Visit the East African coast on a trip that blends the ancient Arab spice-trade routes along this magnificent Indian Ocean coast with periodic forays into the interior for some game viewing in some of East Africa’s top parks and reserves. We would trace portions of the routes plied for centuries by Arab traders who gathered spices, slaves and ivory from the coastal trading towns (these towns were Sultanates until the late 1800’s) of Lamu, Zanzibar, Malindi and Mombasa to the Arabias. The coast portion is done in a traditional 60-foot sailing vessel known as a Dhow or Jahazi, having been modernized on the inside to suit the tastes of the discerning traveler. We would cruise the coast, stopping at deserted sandy Island beaches for a lobster lunch, a swim or a waterski, and sheltering in the lee of another Island for the night.

A speciality is the Lamu Archipelago on the North Kenya Coast. Lamu and the adjacent village town of Shella are destined to become the new Cassablanca (in terms of popularity with the Euro Jet-set), with a hint of Venice (as it's on a deep-water channel), Lamu town represents the very origin of the spice, ivory  and slave trade with the Arabias. It is a smoky muslim cool culture – a bohemian feel with a twist of your classic African 'old town'. We have a good friend who lives in Lamu, who's family came from Oman 800 years ago, and have lived in the same house ever since to give you some idea of the history here. Small alleyways and narrow streets, muslim prayers at dawn on loudspeakers, no cars on the Island town apart from the District Officer's, only donkey carts and hand carts. 95% of the commerce is done by the classic arab wooden Dhow sailing vessels. There is a lot to do here - snorkelling (good in October), great creek and deep-sea fishing (the best sailfishing in the world at certain times of year), watersports, exploring neighbouring Islands (of which there are many), walking along miles of deserted beach, nature walks, visiting the 9th century ruins on some of the Islands, Sailing in the moonlight, and much more.

The forays into the interior to do some game-viewing will be for a night or two, getting there by private charter, staying in small, intimate luxury lodges and home-stays in some of the top parks and reserves on the continent. Then either fly back to the coast and carry on with our maritime experience, or go on to another game park.

Any combination of the above is entirely possible.

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