An island house, surrounded by nature.
Lamu Archipelago - Kenya
Somewhere between the sea, the mangroves and the rhythm of island life
Mkoko is a private house on Manda Island, just across the water from Lamu Old Town and Shela village.
Four bedrooms, open spaces, a garden alive with birdsong and a treehouse woven into the surrounding trees.
A place to slow down, live simply and let the island set the pace.
The House
A home, not a hotel.
Four en-suite bedrooms for up to 8 guests, taken as one whole house. Whitewashed walls, exposed wooden boriti beams, thatched makuti roofs and natural materials. The house has been designed to make the most of its setting – opening onto the mangroves, tamarind trees and the sea breeze upepo. Verandas and open doorways mean you drift between the inside and outside all day.
See the houseThe Garden & Treehouse
The garden is part of the house.
Explore paths between frangipani, limes, flamboyant and Tamarind trees, grab a chair in the shade, or a table beneath the bougainvilleas. Walk up a flight of timber steps, to reach the treehouse, it's view level with the canopy. You choose the pace, it is somewhere to exercise, read, rest, watch the garden or simply listen to the birds.
Into the garden
Living with nature
An off-grid house, powered by the sun.
Life here follows the sun, shade, wind, rain, the tides and the seasons.
Living with nature
Idi & Happy Man House
The person who gives Mkoko its rhythm.
Next door to Mkoko is Happy Man House, home to Idi, who is part of the everyday life around the house — helping with the practicalities of island life and sharing his knowledge of Manda. He is the house manager at Mkoko, and an amazing cook.
Meet IdiManda & Lamu Archipelago
Quieter on Manda. Lamu Archipelago is just across the water.
Manda offers a quieter setting across the channel from Shela village. With its coral-stone houses, carved timber, donkeys (punda) and narrow streets, — crossings by boat becomes part of the stay.
Manda & Lamu Archipelago
What guests say
Mkoko is best described by the people who have stayed.
“The house is a great place if you want to be away from noise and distraction. A little paradise :)”
— Airbnb guest
Airbnb“Our stay at Mkoko House was magnificent. The house is full of character and was the perfect spot, quiet and pristine, for exploring the rest of Lamu.”
— Google Maps guest
Google Maps
Airbnb
4.87
30 reviews
Tripadvisor
5.0
44 reviews
Book direct
A place to slow down, gather and let the island set the pace
€250 per night for the whole house, or €1,400 for seven nights. Book directly with us. You'll be dealing with real people, and we're happy to help with the little questions that make a stay on Manda easier.