Lamu is a must do especially after the Africa safaris experience

This enchanting Kenya Island is commonly referred to as the world’s sleepy village, probably the oldest African living town. Lamu has retained its charm and character built over centuries and most recently declared by the United Nations as a world heritage site.

The Portuguese invaded Lamu in the 1500s and Kenya only became independent in 1963 and until the 19th century slave trade, timber and spice export was Lamu’s economic pillar, now tourism plays a huge role. The beauty of Lamu is that there are presently no cars in the island, every man owns a donkey, the one without is commonly referred to as one.

Lamu is amazingly away and forgotten from the modern outside world there is no better place to be if you ‘really’ need to get away. Especially after that Kenya safaris experience.

Children and women sit and play quietly in the narrow street that reminds one of the old Zurich town. All houses have a rooftop which is used as a patio indicative of a society where ‘hanging back’ and ‘catching the breeze’ is very important.

A one hour scheduled flight from Nairobi land you at Manda island then a 10 minutes boat ride gets you to either Lamu town or shella village. Both are very accommodative, the locals will smile and waive to welcome all in coming visitors and the homely feeling immediately sets in.
First class comfortable hotels are spread out thought the island, private three or four bedroom homes are popular to many families or friends wishing to have some privacy, for approx US$ 200 per day, you get a beach front private 3 beadroom house, comes with a cook and cleaner, give it a try at The Banana house. read more

Kenya community based eco lodges initiative hit top of the world list

Community eco lodges in Kenya are fast becoming hot spots for the authentic travelers, holiday makers or first timers who are glad some well informed travel consultant somewhere was resourceful enough to bring to their attention the existence of these amazing small accommodation alternatives in Kenya.

These Kenya safaris destinations though priced above the average tourist lodges, have hit the top most level in terms of value, service and purpose. Wildlife and conservation is now a viable alternative land use that compliments the traditional pastoralist for most indigenous local people, mainly the maasai and samburu tribesmen thus creating employment within the local communities and providing a structure for future ecological positive developments and growth of the tourism industry in Kenya.

So finally, you don’t have to ponder on how you can assist the locals native people living in the remote grasslands of Kenya, these tribesmen can now sustain themselves and get the kids going to school for the fist time instead of looking after the family cattle, they will also now have access to clean water.

All you need to do to make this a reality is to enjoy their hospitality in a world class lodge and sure enough you will have indirectly funded a homestead somewhere within your lodge location.

The profits that come out of these comfortable luxurious and rustic ventures will be divided amongst the locals and will help support the local schools, water supplies and other group ranch operations.

Illi ngwesi lodge in Laikipia, northern frontier district is built with local materials, organic in character with only six attractive bandas raised from the ground, large double beds that may be rolled out for a night under the stars. Breath taking views makes the lodge a classic and a must visit.

Crowned by British airways as a winning initiative, the lodge has been seen as the role model in community based tourism in Kenya. The trained maasai host look after the lodge and their visitors with great care and attention, the revenue from the lodges is divided amongst the locals and help support nearly five hundred house holds..read more