Watamu Treehouse

Watamu Treehouse is situated on one of the most picturesque stretches of Watamu beach, ideally located right opposite the Coral Gardens of the Marine Park. There are no large hotels nearby, only private residences. Built high in the trees, its unique architecture affords a 360-degree panorama of the Indian Ocean coastline on one side and native forest on the other. Whether you prefer to take the house on a self-catering or full-board basis, you will be well taken care of by the friendly, professional and experienced cook and domestic staff.

Watamu Treehouse has four double bedrooms plus a star-bed on the roof. There are also a number of other beds and sleeping areas, such as those on the rooftop under the stars and the beach-deck down on the shore. The house is designed to sleep eight people, but can comfortably accommodate ten or even twelve. There is everything you need here for a wonderful holiday. Just bring yourselves and your toys. You can bring your own food for the cook to prepare, but if you choose not to, no problem. Daily deliveries of fresh seafood and produce, and anything from the local supermarket can be arranged. The kitchen is equipped with fridge, cooker, oven, deep-freeze, plus a good range of utensils and cookware. As this is also a family home, you will find high quality crockery, cutlery and glassware in the cupboards, as well as fine bed linen, mosquito-netting and towels.

The house consists of three towers in the trees, linked by bridges, stairways and ramps. Most of the building was deliberately set above the beautiful coastal forest, for the stunning views and the cooling breeze, and also to avoid unnecessary damage to the natural environment. The house has no windows, just frames around vistas of nature in all its glory. You share the forest with the birds, insects, small mammals, reptiles and primates. The forest boasts many indigenous trees common to the coastal strip, including beautiful baobabs and many examples of the remarkable bamba-kofi.

Both living and sleeping areas are situated just above the forest canopy, open to the cooling coastal breezes and the scintillating views. You sleep breathing the fresh air of the forest and awaken to the early morning calls of the wildlife, especially birds and sykes monkeys.

You have a choice of several verandas and a sublime rooftop space, all designed to accommodate both communal activities and private retreats from which to contemplate the beauty of the surroundings.

Watamu Treehouse was conceived by local artist and conservationist Nani Croze of Kitengela Glass, and it was she who built the original tower. A wall reaching three storey's up consists purely of her signature coloured glass. New towers and extensions were added by Paul Krystall and craftsman-builder Andrew Melesi in 2002. His fantastic use of local wood and plastering techniques further added to the organic feel of the place.