Safari Chic - Lamu, Kenya

Am Rand des bildschönen Fischerdorfs Shela, wenige Schritte vom berühmten Peponi Hotel und dem Traumstrand von Shela Beach gelegen, befinden sich einige Häuser des Hamburger Gastronomen Herbert Menzer. Er hat mit viel Gespür für die traditionelle Swahili Architektur einen Mix aus zeitgemäßen Design und Safari Chic im historischen Umfeld kreiert.
Diese Häuser sind zum Mieten, nicht zu groß, für 2 bis 8 Personen konzipiert die vom engagiertem Personal rundum perfekt betreut werden um einen unvergesslichen Urlaub auf Lamu/Kenia zu geniessen.
Located at the edge of the picturesque fishermen village of Shela, only a few footsteps away from the famous Peponi Hotel and the white sands of the Shela beaches, the rental homes Bembea House, Jaha House and Fishbone House are hideaways of elegance, where traditional Swahili architecture mixes with contemporary design in this place of living history.
The rental houses, not too large, are recommended for 2 to 8 guests and are serviced by committed staff, willing to comply with your need for a great holiday experience.

Bembea House

Bembea House is situated on the edge of the picturesque fishermen’s village of Shela, alongside the dunes that fringe the long stretch of Shela beach. Located only a few footsteps from the famous Peponi Hotel, Bembea House offers a holiday that brings you into close touch with Africa where you can have a unique experience of this very special island. The house sleeps 2 to 4 people in two double bedrooms. The staff is very committed, always willing to please the guests.

The four-storied house reflects the fascinating charm of traditional Swahili architecture mixed with eclectic furnishing and a personal touch of finest style and comfort. The whole house is equipped with unique pieces of tribal art.
The entrance hall, decorated with seashells in the beautiful niches, has three large stone benches, perfect for sitting and relaxing. The staircase leads to the fully equipped kitchen with taps that provide purified water, sanitized for drinking and cooking. The kitchen has a dining area and while you cook, your friends and family can sit there, watch and help.

Through the kitchen windows you can gaze at the birds in the palm trees and enjoy the view of the sand dunes.
On the second floor there are two double bedrooms. The rooms are furnished with Lamu four poster beds, mosquito nets, ceiling fans and dressing tables. The ensuite bathrooms have hot water showers. On the ground floor, there is an additional third bedroom.
The third floor has a spacious dining area and an adjacent living room. Here you can relax on cozy couches, a small library and music station are there for your entertainment. Please bring along your iPod and you will fully enjoy this luxurious house.

Lastly, there is a magnificent rooftop with a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean and Shela Village. While relaxing in the baraza lounging area or sunbathing on the comfortable sun beds you can feel the cool breeze from the dunes. It is a fantastic place to watch the moon rise.

Jaha House

At the northern end of Shela Village where the houses meet the sea and the ancient craft of dhow building is still practiced with bow and drill and traditional hand-tools, stands Jaha House.
Walk up the sandy path from the beach shack at the high tide line and in two minutes you will stand before the door of a beautifully plastered house with the sound of cool splashing water and the scent of delicious herbs and spices cooking filtering from within.

Courtyard and swimming pool (4 x 5 mtr with depth of 2,50 mtr) equipped with a counter-current-jet, spacious pool-deck with lounging beds. The walls of this beautiful space are decorated with the beautiful Swahili wall niches and alcoves known as vidaka.

The views to Lamu channel and the mangroves of Manda Island are gorgeous, the sunrises and sunsets from the roof terrace are un-missable and the ambience of the house will ease your mind and feed your soul.

Fishbone House

In the heart of Shela Village, very close to Jaha House, stands Fishbone House. Shela is one of the loveliest small villages of Africa’s East Coast. Fishbone is located a few minutes off the seven mile stretch of Shela beach and the renowned Peponi Hotel. A few footsteps from the house take you down to fishermen beach where the ancient dhow building is still active. The cosy two-bedroom house is ideal for one or two couples and a perfect choice for honeymooners.
Fishbone House is a newly built rental home which will become a Shela landmark soon. The whole house is covered by coral stones. It features the beautiful Swahili architecture with its minimalistic elements of design and is decorated with some unique pieces of nature like whale bones & drift wood and artefacts such as paintings and assemblages or rudders of old dhows. All fabrics are tailored from used stone washed sail clothes which give a nonchalant touch to cushions and covers.

The house has a small courtyard with palm trees and white sandy ground. Covered by shady palm leaves during daytime and moon-lighted at night, the courtyard of Fishbone House is a magic place in this spiritual Lamu world.
The living room, dining and kitchen look onto the courtyard and another small side garden with a fountain made from coral stones. The living, covered by a huge Makuti roof, has Swahili beds for relaxation and gathering.

The dining area is located next to the living room under a separate Makuti shelter with a dining table that takes eight and more guests.
The kitchen, situated is fully equipped with a cooker, fridge/freezer and all necessary kitchen utensils.

On first and second floor there is one bedroom on each floor both ensuite rooms. The bedrooms are furnished with Lamu four poster beds, reading lights, mosquito nets, dressing tables and ceiling fans.

All bathrooms are adapted to please the savour of upmarket travellers.

               
All the rooms are built with the magnificient details of Swahili architecture like stucco borders, Mangati hardwood beams with carvings, wonderful Boriti mangrove beam ceilings and in-wall niches known as Vidakas.             
On the Makuti rooftop there is an additional area with matresses and cushions as a lounging where you can gaze out at the sea, the surroundings or the starry night sky. It could also be used as a double bed, which makes the house sleep six with shared bathroom.

Habibti House

Habibti House is a stunning three-storey Shela townhouse with five spacious bedrooms, all with bathrooms-en-suite.

Located next to Jaha House, Habibti stands in a few footsteps distance to Shela’s remarkably colorful fishermen’s beach in a quiet residential neighbourhood.
It’s magnificent rooftop, where you stay under shady Makuti shelters, overviews all blooming gardens down to Lamu creek, the sailing dhows and the mangroves of Manda Island. There is always a cool breeze in the house and every floor provides many ritzy spaces as comfortable Swahili beds to daydream under the open sky.

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