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

Palacina Hotel: Located only 10 minutes from the bustling centre of Nairobi, in stunning bougainvillea filled gardens with fantastic views over the State house valley, Palacina is a unique hotel combining the comforts of home with the warmest, personalised service. Each room has a large balcony with fantastic views, Satellite TV, Safe Boxes, newspapers in the mornings and fresh flowers everyday.

Days 2 - 4: Maasai Mara
After breakfast you will be met and transferred by road to Wilson Airport (25 mins approx). From here you will catch a mid-morning flight to the Maasai Mara (45 mins approx). On arrival you will be met and transferred on a short game drive to camp. You spend the next two days game-driving in this incredible wilderness - better than the Discovery Channel because you are part of the spectacle. From July – October the annual wildebeest migration is a photographer’s dream come true as thousands upon thousands of wildebeest and zebra surge across the plains in search of fresh grass, stalked by their Big Cat predators.

Serian Camp: An exclusive wilderness camp set alongside a secluded valley flanking the Mara River close to the Siria Escarpment. The private marquee tents are set in the shade of large Olive & Walburgia trees that cover the site, a tranquil setting that borders one of the finest Game Reserves in the world. A personal Butler is allocated to each Marquee, he is at the guests personal beck and call. Our guides have specialist local knowledge and are experienced at handling and approaching dangerous big game safely. Download PDF brochue

Day 5: Mombasa
You leave vast open space of the Maasai Mara behind and fly direct to the Coast . You will be met at Mombasa’s Moi International Airport and driven just North of Mombasa island to the mouth of Mtwapa Creek and your cliff top cottages facing the Indian Ocean. Today is a for rest and acclimatising to the coast heat. As the heat of the day fades enjoy sundowners aboard Kamara or a barbecue at the Nguuni sanctuary nearby.

Day 6: Swahili Cuisine Masterclass 1
Following a good night’s sleep under billowy mosquito nets in a four poster lamu-style bed, 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 Mombasa Old Town to buy fresh fruits, spices and fish from the market traders..After haggling with the traders for the best and freshest buys you return triumphant for a swim or beach walk and lunch before your first master class 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 today’s menu:

Tuna Sashimi starter
Thai baked fish fillet (Snapper or Grouper)
Passion & white chocolate teardrop with raspberry coulis

Day 7: At leisure
On your rest day you can choose to do nothing or everything: activities are varied and fun.

Day 8: Swahili Cuisine Masterclass 2
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 Bombolulu workshops for the disabled followed by a light lunch at the cottages, 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

Day 9: At leisure
Another rest day and activities to choose from include scuba diving courses up to and including PADI dive master can be arranged (charged extra & direct), visiting the Nguuni Wildlife sanctuary followed by a sundowner cocktail or barbecure or a walk in the last remaining coastal rainforest in East Africa: Arabuko-Sokoke with local guides, excellent birding and a chance to see the charming and endemic Scops Owl or visit the Kipepeo butterfly project.

Day 10: Swahili Cuisine Masterclass 3
For your last master-class you have to head by boat to Kwetu just after dawn – to collect fresh crabs as the local fishermen bring in their catch. After choosing and some hard bargaining you and your live catch sail back to base for the next step. 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 on the Tamarind Dhow – a leisurely Swahili feast as you sail up Mtwapa creek in a traditional (motorized) dhow with superb cuisine, fine wines and beautiful breezes and views.

Day 11: Depart
On your last day you can do as much or as little as you like. You will be transferred to the airport in Mombasa in time for a flight to Nairobi and the connection with your international flight departure home.