Kitchen In The Wild: An Immersive Culinary Safari in Kenya’s Laikipia

An exclusive, expert-led activity holiday in the wilds of Kenya

Gemma
Gemma
Marketing & PR Exec
Published on
24 Jan 2025
Updated on
27 Feb 2025
Kitchen In The Wild El Karama Kenya

What is Kitchen in the Wild?

Kitchen in the Wild is an exclusive culinary retreat in Kenya, where guests join world-renowned chefs for a unique blend of cooking, foraging, and feasting in the heart of Kenya's wilderness. Hosted by celebrated chef Valentine Warner, the retreat takes place at the luxurious eco-lodge El Karama, set within a private conservancy near Mount Kenya. Featuring a variety of experts in different fields including celebrated chef Jackson Boxer who is known for his culinary work at Orasay and Brunswick House, the experiences on offer give you a chance to explore Kenya’s wild beauty while enjoying world-class cuisine.

Kitchen In The Wild’s October 2025 events at El Karama promise an unparalleled blend of gastronomy, adventure, and sustainability. The event is limited to just 18 guests and offers a perfect fusion of safari, gourmet cuisine, outdoor adventure, and cultural discovery.

Kitchen In The Wild focuses on creating unique culinary experiences in natural, remote environments guided by celebrated experts in the industry. These events typically include outdoor cooking, foraging, and dining under the stars, all designed to connect participants with nature and local cuisines. The emphasis is on sustainability, creativity, and a sense of adventure.

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Valentine Warner
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Kitchen in the Wild

Where and when is the next event?


Kitchen In The Wild is hosting an exclusive 5-night culinary adventure at El Karama Lodge in Laikipia, Kenya, in October 2025. Renowned guest chef and team of experts offer a unique blend of gastronomy, craftsmanship, and exploration in a breathtaking natural setting.

Who is the guest chef?


Jackson Boxer ΓÇô Portraits ΓÇô May 2023 ΓÇô Louis A W Sheridan HR RGB 27
Jackson Boxer

17-22nd October 2025 - Jackson Boxer

Prolific London chef and restaurateur Jackson has somewhat of a cult following. Opening a 10-seat counter at Brunswick House at just 23 years old, he now splits his time between Notting Hill’s Orasay, the much-grown and loved Brunswick, Cowley Manor, Jackson Boxer at The Corner and most recently, Henri in Covent Garden. A talented and instinctual cook, give him an ingredient and a myriad of tasty ideas will pour forth. His sleight of hand is just as happy near glowing embers as kitchen gadgets making him a highly adaptable chef so suited for Kenya. See trip

Who is joining the experience?


Valentine Warner

Valentine Warner
Valentine Warner

Valentine Warner is a celebrated chef, food writer, and broadcaster with a profound connection to the natural world. Known for his expertise in wild ingredients and his passion for outdoor cooking, Valentine has spent his career inspiring audiences to explore nature through food. His ability to connect people with their surroundings through culinary artistry makes him an integral part of Kitchen in the Wild.

Jim Parkyn

Jim Parkyn
Jim Parkyn

Jim Parkyn is an internationally acclaimed animator and model maker, best known for his work on beloved creations like Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. With a talent for storytelling through his craft, Jim will guide guests in creative workshops, sharing the art of animation and sculpture in a way that is both engaging and inspiring.

Anne Powys

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Anne Powys

Anne Powys is a leading botanist and author with unparalleled knowledge of East Africa’s indigenous plants. Growing up in Kenya’s Laikipia region, Anne has developed a unique expertise in the area’s flora and ecosystems. Her guided bush walks will offer guests a deep insight into the natural environment, enhancing their connection to the wild surroundings of Kitchen in the Wild.

What can guests expect?


As well as cooking skills, guests can experience enlightening guided, bush walks with one of Kenya’s foremost botany experts, Anne Powys, who will share her deep knowledge of the Laikipian bush, learn new crafts with internationally acclaimed animator and model maker Jim Parkyn (whose
creations include Wallace and Gromit and Shaun and the Sheep), and soak up Kenya’s natural splendour with game drives, bush picnics and river fishing. As the sun slips below the savannah in a blaze of colour, guests can sip on the perfect martini created by celebrated bartender Nick Strangeway and gather around the communal table for fire-lit feasts under the breathtaking canopy of the Kenyan night sky.

Kitchen In The Wild promises to be the ultimate adventure for foodies, combining spectacular destinations with remarkable culinary and cultural experiences delivered with flair, passion and skill.

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El Karama
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In the kitchen at El Krama

Why is El Karama Lodge the perfect venue?


El Karama Lodge, located in the heart of Laikipia, Kenya, is more than just a beautiful setting. It’s a place deeply committed to conservation, sustainability, and community empowerment.

The lodge demonstrates a 100% commitment to conservation, with all conservation fees directly supporting the El Karama Wildlife Conservancy. This vital funding helps preserve local habitats and protect the incredible array of wildlife found in the region.

El Karama was built with a purpose: to align tourism with sustainability by prioritising habitat and wildlife goals. This ethos is reflected in every aspect of the lodge’s operations.

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El Karama dining area
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El Karama Lodge, Kenya.

Empowering local communities is a core mission. The lodge invests in grassroots training for its team, creating opportunities for personal and professional growth that extend far beyond the lodge.

Passionate about food, El Karama features an organic shamba (farm) that provides fresh, seasonal produce. Additional ingredients are sourced from small, local businesses that share the lodge’s values of sustainability and quality.

Above all, El Karama Lodge embodies the transformative power of wild spaces. Every experience offered is designed to inspire, reconnect guests with nature, and leave a lasting impression of Africa’s untamed beauty.

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Kitchen in the Wild, El Karama
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Kitchen in the Wild, El Karama

Summary


Kitchen in the Wild delivers far more than just exceptional cuisine—it’s an immersive journey into the wild heart of Kenya. From the breathtaking landscapes of El Karama Lodge to the expertise of world-renowned chefs, botanists, and creatives, every moment is designed to captivate and inspire. You’ll learn new skills, deepen your appreciation for nature, and savour dishes crafted from the freshest local ingredients. Whether you’re cooking over open flames or embarking on a guided bush walk, each experience merges adventure, sustainability, and unforgettable flavours. This is more than a retreat—it’s a rare opportunity to reconnect with the land, discover culinary artistry in its rawest form, and create memories that will endure long after the final feast.

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Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024