See Our Most Popular Latin America Trips

Kitchen in the Wild with Santiago Lastra

Duration
6 days
Price
£12,610 pp.
Location
Kenya, Africa
Kitchen In The Wild El Karama Kenya

Trip Highlights

  • Savour Santiago Lastra’s Michelin-starred creations.
  • Wild dining with Valentine Warner.
  • Enjoy award-winning cocktails.
  • Learn from iconic animator.
  • Foraging adventures.
  • Masterclasses, bushwalks, game drives, fishing.

What's Included

  • All experiences mentioned
  • Five nights at the eco-luxury El Karama Lodge, full board accommodation
  • Return transfers from Nanyuki airstrip to El Karama Lodge.
  • Transfers from Nairobi International Airport

Far-flung adventures for the culinary curious

A thrilling culinary journey in Kenya's Laikipia, featuring world-class chefs, artistic workshops, and wildlife.

A daring culinary journey awaits in Kenya’s breathtaking Laikipia region, where exceptional cuisine, creative workshops, and wildlife adventures converge at the eco-luxurious El Karama Lodge. Kitchen In The Wild offers the perfect escape for food enthusiasts, fusing stunning locales with extraordinary culinary and cultural experiences, all delivered with expertise, creativity, and passion.

Set against the dramatic scenery of Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau, Kitchen In The Wild—an evolution of Valentine Warner and Claire Issacs’ acclaimed Arctic Circle retreats—invites you to take part in an unforgettable culinary expedition. Held at the sustainable and luxurious El Karama Lodge, this retreat merges Africa’s untamed beauty with gastronomic excellence, crafted by some of the world’s most celebrated chefs

With Chef Santiago Lastra - Dates: 10 – 15 October 2025

For the first event in this series, Kitchen in the Wild is thrilled to welcome Mexican-born Santiago Lastra, the creative force behind the Michelin-starred KOL in London. Celebrated for his innovative fusion of Mexican heritage and locally sourced British ingredients, Santiago will bring his artistry to Africa for the first time, blending his signature style with Kenya’s extraordinary natural bounty.

Accompanying Santiago Lastra is an outstanding group of specialists:

  • Valentine Warner, is a renowned chef and host celebrated for his passion for wild ingredients and immersive culinary experiences.
  • Nick Strangeway, is an award-winning mixologist who creates cocktails inspired by the unique landscapes of the savannah.
  • Jim Parkyn, an internationally recognised animator and model maker, known for iconic creations like Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.
  • Anne Powys, a leading Kenyan botanist, offering expert guidance on the diverse and fascinating flora of the Laikipian wilderness.

Surrounded by expansive savannahs, meandering rivers, and the striking outline of Mount Kenya, El Karama Lodge is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability, its working farm, and its dedication to conservation. Home to over 80 mammal species, including the Big Five, and 430 bird species, the lodge provides not only a source of culinary inspiration but also unforgettable wildlife experiences.

This five-night retreat offers more than exceptional dining. Discover the wilderness through guided bushwalks and game drives, enjoy specially curated meals under a canopy of stars, and take part in artisan-led workshops and live cooking demonstrations. From witnessing a leopard at dusk to sipping a perfectly balanced martini by the campfire, or crafting a model inspired by the Big Five, every moment is designed to spark creativity, foster connection, and rejuvenate your spirit.


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival at El Karama Lodge

Staying at El Karama Lodge

After a smooth transfer from Nairobi International Airport, arrive at the stunning El Karama Lodge in Laikipia. Settle into your accommodation with panoramic views of the landscape.

Evening: Sundowners in the bush followed by a welcome dinner prepared by renowned chef Santiago Lastra.

Days 2-5 Culinary and safari adventure

Day 2-5 continued Expert delights

Day 2- 5 continued Enjoy world-class dining

Day 6 Departure

Speak to a Kenya expert

Start planning your Laikipia holiday

Ruth

Ruth

Africa, Indian Ocean, and Caribbean Specialist

Call an expert on

0203 111 1315

When to go to Kenya

Find out the best time to visit Kenya with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January is a great time for wildlife viewing. The landscapes are lush and green after the 'short rains' and newborn animals can been seen. It is hot, but brief afternoon or evening showers cool things down, without compromising your safari. Over on the coast the sea is clear, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling, and the days are warm and bright.

Expand

February

February is an ideal time to visit Kenya, and great for game viewing. The landscapes are green and thriving thanks to the short rains, and newborn animals will be hopping around the plains. There maybe a few afternoon showers which are welcome in the heat, and don't impact on wildlife viewing. Water clarify is excellent at the moment, which is good news for watersports enthusiasts. And if you want to spot a whale shark, now is the time to try.

Expand

March

Still a good option for wildlife viewing and diving, although with the 'long rains' just around the corner, expect wetter and hotter weather.

Expand

April

April brings the start of the 'long rains' which means game reserves and national parks become muddy and harder to drive around. Over on the coast it's hot and wet, so it isn't the best time of year to travel. Some camps and lodges close during this period.

Expand

May

The 'long rains' continue into May, making park tracks difficult to navigate in the mud, and the coast very warm and wet. There will be less accommodation choice at this time as several lodges and camps during this period.

Expand

June

June is a beautiful time of year to visit Kenya, with the rains receding to just light showers, and the long dry season not far ahead. The high grasses can sometimes make it more of a challenge to spot game, but the landscapes are lush and some animals may begin arriving early for the migration. At altitude nights can be cool, but elsewhere the temperature is pleasant.

Expand

July

July marks the beginning of the great migration into the Masai Mara, and with warm and generally dry weather, this is a great time of year to visit. Days are sunny, skies are blue and there isn't too much dust around, so it's a great time for photography.

Expand

August

The migration is now in full swing in the Masai Mara, with lots of river crossing action, so if you want to see those massive herds of wildebeest and zebra, now is the time to come. Game viewing in general is excellent and it's one of the most popular times of year to visit, so some of the main parks do become crowded. Temperatures are warm and dry.

Expand

September

Game viewing continues to be excellent, and the weather is generally dry so this is another ideal month to visit Kenya's parks. The bush is less dense and as animals gather around waterholes and rivers it makes wildlife spotting much easier.

Expand

October

October is a great time if you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind the temperature slowly starting to rise. There may be a few short showers, but game viewing remains excellent with the end of the migration, and it's a good time to holiday anywhere in Kenya.

Expand

November

November heralds the start of the 'short rains' and with hotter temperatures some camps are closed. The Mara however is still open, and despite sometimes stormy skies, game viewing is still good. Fewer crowds and lower prices make this an attractive month to visit. Over on the coast water clarify is good for snorkelling and diving.

Expand

December

The 'short rains' are bringing the landscapes back to life, and as the plains start to become green again, wildlife viewing remains good, and it's a great time for birding. Some camps are closed (mainly in the north of Kenya) but many others remain open. The showers tend to fall in the afternoons and don't impact greatly on a safari. Take advantage of reduced visitor numbers and lower prices.

Expand

Plan with an expert Plan with an expert

Have a look at our original holiday experiences and then contact us with your brief, or call 01768 603 715

A tailor-made itinerary just for you A tailor-made itinerary just for you

Our experts will send you a detailed holiday itinerary specified to your desires. It's our service promise to you.

Value guarantee Value guarantee

Tailor-made doesn't mean expensive! Ask about our price promise and book with financial security.