Safari Booze – The Whisky Dawa

31 October 2025

Raising a glass to the safari adventure!

Tina’s twist on the traditional whisky dawa has become a favourite glass of safari booze with both our Mattikoko team and guests. It is a little piece of Kenyan magic in a glass!

Whisky, a touch of honey, a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime, sugar and tonic served over ice with fresh mint or rosemary makes it a bright, refreshing, and effortlessly comforting. It’s the perfect companion to swapping stories by the fire or watching the Mara sunset… Whisky dawa, or beer? Maybe both!

African Photograph Safaris Podcast Episode 11

Tina’s whisky dawa appeared in Episode 11 of our African Photography Safaris Podcast recorded at Mattikoko Safari Camp in the Lemek Conservancy.

Alan Hewitt

Director, African Photography Safaris. Wildlife photographer and private safari guide. Beer expert, fieldcraft junkie and nerd.

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Comments

8 responses to “Safari Booze – The Whisky Dawa”

3 November 2025

Suzanne Driscoll

Sounds like the perfect end to a perfect day!

Reply
1. 4 November 2025
  
  Alan Hewitt
  
  Hi Suzanne, it certainly is, beer or dawa? Both! You’ll have to come along with us and find out! Cheers, Alan.
  
  Reply
4 November 2025

Graham

The whisky dawa, what beautiful memories that brings back to us. I remember when we saw the huge bull elephant just a hundred yards from the track into Mattikoko when we returned in the dark. He was so peaceful with our presence, sitting watching his tusks catch the moonlight as he fed on the foliage was magnificent with the calls of hyenas in the distance. Then whisky dawas around the campfire. You guys know how to safari as a safari should be, we’ll never forget the connection you gave us to the amazing wildlife of Kenya and the lovely people we met. Oh, and the whisky dawas! Did I mention those!?!

Reply
1. 4 November 2025
  
  Alan Hewitt
  
  Thanks Graham, it’s absolutely the perfect campfire beverage! Cheers, Alan
  
  Reply
4 November 2025

Harry Froome

What sort of whisky is used?

Reply
1. 4 November 2025
  
  Alan Hewitt
  
  Hi Harry, we were using Singleton but I don’t think it really matters once everything else is added! Cheers, Alan.
  
  Reply
5 November 2025

Mike Schnelling

WHat’s better, a sundowner whisky dawa or a cold tusker beer?

Reply
1. 5 November 2025
  
  Alan Hewitt
  
  Hi Mike, the whisky dawas are a campfire beverage, we don’t take them out on sundowners as they are prepared fresh and we can’t take all of those ingredients out on a drive. So as far as safari booze goes, it’s usually beers, wine or gin out on sundowners then anything else including dawas back at camp!
  
  Reply