Forodhani Beach House Lamu | Kenya
Holiday Home in Lamu Island - Kenya 5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10 to 13 Guests

(Forodhani Beach House Lamu is a luxury beach front villa/ Private Home, Self-catering in Lamu Archipelago for Rent. The Lamu Archipelago is located 470 km southeast of Nairobi, in the Indian Ocean. From Nairobi the flight is only an hour. Forodhani Beach House Lamu is the ideal holiday home to rent with family or friends and 5 Bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms (10 to 13 Guests)

Forodhani Beach House Lamu

Forodhani Beach House Lamu View Rates, Discounted Prices - Book & Save Now!

Forodhani Beach House Lamu is located on the Lamu Archipelago about 470 km southeast of Nairobi, in the Indian Ocean. The three-storied house stands directly on the 12 km white pristine sand beach with a garden, a swimming pool, terraces, outdoor lounging and dining areas. Stunning sea views on Indian Ocean. Enjoy one of your best holidays ever!

The easiest and fastest way to get to Forodhani Beach House Lamu is by air. Several airlines serve Lamu/Manda airport, which is located on the island just opposite the house.

From Nairobi the flight is only an hour. Forodhani House is situated on the beach and jetty of the fishermen village of Shela, in the archipelago and on the island of Lamu, just off the Kenyan coast.

When you arrive at the airport, Nassir, the captain of the Laleti boat, will be there to meet you and take you across the channel, and within minutes you will be at the jetty at the beach foot of the Forodhani House. Of course, it is possible to travel by car as far as Mokowe, where we can arrange to pick you up from the pier to Forodhani House for one of your best holiday ever.

Forodhani Beach House Lamu is a beautiful beachfront house, right on Lamu beach, with stunning 270° sea views on Indian Ocean. Rent this luxury beach front villa for your best holidays ever and house 10 to 13 people – family or friends - with all the necessary comfort.

Forodhani Beach House Lamu Capacity : 10 to 13 Guests

* One lounge with a single bed (1 Guest)

* One triple room, with en suite bathroom (3 Guests)
* Three double rooms, all with en suite bathrooms (6 Guests )
* One double room, with an extra single bed, with en suite bathroom (2 to 3 Guests)

From the main lounge bordered by the garden you head to the 10 meter corridor pool, or step directly on the front terrace, which towers above the pristine beach. The gallery at ground floor leads to an exquisitely decorated dining terrace. At this level also, the 1st of the 5 en-suite bedrooms : this one faces the pool and Shela moorings.

At 1st floor... 3 bedrooms, all with bathroom en-suite, sea views, their own private terrace. The large master bedroom at 2nd floor faces Manda Island to the East and Shela anchorage to the North.

Forodhani House Lamu Non-Residents Accommodation Rates

Rates are Per Night for the whole House on Self Catering Basis

Notes

* Forodhani Beach House Lamu rates include stuff

* Check in time is 3.00 pm and Check out is 1100 Hours

* Linen. Bed linen, mosquito nets and house towels are supplied

* Air and boat transfers. One Manda airstrip to Shela return boat transfer is included in the rental price

* Water. There is a good supply of fresh water from the house well for showers. There is a water purifying system, which supplies clean water to the kitchen, and carafes are supplied in the rooms

Use of the house : The house cannot be used for any purpose other than that of a private holiday house residence. Weddings, honeymoons, receptions and large parties can be catered for only on request.

Occupancy : The rental contract is for a fixed number of guests whose identities must correspond to the passport identities supplied at the moment of the booking. In case that effective guests number exceeded the booked number, the rates will have to be automatically adjusted to the Single/ Double staff option to which the occupancy corresponds. Extra bed, over 13 Guests , will be charged 50 Euro per bed per day

* Forodhani Beach House Lamu Does not accept more than 15 guests in the house or 30 guests in the gardens, except for special receptions we previously agreed

Forodhani Beach House Lamu Self-catering :
* Christopher, Festus, Francis and Anderson will help you do your shopping, they will cook and serve your meals, clean and maintain the house;
* The self-catering facility allows clients to supply funds to the house cook, who can do the shopping or help for shopping. However, ideas for menus can be requested. Expenditure is recorded in a book, which clients settle and sign off before departure. You could send us Euro 100 before your arrival to allow Christopher to fill the pantry.

Forodhani Beach House Lamu Breakfast

Christopher, our house cook, will prepare your breakfast (fruits, juices, coffee, tea, home bread, bacon & eggs).

Forodhani House Lamu Residents Accommodation Rates

Rates are Per Night for the whole House on Self Catering Basis

Notes

* Forodhani Beach House Lamu rates include stuff

* Check in time is 3.00 pm and Check out is 1100 Hours

* Linen. Bed linen, mosquito nets and house towels are supplied

* Air and boat transfers. One Manda airstrip to Shela return boat transfer is included in the rental price

* Water. There is a good supply of fresh water from the house well for showers. There is a water purifying system, which supplies clean water to the kitchen, and carafes are supplied in the rooms

Use of the house : The house cannot be used for any purpose other than that of a private holiday house residence. Weddings, honeymoons, receptions and large parties can be catered for only on request.

Occupancy : The rental contract is for a fixed number of guests whose identities must correspond to the passport identities supplied at the moment of the booking. In case that effective guests number exceeded the booked number, the rates will have to be automatically adjusted to the Single/ Double staff option to which the occupancy corresponds. Extra bed, over 13 Guests , will be charged 50 Euro per bed per day

* Forodhani Beach House Lamu Does not accept more than 15 guests in the house or 30 guests in the gardens, except for special receptions we previously agreed

Accepted Mode of Payment

Forodhani House Configurations & Bed Sizes
Forodhani Beach House Lamu Ground floor :
One double room with a double bed (180 cm x 200 cm) with en suite bathroom. This room is facing the lower garden, the pool, the sea towards Lamu Town and Shella’s anchorage.
- Kitchen

- Corridor pool
- Dining area on a covered terrace

- Garden with plants, flowers, trees, and a direct access to the beach
- Galleries and terraces (covered and uncovered) with 270° sea views

- Main lounge with sofas, projector and screen, Hi Fi and IPod docks, facing the sea and the pool

Forodhani Beach House Lamu First floor :
- One double room with a double bed (180 cm x 200 cm), an en suite bathroom and a large baraza area on its private terrace. This room is overlooking the sea and Manda Island.

- One study bedroom with a double/triple bed (180cm x 200cm which can be extend with another mattress of 90 cm x 200 cm), a library, and an en suite bathroom. This study bedroom is overlooking the pool, the Shella’s anchorage and the sea towards Lamu Port.

- One triple bedroom with three single beds (90 cm x 190 cm) and an en suite bathroom. This room is also perfect as a dormitory for children. It’s facing the sea towards Manda Island and has a big terrace, with a day bed under a tree at its door.

Forodhani House is backed by the village, facing the beach and jetty at the very spot where decades ago stood a watch-post (Forodhani in Kiswahili) that controlled the ships and passengers entering and exiting the Lamu Archipelago. Its location, right on Shela Beach, is truly stunning!

Forodhani Beach House Lamu Second floor :
- One Master bedroom with a double bed (180 cm x 200 cm), en suite bathroom and drawing room, with sea view both on the anchorage and towards Manda Island. One private covered terrace and another open one.

- One little lounge where Emmanuel or Festus could prepare drinks or light dishes, with a baraza bed and its net for one extra person if needed.

Forodhani Beach House Lamu Third floor :
A huge open terrace, with cushions, mattresses, lanterns, which allows you to see the entire archipelago. A perfect place for a dinner, coffee or drinks, under stars and moon.

Forodhani House Information

Forodhani House was built in authentic Swahili style with the best craftsmen on Lamu Island. Hand-woven rugs, light curtains, antique coffee-tables and old chests furnish the house.

The house is white, with arches which frame sea views, sky at day or night, and sails sliding silently. As Forodhani is settled directly on Shela Beach, you will easily enjoy all its activities : swimming, sailing, snorkelling, water skiing, windsurfing, fishing…

Four staff, among them a very good cook, are here to take care of all your needs, do your shopping, prepare your meals, assist you and help organize activities and local excursions, clean and straighten bedrooms and house.. The Cook will suggest menus and cook very good international cuisine as well as fresh seafood, sushi's or Swahili dishes.

For breakfast, the staff makes everyday fresh home bread, prepares pancakes, bacon and eggs, served with juices of the day, fresh fruits, tea, coffee or chocolate as well, of course. After your swimming session or whenever you want, Mercy can come to the house to do perfect relaxing massages.

For your entertainment and your kids, Forodhani is fitted with a DVD projector, Hi Fi and IPod docks. Several DVD's are already there but you can come with your owns. For music you will just have to plug your IPod in Hi Fi system in main lounge or dock it in the room of your choice. Books and games are also provided

Forodhani can easily house 10 adults, 2 or 3 families up to 13 people. It’s also of course a perfect Villa for weddings or honeymoons.

Forodhani House Activities

Visit Lamu Old Town
By boat, or on foot along the beach, visiting the old city of Lamu is an absolute must, you must do it during these holidays. A bit like in Shela, you will be transported directly back into the 17th century. No cars, and the alleyways, each one narrower than the last, form a labyrinth from which the local children will easily show you the way out.

Go shopping in Lamu Town, visit the market (early morning) and stroll along the quay in the evening, stopping off at Marianne and Franck at the Lamu House Hotel.

Also visit the fort, dating from the 1800s, the Mnarani and Riyadha Mosques, and the Lamu Museum where you can trace the entire history of Lamu archipelago.

Do not miss the Donkey Sanctuary either. This free veterinary centre is essential for the economic life of Lamu Island where, in the absence of cars, some 2 000 or 3 000 donkeys provide transport for heavy loads. The health of these animals is severely tested, and the veterinarians do a remarkable job.

Sailing, Windsurfing, Water Skiing, Snorkelling & Scuba Diving

A short distance from the Forodhani House, beyond Peponi Hotel towards the south of Lamu Island, Saadï will be happy to hire out surfboards, windsurf's, kite surfs, and water skis, and also to organize diving with the dolphins or an exploration of the most beautiful coral reefs in Lamu archipelago.

If a dhow trip appeals to you, we recommend that you contact our neighbor Tawfiq at the Bahari Guest House. His brother Yusuf owns one of the most beautiful dhows on Shela beach, and with his kindness and sense of service you will certainly pass the best hours at sea of your holiday.

The best time to leave is around 5pm. Yusuf will take you as far as the Takwas Ruins and on your return you will enjoy the sunset over Shela beach and Lamu Island.

It is a moment of pure bliss as you glide gently over the sea, soothed by the rhythm of the soft breeze. The captain will take the opportunity to tell you the history of Lamu archipelago and its inhabitants.

Lamu Archipelago: a haven for wildlife
The subsoil of the archipelago is composed of fossilized coral and sand on which the largest mangrove forest in Kenya grows, home to hundreds of species of birds and molluscs.

Hawksbill turtles and green turtles come here to nest on the beach - Carol Korshen at the Peponi Hotel will be happy to arrange a visit and, if you wish, you could sponsor a nest to support the protection of these turtles.

The marine life in Lamu is also very rich: dolphins, swordfish's, barracudas, dugongs and several species of whales can be observed regularly near Shela Beach.

The diversity of the mangroves is also remarkable because it includes 9 different species of trees. It is also possible to observe buffalos on Manda Island, and even african wild dogs, which, at low tide, cross the strait separating Manda from the Dodori Reserve located in the north of Lamu archipelago.

Dodori National Reserve

Dodori National Reserve was founded in 1976 to preserve the hartebeest species (Damaliscus korrigum, also called Nyamira in Swahili).

It also houses many pelicans and a very rich fauna (lions, greater kudu, giraffes, hippo, and many birds - kingfishers, bee-eaters, eagles, etc).

The reserve covers 877 km². It opens onto the Dodori River and onto the lagoons of the Indian Ocean, which are covered by the largest mangrove forest in Kenya.

Note that there is no accommodation or food available in the reserve.

Tana River Delta, just 70 km South from Lamu Island, covers an area of 130,000 ha and comprises of a diverse range of habitats that support in particular many thousands wetland birds both for breeding and for food. It also holds a diversity of other wildlife including hippo, lion, elephant, buffalo, many breeding fish and amphibians.

You can sleep one or two nights at the Tana River Camp Hut – ask at the Manda Airport for this trip. Masaï Mara, Tsavo, Amboseli and Other Game Reserves

From Forodhani House, Lamu and Sheal Beach, you’re only at 2 hours airplane from the most welknown Game Reserves of Kenya. Amboseli is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants and to enjoy spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

Closer from the house, is Tsavo, the place where Karen Blixen and Denys Finch Hattons used to escape together looking for privacy far from Nairobi. African Spice Safaris, would help you to organize a journey if you’re in the mood for enjoying Wildlife.

The Pearl of Africa
Lamu archipelago is a small group of islands located on the north of the east coast of Kenya, 250 km north of Mombasa and 470 km southeast of Nairobi. The archipelago consists primarily of Lamu, Manda, Pate and Kiwayu islands.

The coast facing the mainland to the north is covered with mangroves, while the 12 km beach of Shela which extends from Forodhani House to the south-western tip of the island is uninhabited, and lined with coconut trees, bougainvilleas, and dunes of pristine white sand.

A Totally unspoilt Island, a House on the African Beach

Lamu and the fishing village of Shela, where Forodhani House is situated, offer an example of what life in the 18th century would have been like. Built of coral stone and mangrove timber, the tall houses overhang the narrow sand streets.

No cars, no motorbikes, only donkeys (the only means of transporting goods by land on Lamu Island) and people move about in this maze of alleyways.

If today Shela is known to have the most beautiful white sand beaches on Lamu archipelago, the origin of the village remains a mystery. Tradition says that it was the natives from Manda Island who founded the village unknown centuries ago.

The finest hour of the Shela village dates back to 1813. At that time, the people of Pate Island, allied with the Omani Mazrui Clan, attempted to invade Lamu Island.

The battle that saved Lamu took place at Shella, where the victory of the island’s people against the attackers was total. It is from this time that the domination of Lamu over the whole archipelago, still current today, dates.

Booking & Reservations for Forodhani Beach House Lamu - an ideal holiday home to rent with family or friends situated on the beach and jetty of the fishermen village of Shela, in the archipelago and on the island of Lamu, just off the Kenyan Coast

Booking Office Tel: + 254 718-179-967

Mobile : + 254 - (0) - 721-242-711

Email: [email protected]