Kipungani Explorer – Lamu hotels
Accommodation:
Our 13 spacious bandas sit at one end of Kipungani Bay, which is Swahili for ‘the hotels of fresh air’. Shaded by the palm trees that line our 600-metre beachfront, the bandas are constructed entirely from local materials, with mkeka palm floors and makuti thatch roofs woven by the residents of neighbouring Kipungani village. The large interiors are a picture of rustic simplicity, with giant king-size beds and furniture all handmade from local mangrove and palm woods.
Each banda has an ocean-facing veranda with local funzi sofas and chairs piled high with colourful cushions. Amenities include freshwater showers, flush toilets, and separate dressing areas with wash basins.
Normal checkout time is 10am.
After a 90-minute flight from Nairobi, you will be transported by boat to the lodge, which is located two degrees south of the Equator, on the edge of a near-deserted 12-kilometre beach.The airstrip, which is located on Manda Island, is serviced daily by Safarilink, Fly540, Mombasa Air and Air Kenya from Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Malindi Airport and Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
S 2 19.280; E 40 48.983
The Board basis is usually full board, which includes three delicious meals, accommodation in our en suite luxury bandas, with all non-motorised watersports free.A normal stay is usually 3 days (2 nights) but a longer stay is advised for better excursions like a visit to the 14th century fort ruiins in Manda Island, Lamu Old town, local boat building and mat weaving industries in Kipungani village, swimming with whale sharks and dolphins at Kinyika reef and Manda Toto.
Facilities and Services
- Freshwater swimming pool with all-day bar service
- Gift shop with local handicrafts and ‘beach essentials’
- Safety deposit facilities for all guests’ valuables
- Fresh water for bathing from our own wells
- Reliable generator-backed electricity supply
- Mobile telephone coverage and VSAT Internet links
- Boat connections to Lamu town and Manda airport
Activities
- Snorkelling and swimming with ‘Africa’s friendliest dolphins’ on the reefs of Kinyika and Manda Toto
- Waterskiing and kayaking in the Kipungani channel
- Sailing and sunset cruises aboard our Arab dhows
- Barracuda fishing from beach, dhow or speedboat
- Single-day laundry and valet services
- Deep sea game fishing (please book in advance)
- Crab-catching excursions with expert fishermen
- Bird walks around the property and beach dunes
- Visits to Lamu’s historic mosques, markets and museums
- Day trips to the ruined 14th century fort on Manda Island
- Tours of local boat-building and mat-weaving industries
Airport departure taxes are now included in price of the international flight ticket for all three East African countries. It is also the policy of most travel agencies to quote domestic fares inclusive of airport taxes. They can be paid in either local or foreign currency.
The equator divides Kenya: Seasons run as follows
Summer: September – April 34˚C/194˚F 20˚C/68˚
F Winter: May – August 25˚C/77˚F 11˚C/52˚F
Rainfall: April – May (long rains), November – Mid December (short rains)
It’s 220/240 v 50hz.
Plugs are 3 point square.Those coming from North America with IIOv/60hz appliances should be sure to use an appropriate transformer.Kipungani is an eco lodge, and power is by generator. The generator is switched on at 8.00 am till noon, and 6.00 pm till 12 midnight. It is possible to re-charge your electrical appliances, including video camera batteries, laptops, tablets, cell phones, etc in your room, as well as use appliances like hair dryers. Extra batteries, chargers and camera memory cards can be bought at the hotels’s boutique.
Vaccines commended for travelers to Africa include those against – check with travel agent at time of travel
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Polio
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Yellow fever*
- Rabies
- Meningitis
Certificate required for entry into, or travel between, some African countries.
Several of these vaccines require more than one dose, or take time to become effective. Seek advice on immunisation well in advance, best 6 weeks before departure.
Malaria: this is a disease spread by the female anopheles mosquitoes that bite mainly at dusk and at night. It is advisable that every traveler to Africa consult with their doctor before arriving. We provide mosquito nets for night protection, as well as repellants for use during the day.
Please check the validity of your insurance against personal injuries and any loss. Heritage hotelss will not accept liability against injury or loss.
Kenya is GMT + 0300 hours.
The official languages of the Republic of Kenya are Kiswahili and English.
The official currency of the Republic of Kenya is the Kenya Shilling (Ksh).Major currencies like the US Dollar, British pounds and Euro are accepted (enquire at the hotels for daily exchange rates). However, US Dollar bills printed between 1996 and 1999 are generally not accepted in Kenya due to excessive forgery.
Major credit cards are accepted in most hotelss and restaurants in the city. At Heritage hotelss, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Pay Pal.
Landlines do not work, but cell phone reception for GSM phones is good in most parts of the lodge.Enquire at the Reception for email or internet services.