Whether you are looking for a beach holiday or a beach house investment, pack your bag and head to Kizingoni Beach on Lamu Island

The beaches of Lamu Island, off the Kenya coast, are already well loved by migrating cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, pregnant turtles and European tourists alike. Remote, long and empty, protected on the West side by mainland mangroves and open to the expanse of the Indian Ocean on the East side, they fulfil all beach lovers’ expectations.

Lamu town, Kenya’s oldest living town, was one of the original Swahili settlements along coastal East Africa. The port of Lamu has existed for at least a thousand years and the old city is inscribed on the World Heritage List as “the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa”. Due to the narrowness of the streets, automobiles are not allowed – the city is easily explored by foot, bicycle, or, as many locals favour, donkey.

Shela Village, on the north end of Lamu Island, has witnessed huge growth over the last 20 years, and is now a popular holiday destination for wealthy socialites. Peponi Hotel, with its perfectly positioned people-watching bar, serves ‘Old Pals’ to happy clients.

Kizingoni Beach, at the south end of the island, offers a more private and calm atmosphere, with all the cultural and social attractions of Lamu Town and Shela Village available to dip into.

Kizingoni Beach houses sit in a beautiful 24 acre plot along the coast line amongst palm trees and are powered by wind and solar. The houses are designed to take full advantage of seasonal winds, offering cool spacious living areas, panoramic sea views and private fresh water pools. En suite bedrooms with large netted beds lead onto private terraces where guests can enjoy a massage from the in-house beauticians or catch up with the world on the internet WIFI.

The houses
Houses come with seven staff, trained to ensure your holiday is as enjoyable as possible. Your chef will prepare meals to suit your timetable and tastes – seafood is our speciality, with the local village keeping us well supplied with fish, crab, lobsters, squid and oysters. The head steward will liaise between yourselves and the resident manager, who will help organise activities and expeditions, book tables and confirm flights.

Kizingoni houses each have a private boat and captain, large enough to ferry eight guests around the island sights, to picnics on remote mainland beaches, for Manda Toto goggling expeditions and for watersport activities including waterskiing and doughnuting. There are larger and smaller boats for hire, including kayaks, a small deep sea fishing canoe and the fabulous ocean going dhow, Kilindini. Built under a tree in neighbouring Kipungani Village, using traditional woods and hand tools, the dhow has become very popular for sunset sails around the bay, day trips for picnics and for longer expeditions exploring the Lamu archipelago.

Most Kizingoni Beach visitors pledge to return, many rebook on the spot and some move in permanently..

Useful information
www.kizingonibeach.com