Cooking on Gas – TK Masango, Pridelands Cook

TK learnt to cook at EcoTraining, helped by a camp manager.

“The traditional dishes I learned to cook from my mother at home in the village, but I knew nothing else about cooking when I arrived at EcoTraining 10 years ago,”

Explains TK. She doesn’t use recipes either,

“because I cook from my head. I don’t measure. I know how much food to prepare by looking at the people.” 

Elephant at Pridelands © Cameron Clements
Tsakani Masango © Vinicio Herrera

Her work day is 7 am to after supper in the evening, with a rest period during the day, and the two camp housekeepers also help with food prep. Plenty of food is needed when feeding 20 energetic learners and their instructors. “I like being creative,” continues TK. “I love cooking too much and would love to learn more. I want to learn to make different dishes and get a cooking qualification that I would love. I want to cook new dishes for the learners.” 

Photograph © Keri Harvey

What is for sure is that TK is not going anywhere soon. “I love cooking so much, and I love Eco-Training, and it’s my wish to learn more and more. We are so lucky to be here in the bush for free. It is very nice here. And when I am off, I go home to my village in the Makuleke area. I am happy.”

Pridelands Camp | What you can expect | EcoTraining

Are you considering an EcoTraining course and want to know what to expect from the camps and reserves?

Take a virtual walkthrough of Pridelands camp, the reserve’s wild natural landscape, and all the wildlife that call it home. With regular visits from elephants, hyenas, and warthog, the camp offers a completely immersive experience.

For more information on this camp, read our website: https://www.ecotraining.co.za/camps/kruger-national-park/

About the Author: 

Keri Harvey is a Travel Writer and Photographer.

For Keri, travel is life, like breathing. She is a modern-day nomad from her home in the Cape to Cairo, Abidjan to Zanzibar, into the Middle East, Europe and Asia. With about 50 countries visited date, her stories are told on blogs and websites and in over 3 000 magazine feature articles spanning over 20 years.

Previously an award-winning editor on various South African lifestyle, travel and wildlife publications, Keri has worked freelance since 2001 and published articles in over 100 magazine titles. Every day, Keri wakes up to write or to travel, and her greatest wish is to inspire people through her stories to pack their bags and allow the travel bug to bite.

About the Author:
Keri Harvey

Keri Harvey

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