SHELA BEACH HOUSE L A M U, K E N YA
Days begin slowly on Lamu, with silently sailing dhows heading out to sea in search of fresh fish. Sometimes the jolly chatter and laughter of fishermen on board can be heard across the water, but mostly all is peaceful. Life on Lamu is lived according to the rhythms of the sea and the cycles of the sun. It’s a place to escape routine and restriction, somewhere to wander and spend days exactly as you please.
Simply exquisite
You can easily pick up the pace going fishing and snorkelling, trying so many different watersports, or walking the long golden beaches of Lamu island. And then there’s possibly the most enchantingly and atmospheric town on the east coast of Africa to visit too. Lamu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the ancient culture and traditions it embodies, with cultural roots in Arabia, Portugal and India. Life here is unfettered and unaffected by the outside world. In little shops and alleyway streets, business continues with friendly banter in the warmhearted Swahili way.
A deeply relaxing option is to simply stay put in the comfort of exclusive use Beach House in Shela village, a place of peace and understated elegance where time stands still. On the southern tip of Lamu island, beautiful Beach House literally has her toes in the ocean – you’re that close to the sea, and the space is all yours. The majestic house has five en-suite bedrooms and every single one has ocean views – of the channel and deep open sea. It stands on the finest spot on the beach, and just a few minutes’ walk from quirky Shela village.
Days at the house are dreamy. Spent in the infinity pool overlooking the ocean, sunning alongside the pool, or on the rooftop terrace with offerings from the bar close by – or relaxing in one of many cosy spots calling you to curl up with a book, take a nap, or let your mind drift wherever it pleases. The spacious layout and live-lightly feeling of the house allows pure freedom of thought and movement. You will feel thoroughly rejuvenated just by being here, and there are massages on offer too.
As evening approaches, take a cruise on a traditional dhow and watch the sun set on another perfect day in Africa. You may be joined by wild dolphins, or suki in Swahili, that seem to enjoy the company of sailors, and will often swim and dive alongside the dhow as you travel. It’s a completely different life here, yet all so real.
Spec Sheet 12 (max 8 adults & 4 children)
5
5
SLEEPING
bottled water is available
Second Floor • 2 x double rooms En-suite bathroom Treated mosquito nets Sea view
RELAXING
Third Floor • 2 x double rooms En-suite bathroom • Treated mosquito nets Sea view • 1 x dormitory (4 single) En-suite bathroom Treated mosquito nets Sea view All linen, bath & beach towels provided
LIVING Dining room Living room Bar area with low comfortable baraza seating Alfresco terrace Wooden deck Rooftop with panoramic views of Lamu channel Personal laundry service available at an additional charge Wifi (available, but slow) Self-catering – the cook will do your shopping and keep a record of your expenditure for every meal he prepares for you. Please bring luxury food items and condiments with you Fresh dairy , meat and chicken products are difficult to find in Lamu, we recommend the local fresh supplies of seafood The kitchens are well equipped with gas cooker, fridge, bottle cooler, icemaker, ice-cream machine and liquidizer The house has four staff members, two stewards, a cook and a pool attendant A childminder can be arranged to look after children at an additional fee Water – there is a good supply of fresh water from the house well for showers, but not for drinking. There is a water purifying plant, which supplies clean water to all the kitchens, Commercial
Fresh water, infinity swimming pool Boating Dhows, speedboats, ski boats and deep-sea fishing boats can be hired for short or long trips A daily ferry service into Lamu town leaves at 9am and returns at 12pm Other activities Dhow trip to Takwa ruins, former home to the Shela village people Snorkel on the coral reefs off Manda Toto Island Catch fresh fish from a dhow, which your crew will grill for you on the beach Windsurf, bodysurf, sail, waterski Walk along the deserted beaches with extraordinary driftwood and sightings of dolphins offshore Watch a local football game Explore the narrow streets of Lamu town with its ancient fort, its wood carvers, juice bars and donkeys Lunch visit to Kipungari Discover the island’s history at the Lamu museum Visit the donkey sanctuary and the Lamu animal welfare clinic
THE NITTY GRITTY Smoking outside only Malaria area – you are advised to seek professional advice Check-in 11 am Check-out 10 am Early check in and late check out subject to availability Travel Big five Fly in to Lamu Airport which is located on Manda Island Commercial airlines operate out of Nairobi, Mombasa and Malindi to Lamu On arrival at the Manda airstrip, you will be met by our arrivals and departures manager. He will help collect your baggage, provide a porter and cart to carry it to the Manda jetty and escort you by boat to the Shela jetty. Our house staff will meet you there and escort you to your house.
www.perfecthideawaysforsale.co.za mandi@perfecthideaways.co.za