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Manda Island Kenya s Best Kept Secret
anda Bay Resort is a Island of Lamu in the distance,
petite lavish private Shela village and dhows serenely
hotel is tucked away on gliding past. The island prides
the exclusive Manda Island in itself in creating the rustic
northern Kenya's Lamu ‘Robinson Crusoe experience’ and
archipelago. This is the ultimate visitors can mingle with the
‘get away from it all’ secluded local Swahili people and learn a
comfort if you are looking to few things about their culture.
recharge, be pampered and Cars are not available on both
self-indulged. Manda Bay Resort Lamu (the oldest town in east
is made up of 16 roomy Swahili Africa) and Manda, only donkeys
chalets with huge wooden beds, and boats, both an experience in
huge walk-in mosquito nets and themselves. As a result the pace
plush en-suite bathrooms. 5 of of life is inevitably leisurely
these chalets are situated on and relaxed.
sand dunes while the rest are on
the ocean front. Manda Bay resort also boasts of a
baobab tree house. The tree house
These quiet cottages are placed on the gigantic tree sleeps
amid bowed coconut palms bowed, between two and six people. It
acacia trees and tamarind trees has a large terrace on the first
whispering gently in the breeze. floor that encircles the almost
All rooms are open to the 100 year old tree. Drinks can be
elements of nature in that they server for you on this terrace if
overlook the sandy beaches, the you so wish. It’s almost heavenly
cool sea breeze wafts into them to be unwinding in bed on a
and a clear view of the ocean is baobab tree while watching an
visible. array of colourful birds flying
by set on the backdrop of
Also visible from Manda is the villages on the dunes of Lamu
Island. If you love bird culture of Lamu Island and its
watching, Manda is the place to people. Take a trip to Lamu
raid. There are huge clamshells Island and walk through the
positioned on the plush the corridor like ancient streets
gardens that surround the lodge classified by UNESCO as a World
and they act as birdbaths and Heritage Site. Make sure you
draw a colourful assortment of listen to the tuneful and mellow
dainty birds at both dawn and Swahili love songs known as
dusk. ‘Taarabu’ at any restaurant that
has a band that plays that music.
At sunset you can savour the Sailing in a dhow to see the
awe-inspiring African sunset close by Swahili ruins called
while listening to the soothing Takwa, which was built in the
sounds of the Indian Ocean 16th century is also highly
caressing the beach. Walks along recommended and encouraged.
the beach at sunset while picking
shells as the ocean licks ones But if all you want to do is to
feet are profoundly relaxing. At sit back, soak up the sun,
night star-gazing the clear skies luxuriate and just unwind, Manda
is a favourite or maybe swimming will be the perfect ambience. So
under the fluorescent lighting of its breakfast in bed you want?
the moon will do. Manda’s special You’ll get it. Drinks while you
attraction is its freshly caught swing on the hammocks under the
seafood like Tuna, Crab, Lobster, shade of the Acacia trees? They
Prawns, red snapper and squid. will be served by the most
welcoming stewards you’ll see
This is also a strategically around. Legend has it that they
placed base from which to explore smile even when they are asleep.
the local panorama and also Don’t miss the pancakes and fruit
experience the interesting salad with fresh coffee or tea
made from local spices that are opportunely placed metres from
served at breakfast. A basil and the beach. It is a safe and
tomato omelette may suffice if trouble-free place for children
you’re starving after taking a of all ages to see the underwater
morning swim. world. There is an assortment of
multi-coloured fish that populate
Things to do in Manda Island this reef. Snorkelling trips can
include; also be organised to a bigger
reef which is an hour’s boat ride
Windsurfing: The area around Lamu away. If you are fortunate you
and Manda offer idyllic prospects will see schools of dolphins
for windsurfing. It’s almost playing around the boat.
guaranteed that the wind will
pick up at noon resulting in Fishing: If you love fishing then
conditions just right for you can indulge your senses and
windsurfing. Lessons and fish from the beach. As if that
equipment are available. Kite is not enough, voyages can be
surfing is also increasing in organized to the open ocean
popularity. either on a dhow or on a modern
speedboat with all the state of
Dhow trips: Sailing in the art apparatus. Anything you
delightfully hand crafted dhows catch can be cooked as per your
is the time-honoured mode of instructions to the Manda resort
transport along the east African Chefs.
coast. Sailing through the
channel between Manda and Lamu is Walking: If you take a 10-minute
a superb way to relish the walk along the shoreline you will
African sunset. find yourself where the open
ocean meets the island of Manda.
Snorkelling: A coral reef is Along the way it is possible to
see the colonial history of Lamu coast.
district evident in the ruins
with rusty cannons inside. It’s Other activities on offer include
unlikely you will meet another water skiing, scuba diving, trips
person on this rugged stretch of to Lamu and cycling.
About the Author:
Sean Oling is editor of authoritysitecentre. You can find more information about Tanzania, Uganda and African safaris as well as hotels and lodge bookings, on the website.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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