Built in authentic Swahili style, exquisitely finished and furnished, Forodhani House sleeps comfortably 10 to 13 people, in 5 ensuite bedrooms (3 double and 2 triple), all with stunning sea-views.
With lots of different areas to take it easy in (near the pool, in main lounge, garden, dining room, or on barazza beds/seats, shaded or not, at ground, 1st or 2nd floors, in little lounge bar, or on top top terrace), it is really the ideal place to spend holidays on the beach with family or friends (10 adults or 3 families), be lulled by the lapping waves and cooled by the gentle sea breeze which is so refreshing at these latitudes.
Here you will be able to relax (4 staff, among them a very good cook, to pamper you), enjoy the pristine white sand beach and its activities (sailing, swimming, snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing…), discover Lamu Old Town and Shela (the rich Swahili culture and its welcoming atmosphere)... take the most of Nature, which is truly at its best... and have fun too !
Forodhani house is white, with round or Arabic arches which frame sea views, sky at day or night, and sails sliding silently. Palm trees, ylang-ylang’s, frangipanes, bougainvilleas add some colors and scents.
And from Forodhani House, because of its particular location, the show is always there : you are having breakfast and you happen suddenly to see school of sardines jumping, trying to escape barracudas, or dolphins swimming up the Channel, or a friends’ dhow sliding from one arch to the other, or a fishermen boat coming from the open seas with load of tunas.
It’s both relaxing and so interesting !
We'll take great care of you ! Enjoy a really fantastic time !
Lots of points of interests around our/your Holiday Home.
To name but a few, all are in our 'welcome book' at home for you of course, but some also here below to give you an idea of what could be your daily cool routine here :
- Shela Marine Watersports : Dhow Sailing With Experienced Captains, Snorkeling or scuba diving in Indian Ocean on Coral Reefs, colorful fishes all around you, Swimming with Dolphins, yes, truly, and what I recommend strongly also is a/many Sunset Cruise(s), Always magic !
- Babu British : Guided Tours With Knowledgeable Native Tour Guides : The Old Town of Lamu is a Unesco World Heritage Site and a must-visit, walk through the streets of Lamu and have a look at these beautiful pieces of ancient Swahili architecture, art, and more. Also explore Takwa Ruins, the remains of an ancient Swahili Settlement.
- Join the Yoga Sessions during your holidays in Shela Village at Fatuma’s Tower (5pm) or at Banana House (9am) daily. They also regularly organize Yoga Retreats and Workshops. Back to the Living !
- Peponi Hotel Restaurant : 100 meters from Forodhani House, on the beach. Simply one of the best dining in East Africa ! A very cool place and terrace for a drink too. Love it !
- Aman Shop : Beautiful clothes, jewelery and leather work ! Aman recreates and adapts styles in pure cotton and silk for the modern consumer who seeks a similar aesthetic, at the same time looks for ease, comfort and pleasure. Don’t miss it ! It's in Shela Village.
- Gallery Baraka : A very fine collection of African arts and crafts, interesting masks, statues, pieces of furnitures from all Africa, Lamu Old Town. Kate the owner is lovely and knows so much about all Africa and Lamu of course too.
- Ali Lamu and My Eye Gallery : Beautiful Art and Paintings Collection, in Shela Village, also lovely bags, decoration ideas.... all done by fishermen with recycled tangas. Unique !
- Kijani Restaurant : The kitchen offers all types of fish, lobsters, crabs and prawns fresh from the sea, along with meat and fresh vegetables, together with African and Italian specialties. On Shela seaside too.
- Lamu House Restaurant : A nice terrace overlooking the Harbour of Lamu Old Town, with a nice menu combining the delights from the sea, prepared with a European touch while respecting the Swahili kitchen. Frank and Marianne run the Lamu House Beach Club on Manda Island, just in front of Forodhani House, across the Channel, a cool and lounge place to spend the afternoon, have lunch on mattresses on the beach.
And some words now about how to get to Forodhani House and Lamu...
- Lamu/Manda Airport : It is possible to fly to Lamu from Nairobi (both Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson Airport), Mombasa, or Malindi. There are several daily flights (Air Kenya, Safarilink or Fly 540) but note that the flights get booked well in advance - even out of season if you are unlucky. Planes land on Manda Island just across from Lamu town and Shela. Nassir, our Laleti Boat captain, will come and pick you up there to drive you home.
- Tawacal Buses : There are several buses also going up from Mombasa and Nairobi. The trips are a neat experience if you don’t mind the lack of luxury. There are several departures from both Malindi and Mombasa every day. The bus routes end in Mokowe, which is a few kilometers from Lamu Island. We can arrange your picking up there also to drive you by boat to Lamu and your holiday home.
Our guests feed-backs are so rewarding and encouraging ; hope sincerely you also would be able to discover this little paradise and see by your own eyes why they are talking about the place so greatly.
