We like to think of these principles as the key pillars for our Kenya villa holidays—each carefully crafted for your utter contentment. Our luxury villas in Kenya are complete with magnificent vistas of the Indian Ocean and enviable beachfront locations.
Pad out to the sand dunes for an indulgent morning view, or enjoy a coffee in your villa’s sun-kissed tropical garden. Our homes on the Lamu archipelago and in the coastal towns of Diani, Watamu, and Kilifi are all wonderfully secluded. Some are perched on a lofty clifftop; others are just a few steps from the warm ocean. For a remarkable excursion, dive into a heady mass of colour, culture, and sound on a visit to the vibrant town of Lamu and Malindi; or plan a fabulous Kenyan game safari on route lazing by the pool – we can help you plan it all.
It’s early morning Arabic coffee on a shady, bougainvillaea-lined terrace as you admire the sparkling Indian Ocean. More often than not, a morning in Kenya will provide the most extraordinary start to the day. Choose the hotter dry season from July through to September for all but guaranteed sunshine, or opt for a dry but cooler experience in January or February. The best time to visit Kenya is generally considered to be outside of the remaining rainy months, with the heaviest rains, masika, falling from March to May.
The many faces of Kenya take their shape in its wild nature reserves, palm-fringed beaches, and tropical lakes. Little wonder then that captivating vistas are assured as standard from our collection of luxury coastal villas.
Your perfect evening might take shape on a sunset dhow boat sail, where golden skies, wild mangroves, and an ice-cold tipple provide a truly magical and intimate setting. Or you could settle in to enjoy the changing skies from the bliss of your villa’s waterfront terrace.
Starry nights in Kenya are a feast for wonder, and our alfresco lounges are an ever-tempting spot from which to lie back and count twinkling constellations. Host memorable family gatherings from your very own splendid rooftop, or let the evening fade away over a relaxing dinner on the terrace.
Our villas on the Lamu archipelago blend laid-back opulence with the most tranquil of surroundings. A visit to these incredibly special islands is akin to taking a journey back in time, where crystal clear waters are home to schools of dolphins and virtually uninhabited outposts are a haven for unusual wildlife. This is the place to pad barefoot on stark white sand and check out from the daily hustle as you watch an amber sunset melt into the sand dunes—apéritif in hand and sumptuous dinner on its way.
On Lamu island, cars are virtually nonexistent, and donkey travel is often preferred by locals. Spot your hideaway from the sea as you cruise to the front door by water taxi. Exceptional waterfront homes pepper peaceful coastlines, their spacious lodgings a fusion of contemporary lines and traditional African decor.
A bird watcher’s paradise, you could count passing hornbills or eagles from your shady waterfront spot of the day—or cast your eyes out to sea to enjoy the decorative dhow boat sails.
A long, lazy lunch of regional dishes can be prepared just for you by a private villa chef. Seasonal fruits and vegetables will often take centre stage in island cuisine, paired with fish straight from the sea in life-affirming curries. There’s a strong Indian influence here with spicy fish or vegetable samosas sold on every street corner, and more often than not, your meal will come with an ice-cold glass of the island’s signature tamarind juice.
Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Kenya’s oldest town and an exceptionally well-preserved original Swahili settlement. A woven mass of exquisitely carved wooden doors, distinctive coral stone, and shady verandas, it soon won’t come as any surprise when you cross paths with a donkey or two on the narrow lanes. For a more upscale shopping experience, Shella had a greater range of boutiques. There is no better spot for special group occasions by the water’s edge than Peponi. Sip an iconic Old Pal cocktail on the sunny terrace as you tuck into possibly the best samosas on Lamu Island.
Kenya’s central coast is home to Watamu, a historic village surrounded by mangrove-lined waterways, its soft white beaches punctuated by shallow pools and tidal creeks that overflow with vibrant coral and all manner of marine life. This is paradise for divers or snorkelers; the renowned barrier reef tempting a world of discovery beneath the surface. When you’re not tiptoeing through an intriguing rock pool or spotting nesting turtles, you might take a wander through colourful village streets to find handcrafted treasures or marvel at ancient mosques in the nearby mediaeval Swahili settlement of Gedi. These interesting stone remnants hold centuries of stories, used until the 1700s by Arab traders.
Watamu’s peppering of bars and restaurants mostly trace back to its early days as a tourist destination in the 1950s. None more iconic than Ocean’s Sport, especially popular with teenagers over New Year, where night owls rendezvous for an after-dinner drink over live music. Many of the restaurants here have a strong Italian influence, alongside the expected fresh seafood and Swahili dishes. Carefree days at your secluded Watamu villa may be spent circling between the turquoise pool, shady tropical garden, and sea-facing sun terrace.
The peaceful ambience of Kenya’s coast envelops you as you roll out a towel on your favourite poolside lounger. Perhaps your schedule for the day involves a spot of snorkelling or kitesurfing and a sunset apéritif on the sand, or maybe you simply lie back to soak up the gorgeous African sun. Pole pole.
