Stay
Come for the coast. Stay for the feeling.
Mkoko is taken as a whole house, which makes it particularly suited to families with children (including young kids) and groups of friends who want somewhere of their own — space to spread out, and no one else to share it with.
It is a characterful coastal house rather than a hotel. There is no reception, no restaurant and no programme. What there is instead: 4 bedrooms, a garden, a treehouse, a cook if you would like one, and the luxury of time. A traditional Swahili baby cot is available for the youngest guests.
Everything else is agreed personally, so the stay works for the people in it.
- The entire house, to one group at a time
- Four en-suite double bedrooms, up to 8 guests
- Fans in every room — no air conditioning
- Kitchen, fast Wi-Fi and garden
- Daily housekeeper service and garden care
- A cook is available; meals can be arranged
- Dhow trips and airport transfers can be arranged
- Off-grid: solar electricity and rainwater harvesting
- A traditional Swahili baby cot is available for our youngest guests
Services are arranged in advance and are not automatically included in the nightly rate. We confirm the details with you before you book.
Practical
Good to know.
- How many people can stay?
- The house sleeps up to 8 guests in 4 double bedrooms, each with its own bathroom.
- Is the whole house private?
- Yes. Mkoko is rented as an entire private house, to one group at a time.
- How do we get to Mkoko?
- Mkoko House is on Manda Island in the Lamu archipelago, a short walk from Manda Beach. Shela Village is just 5 minutes across the water by boat, while Lamu Town and Manda Airport are around 20 minutes away. Our own boat and captain are available during your stay during the day and into the evening, making it easy to get around — whether you're heading to Shela for dinner at Peponi, exploring Lamu Town or simply going to the beach. Airport pick-up and drop-off can also be arranged.
- What is included in the price?
- The rate is for the entire house. Daily housekeeping and garden care are part of the household, a cook is available, and there are fans in every room. There is no air conditioning. Please contact us and we'll confirm this for your dates.
- Can meals be arranged?
- Yes — a cook is available and meals can be arranged. Menus, shopping and costs are agreed with you directly before you arrive and throughout your stay.
- Can activities be arranged?
- Traditional dhow trips and help with getting around the archipelago can be arranged locally. Nothing is included in the nightly rate unless agreed in advance.
- Is the house suitable for children?
- Mkoko suits families and groups of friends. As with most houses on Manda and Shela, there are however numerous stairs and open spaces; our own children have been spending time there since they were babies and the stairs have some protective elements including textile barriers and anti-slip carving on the steps. For our youngest guests, parental guidance and a prudent eye is recommended. A traditional Swahili baby cot is available for the youngest guests and there is one room with two separate beds. Tell us the ages of your group and we'll talk through what works.
- What are the check-in and check-out times?
- Check-in is from 2:00 pm and check-out is by 12:00 pm (noon).
- What is the cancellation policy?
- Cancellations made 30 days or more before arrival are fully refundable. Cancellations made less than 30 days before arrival are non-refundable.
- Is the house off-grid?
- Yes. Mkoko is off-grid: electricity comes from solar panels and rainwater harvesting forms part of the water system.
- Is Wi-Fi available?
- Yes. The house has fast Wi-Fi that supports remote work, video calls and conference calls, or streaming movies when you want to unwind.
- Is there air conditioning?
- There is no air conditioning. Mkoko was designed around coastal airflow, high thatched roofs, open spaces and shade, and every room has a fan.