Kinondo Kwetu

Kenya’s beautiful Indian Ocean coast stretches for more than 300 miles (500 km) and feels a world away from ‘upcountry’ East Africa. The coast is fringed by white sand beaches, backed by coconut palms and towering sand dunes, interspersed with mangrove flats, ancient forests and sheltered coastal creeks and anchorages. Another marked contrast is its enduring and distinctive Swahili culture – a unique amalgam of African, Arabian, Indian and European influences – which reveal themselves in the coast’s religious and social traditions, food, architecture and many other aspects of daily life. Its towns and villages, sometimes bustling but often sleepy, remain tranquil, traditional and welcoming.

Kenya’s beaches and coastal waters are nesting sites and home to five endangered species of sea turtle. Offshore coral reefs shelter much of the coastline and provide a crucial habitat for a wonderful variety of marine life. Scuba diving and snorkelling provide a window into this extraordinary underwater world. Two of its most spectacular areas are within Marine National Parks off Watamu and Malindi – both are also world-renowned centres for deep sea fishing. South of Mombasa, Diani Beach is regularly voted one of the most beautiful in Africa. An adventure sports hub, renowned for kitesurfing, skydiving and ocean fishing, its coastal woodland has a large population of lively black-and-white Colobus monkeys.

Kenya’s coastal settlements house the historic remains of a network of ancient city states that stretched the length of the East African coast – from Mogadishu in the north to Mozambique Island in the south. These ports were the gateways for external trade with Africa – exporting slaves, ivory, tortoiseshell, animal hides, ambergris and other precious commodities to Arabia, Europe and across the Indian Ocean. Lamu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the oldest living town south of the Sahara and the region’s best-preserved historic settlement. The ‘old town’ in Mombasa, Kenya’s second city and East Africa’s busiest port, is home to Fort Jesus – a magnificent Portuguese citadel built in the 1590s.

There are several scheduled flights daily from Nairobi to Lamu, Malindi, Vipingo, Mombasa and Diani/Ukunda. Safari destinations in the Masai Mara and Tsavo are also served by Mombasa’s Moi International Airport, as are Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. Mombasa also receives international flights from Dubai and Addis Ababa, and seasonal flights from Rome and Frankfurt. An alternative route to the Indian Ocean coast is via Kenya’s new Standard Guage Railway (SGR) which was completed in 2017 and connects Nairobi with Mombasa. The scenic 470 km (290 mile) journey takes around 6 hours by express train. Our travel team will be pleased to advise and plan your journey to the coast and beyond.

Kinondo Kwetu sits in a leafy 16-acre plot on the quiet southern portion of Galu Beach, around 12 kilometres south of central Diani. The property has no immediate neighbours and enjoys direct access to 250 metres of virtually private beach as well as endless adjoining sands stretching northwards and southwards, all protected by the extensive offshore reef. Kinondo Kwetu is classified as a ‘Kaya’ area (protected by the National Museums of Kenya) due to its surrounding holy forests and sacred land.

Beautiful Galu Beach is an extension of Diani’s powder white sands but is much less busy, sometimes without a single person on it – and the beach is bigger, cleaner and quieter than Diani Beach. Diani has been voted the best beach in Africa by the World Travel Market and one of the 25 best beaches in the world by Trip Advisor. All kinds of water sports and activities are available at the lodge and nearby, and Diani’s beach bars and restaurants are within easy reach (but well out of earshot) of the lodge.

Kinondo Kwetu is around 20 minutes’ drive from Diani/Ukunda Airstrip which has several scheduled flights each day to and from both Nairobi’s airports, and approximately 50 km south of Mombasa Island via the Likoni Ferry and the main A17 coastal road. Mombasa’s Moi Airport handles both domestic and international flights.

Accommodation & facilities

• Reception area
• Bar, airy lounge area
• Dining terraces
• Library, boutique, guest office
• Main pool with pool house and loungers
• Second ‘quiet’ swimming pool
• Outside dining pavilion
• Dhow dining table
• Numerous outside sitting and lounging areas
• Wood-fired sauna
• Tennis court
• Open-air gym
• Sea-view yoga pavilion
• Horse stables
• 250 metres of beach front
• 16 acres of grounds

Cottages

• 3 double bedroom cottages
• 1 cottage with 1 double bedroom and 1 single bedroom.
• 1 two-storey family cottage with 2 double bedrooms (1 upstairs and 1 downstairs) and 1 single bedroom (downstairs)
• All cottages are ocean-facing and ocean view
• All cottages have ensuite bathrooms and private verandas
• All cottage bedrooms are air-conditioned.

Mama Taa Villa (8 bedrooms)

• Flexible accommodation over two floors suitable for couples or families alike
• Lofty central living room and dining terraces
• 1 honeymoon suite
• 1 family suite
• 4 family inter-connecting bedrooms
• 2 double bedrooms
• All have ensuite bathrooms, veranda or balcony
• All bedrooms are air-conditioned
• All rooms are independent and available separately.

Mama Tina Villa (3 bedrooms)

• Slightly simpler accommodation – ideal for teenagers sharing
• 1 double bedroom – air-conditioned with ensuite bathroom
• 2 bedrooms with interconnecting bathroom and ceiling fans

Alex House

• Private Villa for family or two couples
• Decorated in Scandi-Swahili style
• 2 ground-floor bedrooms
• 2 ‘loft’ bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• 1 open-plan living and dining room with kitchen
• Private and air-conditioned
• Outside terrace and garden

“We have totally fallen in love with Kinondo Kwetu. We love its understated elegance, its attention-to- detail and its ability to offer total relaxation. The staff are the best and the food is wonderful. We will be back.”

“We found heaven on earth and spent a week in total transcendence with the sea, the soft breeze and the loveliest staff – we couldn’t have been more relaxed and happy. Our family created fantastic memories thanks to Kinondo. We will never forget this and really hope to come back.”

“We came back to Kinondo Kwetu for our wedding anniversary and had a wonderful time. We stayed in Cottage 5 with a spectacular view of the sunrise over the ocean from our bed and wonderful sea breezes in a very comfortable and beautifully decorated bedroom. The resort looks as beautiful as ever, with a laid-back luxury feel. All staff were very friendly and attentive but not at all overbearing.

The resort is large and well laid-out so we never felt too close to other guests. The food was delicious – very fresh and with creative use of the local ingredients and flavours. We had a romantic walk along the deserted beach to look for shells at sunset, enjoyed massages by the sea cliff, an evening sauna and a beautiful morning lounging in the shade by the pool. It’s such a special place and, while we’ve enjoyed it with our kids in the past, it was also very nice to just be there as a couple. I highly recommend a visit to Kinondo Kwetu for families, couples or singles. There are a range of options for activities or for relaxing and you will feel pampered in just the right way. It’s a unique place which manages to feel highly luxurious and casual at the same time.”

“We have spent most unbelievable few days in what can only be described as paradise. Kinondo Kwetu is the ultimate place to unwind and forget about the pace of real life – in fact I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to get back to speed! The team are exceptional – nothing is ever too much trouble and their friendly, professional and caring natures are a huge part of what makes this place so very special. I really hope in the future we can come back and do it all over again – this has been the best ever start to married life.”

“I’ve been to Kinondo Kwetu twice now – once with my husband and young son, and then again with our family and my mother and sister. It is sublime – the property is stunning and decorated with tremendous taste – striking the perfect balance between considered, artful, luxurious and relaxed, warm and delightful. All the rooms our family stayed in were wonderful, each unique, full of charm and beautifully appointed. The meals are incredible! The freshest, most interesting menus, including options for any allergies and children, accompanied by great wines or inventive cocktails. For lunches and dinners, different locations are set each day which gives you a terrific experience of the entire property. The owners and the staff couldn’t be kinder or more accessible and professional. They offer a great array of activities and the boutique onsite is fantastic. I adore Kinondo Kwetu and will literally return every chance I get!”

Standard Season (early March to mid October, early November to mid December)

From $525 per adult guest sharing per night
From $370 per teen guest sharing per night (12-17 years)
From $320 per child guest sharing per night (6-11 years)

High Season (mid January to early March, mid October to early November)

From $580 per adult guest sharing per night
From $410 per teen guest sharing per night (12-17 years)
From $360 per child guest sharing per night (6-11 years)

Christmas Season (mid December to early January)

From $625 per adult guest sharing per night
From $445 per teen guest sharing per night (12-17 years)
From $395 per child guest sharing per night (6-11 years)

Children up to 5 years old stay free of charge

Please contact us for comprehensive information on rates, special offers, inclusions & exclusions, optional extras and terms & conditions of booking