October marks World Mental Health Awareness Month — a gentle reminder to pause, reflect, and take care of our inner world. And there’s no better place to do that than in the stillness of the bushveld. At Shumbalala Game Lodge, we often see it — the quiet shift in our guests as they begin to unwind. Out here, surrounded by nature, there’s no rush. No schedule too full. No endless stream of...
Rooibos-infused Panna Cotta Recipe

We are excited to share one of our favourite summer recipes with you - a light and creamy Panna Cotta that we regularly serve to guests at the lodge. Below, you will find the recipe for this beautifully light dessert. We hope you enjoy bringing the South African flavours of Shumbalala Game Lodge into your kitchen this festive season.
ROOIBOS-INFUSED PANNA COTTA RECIPE
Ingredients
- 125 ml freshly brewed strong Rooibos espresso tea
- 50 g light brown sugar
- 375 ml fresh cream
- 2 tsp gelatin powder
Rooibos Syrup
- 5 Tbsp strong brewed rooibos tea
- 110 g sugar
- 50 ml honey
Method
- Pour the rooibos and sugar into a saucepan on medium heat and stir until sugar has dissolved.
- Stir in the cream and bring the temperature down to a low heat.
- While the cream mixture is gently heating up, pour 2 tsp water in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin on top, so that it’s completely covered in water. Let this rest for about 5 minutes or until gelatin has completely softened.
- When the cream mixture is about to boil (when it starts to bubble around the edges) take the saucepan off the heat.
- Take 1/2 cup of cream mixture and mix into the softened gelatin and stir to dissolve completely.
- Add this 1/2 cup cream back into the remaining cream in the saucepan and whisk to mix thoroughly.
- Pour the mixture into a set of ramekins or glasses and let them rest in the fridge overnight, until set.
- Rooibos syrup - In a small pot add 5 Tbsp of brewed rooibos, sugar & honey. Bring the mixture to a boil, stir until the sugar has dissolved. Pour the syrup in a jar and set aside to pour over the panna cottas when you serve them :) Enjoy!
We look forward to welcoming you to Shumbalala Game Lodge in the near future.
Further Reading
On 24 September, South Africans celebrate Heritage Day — a day dedicated to the cultures, traditions and languages that make this country unlike anywhere else. It’s a moment to reflect on our roots, celebrate our shared identity, and enjoy the diversity that connects us all. At Shumbalala Game Lodge, heritage is not celebrated once a year — it is part of daily life. You taste it in the meals shared around the...
There’s a certain rhythm to life in the bush — one that can’t be rushed or predicted. And for many guests at Shumbalala Game Lodge, the most meaningful moments aren’t always the ones that make it onto Instagram. A real safari is about more than ticking animals off a list. It’s about the process — the waiting, the watching, the wondering.
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