Jahazi House

Jahazi House was named after the historical large trading dhows that brought Lamu its trading wealth and stands right on the edge of the Indian Ocean in a large garden of frangipani, fruit trees and shrubs.

On arrival by boat, it is a two-minute walk on a makeka path up to the house. The house is built of coral block and is designed along traditional lines around an inner courtyard, which holds a private swimming pool that cools the public rooms and bedrooms. The entrance hall has a baraza area with a large cushioned day sofa and a dining area and leads onto the inner courtyard.

The four en-suite guest bedrooms are all accessed from the inner courtyard and have their own private verandas. At the back of the house overlooking everything, is the cool and spacious main bedroom. The bedroom has a private salon, en-suite bathroom and dressing area.

The kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering and separate from the main house. The verandas are furnished with writing desks, an occasional table, chairs and a traditional Lamu daybed. The covered baraza area behind the pool can also be used for an afternoon nap and leads through a carved door onto a wooden deck with two swing beds. The roof is one big terrace, partially covered with makuti to provide a shaded bar, eating and sitting area.

Frangipani, jasmine and lime trees have been planted in abundance around the house which comes fully staffed with a cook, a room and table steward, a laundress, a boat captain and a gardener. From the expansive, first floor makuti-covered veranda you can watch the dhows come and go, collecting sand and delivering coral blocks and fish.

On the main land lies Kenyatta Lake, an area with lovely indigenous bush and rich in wildlife, perfect for a safari. Guests who prefer to stay at Jahazi House can enjoy various water sports like swimming, fishing, skiing and ocean safaris.