| #ffffff;" /> | | | | corridor like ancient streets classified by UNESCO as a |
| Manda Bay Resort is a petite lavish private hotel is | | | | World Heritage Site. Make sure you listen to the |
| tucked away on the exclusive Manda Island in | | | | tuneful and mellow Swahili love songs known as |
| northern Kenya's Lamu archipelago. This is the | | | | ‘Taarabu’ at any restaurant that has |
| ultimate ‘get away from it all’ | | | | a band that plays that music. Sailing in a dhow to see |
| secluded comfort if you are looking to recharge, be | | | | the close by Swahili ruins called Takwa, which was |
| pampered and self-indulged. Manda Bay Resort is | | | | built in the 16th century is also highly recommended |
| made up of 16 roomy Swahili chalets with huge | | | | and encouraged. |
| wooden beds, huge walk-in mosquito nets and plush | | | | But if all you want to do is to sit back, soak up the |
| en-suite bathrooms. 5 of these chalets are situated | | | | sun, luxuriate and just unwind, Manda will be the |
| on sand dunes while the rest are on the ocean front. | | | | perfect ambience. So its breakfast in bed you want? |
| These quiet cottages are placed amid bowed | | | | You’ll get it. Drinks while you swing on the |
| coconut palms bowed, acacia trees and tamarind | | | | hammocks under the shade of the Acacia trees? |
| trees whispering gently in the breeze. All rooms are | | | | They will be served by the most welcoming |
| open to the elements of nature in that they overlook | | | | stewards you’ll see around. Legend has it |
| the sandy beaches, the cool sea breeze wafts into | | | | that they smile even when they are asleep. |
| them and a clear view of the ocean is visible. | | | | Don’t miss the pancakes and fruit salad with |
| Also visible from Manda is the Island of Lamu in the | | | | fresh coffee or tea made from local spices that are |
| distance, Shela village and dhows serenely gliding past. | | | | served at breakfast. A basil and tomato omelette |
| The island prides itself in creating the rustic | | | | may suffice if you’re starving after taking a |
| ‘Robinson Crusoe experience’ and | | | | morning swim. |
| visitors can mingle with the local Swahili people and | | | | Things to do in Manda Island include; |
| learn a few things about their culture. Cars are not | | | | Windsurfing: The area around Lamu and Manda offer |
| available on both Lamu (the oldest town in east | | | | idyllic prospects for windsurfing. It’s almost |
| Africa) and Manda, only donkeys and boats, both an | | | | guaranteed that the wind will pick up at noon |
| experience in themselves. As a result the pace of life | | | | resulting in conditions just right for windsurfing. |
| is inevitably leisurely and relaxed. | | | | Lessons and equipment are available. Kite surfing is |
| Manda Bay resort also boasts of a baobab tree | | | | also increasing in popularity. |
| house. The tree house on the gigantic tree sleeps | | | | Dhow trips: Sailing in delightfully hand crafted dhows is |
| between two and six people. It has a large terrace | | | | the time-honoured mode of transport along the east |
| on the first floor that encircles the almost 100 year | | | | African coast. Sailing through the channel between |
| old tree. Drinks can be server for you on this terrace | | | | Manda and Lamu is a superb way to relish the African |
| if you so wish. It’s almost heavenly to be | | | | sunset. |
| unwinding in bed on a baobab tree while watching an | | | | Snorkelling: A coral reef is opportunely placed metres |
| array of colourful birds flying by set on the backdrop | | | | from the beach. It is a safe and trouble-free place |
| of villages on the dunes of Lamu Island. If you love | | | | for children of all ages to see the underwater world. |
| bird watching, Manda is the place to raid. There are | | | | There is an assortment of multi-coloured fish that |
| huge clamshells positioned on the plush the gardens | | | | populate this reef. Snorkelling trips can also be |
| that surround the lodge and they act as birdbaths | | | | organised to a bigger reef which is an hour’s |
| and draw a colourful assortment of dainty birds at | | | | boat ride away. If you are fortunate you will see |
| both dawn and dusk. | | | | schools of dolphins playing around the boat. |
| At sunset you can savour the awe-inspiring African | | | | Fishing: If you love fishing then you can indulge your |
| sunset while listening to the soothing sounds of the | | | | senses and fish from the beach. As if that is not |
| Indian Ocean caressing the beach. Walks along the | | | | enough, voyages can be organized to the open |
| beach at sunset while picking shells as the ocean licks | | | | ocean either on a dhow or on a modern speedboat |
| ones feet are profoundly relaxing. At night star-gazing | | | | with all the state of the art apparatus. Anything you |
| the clear skies is a favourite or maybe swimming | | | | catch can be cooked as per your instructions to the |
| under the fluorescent lighting of the moon will do. | | | | Manda resort Chefs. |
| Manda’s special attraction is its freshly caught | | | | Walking: If you take a 10-minute walk along the |
| seafood like Tuna, Crab, Lobster, Prawns, red | | | | shoreline you will find yourself where the open ocean |
| snapper and squid. | | | | meets the island of Manda. Along the way it is |
| This is also a strategically placed base from which to | | | | possible to see the colonial history of Lamu district |
| explore the local panorama and also experience the | | | | evident in the ruins with rusty cannons inside. |
| interesting culture of Lamu Island and its people. | | | | It’s unlikely you will meet another person on |
| Take a trip to Lamu Island and walk through the | | | | this rugged stretch of coast. |