Kenya beach resort on Manda Island

The lodge is located on the beachfront with amazing views of the open ocean, Lamu island, Shela village and dhows sailing past. It is the perfect place to come and relax for days or weeks, away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Here we offer more of a rustic ‘Robinson Crusoe experience’; we work closely with the local Swahili people taking into account their culture and only using local methods and materials to create a refreshing, eco-friendly, alternative style holiday.

We have six beach huts called bandas, including one family size which sleeps 4-8. The others have a double bed downstairs and a single bed mounted in the roof, a front porch and en suite shower, sink and flush toilet. All banda’s are provided with bedding, mosquito nets and towels. All have electricity with British socket from 7pm till around 10pm after which paraffin lamps are provided.

We also have a treehouse to rent. It sleeps between two and six people, with wooden floors, branches coming through the walls and a large veranda on the first floor stretching right around the tree, where drinks can be brought to you. It is an amazing experience to be lying in bed in a baobab tree watching the colourful birds fly by with a view across the village over to the dunes of Lamu island.

The restaurant seating area is shaded from the sun with large palm thatched umbrellas, conveniently situated with a fantastic view of the Indian Ocean. Our two experienced chefs prepare a variety of dishes from traditional Swahili cuisine to more conventional western and vegetarian foods.

A must for breakfast is pancakes and fruit salad with fresh coffee or chai tea made from local spices. Or, if you have worked up a real appetite with a morning swim or walk, then a basil and tomato omelette may take your fancy. Lamu's best kept secret is its freshly caught seafood... Lobster, king prawns, crab, red snapper, tuna, squid, and much more are on the menu each day. Or perhaps try the traditional African barbecued goat or chicken.

Our giant clamshells placed in the gardens around the lodge act as birdbaths and attract a colourful array of beautiful birds at both dawn and dusk. Sit and watch them play as you relax and enjoy your drinks. Or lie under the shade of the acacia trees on the swing beds and hammocks while listening to the lap of the Indian Ocean which is just a ten second walk away. At dusk you can enjoy the full view of some of the most breathtaking African sunsets. When night falls you can find your way back to your banda, lit by the shimmering light of a billion stars, over 180 degrees of perfectly clear sky. Or perhaps enjoy a moonlight swim where the shimmer of the phosphorescence is truly spectacular.

This is a wonderful base from which to explore the local scenery and also take in the colourful Lamu culture and people. Or if you'd prefer, simply sit back, relax and luxuriate for days on end and let our friendly staff look after your every need, whether its breakfast in bed or drinks on the swing bed. They are happy to make your stay as peaceful and special as possible and make sure you get into the island pace of life.

There are no cars on Lamu or Manda, just donkeys and boats, both an experience in themselves. The pace of life is inevitably slow and relaxed. The island is located approximately 30 degrees south of the equator therefore you can guarantee that perfect island getaway, whether it is lazing in your airy banda, on the beach or exploring the surroundings.

Our boat is always available to take you to Lamu town which is a thirty minutes, or to Shela village, just five minutes across the channel; both offer a wonderful experience of the Swahili history and culture. Lamu town is said to be the oldest town in east Africa. The dominant Arabic influence is evident in the town's architecture with beautifully carved doors and some notable mosques. Lamu town has recently been granted World Heritage status and the local museum has a fine collection of artefacts. To reach us either fly to Nairobi or Mombasa and then transfer for a forty minute flight by light aircraft straight to Manda island where our boat will pick you up and take you to the accommodation. If eating, drinking, swimming, reading and sleeping are not enough to satisfy the soul then there is plenty more to do.

Sailing Safaris: from £160 per day based on 4 people sharing.
We now offer sailing safaris around the Lamu archipelago. Hire our new local Lamu sailing dhow, Angelia, to take you on a 1-4 day camping trip. You will have a crew of 3 people to navigate your way up the coast between the mainland and islands. They will cook for you and set up camp along the way with either local bandas or tents to stay in as you make your way up the coast to Kiwayu. Catch fish, relax and read a book while travelling as the 14th century Arabs did from Arabia to Lamu. Your journey will be made comfortable with mattresses, cushions and shade on the dhow and is equipped with snorkels, flippers and fishing gear.
Price includes all meals, soft drinks, bottled water, marine park fees and banda fees.

Snorkelling: There is a coral reef conveniently situated a stones throw from the beach. It is a safe and easy way for kids of all ages to view the underwater world. There is a vast array of colourful fish that inhabit this reef and everyday there is something new to see. Snorkelling trips can also be arranged to a larger reef which is an hours boat ride away. If you are lucky you will see schools of dolphins playing around the boat. 

Sailing: Sailing is the traditional mode of transport along the east African coast. The beautifully crafted dhows with their huge sails are a great way to get around. Sailing through the channel is a wonderful way to view the African sunset.

Windsurfing: The channel that divides Lamu from Manda provides the ideal opportunity for windsurfing. You can guarantee the wind will pick up at midday (a blessing when lying on the beach) making perfect conditions for windsurfing.

Lessons and equipment are available from Shela. Another sport that is becoming popular is kite surfing; the conditions are ideal and so bring your equipment, as there is none to hire.

Fishing: For those who like to pass the days fishing then this is the place to hand line off the beach or from the back of the boat on the way to Lamu or Shela. For the more enthusiastic, trips can be arranged to the open ocean either on a dhow or on a modern speedboat with all the top of the range equipment. Anything caught can be cooked just the way you like it by our chefs. 

Walking: A 10-minute walk along the shoreline leads you to the point of Manda where the open ocean meets the island. Along the way it is possible to see the colonial history of Lamu district evident in the ruins with rusty cannons inside. Dhows sail past but it is unlikely you will meet another person on this rugged stretch of coast. Our resident dog, Mambo, will keep you company and amused as she chases crabs along the way. You can also take a guided walk to the ruins of an old Swahili settlement, Takwa, which was built in the 16th century. This walk takes you through the heart of the island where dig dig (small deer) roam.

You also pass the quarry where locals cut out the coral by hand for their traditional building blocks.