Shela Houses

Beach House, Shela House, Palm House & Garden House

Lamu Island, Kenya

(Shela Houses are four stylish, comfortable and very Private Houses are situated in Shela Village in Lamu, Kenya. Shela Houses are accessed by air to Manda Airstrip where your transferred to Manda Jetty and escort you by boat to the Shela jetty.)

Shela Houses in Shela Village, Lamu Island, Kenya

Shela Houses View Rates, Discounted Prices - Book & Save Now!

Shela Houses are four stylish, comfortable and very private houses are situated in Shela Village on Lamu Island in Kenya, each with their own individual character and rooftop terraces with panoramic views of the sea, the dunes and life in the village below. Meals can be taken up here under the stars with gentle breezes carrying fragrant smells of jasmine and Swahili spices.

Shela Houses cooks are re known for their ability to turn out a delicious meal from the fresh catch of the day. Angelika and Bernedine, the resident manageresses, are on hand to ensure you have everything you need and to help with organising excursions or menus. Shela Houses management guarantees you will be well cared for in every way during your stay with us in Lamu.

Shela Houses – The Facts

* Shela Houses are set in Shela village in Lamu, about 10 minutes from Lamu village
* Shela Houses are a set of 4 luxurious villas each with its own character
* Shela Houses offer both Catered or non-catered with full staff

* Shela Houses are Great for families and groups

Beach House (Sleeps 12 Guests)

Beach House is the last house on the sea front before the sand dunes start. Beach House is a large, cool house with four double and one dormitory style bedrooms – all en suite and with spectacular sea view. On the first floor, raised above beach level, there is a stunning, edgeless, fresh water swimming pool which has a bar area and low comfortable baraza seating.

Up the first flight of stairs is a large dining and living room, leading out onto an alfresco terrace, shaded by huge entwined acacia and baobab trees. Another door leads onto the wood deck over the pool —perfect for dining — and to two double bedrooms with their own private terraces. The third floor comprises three bedrooms and an open terrace. From the rooftop you can enjoy panoramic views of the whole Lamu channel — relaxing on the barazas, with a fully equipped bar to hand, you can watch the fishing dhows return, dolphins pass and the moon rise.

Beach House Accommodation Rates/Prices (Beach House sleeps 12)

Notes

* Free laundry service is included

* Alcoholic beverages are not included

* Additional guests are charged extra, maximum total 14 in Shela House

* Full board is Euro 50 per day, per person and 25 for children under 12

* Beach House Accommodation is either on Full board or Self catering

* One Manda airstrip to Shela return boat transfer is included in the rental price
* The self-catering facility allows clients to supply funds to the house cook, who will then do all the shopping and cooking. Menus can be requested and discussed. Expenditure is recorded in a book, which clients settle and sign off before departure

* Air & boat transfers Reservations for connecting flights from Nairobi can be organized through African Spice Safaris

Shela House (Sleeps 9 Guests)

Shela House is situated between Palm House and the madarasa this renovated colonial era house has been built on three floors around an open courtyard, well shaded with plants. Shela House entrance hall leads into the courtyard, edged by a baraza sitting and eating area. Two staircases lead from the courtyard to the upper rooms and terraces. It is an old house of great character, with ample room for two families.

Shela House has five en-suite bedrooms – three double bedrooms, another with two large four-poster single beds and a smaller single bedroom. Adjoining the major suite there is a nursery room with a cot and two beds. A spacious second floor dayroom and terrace provide additional lounging or games area, with a small library of books for all ages. Most time is spent on the two rooftops – here you can eat, sleep, play cards or just gaze out at the sea, the surrounding village or the night sky.

Shela House Accommodation Rates/Prices (Beach House sleeps 9 Guests)

Notes

* Free laundry service is included

* Alcoholic beverages are not included

* Additional guests are charged extra, maximum total 14 in Shela House

* Full board is Euro 50 per day, per person and 25 for children under 12

* Shela House Accommodation is either on Full board or Self catering

* One Manda airstrip to Shela return boat transfer is included in the rental price
* The self-catering facility allows clients to supply funds to the house cook, who will then do all the shopping and cooking. Menus can be requested and discussed. Expenditure is recorded in a book, which clients settle and sign off before departure

* Air & boat transfers Reservations for connecting flights from Nairobi can be organized through African Spice Safaris

Palm House (Sleeps 9 Guests)

Palm House is spacious, yet compact with two doubles and one triple bedroom on the first floor, all en suite with private balconies. The second floor has an open terrace, which leads off to a small covered baraza area in front of the fourth bedroom. This master bedroom has a Lamu four-poster bed and balconies on two sides. Like all the Shela houses, there is a panoramic view from the covered rooftop, with a bar, sun beds and baraza lounging area.

Palm House Accommodation Rates/Prices (Beach House sleeps 9 Guests)

Notes

* Free laundry service is included

* Alcoholic beverages are not included

* Additional guests are charged extra, maximum total 9 in Palm House

* Full board is Euro 50 per day, per person and 25 for children under 12

* Palm House Accommodation is either on Full board or Self catering

* One Manda airstrip to Shela return boat transfer is included in the rental price
* The self-catering facility allows clients to supply funds to the house cook, who will then do all the shopping and cooking. Menus can be requested and discussed. Expenditure is recorded in a book, which clients settle and sign off before departure

* Air & boat transfers Reservations for connecting flights from Nairobi can be organized through African Spice Safaris

Garden House (Sleeps 6 Guest)

Garden House is situated on the edge of Shela Village, alongside the dunes that fringe the long stretch of Shela beach, Garden House stands on the corner of a small walled garden and is screened by large neem trees full of birds.

The house has a ground floor dinning and seating area; a double bedroom and a children’s twin on the first floor and a top floor master bedroom with a shaded rooftop baraza and open terrace with sun beds.

Garden House Accommodation Rates/Prices (Beach House sleeps 6 Guests)

Notes

* Free laundry service is included

* Alcoholic beverages are not included

* Additional guests are charged extra, maximum total 9 in Garden House

* Full board is Euro 50 per day, per person and 25 for children under 12

* Garden House Accommodation is either on Full board or Self catering

* One Manda airstrip to Shela return boat transfer is included in the rental price
* The self-catering facility allows clients to supply funds to the house cook, who will then do all the shopping and cooking. Menus can be requested and discussed. Expenditure is recorded in a book, which clients settle and sign off before departure

* Air & boat transfers Reservations for connecting flights from Nairobi can be organized through African Spice Safaris

Shela Houses Full Board Option
Shela houses cook will do all your catering. He will bake bread, suggest menus and cook excellent Swahili fish dishes. Basic foodstuffs, fresh seasonal vegetables and fruit are available in the local Lamu market, while other supplies are flown down from Nairobi. Fish, lobster, crab and fresh oysters come to the door or can be ordered. As with all the Lamu houses, the house staff are there to ensure you have everything you need, when you need it. Full board is Euro 50 per person, per day and Euro 25 for children under 12 years. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Shela Houses Self Catering Option
If you choose this option, the cook will still do all your shopping and keep a record of your expenditure for every meal he prepares for you. Please bring luxury food items and condiments with you. Fresh dairy products, meat and chicken are difficult to find in Lamu. Shela houses have a small supply of goods not available on the island for sale in our store.

Shela houses kitchens are well equipped with gas cooker, fridge, deep-freeze, bottle cooler, ice maker, ice-cream machine and liquidizer. Sodas and beer can be bought locally, Wine is locally available or we can help with an order from a Nairobi wine supplier. Spirits should be brought along with you.

Climate in Lamu
The weather in Lamu is hot and sunny from mid-July through to mid-April, with the hottest months between November and April. However, there is usually a good breeze all year round. May and June are the monsoon months, but they also have periods of good weather mixed with wild storms.

Boating while at the Shela House
Dhows, speedboats, ski boats and deep sea fishing boats can be hired for short and long trips. Scuba diving is available between November and March. A daily ferry service into Lamu town leaves at 9am and returns at 12pm.

Shela House Activities
* Lunch visit to Kipungani
* Watch a local football game

* Windsurf, bodysurf, sail and water ski

* Snorkel on the coral reefs off Manda Toto Island

* Discover the island’s history at the Lamu Museum

* Visit the Donkey Sanctuary and the Lamu Animal Welfare Clinic

* Dhow trip to the Takwa ruins, former home to the Shela village people

* Catch fresh fish from a dhow, which your crew will grill for you on the beach

* Walk along deserted beaches with extraordinary driftwood and sightings of dolphins offshore
* Explore the narrow streets of Lamu town with its ancient fort, its wood carvers, juice bars and donkeys