Villa vacation rentals in Lamu

Eco-friendly House + Tree House Lamu island

Mkoko House is situated on the edge of the mangroves in a quiet and peaceful setting on Manda Island. The house built on nearly one acre of land set 5 minutes walk from Manda beach was built in a characteristic Lamu coastal style. GETTING AROUND There are no cars on either Lamu or Manda Island leaving donkeys and boats as the main form of transportation by locals and tourists alike. From Manda Beach it takes 5 minutes or less to travel across the channel to Shela village and beach, 15 minutes to Lamu Old Town and 20 minutes to Lamu Airport which is located on the other end of Manda Island and is also reached by boat. You can hire a boat with a captain for the duration of your stay or use a boat for individual trips when you need to. Boat trips (and Dhow trips) can easily be arranged from Mkoko House on request. There are four en-suite double bedrooms with mosquito nets to keep the mosquitoes and other annoyances at bay. As you walk towards the house you are greeted by an outside baraza (seating area) on your right which is shaded by a ceiling of crawling plants. The entrance of the house is a simple but large arch which carries you into the ground floor dining area. To the right is the first en-suite double bedroom (Nyota –Stars- room) and to the left is a living area with a baraza covered in cushions and pillows to relax on. Off this living area, you will find the second en-suite double bedroom (Mbuyu- Baobab- room) with a terrace looking onto the back garden. The kitchen, also on the ground floor, is fully equipped and opens onto an outside cooking area which can also be used for preparing meals. The stairs take you up onto a large open floor (walls built only to one’s hip) with views of the mangroves and the garden. The entire floor is covered by a large Makuti roof (the single most common characteristic of coastal architecture). This open floor is the main living area of the house. There are seating corners, a Lamu bed to nap on, and another dining table to enjoy your meals with the splendid views. Situated on this floor is the third en-suite bedroom (Mkoko- Mangrove- room) which one enters through a carved wooden antique Lamu door. Outside the room, one finds another baraza with cushions. This particular area is roofless and so is a perfect place to sit and enjoy the incredible Manda night skies filled with stars. A second flight of stairs will take you up to the fourth and largest ensuite bedroom final floor. This floor offers the best views in the house and allows one to look across the island’s extensive mangrove ecosystem, the sea, and the plains of acacia and baobab trees. The rate includes a housekeeper who cleans the house on a daily basis, changes sheets and towels, and attends to the garden. A cook is also available so you can enjoy an array of meals cooked to your personal taste. A variety of seafood is available (fish, crabs, prawns, lobster, octopus, etc) depending on the season. Airport pick-up and drop-off can be arranged on request and cost usually less than 10 euro/boat.

Wimbi House - Shela - Lamu

Wimbi House is the perfect home for a large family holiday or for a group of friends on an adventure. It is an ideal base from which to explore the Lamu archipelago and local culture. With 5 large en-suite rooms + extra nanny / staff room house easily accommodates 10 - 15 people, with multiple entertainment / dining areas and a beautiful pool and lush courtyard on the second floor. 99% Solar powered, 3 min from the waterfront and 10-minutes from the long 12km pristine sandy Lamu beach.

Firefly: En-suite room in a boutique villa, Shela

This private en-suite bedroom is in a new villa called Amani Lamu, away from the hustle and bustle of Shela, in the sand dunes behind the village. The beach/ village are a 10 minute walk away down a sandy lane, where friendly donkey's have right of way. The king size room comes with private bathroom. It shares a kitchen & living room with another bedroom. There's also a shared plunge pool. Our lovely cleaner keeps the house immaculate & handles your laundry. Chef available on request.

Kinooni House: A stunning historic house restored!

Kinooni* House is one of the most ancient houses on Historic Lamu Island. Once the home of the Governor of Lamu, who was then the emissary to the Sultan of Zanzibar at the end of the 18th century, it has now been carefully restored with traditional Swahili design and craftsmanship to bring back the elegance, simplicity, and grandeur of the original mansion. * Kinooni means “the place of the sharpening stone” so Nyumba ya Kinooni means : “ the house of where the sharpening stone is”.

Kilele House, Shela

Perched on a sand dune in Shela, Kilele is a luxurious Swahili-style 5 bedroom (1 air-conditioned room) villa with stunning 360° views of Lamu Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Accommodating up to 10 guests, it features a private pool, chef, and housekeeper. Enjoy ocean sunrises, sunset skies, and breezy terraces in total seclusion. Perfect for families, couples, or groups, Kilele blends high-end comfort with authentic charm and warm local hospitality.

Lake La Ndovu Ras Kitao

In bygone days, when majestic elephants and other wild creatures roamed the Lamu mainland, they would cross the ocean at low tide and make their way to Ras Kitao. This special place was known as Ziwa la Ndovu (Elephants Pond). Located just steps away from the fantastic sandy beach of the Ras Kitao on the South West side of Manda, the villa is spread over a huge plot of land and offers a sublime blend of Swahili architecture and modern interiors.

House Kiru

Surrounded by century old baobabs, Nyumba Kiru is a stunning villa facing the ocean. Our house can welcome large group (14 pax) or just a couple for a romantic weekend. We rent out the whole house from 2 to 14 pax so you will never have to share with anyone. Nyumba Kiru has a pool, dining areas, bar, kitchen, umbrella and sun bed around the pool and on the beach. Wifi access and TV/DVD system. The house runs on solar system and generator.

Authentic Swahili style villa in the heart of Lamu

Full house ready for guests! The typical Lamu courtyard is the center of it all, a serene space from which all other rooms emerge. The three-story building (475m2) with roof access offers an amazing view of the Indian Ocean under the makuti (typical roof construction from the area made from palm leaves) which protects from the rain and sunshine. This results in a beautiful, spacious and very comfortable house.

House in the old city with pool, garden & top roof

traditional house with gardens and swimming pool in the heart of the historic city . 300 m from the sea front and the main commercial street . One of the few private houses equiped with solar pannels in Lamu to avoid weekly electricity cuts . the house have its own well , so problematic city water supply is garanty . Internet by Starlink house keeper and cook available every day .

Peleleza villa. The perfect beach house getaway

Beautiful Mediterranean styled villa with it's own private jetty, situated on lengthy beach front with waves washing right up to the doorstep during high tide. Indulge in a luscious garden setting complete with tropical and exotic fruits combined with a fresh ocean breeze promoting serenity and tranquility.

Jasmine House, Shela Village, Lamu

Jasmine was built by a family in 1989 and has always rung with peals of children's laughter. It remains a family holiday home. Jasmine is one of the few houses in Shela with a garden and plunge pool.

THE MOON HOUSES -Betty's suite

La piscine en terrace privée de Betty's suite offre une intimité parfaite pour les amoureux qui souhaitent être en tête à tête.