Our Story

Authentic South African Biltong, Passed Down Through Generations

We come from Southern Africa, where biltong wasn’t something you bought—it was something you lived.

Raised in Zambia and Zimbabwe, biltong was woven into our everyday lives. Fresh beef was seasoned by hand, hung to air-dry, and shared at home or on long journeys with family. It was nourishment, tradition, and connection all in one. We didn’t grow up discovering biltong—we grew up making it.

A Tradition Born of Survival

Our story begins centuries ago.

Imagine Southern Africa in the 17th century, under the relentless African sun. After a successful hunt, meat needed to last for months—long before refrigeration existed. Using wild herbs, salt, and vinegar, families marinated fresh beef and let it dry naturally in the open air. This simple yet ingenious process cured and preserved the meat, giving rise to what we now know as biltong.

What began as a necessity for survival evolved into a tradition. And over generations, that tradition became a cherished delicacy.

Simple Ingredients. Honest Craft.

The recipe we use today has been passed down through countless generations—refined by time, shared among families, and trusted because it never needed to change. No sugar. No preservatives. Just quality beef, vinegar, spices, and patience.

Zambezi Biltong is made from 100% beef, marinated with six timeless ingredients, then air-dried and thinly sliced to perfection. The result is an authentic meat snack that honors African tradition while meeting the needs of today’s protein-hungry, health-conscious lifestyle.

Why We Started Zambezi Biltong

When we migrated to the United States, we went looking for the biltong we grew up with—the authentic South African air-dried beef we knew and loved. What we found instead were processed beef jerky products loaded with sugar, additives, and artificial flavors.

They looked similar, but they didn’t taste the same. More importantly, they didn’t feel the same.

So we decided to make our own.

Sharing a Piece of Africa

As the first indigenous African-owned biltong company in the United States, our mission is to share a genuine piece of Africa through food, culture, and flavor. Every cut of biltong we make is a reflection of our heritage—crafted with respect for tradition and pride in where we come from.

ENJOY!