Lamu Breaks, Kenya

Typical safaris
...in...

Zambia
Zimbabwe
Botswana
Namibia
Tanzania
Kenya

...probably the best way to finish off a Kenyan Safari!

Where

• The trip starts and ends in Nairobi (Wilson Airport)

• includes a night in Shela Village on Lamu Island

• spend 3 nights at either Manda Bay or Kizingo

• or speak to us about Peponi with Kizingo and Kiwayu

[seasonal notes]

Highlights

Quite simply the best taste of Swahili culture you're going to get on the East Coast and the best beaches in Kenya!

Peponi Hotel, Lamu

• Peponi is a small hotel on the exotic island of Lamu, still run by the Korschen family who opened the hotel in 1967 - "a place that just happened".

• Eldest son Lars and his Scottish wife Carol are in control and are firmly part of the establishment. These guys know everything and everyone, so just ask them for advice, whatever you want to do.

• Lars brother, Nils, is usually around and owns a couple of boats which he uses mainly for deep-sea fishing and island trips

• "Peponi is simple, fresh, cheerful and everything about it is totally original and genuine - no frozen foods here, nor frozen smiles." Harpers and Queen

• "Peponi, one of the greatest little hotels of the world and unquestionably the place to stay on Lamu." Sunday Times

Some tips at Peponi Hotel

• Dine on terrace, at poolside grill or on own veranda depending on room. Excellent food – emphasis on seafood and day’s catch. The oysters are wonderful, best enjoyed with a glass of chilled crisp white wine.

• Book a traditional Swahili feast at the end of the terrace in advance – separate from the central dining area – best for family and friends, you eat in the traditional way, on the floor around a large brass platter.

• Test drive the house cocktail called “old Pal”. This is a good place to mix with locals if you have the stamina.

• There are plenty of interesting walks to take around both Shela and Lamu town itself, encompassing old Arab houses, markets, mosques and museums. Ask "Mohammed British" for suggestions on where to go and who to take as a guide.

Peponi Hotel is best combined with Manda Bay or Kizingo...

Manda Bay

• Manda Bay is located on the north western tip of Manda Island, surrounded by coral gardens, empty beaches and indigenous woodland with baobabs, figs an, dohm palms.

• The resort is within a private 200 acre conservancy, has a privite airstrip and is within a short distance of the Manda and Takwa ruins

• Owner run and managed by Fuzz and Bimbi Dyer (ex Borana) and Andy & Caragh Roberts (ex Rusinga Island), this is an exclusive boutique resort surrounded by miles of white sand.

• Manda Bay offers relaxation, water sports, dhow safaris and luxurious pampering.

• Very popular with salt-water fly fishermen and renowned for its fishing from September to April

• Utamaduni, 60-foot sailing dhow built in 1992, carries a full compliment of eight experienced crew, this is the second largest single mast dhows operating on the East African coast.

• Manda Bay is great for kids during the holidays, even better for honeymooners and adults when the kids are back at school!

Kizingo - probably the best "chill out" spot in East Africa

• Kizingo is a small and rustic 8 banda "castaway" beach camp on the south western tip of Lamu Island from which Louis and Mary Jo van Aardt offer a secluded and tranquil escape from the world.

• This is a spot where you're likely to catch a tan, catch up on some sleep, and despite the activities still manage to finish a book or two.  Don't visit if you're on a diet....

• November to April is the season to swim with dolphins and snorkel, turtles are the big attraction between October and June.

• Ideal for honeymooners or if you're serious about recharging batteries.

• If you're serious about exploring then take some extra time out and go flycamping north of Kiwayu!

Best time of the year

• The Lamu breaks are available through the year except mid April to mid July when Peponi, Kizingo and Manda Bay close
• See the coastal calendar for Kenya below

Best Access

Return flights daily from Nairobi via Malindi

Tips and notes

• Accommodation at Peponi is on full board basis and includes full board accommodation and airstrip transfers. All drinks, laundry and activities are payable direct.

• Accommodation at Kizingo and Manda Bay is on full board basis and includes full board accommodation, soft drinks, beer, house wine, laundry and activities.

• Kizingo and Manda Bay are closed from mid April to mid July each year. Peponi is closed throughout the months of May and June.

• Speak to us about fly-camping further north beyond Kiwayu or sailing charters from Lamu
   

Check availability for the Manda Bay or Kizingo

Kenyan Coast - Seasonal Calendar

January  (High season January to mid April)

• Average temperature 30°C
• "Kaskasi" – Strong South East Trade Wind blowing
• Usually calm mornings, windy afternoons
• Snorkelling, Diving, Deep Sea Fishing, Creek Fishing, Water sports all good with Dolphins schooling outside the reef.

February

• Average temperature 31°C
• South East Wind. Calm weather and good fishing. Marlin season.
• Turtle and Dolphin sightings.
• Excellent diving and Water sports.
• Phosphorescence at night in the water
• Carmine Bee-eaters can be found resident at places like Manda Bay.

March

• Average temperature 34 °C  The hottest month.
• Gentle South Easterly wind.
• Marlin season and generally all fishing good locally in Bay and out at Sea - Giant Trevally, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Dorado, Barracuda, Tuna.
• Excellent diving & snorkelling – calmest weather of all.

April

• Many camps in Kenya start to close mid to end April (Manda Bay and Peponi Hotel close mid month)
• Average temperature 30°C
• Cooler days - Monsoon changing so some rain showers to be expected.
• Last month for Snorkelling and Diving and Deep Sea Fishing
• Great Sailing – good winds.

May

• Camps usually closed
• Average temperature 28°C
• "Kusi" – South East Monsoon starts. Underwater visibility bad and water changes colour
• Cooler days and calm in the bay.
• Excellent Sailing. Sightings of Whales and dolphins.
• Highest tide in the year – around 4 metres.

June

• Camps usually closed
• Average temperature 27°C
• Strong South Easterly. Monsoon rain sets in. Daily squalls of rain.
• Water Temperature drops with Cool nights.
• Buffalo and Lion can be found on Manda Island

July

• Green season is mid to end July
• Average temperature 26°C
• Beautiful cool days and nights.  Occasional rainstorms.
• Bottom fishing possible within the reef. Deep Sea Fishing very rough but Big Tuna running. (Average 60kg).
• Humpback Whales seen daily out to sea. Dolphins in the bay giving birth to their young.
• Sailing/windsurfing good.

August (Premium season August and September)

• Can be windy in exposed areas up the coast (eg Kiwayu)
• Average temperature 26°C
• Beautiful days and calm evenings. Occasional rains showers
• Water Temperature still cool.
• Rough out to sea but good fishing. Humpback sightings. Sailfish starting to run.  Dolphins in the bay.
• Water Still green. Good sailing.

September

• Can be windy in exposed areas up the coast (eg Kiwayu)
• Average temperature 27°C
• Gentle South Easterly on Lamu
• Strong North -South Current out to sea. Sailfish running. Excellent Fishing.
• Sailing good for beginners.
• Whale sightings out to sea.

October (High season October to December)

• Average temperature 27°C
• Water turning blue. Diving/snorkelling season starts.
• Fishing good.
• Evenings warm. Very light winds at Manda Bay
• Humpback and young spotted in the bay.

November

• High season mid September to around 21 December
• Average temperature 28°C
• Monsoon changes. Unsettled weather over full moon and Kaskasi starts to blow from the North East.
• Good sailfish fishing in Kiwayu. Dugongs on the reef.
• Calm mornings and strong pm wind.

December (premium season over the festive period)

• Average temperature 30°C
• North Easterly.
• Good Diving/Snorkelling.
• Bottom fishing good. Local area fishing good.
• Dolphins in the Bay.
• Carmine Bee-eaters migrate into Manda for 3 months. Calm water – great water sports.
   

Check availability for the Manda Bay or Kizingo

Typical safaris

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Last updated 21 February, 2008