's no one way to do it—and that's exactly the point.

When it comes to the menu, there’s something for everyone. South Africans love to prepare cuts like lamb chops, boerewors (a coiled, spiced sausage), and steaks, but you’ll often find fresh fish on the grid if you’re near the coast, or skewered vegetables, roosterkoek (grilled bread rolls), and mielies (corn on the cob) charring gently over the coals. And of course, no braai is complete without snacks like biltong, droëwors, and a glass of something cold in hand while you wait for the meat to sizzle just right.

Appreciated through the generations

The roots of braai culture stretch back through generations, born from the simple act of gathering around fire—a practice as old as humanity itself. But in South Africa, it evolved into something distinct: a tradition that cuts across backgrounds and languages, carried through decades of social change, and now woven into the national identity. Braai Day (on Heritage Day, 24 September) is a public holiday for a reason: it celebrates not just history, but togetherness.

Braai with us at Wildemans

At Wildemans, the braai is a sacred ritual. We light the fire slowly, unhurried, as the afternoon stretches golden across the Addo Bushveld. Guests gather with a drink in hand, the air rich with the smell of woodsmoke and the sound of wildlife settling into dusk. Our chef prepares meats with care, local vegetables are grilled to smoky perfection, and the fire becomes a stage for stories, laughter, and that quiet magic that only the bush can bring.

For us, inviting guests to braai with us is about more than food. It’s about sharing a piece of South African soul—welcoming you not just as a traveller, but as part of something ancient and joyful. Whether you’re here for one night or a week, we want you to taste, feel, and remember what it means to gather around a fire in the heart of the Eastern Cape.or modify or delete the existing ones.