The property overlooks the waterfront with its coming and goings of Sailing Dhows, and other watercraft. And its multiple roof terraces make great vantage points offering a panoramic sea view and overlooking the daily pedestrian activity in the street below whilst catching the cooling breezes.

This classic Mansion offers perfect spacious accommodation within its 380sqm on 4 floor levels for a family group, or can serve as an ideal retreat for a honeymoon stay. Enjoy the purity and simplisitic richness of local life and enjoy the best of what is East African; appreciate another pace and another lifestyle.

...Dhow sails, Palm fonds, and a unique Swahili cultural heritage and Voila you have stepped from dream into acheiveable reality. Yes, it does really exist - this is Lamu one of the best kept secrets on the African Coast. "Welcome" and "Welcome Again" as they say in Kishawhili because after being there once you'll always want to come back - and when you arrive you'll be sure there will be a smile to greet you.

Here you can enjoy spectacular sunrises/sunsets, watch the activities of the town start for the day or fold up for the evening in a unique and luxurious ambiance. The location is remarkable, you will be living through the unique experience of life in the heart of the old town.

Two staff ensure that you have everything you need. A sailing Dhow or motorboat can be arranged from the habour for you for a daily trip to Shela beach, which is a 15min boat ride away from Lamu Town.

The property is owned by a British Architect and a French writer and is furnished with interesting antiques and artifacts, offering a relaxing environment to the discerning traveller.

The Welcome is warm...

The property comes complete with attentive staff who will meet you at Manda Island/Lamu Town airport on arrival and arrange private motorboat transfers to the house from the waterfront jetty. There is even a resident chef who excels in Swahili speciality dishes focusing on seafood dishes and coconut based sauces, or to deal with your more specific individual menu requirements, and a stack of illustrated cookbooks to entice your appetite - you are welcome to accompany staff to the colourful local fish market or the fruit and vegetable market for the daily shopping expedition.

The house facilities are great...

The house has facilities to sleep 8 people there are 4 double Bedrooms all with luxurious ensuite bathrooms with dressing areas. Their accommodation is as follows:-

The Masterbedroom Suite - At first Floor level it offers extremely spacious accommodation with a large screened private terrace complete with Moorish style starbath perfect for honeymooners. There is a king sized carved Lamu style 4 posterbed complete with netting/drapes. It enjoys a seperate dressing area and a sunken sitting area which overlooks the garden. There is a double shower area in the in the light and airey Bathroom which opens onto the terrace.

The Twin Room - furnished with two seperate twin carved lamu style beds with its own sitting and dressing area overlooking the garden. This room is perfect for small children being on the same level as the master facilities.

The Garden suite - A spacious Ground Floor Suite opening directly onto the garden which has a Queen sized carved Lamu bed with drapes/netting, and enjoys a seperate spacious dressing area and bathroom.

All rooms have traditional ceiling fans, and external lighting to associated terrace areas. Bathrooms are state of the art with glassbowl basins, and twin-headed shower jets to all rooms.

The Garden Retreat - This accommodation enjoys its own large independant shaded terrace and has seperate access stairs and overlooks the courtyard garden making it more of a private enclave. It has a double carved Lamu Bed which has drapes/netting, and has seperate ensuite facilities.

The shaded courtyard garden, a rare and prized asset, offers the perfect location attired in your local Kikio for a leisurely breakfast of fresh Fruits, newly squeezed chilled juices and locally produced brioche or yoghurt on the terrace; whilst admiring the Starfruit and Guava trees and planning the activities of the day.

This is what you can call a real holiday.

The property is fully equipped offering a unique exotic experience in luxury and comfort to its privilaged guests. Housestaff deal with the day to day running of events and will undertake your washing and ironing during your stay. There is a fully equipped kitchen with a full range of modern appliances to ensure your comfort, mineral water is available via a chilled dispensor unit. The roof top terrace has a bar area and fridge unit to keep those sundowners at the right temperature. Copious hot water is provided by solar panels and the house is equipped with an electrical invertor system to minimise power-outs.

There are spacious living and entertaining areas which are all comfortably furnished and are spread over two levels. The dining room overlooks the sea-front and is fully equipped to seat 10. A Wide Flat screen TV is available together with a stero system and DVD/Video player. The House is not wired for Satellite as we believe there are moments you want to escape the rest of the world. - its a holiday you are on after all.

As Kenya’s oldest living town, Lamu has a rich and colourful history. The town was one of the original string of Swahili settlements that stretched from Somalia to Mozambique. It remained a thriving port town through the turbulent Portuguese invasions and later the Omani domination of the 17th century. Lamu had a slave-based economy until the turn of the 20th century.

The physical appearance and the character of the town have changed very little over the centuries. The narrow, winding streets accommodate only pedestrian or donkey traffic. The population of Lamu remains almost exclusively Muslim. Men still wear full length robes known as khanzus with kofia caps while women cover themselves in the black wraparound cloth common in other Islamic cultures.

The physical appearance and the character of the town have changed very little over the centuries. The narrow, winding streets accommodate only pedestrian or donkey traffic. The population of Lamu remains almost exclusively Muslim. Men still wear full length robes known as khanzus with kofia caps while women cover themselves in the black wraparound cloth common in other Islamic cultures.

Location:

Lamu Town is situated on Lamu Island just off the Kenyan Coast and can be reached by short hop flights from Nairobi/Mombasa/Malindi, Air Kenya/Fly540/Safarilink amongst other carriers operate this route. Lamu can also be reached by road either by public transport or in private car. If guests arrive in private cars these can be left at the passenger ferry after arranging an askari, and a ferry transfer can easily be obtained to the island. Our staff will meet you at the jetty.

Island Activities:

* Explore the culture of Eastern Africas best preserved example of an old Swahili town with its narrow streets, museums, shops, markets and wood carvers.
* Visit the Museums and the fort, to absorb in detail Lamus rich historical past.
* Shop for kikoys, tailored clothes, Lamu trays, chests, beads and other local artifacts.
* Visit the Donkey Sanctuary and the Lamu Animal Welfare Clinic
* Sail on a dhow to Manda Toto, Kipungani or Takwa for a picnic lunch, go swimming and fishing on the way.
* Spend a day on the beach of Shela, swimming, surfing, water skiing;
* Spend the morning with the Chef discovering the colourful local fish and food markets.
* Indugle in a relaxing massage, profit from the Henna artists skills or simply have your hair braided.

* Sit in a cafe on the waterfront sipping fresh juices and watch the fishermen unloading their catch and the Donkeys transfering good from the Dhows.
* Discover the various Turtle Marine and environmental protection projects and assist in there advancement.
* Enjoy the abundant seafood, feast on Monster Crab and lobster either in the varied local restaurants or prepared by your own chef. Discover the intimate secrets of swahili cookery.

* Watch the clear night sky from your starbath in the privacy of your own private terrace.
* Laze in a hammock enjoy the breeze, sip freshly squeezed Lime juice and enjoy your book.
* Take a Boat-trip into the Mangrove backwaters and channels and enjoy the silence of nature.
* Go back in time and test your basic equestrian skills and cross the island via Donkey.
* Enjoy the unique Lamu Cultural festival where Ritual dances,Donkey and Dhow Races occur, and artistic performances are staged.