ABERDARE COUNTRY CLUB
This colonial-type Club is located just a few Kilometres from the Aberdare National Park on a private Ranch with great view of the mighty Mount Kenya on a clear day. In order to keep everybody amused at Aberdare Country Club, there is a whole range of activities which range from swimming, horse and pony riding, golf, tennis, nature and bird walks, treasure hunts, group games…. The1300-acre Game Sanctuary where day and night game drives, bush lunches, picnics or dinners at an extra charge are offered complements all these activities.  If the weather dictates that you stay indoors, Internet and e-mail access are available at the Club and the satellite TV, videos and board games are sure to keep you happy!

Amboseli Serena Lodge: Framed against the glorious backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, the magnificently beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro, surrounded by miles of rolling grasslands, patrolled by vast herds of elephant, shaded by the lush, feathered-green of an acacia grove and hugging the banks of a gently flowing river, this very traditional yet supremely luxurious lodge is the safari destination of a lifetime. Most rooms have a great view of the Mighty Mountain – Kilimanjaro, and facilities here include a swimming pool.

Mara Intrepids Club: The Mara Intrepids Club is a short drive from the Mara River, where more than a million Wilderbeest and Zebra make their perilous migration crossing every July and August. For the remainder of the year, the camp offers some if the world’s finest game viewing, with large local populations of plains game, elephants, rhino, buffalos and all the big cats. Accommodation is in 30 luxury tents, which are widely spread across a large riverside site to ensure guests the optimum privacy and peace. Each tent is furnished in the classic style of the grand African safaris, with large four-poster beds and handsome reproduction furniture offset by modern en suite bathrooms with hot showers, flush toilet s and all modern amenities. Each tent sits on a shady raised platform with sweeping views over the riverbanks where a variety of animals come to drinks.

Top

MARA SAFARI CLUB - NORTH OF THE MASAI MARA
Mara Safari Club is a treasure trove for Adults and children with a thirst for knowledge. The Club’s resident naturalist is the perfect guide when learning about the local wildlife, flora and fauna, our Rhino Conservation project, and much more. Staying in contact is easy now, as internet and e-mail access are available at the Club, and keeping busy is not a problem thanks to our swimming pool, wildlife videos, talks on Maasai dances, visits to Maasai manyattas and ‘Big Five’ game-filled day and night game drives!

Mara Sarova Lodge is Located on the Eastern side of the famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve, close to the Sekenani Gate. The camp is set on an elevation surrounded by two streams. The grounds are beautifully laid out with trees and plants, and electrical fences surround the lodge. Accommodation is in 75 bed rooms (72 twin rooms and 3 triples), each of which is a luxurious tent. Each room has a permanent shower and WC, and permanent roof and zip-up front. Facilities here include Isokon Restaurant (with two sections, one internal and one external with a canopy) where guests are served with meals, Oloip Bar (with a cosy log fire place), and a swimming pool surrounded by comfortable sun-loungers.  Guests are welcomed to this cool and clean camp with a glass of chilled fruit juice, and entertained in the evenings by traditional dancers.

Mara Serena Safari Lodge set on the saddle of a hill, overlooks the 1800 square km of the rolling plains, woodlands and rivers that make-up the Maasai Mara triangle – one of the worlds’ richest wildlife sanctuaries. No other lodge can boast such a spectacular of the surrounding landscape, game and birdlife. It is on this very much terrain stretching endlessly before the lodge where the annual migrations take place, when millions of Wildebeest, Zebra and gazelle transverse the landscape to feed on the rich new grass and give birth to their young. Accommodation is in 71 rooms all overlooking the plains below. Additional features include a floodlit swimming pool, poolside barbeque massage and beauty treatment, a water hole (where animals come to salt-lick), hippo pool breakfasts, musical Evenings, Maasai dances, wildlife films, resident naturalist lectures and game drives among others.

Top

Mara Sopa Lodge: Located on the South Eastern edge of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, this lodge has 200 beds by way of 77 rooms, 12 suites and 1 Presidential suite, all of which are 'rondavel' style and have en-suite bathroom facilities which provide shaving sockets and hairdryers. Every room and suite has a private, elevated verandah with splendid views across the valley and on which guests can relax, sunbathe and watch resident birds and wildlife. Mini-bars are also available in each room. The lodge has direct-dial telephone facilities as well as satellite television and video options. Lodge generators provide 240volts, 50 cycles 24 hours a day. Our water supply comes from nearby springs but guests are advised not to drink from the taps. Instead, filtered water is provided in flasks in every room and bottled water is available for sale. The lodge has a freeform, fresh-water pool, which offers spectacular views over the valley.

Serena Mountain Lodge:  Located at 2194 M on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, Serena Mountain Lodge is surrounded by a dense rainforest that comes alive at dusk with a myriad of sounds that make the African bush so special and exhilarating. Considered the most spectacular forest waterhole in the Aberdares, the lodge’s waterhole presents a constant ballet of wildlife. Elephant, buffalo, rhino and waterbuck are regular sights! At any time of the day, you can spot game from the specially-constructed viewing bunker that is connected to the lodge by a short tunnel. The lodge has 42 attractive bedrooms furnished with indigenous wood and African Art, each with private bathroom. A spacious veranda also overlooks the waterhole where there is never a dull moment. Fresh vegetables grown from within the lodge’s compound compliment the freshly prepared meals. Birdlife is abundant, while if lucky you may spot Lions here too!


Top

The Yasabara Waterhole in the Aberdare National Park is a haven for wildlife as it contains both a waterhole and a salt lick. When the animals come to visit at night, a buzzer sounds in your cabin so that you can see the game in all their nocturnal glory… The photographic hide and various viewing decks make the Ark the perfect educational overnight stay as the animals can be studied at close range without disturbing them at all. Hot water bottles, blankets and hot drinks are available throughout the night to ensure comfortable game viewing.
After breakfast the next morning, tired but happy with the night's show, you will be taken back to the Aberdare Country Club for the next stage of your trip! 

Lamu Homes & Hotels

There is a large variety of accommodation available on Lamu Island, from friendly, basic budget accommodation in small locally-owned guest houses, to exclusive accommodation in privately-owned houses and hotels. Lamu Town is ideal for those searching for the cultural experience of Lamu, shops open late in the evening, the local fish and vegetable market near the town square, the busy dhow harbour, narrow cool streets, mosques, donkeys, carts and veiled women, and the atmosphere of an old town which has changed little in the last 200 years.

If you are staying in Lamu Town you can visit Shela or Manda beaches by boat, as Lamu Town itself has no beach. For those who prefer to be near the beach, and perhaps visit the town sometime during their stay in Lamu, Shela Village is 3kilometres South of Lamu town, or a 15 minute boat ride away.

The fabulous 15kilometre Shela Beach starts here, the village is sheltered from the open sea, overlooking the channel between Manda and Lamu Islands. For those who prefer complete privacy and seclusion, there is Kipungani and Kizingo on the South-Western tip of the island, about 40 minutes by boat from Lamu and Manda Airport, Kiwayu Island about 40 miles North of Lamu, or Manda Bay on Manda Island. Competitive Air Packages to all the following properties are available on request, from Nairobi, Malindi or Mombasa.. All these properties offer guided excursions and dhow trips, as well as boat transfers from Manda Airport.

** 2 Star Budget Accommodation:

Top

Pwani Guest House, Shela Village is situated just a few metres from Shela Beach, behind Peponi Hotel. It is a small locally owned and run guest house. Accommodation is very basic, no hot water in the bathrooms, but family rooms upstairs have the advantage of good sea views from an open verandah where breakfast can also be served. There is a small shop downstairs on the ground floor attached to the guest house. Accommodation is on self catering basis, the neighbouring Peponi Hotel has a bar and snack restaurant for lunch. Tables should be booked in advance for dinner.

Jannat House, Lamu Town. In 1986 Hans Freijd (Swedish) bought this 18th Century merchant’s house, which was formerly owned by the famous Muawiya family, descendant from the uncle of the Prophet Mumammed. For many years the house was a private guest house for family and friends. It became a busy place and was finally commercialized and run as a small hotel by its 3 Swedish owners. Situated in the heart of the Old Lamu Stone Town, this small hotel has 17 rooms, 5 terraces, an ‘a la carte’ restaurant and small salt-water pool in an interior courtyard with a bar. Rooms are furnished with African/Arabic antiques. There are several spacious terraces, some overlooking the pool. Cuisine in the restaurant is influenced by the Swahili flavour, characterized by coconut milk and Arabic spices. The restaurant maintains a smart-casual dress code for dinner. A la carte and barbecue dinners are common. Some rooms have been recently renovated and are small but of higher standard than the old rooms. Some rooms are self contained, others share bathrooms.

Top

Stone House Hotel, Lamu Town, is situated in the heart of the Old Lamu Stone Town, just a short walk from Lamu’s main street and the waterfront. A small interior coral-walled garden at the entrance provides a nice welcome. It is one of the best preserved of Lamu’s famous 18th Century Stone Houses and offers simple, clean budget accommodation in 10 self-contained rooms and 4 with shared bathrooms. Rooms are decorated with typical Lamu-style furniture, mosquito nets and fans are provided. The hotel has its own reliable water supply (no hot water). The rooftop restaurant offers very good views of the surrounding town. The restaurant specializes in Swahili dishes and fresh fish and seafood. No alcohol is available but cold soft drinks and freshly squeezed juices are sold in the restaurant. The hotel offers a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, offering comfortable, clean accommodation at very affordable prices.

Stopover Guest House, Shela Harbour, is situated directly on the sea front in Shela Village overlooking the dhow harbour. The property is newly renovated and locally-owned. There are 5 self-contained rooms in total, 2 on the second floor with a large balcony, and 3 on the first floor, the front 2 with a small balcony. Rooms are clean, simply furnished with fans and mosquito nets, and have good views of the sea and plenty of sea breeze. The bathrooms do not have hot water. On the ground floor is a local café/restaurant serving Swahili dishes, fresh juices, soft drinks and seafood, and a little shop. No alcohol is available, the owner of the guest house is a local Muslim and very hospitable and welcoming. Shela beach is just a short walk along the sea front from the guest house, and Lamu town is 3 kilometres away, or a 15 minute boat ride. This property is ideal for those looking for affordable, budget accommodation, its main advantage is the fantastic sea view.

Top

Bahari Guest House, Shela Village, is a similar property to Stopover Guest House. Situated near the jetty in Shela, just around the corner from the Peponi Hotel, and a short walk away from Shela Beach. A local guest house, with downstairs café/restaurant serving seafood, Swahili dishes and fresh juices or soft drinks. The cheapest rooms are located at the back of the guest house, and do not have a sea view, other rooms have balconies and view of the sea, and there is a top floor room with sea view for which there is an extra charge. All rooms have mosquito nets and bathrooms, but no hot water. Accommodation is simple and basic and recommended for guests who prefer budget accommodation with the advantage of being on the sea front and near the beach.

Island Hotel, Shela Village, is situated in the centre of Shela Village, just a few minutes walk through the village to the fabulous 15kilometre Shela Beach. The hotel is constructed in simple, Swahili style with 15 self contained rooms, (no hot water). All rooms have fans and mosquito nets. The roof-top “Barracuda Restaurant” specializes in Swahili dishes and fresh seafood, and is well known for its freshly squeezed fruit juices and milk shakes. Alcohol is not available at the hotel, but Peponi Hotel is about 5 minutes walk away and has a bar and snack restaurant open to visitors during the day. Shela Village is a lot cleaner than Lamu Town, sandy lanes, donkeys and children playing, it is a friendly and safe village, visitors are very welcome.

The hotel is ideal for clients looking for budget accommodation, reasonably-priced, simple and clean accommodation with good food and friendly atmosphere. Excursions and boat trips are available at the hotel as well as guided tours to Lamu town. As the hotel is in the village, guests will have the chance to really integrate with the local community and get a feel of Swahili village life, the hotel does not have a sea view but is walkig distance to the beach.

Top

Sunsail Hotel, Lamu Town, is a basic hotel situated on the waterfront in Lamu town. It is locally-owned with 18 rooms, 11 upstairs and 7 downstairs (cheaper rates) and all rooms are self-contained. Mosquito nets and fans are provided. No alcohol or hot water showers. Accommodation is available on bed & breakfast basis, half board or full board. There is a safe service free of charge. The restaurant is on the roof top.

Yumbe House Lodge, Lamu Town,  is situated in the town’s centre. There is a rooftop sitting area with views of Lamu town and a downstairs restaurant. Rooms are self contained, with constant water supply, fans and mosquito netting.

Top

Diamond Beach Village, Manda Island,  offers an alternative to the concrete hotel, more of a rustic Robinson Crusoe experience. Working closely with the local community and using only local methods of construction and local materials to create a laid back, eco-friendly, alternative style holiday.

There are six small beach huts called bandas, traditionally designed with high windows. The five double bandas have a double bed downstairs and a single bed mounted in the roof, each has a front porch, shower, sink and flush toilet. All bandas are provided with sheets, mosquito nets and towels. Each has a mains plug with a British socket and all have electric lighting in the evening. The room boy, Kombo, cleans daily and a laundry service is available. The floors and walls are made our of star palm, which is woven locally, the roofs are a thatch of coconut palm. There is no fresh water on Manda Island so they re-use the water from the sinks and showers to water the garden. The sixth banda is larger and divided into two so sleeps between 3 and 6.

There is also a treehouse to rent, which sleeps between 2 and 6 people, with wooden floors, branches coming through the walls and a large veranda on the first floor stretching right around the tree, where there is an open air bathroom with sink, shower and flush toilet. There is another bathroom on the ground floor. The tree house is cleverly built in a baobab tree, and really completes the ‘Robinson Crusoe’ feel of the place.

The restaurant area consists of tables under palm thatched umbrellas, conveniently situated with a view of the Indian Ocean and of Shela across the channel. The meals include fresh seafood dishes, vegetarian cuisine and more conventional western food. At dusk, Diamond Beach Village enjoys the full view of some of the most breathtaking African Sunsets. Giant clamshells around the lodge act as birdbaths and attract a colourful array of beautiful birds both at dawn and dusk. Enjoy walks along Manda Beach, snorkeling off the small coral reef just a short walk away. Diamond Beach Village is a short boat trip across the channel from Shela Village, and a 15 minute boat ride from Lamu town and the airport. 

Top

KIPUNGANI BAY LAMU

A 90-minute flight from Nairobi will take you to Manda Island adjacent to the ancient, sleepy Swahili island of Lamu.  On landing you will be met with warm island charm before boarding a speedboat and a twenty minute journey through a wide channel, fringed with mangroves to Kipungani.   On arrival you will find our idyllic beach hideaway, calm under gently swaying coconut palms, perched over sandy bay. 

Kipungani is private, secluded and extremely low key.  It is rustic and natural, ideal for letting the breezes and the views to be part of the scene.  In the lounge and bar area are enormous brightly covered cushions piled up in seeming abandon but inviting you to flop and order a cool drink.  Sun bleached driftwood furniture, shells and beach paraphernalia decorate the decked terrace together with inviting  hanging  'moon beds' with yet more brightly coloured  cushions. 

The water is unheated, which is certainly not a hardship when you return hot and salty from the beach.  There are no doors or windows, just wide open spaces which let in air and which frame views of the sand and the water, but there is electricity and a ceiling fan to give you a cool breeze during the night.  Dining at Kipungani is a delight.  Giant crab, platter of seafood and fish, perfect fresh salads flown in daily, amazing  Swahili fish soups and plumps tropical fruit.  The emphasis obviously is on fresh seafood, but if you don't care for it, the chef is more than happy to prepare light vegetarian or meat dishes to order.  Breakfast is served in style, in the privacy of your verandah, just to order and at the hour you order. 

You can swim in the sparkling pool, or in the calm sea in front of your cottage, or even in the wilder surf on the other side of the dunes, just a short walk away.  If however, you are a more active soul, you can choose to windsurf, water-ski, sail or walk on beaches unspoiled and stretching as far as the eye can see and beyond. Alternatively you can take a boat to the islands of Kinyika during the neap tides where the scuba diving and snorkeling is equal or better than many marine parks, or go deep sea sport fishing for marlin, seilfish or barnacuda. 

Lamu is the oldest surviving town on the East African coast.  A maniature and nicer version of the old town of Zanibar,it has narrow winding streets, historic mosques, a fort, colourful market, no cars and only donkeys and dhows for transport.  Here you will see Swahili women veiled in black and men in traditional kanzus taking the sea air on the wide front of the harbor.  An Omani fort, now a cultural museum, dominates the stone town.

*** 3 Star Accommodation

Top

Banana House, Shela Village, this is a private house which has developed into a friendly ‘Bed & Breakfast’ alternative in Shela. Owned and run by Monika, a Dutch lady who has lived in Lamu for several years. The house is very spacious, with attractive sitting and lounging areas, hammocks, and day beds in a beautiful tropical garden within its walls. The atmosphere is homely and welcoming. Rooms and living areas are tastefully furnished and meet a good standard of accommodation.

All bedrooms are ensuite, with hot water showers. On the ground floor, there are 3 rooms, all interconnecting making these ideal for families with young children if required. The first floor also has 3 double rooms ensuite, open, covered dining area and living area. The top floor boasts a private penthouse with double bedroom, private dining facilities, sun-beds which can also be ideal for star-gazing, as well as sitting area. The house has sea views from first and top floors and is about 5 minutes walk to the fabulous Shela Beach and Peponi Hotel.

Breakfast is provided at Banana House, served outside your room or in dining areas. The house has 2 cooks and a fully equipped kitchen at the disposal of house guests. The cooks will prepare meals of your choice, and will charge only for the ingredients which can make Banana House a very flexible and financially reasonable option for your stay in Shela.

Lamu Palace, Lamu Town, situated on the sea front overlooking Lamu Harbour. Slightly more modern than most of the other Lamu guest houses and hotels, this is a well established hotel with self-contained rooms and hot water.  Although some rooms are quite small, it is the only hotel in Lamu with air-conditioned rooms. Its Arabic-style façade stands out on the row of buildings on the Lamu waterfront. The downstairs restaurant overlooks the street, alcohol is served here. There is a supplement charged for sea-view rooms. The hotel’s private boat ferries its guests daily to Manda beach where there is a beach bar and day beds available. Guided tours of the town are provided by the hotel free of charge.

Top

Baytil Amman,
This wonderful renovated ruin has taken 5 years to complete. Some areas of the ruin remain untouched and intact and add to the character of the building. The hotel is located in the centre of Shela Village overlooking an open garden with a fountain, near the Island Hotel and Kisimani House. The beach is a short walk away through the village.

There are a total of 8 rooms in the hotel, 2 suites and 6 ordinary rooms, all with bathroom and solar hot water and fans. All rooms have a double bed and can also be converted into a triple room with an extra single bed. The rooms are large and airy with hand carved wooden doors, window shutters, and furniture.

The rooftop terrace gives wonderful views of the sea and the surrounding village, and is often used for special functions, Swahili dinners and other occasions, where guests can enjoy dinner under the stars.

The hotel is locally owned and therefore is not licensed to sell alcohol. Fresh fruit juices, Swahili dishes and fresh seafood are served here. The restaurant is located on the ground floor in and around the central courtyard of the house. Traditional wall carvings have been beautifully restored to re-create the Swahili feel and décor of the old building. Many walls have been replastered with cool neru in the traditional way, leaving a few areas of the ruin which were still intact at the time of reconstruction.

****4 Star Accommodation

Top

Lamu House (Salama House & Azania House), situated overlooking the harbour in Lamu Town. These are 2 converted and completely rebuilt Swahili Houses, beautifully adapted for modern use. Spanish owned and managed. The enchantment of the traditional Swahili architecture has been preserved, re-designed to meet the needs of guests. Each house has 5 bedrooms, accommodation between 10 and 12 guests in each. There is a living room open to the courtyard, an upstairs terrace overlooking the sea and the old town. There is an interior plunge pool, dining room and small courtyard. Fully equipped kitchen and Hi-Fi. Each bedroom is individually furnished, with self-contained bathroom, dressing area and private terrace. Just one of the rooms does not have a private terrace. The houses have a cook and at least two room stewards, laundry is included. The rooms can be rented individually or the entire house exclusively for small groups.

Transfers to and from the airport are included as well as daily transfers to the beach by boat. Also included for guests are coffees, teas, soft drinks and juices. The hotel now has a licquor licence so a selection of wines and champagnes are available at the hotel which previously was not the case. Panoramic flights, scuba diving and deep sea fishing are available on request. Basic internet service is available from the office. The house has a large dhow with experienced crew which is used for daily excursions, a variety of up to 10 excursions around the archipelago are available. 8-10 people can comfortably spend the day on the dhow and overnight excursions can be arranged on request. The dhow is equipped with: inboard diesel engine, life jackets, shaded areas, safari shower, small kitchen, cutlery, cool boxes, snorkeling equipment, beach towels, first aid kit. Specially designed with sliding table to seat up to 10 people for lunches on board etc.

Top

Fatuma’s Tower and Yoga Centre, Shela Village. Fatuma’s Tower is a renovated 18th Century ruin standing in a walled garden at the back of Shela Village, near the sand dunes, last occupied a hundred years ago until her death by the unmarried Fatuma and her five female slaves. Over time, all the floors of the building and most of its walls fell to the ground. Now the tower has been reconstructed to have four double rooms with washrooms (and hot water) and two singles sharing a washroom. It is three stories high and built of thick coral walls with high ceilings. There is a spacious library, courtyard with mature tamarind tree fronting the dining area. The rooftop terrace reached by narrow stairs has a panoramic view of Shela, the dunes and the sea. Here you can meditate or gaze at the night sky of brilliant stars and changing phases of the moon. All rooms are furnished in the traditional Swahili style with tasteful wooden furniture. The garden, which contains a spacious and isolated therapy room is surrounded by high coral walls and is full of palms, tropical birds, sweet smelling shrubs and a mature acacia tree giving deep shade.

On the first floor there is a spacious and cool yoga practice hall (50square metres) where the slanted window construction form perfected by the old mosques prevents the entry of direct sunlight and keeps the hall cool and together with traditional Swahili plasterwork gives the whole building an immediate feeling of serenity and calm. There are two regular Yoga classes daily.

The food served is vegetarian with fresh sea food if required. No alcohol is served as we seek to promote the house and gardens as a place for personal and spiritual retreat. There are special rates for Yoga groups.
Laundry, airport transfers and soft drinks and filtered water are included in the cost of full board. The house has 4 staff, a cook, 2 stewards for cleaning and laundry and a gardener. Bed linen, mosquito nets, house towels and fans are provided and there is a safe for valuables.

You don’t have to practice yoga to stay here! The place is quiet and all who want to feel peaceful and just relax are welcome. Only 5-10 minutes walk away from the waterfront, nevertheless, sheltered from the glare and activity on the sea. Guests are encouraged to treat the place as a private home and the staff are excellent at making guests feel comfortable.

The top floor 2 doubles can be treated as a separate apartment with its own kitchen, staff and stairway. Also a cottage in the garden has 2 doubles and can be totally self-contained.

Top

Kijani House Hotel, Shela Village

Off the bustling waterfront of Shela village, dhows sway gently on the incoming tide as merchants and fishermen cross back and forth on the shimmering sand. A few steps away, a few white steps and a small entranceway, framed by clusters of frangipani and bouganvillea flowers, opens to cool shade and green shadows. Entering Kijani House is like stepping into a secret garden. Two aquamarine pools glow gently in the shade of giant kunazi trees, small tables and beach chairs lie in the shade of a profusion of different species of palm trees, and flowering flamboyants and yellow oleanders branch out over large terraces that face the ocean. ‘Kijani’ means green in Kiswahili, at once invoking the colour of Islam, the small hotel’s verdant gardens, and new growth.

Swiss owner Pierre Oberson created Kijani House to revive the tradition of stone Swahili houses and create an authentic retreat for visitors looking to experience Lamu’s past. It took Pierre more than ten years to rebuild the hotel from the ruins of three old houses, and he used only  traditional methods and materials in the restoration. Kijani’s rooms and gardens are filled with antiques or handmade replicas of the furniture, lanterns, ornaments, and utensils that graced the stately houses of Lamu’s past. Copies of old Portuguese lanterns hang from white archways. An arrangement of ceramic water pots stand – used to carry oil and water aboard ships centures ago – stand under the shade of a palm tree. Members of the village even borrow Kijani’s ceremonial chair, crafted from hardwood and wickerwork on the nearby island of Siyu, for weddings and special occasions.

True to the atmosphere of a Swahili house, Kijani’s rooms and central areas emphasize the aesthetics of privacy and space. Each room has a private veranda shaded from sight by arabesque archways and trees. The 10 rooms are vaste  and cool, shards of sunlight and ample breeze welcomed through tall shutters. A canopied Swahiil bed stands beside antique cupboards and tables coloured with hand-painted Indian tiles and painted glass. In the bathroom, intricately carved mirrors set off the sensous effect of the walls, ceiling, and floor in warm ochre, its heady oriental effect heightened by shafts of light filtering through shutters from the world outside. Kijani House offers a retreat from the bright bustle of Lamu’s waterfront – a lush oasis of green gardens, pools, and cool rooms in all their Swahili splendour.
Kijani restaurant offer an exotic selection of seafood,Swahily dishes and a touch of Italian cuisine.Fruit and vegetable are coming from the Kijani small farm in the middle of Lamu island.
Available from the cellar,a good selection of Italian,South African and Chilean wine’s.
Kijani is closed for of season during May and June

Top

Peponi Hotel, Shela Beach, is probably the most famous of all Lamu hotels and is the only one situated directly on Shela Beach. A small, private, family-owned hotel, it was once a house, which grew into a hotel. The atmosphere is intimate and low key. The sea-facing bar and snack restaurant is open to hotel guests and visitors alike, and is an ideal stopover for cold drinks after a day on the beach, although there are private verandah’s and dining for hotel guests only. The hotel restaurant is renowned for excellent fresh seafood and cuisine to cater for all palates. As in most places in Lamu, service is very friendly. The hotel has 24 rooms in total and two categories of accommodation, all rooms have ocean views.

Superior Rooms: are differentiated by their location, size, private outside area, artwork and Swahili furnishings. No two rooms are the same. Many have swing beds on the verandahs with big soft cushions. Five of the rooms are built right on the beach, with private verandahs overlooking the sea while the rest have a combination of ocean and garden views, private rooftops, a small garden and two adjoining rooms share a spacious verandah. Kikoi toweling robes are provided in these rooms. The Superior room numbers are 17-25.

All rooms have: Overhead fans, mosquito nets, showers (not baths), fresh flowers and personal safes. Peponi toiletries with pumice stones, beach and bath towels, colourful kikois to wear either to the beach or as evening wear for men, a flask of chilled drinking water, writing paper, laundry service (aim is 24hours), the option of room service breakfast. Hairdryers, cots, extra beds and baby baths are available on request.

Standard Rooms: 5 twins and 3 doubles are located in the palm garden, which is a large, private garden area with sunbeds and two hammocks, overlooking the sea. These are room numbers 5-12 which have been built in small units of two rooms per unit.

The hotel has a newly built swimming pool overlooking the sea and a very well-stocked gift shop with souvenirs and gift items from all over Kenya. The hotel dhow departs daily to Lamu town for those wishing to visit the historic town, its museum and shops for a couple of hours before returning to Shela by lunch time.

Top

Kizingo, Kizingo Point, Lamu Island. A small resort consisting of six spacious bandas with shaded balconies and uninterrupted views over the Indian Ocean.The knowledge and expertise of the villagers was used to construct the bandas using local materials such as mangrove poles, star palm leaves and coconut palms. The lodge is totally eco-friendly and very comfortable, strongly committed to conservation, ecologically sound practices and a symbiotic relationship with the local community.

Each banda  has a large double bed romantically draped with mosquito netting, ensuite bathroom with hot and cold running water, flushing toilets, dressing area, and solar lighting for lights and fan. Located on a secluded, private beach, on the Southern tip of Lamu Island, all bandas have an open Indian Ocean sea view with views of sunrise and sunset. Delicious lunches and dinners are prepared using the freshest local produce. Seafood is the speciality, red snapper, crab and lobster served with locally grown vegetables and salads. This property opened on 1st July 2003, very private, personalized and remote setting, situated directly on the beach.

The owners of Kizingo, Mary Jo and Louis van Aardt, both born in Kenya, run Kizingo themselves giving it a very personal touch. Green turtles come up to the beach to lay their eggs between late October and June. When the eggs hatch, Louis will take guests to watch the newly-hatched turtles find their way to the ocean, protecting them from crabs and birds on the start of their journey. Other activities include: Creek fishing (May to October); Swimming with Dolphins, snorkeling, fishing (November to April) and bike rides on the mainland; bird and bush walks; visits to Lamu town, visits to local villages (All year round).

Top

Kipungani Explorer – Kipungani Bay, Lamu Island. Managed by the Heritage group of hotels, overlooking a deserted 14-kilometre beach on the South-western tip of Lamu Island, Kipungani Explorer is a dream destination for those seeking a true desert island holiday, in a secluded location. There are 14 spacious and secluded chalets which sit above the white sands of Kipungani Bay shaded by palm trees. Chalets are constructed entirely from local materials, with grass floors and thatch roofs woven by the neighbouring villagers. The large interiors are a picture of rustic simplicity, with giant king-size beds and furniture all hand-made from local woods. Each chalet has an ocean-facing verandah with local sofas and cushioned chairs. Amenities include freshwater showers, flush toilets and separate dressing areas with wash basins. Beach-facing lounge and bar are furnished for complete relaxation. The dining room sits in a small tropical garden with an adjoining library. In front of the building is a horizon-touching saltwater pool. There is also a gift shop, bottled water and mosquito repellent in all chalets and early morning coffee/tea served on the verandah.

Baytil Ajaib ‘House of Wonder’, Lamu Town, beautifully restored 18th Century palatial Swahili House located in the heart of Lamu town, it took 11 years to renovate the building in order to remain true to original Swahili style by studying the architecture and materials used in constructing traditional stone houses. The result is a stunning house impeccably restored to its previous splendour, sub-divided into five unique and private apartments. The mixture of materials used and the architecture provide the natural air-conditioning, the house is always cool. Frangipani flowers float in traditional pools of cool water, scenting both the water and the air. Secret alcoves, balconies and terraces provide rooftop views of Lamu town and the Lamu archipelago. The rooms are all decorated with authentic Swahili furniture and a mixture of African and Western art and artifacts. The dining room is on the ground floor, and for those who can’t quite make it to the breakfast table, it can be served in the apartment. Baytil Ajaib offers the chance to turn back the hands of time and experience life as it was at the turn of the century. Bed & Breakfast or half board available. The whole house is also available for rental. Alcoholic drinks are not served but guests are free to bring their own.

Top

Munira Camp, Kiwayu Island. High on a sand ridge on remote Kiwayu Island, just sixty kilometers south of the Somali border, and fourty miles North of Lamu Island, Munira Camp is an exceptional property in an unsurpassed location. For sheer remoteness and untouched simplicity, there’s nothing like it on the East African Coast. Long deserted beaches stretch for miles, ridged with sand dunes spotted with scrub bush and acacia trees. Just offshore, acres of coral extend into Kiungu National Marine Reserve, a protected area that stretches all the way to Somalia.

The main area of Munira Camp looks out towards the eastern side of Kiwayu, where the islands of the Lamu Archipelago meet the mainland’s Dodori Game Reserve and Boni Forest Reserve. The view is beyond incredible – perched on the ridge of the island, the water is visible from either side. After a morning spent snorkeling around the plentiful reefs that border the island, lunch is served on the eastern beach in the shade of a rustic makuti shelter, where a spacious hammock is perfect for watching the waves. There, a barbecue is set up, with tables in the shade facing the long stretch of deserted sand. Back at the main area, hand-blown glass buoys tied in coconut ropes hang from the rafters and mobiles made from coral and cuttlefish shells blow gently in the afternoon breeze.

Dinner is served on Makuti mats around a communal table, but not before sunset – accompanied by ample sundowners and the infamous dawa cocktail is thoroughly enjoyed. A telescope is never far from the table and owner Mike Kennedy, a stargazer at heart, knows exactly where Jupiter will rise that night. A hanging bed and a low siting area plied with kikoi-covered pillows create a sociable area for after-hours relaxation. Once the stars are out and the moon is shining, a four-course dinner is served under the bright African sky, the horizon shadowed in darkness, the lights of civilization far from sight. During full moon, you don’t even need your lantern – the sandy path back to your private beach banda is illuminated in an ethereal and almost heavenly glow.

The Camp was started by Mike and Caroline Kennedy nine years ago. They have created a beautiful place which completely blends into the natural environment. The camp is totally eco-friendly running on solar and wind power. Water is brought in by a team of donkeys from a well about half a mile away. There are 7 comfortable spacious bandas, built of makuti and Jambies (local matting made from palm fronds). They are all beautifully positioned each with panoramic views of the ocean and surrounds, all with total privacy.

The island itself is 12 miles long by half a mile wide. There are lots of caves and coves to explore. There are also two villages on the island, Kiwayu, an hour’s walk to the South and Chandani, 20 minute walk North. There is an extensive mangrove creek system, ideal for bird watching and light tackle fishing. Added to this is a 6 mile virgin beach (no beach boys) and spectacular snorkeling over a myriad of unspoilt coral reefs. The food is influenced largely by a Swahili flavour, which is characterized by coconut milk and Arabic spices. International cuisine is also provided, all fresh and in abundance.

There are two 33foot motorized sailing dhows, Munira and Mwezi, these are available for hire for explorative trips. Overnight or day trips can be arranged to the Island of Lamu. Deep sea fishing, scuba diving, water skiing and windsurfing also available. Game drives or walks on the main land are also available, dolphins and whales are often seen off the Coast of Kiwayu.

Top

Manda Bay, Manda Island, formerly Blue Safari Club owned by the Brighetti family, situated on a peninsula on the North-Western tip of Manda Island near Lamu, it lies in calm inshore waters on a long sandy protected beach. The lodge has 10 spacious bandas with large cedar wood beds – 5 double and 5 twins (extra beds and baby cots available), luxurious mosquito nets and ensuite bathrooms. 5 rooms are set right on the seafront and five are set in-between and slightly behind the ocean rooms on higher ground. Guests are hosted by Andy & Caragh Roberts.

The rooms have makuti roofs, and matting walls and floors and are set in amongst coconut palms, acacias and tamarind trees, overlooking the sandy beaches and the bay. The rooms have been opened up to maximize the views and catch the breeze. Hot and cold running water is now piped to all the rooms. The rooms have table fans and individual safes. 220/240 volt generator power supply. New soft furnishings, cutlery and crockery give the place a bright new look and fresh flowers add a colourful touch. The lodge previously relied on well and rainwater but recently a de-salination unit has been installed to guarantee fresh water at all times. Drinking water is provided in the rooms. Manda Bay has safe swimming, long empty beaches for hassle-free walking (no beach boys or curio shops) with own security.

Cuisine naturally features a marine flavour – freshly caught tuna, giant crab or lobster are the order of the day, but individual needs and flexible mealtimes are designed  to fit in with guests requirements.

An experienced team and range of equipment means that there is a large variety of activities which include: water skiing including small skis for children, windsurfing and sailing, diving and snorkeling, creek fishing, trips to Siyu Fort and lamu, bicycling and deep sea fishing.

Top

Kiwayu Safari Village, Northern Lamu Archipelago, nestled amongst the mainland dunes, about 30 miles north of Lamu Island, the oasis of Kiwayu Safari Village overlooks a sheltered lagoon to the north of Kiwayu Island. Boasting total seclusion, visited only by fishermen and dhows, accommodation consists of thatched bandas/cottages which blend into the dunes. Cuisine centers around fresh catches of fish, excellent seafood. The theme of Kiwayu Safari Village is informality. Each banda is a spacious suite consisting of a bedroom, dressing room, safari-style shower with running water and lavatory. Each hammock-strung verandah offers total privacy and panoramic views over the lagoon. The dining-room and bar are also built in the local Bajuni tradition with palm-thatched roofs and woven matting floors. Each of the 18 bandas is within easy reach of the water’s edge, the boats and the bar. Beach walks, foot safaris, snorkeling, dhow trips and picnics, fishing trips, sailing or windsurfing as well as deep-sea fishing are activities available. Most excursions except deep sea fishing are included in the price of accommodation.

Top