Rondo Retreat Centre Kakamega Rainforest Lodge

Rondo Retreat Centre Kakamega Rainforest Lodge was built as a Christian Sanctuary in 1948 in the heart of the Kakamega rainforest in the Southern part. Since then it has been “opened to the public” and it is now a great 3.5-star guesthouse consisting of a main house and 5 cottages (sleeping 37 guests). There are 15 en-suite double rooms and 3 double rooms with shared bathrooms and each has its own character as they have been decorated individually. Home-cooked breakfast, lunch, and candlelit dinner are served in the dining room. No alcohol is served.

Rondo retreat centre is approximately 18 km from Kakamega town and is ideally situated along the Kakamega – Shinyalu road. This Christian sanctuary offers activities such as hiking along Nature Trails,  Kakamega forest bird-watching and guided walks to see butterflies, animals, and trees. Nearby activities include visiting the Crying Stone, Isiukhu Falls, Nabongo Cultural Center, Bukhungu Stadium, Ilesi Pottery Centre Muliro Gardens, and Rosterman Mines.

Rondo Retreat Centre Kakamega Rainforest Lodge is a Christian Centre set in the Kakamega rainforest, 418 km from Kenya’s capital, Nairobi (approximately a 5 ½ – 6-hour drive).

The transfer from Kisumu takes approximately 1 ½ – 2 hours to the lodge. Kapsabet is about 28 km from the retreat. Rondo has a total of 5 cottages and the Main House comprises 20 double rooms, with en-suite bathrooms. The cottages have their own sitting room and veranda with lovely views of the garden and the forest beyond.

Rondo Retreat serves primarily Western cuisine, in the charming dining rooms, from hearty English breakfasts to lighter lunches and candlelit 3-course dinners in the evening, not forgetting afternoon tea and cake served on the verandas.

It offers a set menu, however, with advance notice; we can accommodate other dietary requirements. Rondo Retreat is not licensed to serve alcohol but does have a good selection of non-alcoholic beverages available. Should our guests want to have wine with their dinner, they may bring their own which we will be happy to serve.

Rondo Retreat Centre Kakamega Rainforest Lodge does not have a swimming pool or T.V. as this is not in keeping with the ambiance of the Retreat and the Forest, however, there is a lovely little gift shop for guests to peruse.

The cottages have a limited phone network, thus making or receiving calls is possible, sometimes! The limited network does enhance the tranquillity of the Centre, enabling its guests to escape the hustle and bustle of life.

Activities in Rondo Retreat Centre Kakamega Rainforest Kakamega include hiking, and nature walks taking in soaring sights of birds, flowers,  butterflies, animals, and trees of tremendous height, great girth, and massive buttresses.

Rondo Retreat Centre Kakamega Rainforest walks include sunrise walk which starts from 0530 Hours, and sunset walks which start from 1530 Hours. The long walks last 3 to 5 hours while the short walks last 2 to 3 Hours.

2024 Rondo Retreat Centre Lodge Non-Residents Accommodation Rates;

Notes

* Picnic Lunches – 15 US Dollars
* Rooms must be vacated by 1000 Hours
* Children between 0 – 2.99 years stay for Free
* Rondo Retreat Center has a surcharge of 10% for 1-night stays
* For the Christmas Season there will be a surcharge of 20 US Dollars per person
* Children aged 12 years & above requiring their own room pay US Dollars
* For the Christmas Season there will be a surcharge of 1,500 Kenya Shillings per person
* Rondo Retreat Centre Kakamega Rainforest Lodge prices are inclusive of Value Added Tax and Catering levy

2024 Rondo Retreat Centre Lodge Residents Accommodation Rates;

Notes

* Rooms must be vacated by 1000 Hours
* Rondo Retreat Center has a surcharge of 10% for 1-night stays
* Rondo Retreat Center prices are inclusive of Value Added Tax and Catering levy
* For the Christmas Season there will be a surcharge of 2,000 Kenya Shillings per person
* Residents will have to verify their status on arrival by presenting their Kenya Driving License or other ID

Children Policy

* Children aged 3-11 years pay – 6,500 Kenya Shillings per child sharing
* Children aged 12 years and above –  8,500 Kenya Shillings per person per night sharing

Rondo Retreat Center attractions include; Kakamega Bullfighting Matches, a traditional Bullfighting activity that is practiced among the Luhya community and provides a good choice for a cultural safari. The crying stone is a Rock that resembles a human head that has water oozing from its ‘head’.

Other attractions include the Kakamega Rain forest which is in its own class in Kenya. This forest has over 300 species of birds and Butterflies, Primates, Snakes, Trees, and small game. On your vacation to Kakamega, Rondo Retreat Centre should be your ultimate choice!

Today this peaceful place has been “opened to the public” and is run by the Reverend and Mrs. Godfrey and Elisabeth Dawkins. They invite you to take time from the rush of your busy life to come and contemplate – nature, yourself, the world, and the work of God.

Funds and personnel permitting, Rondo-related projects will include Community Outreach, Environmental Education, Eco-Tourism, and Regenerative Agro-Forestry.

Rondo homestead consists of the main house of clapboard and colonial-era corrugated iron, and five cottages in the same old style, whose proximity to the forest makes for delightful accommodation. There are fifteen en-suite double rooms, plus three more double rooms that share the large original bathroom in the main house. No two rooms are the same.

The bedrooms, sitting rooms, and dining room have all been decorated and furnished with flair using things “old and new” antique prints and photographs, and local paintings, crafts, and fabrics.

The chapel perched on the edge of the garden above a dramatic drop into the forest, and set apart from the other houses for solitude, is ideal for individual prayer and congregational services, meetings, seminars, and small conferences.

Rondo Retreat Center Walking & Hiking Experience In Kakamega Rain Forest:

Starting with the rolling lawns and flowerbeds of Rondo’s upper garden, already alive with animals and birds. Descending in the dappled light to the fish pond and paths of the lower garden with dancing butterflies before and behind.

And leading out into the forest proper accompanied by a piercing cacophony, or left alone in intriguing silence never knowing what one might see around the next corner. This is one of Rondo’s very own trails that run right down to and along the Yala River.

Out in the sunshine again you can climb Lirhanda Hill (Smiling Bald Peter we call him) which rises above the forest canopy with stunning vistas of the forest and surrounding countryside.

Rondo Retreat Center Flora & Fauna Of Kakamega Rain Forest Experience:

Rondo Retreat Trees: Trees of tremendous height, great girth, and massive buttresses hanging with lianas. A mix of lowland and highland species gives Kakamega Forest a unique variety of flora and fauna.

Rondo Retreat Flowers: Flowers including 60 species of orchids and 9 are endemic (found only in Kakamega Forest). Rondo is proud to have some in its own garden. Then there are many species of herbs and ferns.

Rondo Retreat Birds: The forest is best known for its sheer abundance and diversity of bird life. Some 367 species have been recorded. 36 of the species that occur in and around Kakamega Forest are found nowhere else in Kenya. Kakamega Forest is a “must” for any serious bird watcher.

Rondo Retreat Butterflies: There are representatives of every African family of butterflies. Some of these include the Regal and Broad Green-banded Swallowtails, the Black-tipped Diadem, the Forest Mother of Pearl, and Hobart’s Red Glider, the only scarlet butterfly in the Forest.

Plus the genus Charaxes, contains the fastest-flying, butterflies in Africa. Other interesting insects are the Goliath Beetle, Stick Insects, and Fire Flies

Rondo Retreat Animals: Monkeys seen in the forest include the blue Sykes, the red-tailed, the common black and white Colobus, and the rare debrazza’s. There are Giant forests and Flying Squirrels, mongooses, civets, servals, genets, smaller antelope such as duikers, and numerous species of bats.

The Hammer-headed Fruit Bat is endemic to Kakamega Forest and is the largest bat on the African continent with a wing span of almost one meter and a huge head.

1. What is the purpose of the Rondo Retreat Centre?

Rondo Retreat Centre 3.5-star guesthouse that’s aims to provide a space for individuals and groups to retreat from their daily lives and engage in activities that promote spiritual growth, self-reflection, and personal development. The center offers various programs, workshops, and retreats that cater to different interests and needs.

2. Where is Rondo Retreat Centre located?

Rondo Retreat Centre is situated in the picturesque Rondo Valley in western Kenya. Rondo Retreat Centre is approximately 18 km from Kakamega town and is ideally situated along the Kakamega – Shinyalu road.

3. What types of accommodations are available at Rondo Retreat Centre?

Rondo Retreat Centre offers 19 accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets. Visitors can choose from private cottages, shared rooms, or camping facilities. Each accommodation option is designed to provide comfort and tranquility during the stay.

4. What facilities are available at Rondo Retreat Centre?

The retreat center provides various facilities to enhance the overall experience of visitors. These include a chapel for prayer and meditation, a dining hall that serves nutritious meals, conference rooms for group activities or workshops, gardens for leisurely walks or quiet contemplation, and recreational areas for sports or relaxation.

5. What kind of programs and activities are offered at Rondo Retreat Centre?

Rondo Retreat Centre offers a diverse range of programs and activities to cater to the needs of different individuals and groups. These may include guided meditation sessions, yoga classes, spiritual retreats, workshops on personal development, nature walks, and cultural immersion experiences. The center also hosts special events and guest speakers from time to time.

6. Can I bring my own food to Rondo Retreat Centre?

Rondo Retreat Centre provides meals for its guests as part of the accommodation package. However, if you have specific dietary requirements or preferences, it is advisable to inform the center in advance so that they can make the necessary arrangements.

7. Is Rondo Retreat Centre open to people of all faiths?

Yes, Rondo Retreat Centre welcomes individuals from all religious backgrounds or those who do not identify with any particular faith. The center promotes inclusivity and encourages people to explore their spirituality in a non-denominational and open-minded environment.

8. How can I make a reservation at Rondo Retreat Centre?

To make a reservation at Rondo Retreat Centre, you can contact the number Mobile: +254-721-242-711 OR Email: [email protected]. The website (https://africanspicesafaris.com/tour/rondo-retreat-centre-kakamega-rainforest-lodge/) provides detailed information about available programs, accommodation options, and reservation procedures.

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com