NEW! Grand Iberia, Africa & Asia Passage

Explore Mombasa during a panoramic drive and visits to the historic Fort Jesus and a woodcarving factory. Embark your motor coach with your guide and set out into the former capital of British East Africa. Gain a deeper understanding of the city’s rich history as you pass by several important landmarks. Pass under the symbolic metal elephant tusk sculptures that cross bustling Moi Avenue; these four tusks were built in 1952 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s visit and form the letter “M” for Mombasa. Continue your tour at the well-preserved Fort Jesus, a 16th-century fortress built by the Portuguese. Admire this UNESCO World Heritage Site and learn how it was designed to withstand cannon fire before viewing the skilled work of craftsmen, who still use time-honored techniques, at a woodcarving factory. Browse their wares, maybe purchasing a memento, then return to your ship.

Learn to prepare the unique flavors of traditional East African dishes, then sample the delicious results. Drive to the site of your cooking class, where you will be welcomed with a refreshing madafu, or water from fresh unripe coconuts. Then, meet your Swahili cook, who will demonstrate how several local specialties are prepared. Swahili cuisine is a blend of Indian, Arabic and Portuguese influences that incorporates spices, such as clove, cardamom, chilli and fenugreek, with grains like maize, rice and wheat. You will learn how to prepare chapatis, or pan-fried bread, along with fish and chicken curries made from coconut milk, turmeric, garlic and more. After, sit and enjoy the meal, followed by free time to explore your surroundings. Before departing, your cook will provide you with an autographed recipe and a bag of spices, so you can recreate the experience at home.

Traverse Kenya’s largest national park during a game safari in search of members of Africa’s “Big 5.” Journey inland to Tsavo East National Park, part of a vast park system covering more than 8,000 square miles. This region was made famous by JH Patterson’s book, The Man-eaters of Tsavo, which was the basis for the movie, The Ghost and the Darkness. After a drive by motor coach, climb aboard a 4x4 vehicle and set out on a game drive into the arid savanna grassland, keeping watch for Tsavo’s infamous lions, as well as leopards, cheetahs, zebras, striped hyenas, buffalo, elephants and more. Visit the Aruba dam, a popular manmade watering hole for game and one of the best places to view and photograph the park’s resident wildlife. Return to the lodge for lunch, then set out on a short afternoon game drive before returning to your ship.

Learn about an inspiring social enterprise alongside Kenyan history, then visit an impressive conservation site. Take a scenic drive along Mombasa’s North Coast to the Bombolulu Workshops and Cultural Centre. Part of the World Fair Trade Organization, the workshops here offer training and employment to a diverse range of skilled workers who produce intricate handprinted textiles, jewelry, baskets and more. At the cultural center, explore seven replicas of traditional homesteads before watching a live performance of music and dance while enjoying a refreshing beverage. Afterward, take a short drive to the wildlife sanctuary of Haller Park, where your guide will offer insight into the success story of its conservation efforts as you tour to observe resident waterbirds, hippos, impalas, giant tortoises and more throughout the park. Following refreshments, you will return to your ship.

Discover incredible marine life, a charming fishing culture and local cuisine off Kenya’s wild southern coast. Travel to the island of Wasini, where you will board a dhow, a traditional Arab sailing vessel, and set sail for the clear waters of Kisite Marine National Park. Covering more than four square miles, this protected area is home to an array of aquatic species, including turtles and marine tortoises. Grab your snorkeling gear to explore this underwater world more closely, accompanied by a guide who will alert you to any wildlife sightings, before returning to Wasini for lunch. Enjoy free time to explore the fishing village of Shimoni on your own, then take a guided tour of its infamous seaside caves, a complex of subterranean caverns and tunnels that were once used as a holding area for enslaved people. Learn about its dark history before returning to your waiting ship.

Fly to one of Africa’s most incredible national parks and drive to prime sites for viewing wildlife. Travel to the airport, where you will board a chartered aircraft for a flight to southern Kenya. Upon landing, meet your expert guide on the runway, then drive by jeep to Amboseli National Park. Covering more than 146 square miles, the park sits in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, and is home to four of Africa’s “Big 5.” Get an up-close look at free-ranging herds of elephants and keep watch for lions, zebras, hyenas, giraffes and more during your safari. There are also more than 370 bird species that can be found here among the wetlands, woodlands, sulfur springs and savanna. Following lunch, head back out for another game drive before transferring to the airport for your return flight to Mombasa and your awaiting ship.

Discover the history and culture of East Africa’s most metropolitan port and enjoy lunch during a dhow cruise. Set out on a panoramic drive through the former capital of British East Africa. Gain a deeper understanding of the city’s rich history as you pass by several important landmarks. Pass under the symbolic metal elephant tusk sculptures that cross bustling Moi Avenue; these four tusks were built in 1952 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s visit and form the letter “M” for Mombasa. Then, discover the well-preserved Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take some time to explore the narrow streets of the old town. Continue to the Tamarind jetty, where you will board a dhow, a traditional Arab sailing vessel. Cruise along Tudor Creek, then enjoy a lunch of local fare onboard, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Immerse yourself in Swahili urban coastal life and discover local traditions during a visit to Majengo Kikambala. Board your motor coach for the scenic drive to this coastal village, located north of Mombasa. Upon arrival, set out on foot to explore, passing through the local market and village to gain insight into the daily lives of the community. See locals sifting maize and discover the construction techniques used to build traditional mud huts. Continue through the surrounding villages to learn about the agriculture of this region, pausing to enjoy demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship and cooking practices; during your visit, you may see how water is drawn from the communal well and learn how coconut milk is extracted and utilized for cooking. Sample fresh coconut and mnazi, a sweet-sour palm wine, followed by a visit to the local school, then return to your ship.