Day 1: Nairobi
On arrival at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be met by Origins Safaris and transferred to the hotel for the night.

1 overnight Palacina Hotel

Days 2-3: Watamu, Indian Ocean

Today you head south to the Indian Ocean -

one & half hour's flight across the open landscape of Kenya, passing Kilimanjaro's peak on your right wingtip. You will be met at Malindi Airport and transferred the short distance to Watamu Beach, an idyllic and exclusive whitesand beach that stretches for miles. On arrival you can walk straight onto the beach in front of your Private Villa and soak up the sun, breeze and waves. Today is a day for rest and acclimatising to the coast heat. As the heat of the day fades enjoy sundowners and a barbecue at the poolside.

Following a good night's sleep, you will have breakfast and a briefing from master chef: Tim Challen. Tim, a former Chef at London's renowned Ivy Restaurant, is now head-chef at a well-known Mombasa restaurant specializing in delicious seafood recipes. After breakfast, today's first challenge is a visit to the quaint, bustling and historic Malindi Town to buy fresh fruits, spices and fish from the market traders. After haggling with the traders for the best & freshest buys you return triumphant for a swim or beach walk and lunch before your first masterclass led by Tim. You will be shown how to select good fish, the different types and their characteristics, how to fillet, de-scale and clean them before preparing todays menu:

-Tuna Sashimi Starter

-Thai baked fish fillet (Snapper or Grouper)

-Passion & white chocolate teardrop with raspberry coulis

2 overnights Private Villa

Days 4-5: Swahili Cookery & the Indian Ocean

On your rest day you can choose to do nothing or everything: activities are varied and fun. Just in front of the villa you can join a glass bottom boat & head out to the reef for some fantastic snorkeling. Or walk along the beach for simply miles. Or just chill out at the villa, lazing by the pool and soaking up the sun.

On day 5 your next lesson is how to prepare Shellfish: Lobster and Prawns. After a morning lazing by the pool or an optional visit to the nearby Mida Creek board walk for an insight into the Mangrove eco-system followed by a light lunch, you gather with Tim for your next challenge. The dishes you will master are:

-Poached Lobster & crushed potato salad

-Grilled Lobster with garlic butter

-Flambeed Piri Piri (hot & spicy) King Prawns

2 overnights Private Villa

Days 6-7: Swahili Cookery

Another rest day and activities to choose from include a Hemingway style sport fishing charter (blue marlin, sailfish, falusi & more exciting 'fighters') - half or full day boat charters with professional crew can be arranged for an extra fee. Alternatively vsit Malindi Marine Park and take a boat out to sand island then snorkel in the famous Coral Gardens. Or enjoy a walk in the last remaining coastal rainforest in East Africa: Arabuko-Sokoke with local guides.

On day 7 for your last masterclass the local fishermen will bring live crabs to the door. After choosing and some hard bargaining you tackle your live catch under the watchful eye of Tim and the kitchen crew. Your lesson will be how to prepare Crab and a selection of delicious dishes:

-Deep fried Crab claws

-Whole steamed Crab

-Chilli & Ginger Crab

-Chocolate Torte

For a taste of professional Swahili cuisine you can choose lunch or your last dinner at the famous 'Old Man and the Sea' Restaurant - a favourite in the Lonely Planet Guide - Enjoy leisurely Swahili feast and celebrate your qualifications as a qualified Mpishi (Swahili: Cook).
2 overnights Private Villa

Day 8: Depart

On your last day you can do as much or as little as you like. You will be transferred to the airport in Malindi in time for a flight to Nairobi and the connetion with your international flight departure home.

Download Detailed Itinerary.pdf