Kenya

Location: Manda Island, Lamu

Diamond Beach Village, Kenya, is situated on the island of Manda, which is the sister island to Lamu. The eco-friendly lodge is located on the beach front with amazing views of the open ocean, Lamu island, Shela village and dhows sailing by. It is the perfect place to go and relax for a few days or weeks, away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Accommodation

Diamond Beach Village offers an alternative to a typical concrete hotel, it is more of a rustic Robinson Crusoe experience. The Village works very closely with the local Swahili people, taking into account their culture and only using local methods and materials to create a refreshing, eco-friendly, alternative style holiday.

Eco Policies

Eco-design - All buildings at this eco-friendly accommodation were locally designed and natural local materials were used to ensure that the Village blends into the landscape. The floors and walls are made out of star palm which is woven locally and the roofs are a thatch of coconut palm.

Energy - You will be provided with a solar lamp for the late evening - the well muffled generator gets switched on at 6pm and off around 10pm.

Conservation - Diamond Beach organises a ‘Clean the beach day’ in which the locals get involved, helping them to understand the importance of keeping the beaches clean.

Ecological sustainability - There is no fresh water on Manda Island so the water from the sinks and showers is re-used to water the garden. A compost heap is used for relevant waste, paper is burnt and bottles that can be returned to wholesalers are used.
All produce is bought from the local market and shops and all fish from local fisherman.

Community – Most of the residents on Manda do not have a boat so the Village provides a free service to Manda residents. Locals get a discount in the restaurant and if they need paraffin, water, milk etc they go to the Village.
Cooking lessons are offered at the hotel, the profits of which are given to the chef. The Village is also in the process of making a cook book of ‘Diamond’ recipes.
Walking excursions are arranged through, and all money given to, two local brothers who know the island best.

Facilities

The restaurant seating area is shaded from the sun with large palm thatched umbrellas, conveniently situated with a fantastic view of the Indian Ocean. The highly trained chef, Kazungu, prepares a variety of dishes from traditional Swahili cuisine to more conventional western and vegetarian foods. A must for breakfast is banana pancakes and fruit salad with fresh Kenyan coffee or chai tea made from local spices, or toast and eggs with home made papaya jam and passion curd. Lamu's best kept secret is its freshly caught sea food... Lobster, king prawns, mangrove crab, red snapper, tuna, squid, and much more are on the menu each day.
The restaurant is open from 7am – 10pm each day.
Other facilities:-
- Bar
- Safe available for passports and other valuables
- Laundry service
- Boat hire
- Chill out room area with library and games

Things To See And Do

The giant clam shells in the garden under the acacia trees act as bird baths and attract a colourful array of beautiful birds at both dawn and dusk. Sit and watch them play as you relax and enjoy your drinks. Or lie under the shade of the acacia trees on the swing beds and hammocks whilst listening to the lap of the Indian Ocean which is just a ten second walk away. At dusk, Diamond Beach enjoys the full view of some of the most breathtaking African sunsets. When night falls you can find your way back to your banda, lit by the shimmering light of a billion stars, over 180 degrees of perfectly clear sky. Or perhaps enjoy a moonlight swim where the shimmer of the phosphorescence is truly spectacular.

The ‘yoga studio’ built for John Scott is now a chill out area for the guests, with swinging chairs and beds, a library and games. It is very easy to spend the day reading, dozing and drinking fresh fruit juices until it’s time for cocktails in the bar.

If eating, drinking, swimming, reading and sleeping are not enough to satisfy the soul then there is plenty more to do.

The Village has one boat, 'Diamond', which is available for hire to go to Shela or Lamu. Shela is 5 minutes away by boat and you will find a few restaurants here along with the famous Peponi hotel. There are also 3 good shops selling local gifts. Lamu is 30 minutes away and is the oldest town in East Africa. Here you can wander through the market, visit the museum or eat at one of the nice restaurants or café’s.

You could rent the dhow Ronaldo to go sailing around the islands on sunset sails in the mangroves or for day trips snorkelling (Nov-April) or you could snorkel closer to home at the coral reef situated just a stone throw from the beach.

You can walk along the shoreline of Manda or inside the island to the Takwa ruins (a guide is needed). Take a picnic with you and meet very few people a long the way.

Windsurfing and fishing are also available nearby.

Room Description

At this eco-friendly accommodation you will find six beach huts called bandas. Traditionally designed with high windows, the sea breeze flows through, making them the ideal retreat from the African sunshine.
The four double bandas have a double bed downstairs and a single bed mounted in the roof, each has a front porch, en suite shower, sink and flush toilet. All bandas are provided with sheets, mosquito nets and towels. Each has a mains plug with a British socket and all have electric lighting in the evening. The very friendly room boy, Kombo, cleans daily and there is a laundry service.
The twin banda is larger (there is enough room for a cot to be brought in this banda) with a swing hammock outside.
The sixth ‘family’ banda is larger and divided into two, with swing bed outside, it sleeps between 3-6.
There is also a tree-house available. It sleeps between four and six people, with wooden floors, branches coming through the walls and a large veranda on the first floor stretching right around the tree, where there is an open air bathroom with sink, shower and flush toilet. There is a second bathroom on the ground floor.

Prices & Booking Policies

Currency: GBP £
Prices and inclusions: Prices range from £30-35 per adult per night in the Bandas to £40 per adult per night in the Treehouse. Prices include breakfast and taxes.
Child prices: Children younger than 2 go free.
Children aged 2-4 pay £7-10 per night in the Bandas or £12 per night in the Treehouse. Children aged 5–14 pay £15-18 per night in the Bandas or £20 per night in the Treehouse.
Extra adult prices: All adults pay the same rate.
Special offers: For bookings of 8 nights or longer, receive a discount of 10%.
Opening dates: Open 1st July - 15th April. Bookings currently being taken until 15th April 2009.
Restrictions: Minimum of 3 people in the Family Banda. Minimum of 4 people in the Treehouse.
Deposit: 50% of total booking value as deposit at time of booking. Booking is not confirmed until deposit is received. Deposit payable by bank transfer into UK bank account, or by credit card - details will be given in your confirmation email.
Cancellation policy: Cancellations 0 to 14 days prior forfeit 100% of the deposit.
Cancellations 14 to 28 days prior forfeit 50% of the deposit
Cancellations more than 28 days prior forfeit 25% of the deposit
Payment methods: Balance payable on arrival. The balance must be paid in cash – there is a bank with an ATM in Lamu.

Getting There And Around

To get to Diamond Beach Village fly to Nairobi or Mombasa and then transfer onto a smaller plane straight to Manda Island, Lamu. From Nairobi it takes 1 hour. From Mombasa it takes 40 minutes. There are 3 daily flights to and from the Island. You will be picked-up from Manda airport and taken to Diamond Beach in their boat: this takes 30 minutes. Otherwise, reach Lamu by bus from Mombasa (6 hours) or Malindi (4 hours). Tawakal is the best company and you will be collected from Lamu town.

There are no cars on Lamu or Manda, the only form of transport is donkey or boat, both of which are an experience in themselves!