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Manda Bay
Manda Bay
Manda Bay
Manda Bay
Manda Bay
Manda Bay
Manda Bay
Manda Bay
Manda Bay
Manda Bay
Manda Bay

About Manda Bay

Manda Bay is a luxury beach lodge located on Manda Island, 12km from Lamu airport.

Formerly the Blue Safari Club, an exclusive island escape owned by an Italian musician Bruno Brighetti, the lodge was bought in 2003 by the Dyer and Roberts families, both long associated with safaris in Kenya, and transformed into a peerless, castaway retreat.

Manda Bay stands out as Kenya's best barefoot beach hideaway. We love the huge, breezy rooms, the sense of space and tranquility and the lavish range of activities on offer. The food is fantastic and the can-do attitude of the management and staff, who make huge efforts to ensure every guest does exactly what they want to, combined with the tremendous array of activities available, makes this beach base very seductive indeed.

Our view

Manda Bay stands out as Kenya's best barefoot beach hideaway. We love the huge, breezy rooms, the sense of space and tranquility and the lavish range of activities on offer. The food is fantastic and the can-do attitude of the management and staff, who make huge efforts to ensure every guest does exactly what they want to, combined with the tremendous array of activities available, makes this beach base very seductive indeed.

Elizabeth Chapman

Elizabeth Chapman

Kenya expert

Accommodation

22 rooms

Children

Good for all ages.

Open

All year

Activities

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Boat trip

Scuba-diving

Scuba-diving

Snorkelling

Snorkelling

Watersports

Watersports

Traveller reviews of Manda Bay

2 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


100%
2 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
2
Good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mr & Mrs SfromSiskind

Arrived 1 Feb 2024, 4 nights

"Manda Bay review"

"A wonderful place to relax after the hectic Safari . …" Read Mr & Mrs S’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

N&CfromPoole

Arrived 14 Jan 2024, 3 nights

"Manda Bay review"

"Very well spaced rooms. Very private. Lovely huge room. …" Read N&C’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Manda Bay reviews

Manda Bay: Our full report

Manda Bay is a luxury beach lodge located on Manda Island, 12km from Lamu airport.

Formerly the Blue Safari Club, an exclusive island escape owned by an Italian musician Bruno Brighetti, the lodge was bought in 2003 by the Dyer and Roberts families, both long associated with safaris in Kenya, and transformed into a peerless, castaway retreat.

You'll be met at Lamu Airport by a member of staff from Manda Bay and helped to the jetty with your luggage. Manda Bay has a good selection of fast boats and the journey – up Lamu Creek and around the landward side of Manda Island – normally takes about 30 minutes. You pass close to dense mangrove forests and through the Mkanda Channel, a narrow neck of water that was dredged a few years ago to allow boats to pass through at all states of the tide: formerly Manda Bay was only accessible at high tide.

The final approach to the lodge is across deeper water (prepare to be sprayed) and you crunch onto the beach with a view of palm trees, parchment-coloured walls, thatched roofs, natural driftwood sculptures and colourful cushions.

The main central buildings at Manda Bay consist of a spacious bar and lounge area and a shady dining terrace, both built to the edge of the tall, yellowish 600-metre sea wall that protects the site. At low tide, you can jump straight onto the sands: at high tide the waves lap right up to the bar. There's almost always a breeze and always a view across the sea to the east to Manda's diminutive neighbour, Manda Toto (“Little Manda"). In recent years a new port has been built on the mainland, far across the water from Manda, which does impact the views a little, but we didn't find to be overly obtrusive. To date the port sees negligible traffic and appears to be something of a white elephant.

Eleven beach-front rooms are spread out behind the sea wall directly on the waterfront, with five palm rooms and six garden rooms scattered among the palm trees and gardens behind. You can approach the rooms from behind through the palm trees, or at low tide walk along the beach, climbing up using one of the graceful semi-circular staircases dotted along the sea wall.

The main beachfront rooms are instantly recognisable as very accomplished examples of the style – not just palm matting over a mangrove-pole frame but stylishly plastered walls as well – with none of the slightly scruffy feel of some similar lodges. Vast in extent, light, breezy (with huge window spaces hung with curtains for extra privacy) and simply yet attractively furnished with rugs and cushions, they are delightful residences just to relax in. There's a hanging day bed over the veranda, plenty of seating, a dressing table as well as a writing desk, luggage stands and clothes storage.

The beds have full-length mosquito nets and there's a ceiling fan above.

The large bathrooms are stylishly fitted out, with double washbasins, Cinnabar Green natural toiletries, jugs of filtered drinking water, standard flush toilets and large, walk-in showers.

Over the whole building, a graceful, steeply pitched framed roof of neat makuti tiles provides the much-needed cooling shade and air circulation.

The rooms may be pretty special, but at Manda Bay it's all about being outside. Waking at the crack of dawn, wrapping a woven kikoi (provided) around you and trotting out across the sands as the sun breaks over the horizon is a memorable experience. And when you come back to your room, there's a giant clam shell footbath by the veranda to wash off the sand.

If engrossing yourself in a book, staring out to sea or taking photos of palm fronds against a cerulean sky aren't your bag (and plenty of guests do spend most of their time here doing very little), there's a comprehensive range of activities available. On land, you can go for a jog (accompanied by a suitably fit member of staff) or walk about 15 minutes to the nearby ruins of Manda town, a 9th–13th centuary Swahili port which once had an estimated population of 3,000 and covered an area about 400m wide. It's a fascinating spot to explore before breakfast while it's cool. You need to be accompanied: Manda's resident buffalo herd live in the area, along with bushbuck, dik-dik and a wide variety of snakes. For more gentle activities, there is also a yoga room, spa and games room.

As for marine activities, Manda Bay has lots of water sports “toys" – some included in the rates, and others available at extra cost. Generally speaking, non-motorised equipment is free to use: anything that needs to be towed or driven you will have to pay the fuel for. The lodge is well equipped for deep-sea sports fishing (which you'll need to request when booking a stay, and which only takes place during the November to April season) and, surprisingly, fly-fishing all year round. Other sports include water-skiing, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing (qualified kite instructors can be brought in on request, or you can visit the nearby kite school, during the kite-surfing seasons, which are mid-Dec to end Mar and mid-May to Oct) and sundowner excursions.

There are excellent snorkelling spots around Manda Toto, a 15-20 minute boat ride from the lodge, and Manda Bay has a storeroom full of masks, snorkels and fins – you just select whatever fits.

Geographics

Location
Kenya Coast, Kenya
Ideal length of stay
3 days-plus
Directions
Manda Bay is a 30 minute boat trip from Lamu airport's jetty. If you're arriving by charter flight you will land at the lodge's own airstrip, just a few hundred metres away. They have a little 4x4 and will meet you.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board
Food quality
Lots of seafood typifies Manda Bay's menus. The food here is a highlight, always good and sometimes truly outstanding. For lunch, we had delicious fresh crab, served undressed and with an array of accompaniments. The meal was signed off with a watermelon and ginger sorbet.

Dinner on the beach near the pool started with bitings of little curried prawns in their shells. The we got stuck into a fabulous coconut fish soup which was followed by a light spaghetti dish. Warm chocolate cake rounded off a really delicious meal.

Breakfasts are always light and fresh – lots of fruit and well-prepared cooked breakfasts.

Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Dinner is usually eaten on the beach below the swimming pool; breakfast and lunch on the dining terrace. Dinners hosted by the manager are the norm, but it depends on the makeup of the guests. Room service can be provided on request.
Drinks included
Drinks are extra and relatively pricey for Kenya. You’ll pay around US$5 for a beer, about US$8 for a glass of decent house wine (not plonk) and US$4//6 for singles/doubles of standard spirits and mixers. Good wines start at around US$32 a bottle.

Special interests

Honeymoons
For a remote and luxurious Kenya honeymoon with a castaway feel, Manda Bay is the perfect choice. The rooms are huge and breezy and have swinging daybeds on the veranda. The service is excellent, the food is delicious and there is a lavish range of activities on offer.
See ideas for Honeymoons in Kenya

Children

Attitude towards children
Children are very welcome and Manda Bay often hosts families of all ages.
Property’s age restrictions
None
Special activities & services
Children enjoy being here – with the safe sands to run around on at low tide, when there’s a lot of space for ball games and frisbee. The swimming pool is ever-popular, though the water is a bit saline, just like the shower water, and it can get very warm. Just behind the pool there’s a pool table, table tennis and darts. They sometimes organise “hunter-gathering" expeditions for children – looking for tiny clams or vongole in Italian.
Equipment
Clip-on high chairs and lots of baby cots are available.
Generally recommended for children
We would highly recommend Manda Bay for children – with the proviso that if your children need an environment with lots of other children to be happy on holiday, then you should check in advance to see if other families are booked.

Communications

Power supply notes
The generator is rigged to inverters and batteries, allowing lights to be available 24 hours a day. Charging is best done in the main areas.
Communications
There is mostly good Safaricom and Airtel mobile phone network, though in some rooms you need to walk around to find the best spot. Wi-fi for guests is available in the main areas only.
TV & radio
There is no television for guests, but the staff have TV and a plan can be made when very important sporting events are taking place.
Water supply
Other
Water supply notes
Manda Bay has access to some private wells, and the water is desalinated through reverse osmosis. Drinking water is included and perfectly safe and pleasant to drink. The water used for laundry, showers, wash basins and loos is slightly saline.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
The management are first-aid trained and there are very comprehensive first aid kits on site. There are usually also lodge aircraft on site and they have their own private airstrip.
Dangerous animals
Moderate Risk
Security measures
Manda Bay has very comprehensive security arrangements.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers in every room and fire hydrants between every two rooms. Fire-training has yet to be done with staff, however.

Activities

  • Birdwatching

    Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

    Boat trip

  • Scuba-diving

    Scuba-diving

  • Snorkelling

    Snorkelling

  • Watersports

    Watersports

Extras

Disabled access
On Request
Laundry facilities
Laundry is included – hand-washed, line-dried and ironed.
Money
Foreign exchange could be provided on request.
Accepted payment on location
All major currencies (US dollars, Euros, Pounds sterling and Kenyan shillings) are accepted for cash payments. MasterCard and Visa credit cards are also accepted, with no surcharge.

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Manda Bay's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Manda Bay.


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When to go to Kenya Coast

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Manda Bay in Kenya Coast


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Kenya in January

Clear, hot days and warm nights make this high season a popular time for safaris and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling as water clarity is excellent and gets better as the dry season progresses. Most lodges and tented camps treat January after the New Year week is over, as mid-season, making it a good compromise in terms of value for money with reasonably reliable, dry weather and some greenery left in the landscape.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in January, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, January is the second driest month of the year
  • Elephants dig waterholes in the dry riverbed in the Samburu reserve.
  • Wildebeest and many antelope have their calving season, to February.
  • Migrant birds are seen in huge numbers, especially in the Rift Valley.
  • Sea water clarity around the coral reefs generally good.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in January

Kenya in February

With the short dry season well established, the grass grazed down and wildlife gathering close to water points, this is still a good time for a safari. Good water clarity in the Indian Ocean's coastal waters makes for excellent diving and snorkelling conditions.

Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in February, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the weather and seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

  • On average, February is the driest month of the year.
  • It’s sometimes possible to swim with whale sharks at Diani Beach.
  • Migrant birds are still seen everywhere, especially near water.
  • This is usually peak calving season for wildebeest and many antelopes.
  • This month is often the hottest of the year, especially on the coast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in February

Kenya in March

Hot, increasingly humid weather – with good diving and snorkelling conditions at the start of the month – gives way to rains and lower accommodation costs. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in March, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and predicting the seasons since the beginning of this century has been difficult.

March is the month when – traditionally – intensely hot conditions build up until a cloudburst finally happens at the end of the month or in early April, to relieve the humidity. As ever, regional variations across the country can greatly impact on visitors' experiences.

  • Sea-water clarity is best for diving before the long rains start.
  • Visitor numbers are low, though the Easter holidays can be busier.
  • Night skies can be scintillatingly clear in early March.
  • Cropped down savannah grasses can make it easier to see the wildlife.
  • Temperartures climb high, especially at lower elevations.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in March

Kenya in April

April sees the full onset of the southeast monsoon wind or kusi, which heralds the long rains. Temperatures drop soon after the rains are established and you’ll often have facilities largely to yourself in this more affordable low season, sometimes known as the "green season". The bush quickly springs to life, with greenery sprouting almost before your eyes. While you're likely to get a fair number of heavy showers, the breaks in the rain can yield sparklingly clear conditions.

With the dust settled and bright sun piercing the clouds, conditions can be sublime for photography, especially first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon with another storm brewing. You may be lucky, or you may find conditions very wet and muddy.

  • A wet month, the coast often gets more than 300mm (12in) of rain.
  • Sunny spells can provide great light for photography.
  • Buffalo and zebra calving season often happens in this month.
  • Baby crocodiles hatch, for example on Central Island in Lake Turkana.
  • Palearctic migrant birds gather to fly north to breeding grounds.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in April

Kenya in May

While game viewing can be trickier as vegetation runs riot, between the cloudbursts the colours and light are great for photography at this time of year. Expert Africa bases its description of climate and weather in May, like the other months of the year, on the climate records of roughly the last 100 years, and while it's reasonable to expect heavy rains in many parts during this month, especially on the coast, the rains don't always come evenly or in some areas come at all.

In an El Niño year, the so-called long rains that normally are established across much of the country by May can be meagre, to the despair of farmers. On the other hand in a La Niña year, the long rains can bring floods. On the coast, the monsoon winds make the climate much more predictable, with heavy rains common throughout this month.

  • Frogs breed in the ponds in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest near Watamu.
  • Wildebeest, impala and other grazers are in rut (the breeding season).
  • Kilimanjaro looks its best as heavy rain falls as snow on the summit.
  • There's a sharp peek of rainfall on the coast with many rainy days.
  • Accommodation prices are uniformly low, while some camps close.

Our view

A time to avoid if possible

Weather in May

Kenya in June

The rains give way to cloudy, cooler weather, often making for comfortable conditions by the end of the month, especially in the highlands. Starting from mid-June or the beginning of July and running until the end of October, this is the high season, and accordingly has higher accommodation rates and – at least until early September – higher numbers of visitors.

While the early part of June can often be rainy on the coast, it can be a great time to go on safari, with fresh greenery, many young animals and good photographic conditions with clear air.

  • The Taru Desert, inland from the coast, is carpeted with flowers.
  • The Lake Turkana Cultural Festival is held in Loiyangalani.
  • Madaraka Day (commemorating self rule) is 1 June.
  • The annual Lewa marathon runs a course through the wildlife.
  • The Diani Rules "sports" event rips up the rulebook at Diani Beach.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in June

Kenya in July

Kenya’s “winter" season sets in (winter is a misnomer but locals feel the change), and the highlands can be rather grey. Skies are often cloudy and the days can be surprisingly cool, with an average daytime high in many highland safari areas of 15-20°C and night-time temperatures dropping below 10°C in Nairobi and the highlands. Lower parts of the country and the coast are usually warm and dry, typically reaching highs of around 25°C with lows in the high teens.

As this is the start of the high season, coinciding with the usual arrival of the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara, July is a busy month. Ask your Expert Africa specialist to advise on how to avoid the crowds, which is not that difficult to do.

  • The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Maasai Mara in July.
  • Simbi Lake (Kisumu) and Crater Lake (Naivasha) can attract flamingoes.
  • Watersports start to pick up and some surfing is possible at Malindi.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms are a common feature in the Maasai Mara.
  • The sea can be choppy along the coast, making diving difficult.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in July

Kenya in August

The Great Migration fills the plains of the Maasai Mara, and school’s out, so the park roads are full of tourists – ask your Expert Africa specialist for advice on crowd avoidance tactics. Choose a private conservancy rather than a public national park or national reserve for quieter conditions.

Like July, August is generally mild and relatively dry in the safari areas, but it can be very chilly in the highlands, even in the middle of the day, and hail occasionally falls above altitudes of around 2,400m (8,000ft). Nairobi can be disappointingly overcast, with low cloud.

  • Apart from Christmas holidays, this is the busiest month of the year.
  • Late August sees peak wildebeest drama at the Mara River crossings.
  • Coastal winds are good for kite- and wind-surfing.
  • Few mosquitoes are around at this generally dry time of year.
  • The annual Camel Derby takes place in the Samburu capital, Maralal.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in August

Kenya in September

The skies clearing of cloud signals the start of hot, dry weather with little chance of rain – and, after the first few days of the month, far fewer visitors – making the latter part of September a good time for a quieter safari. While early September is often good for dramatic migration crossings along the Mara River, you might consider deliberately postponing your trip until later in the month, when the migration can still be very impressive and visitor numbers fewer.

If tourist surges are somewhat predictable, however, the patterns of the wildebeest migration are more volatile, and like all of Expert Africa's climate and weather assessments, they are based on accumulated years of experience rather than guaranteed certainty.

  • This is still high season, with prices to match.
  • Many river crossings take place on the Mara river in both directions.
  • Natural bush fires flush out insects and small animals for predators.
  • The Rift Valley Music Festival takes place by Lake Naivasha.
  • With school holidays over by early September, late-month is quieter.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Kenya in October

Still hot, mostly dry and not too busy, this is many people’s preferred month for a safari, and it’s also good for diving and snorkelling. The wildebeest and zebra herds of the great migration are often still to be seen, though in dwindling numbers. The swamps of Amboseli attract thirsty wildlife including large herds of elephants.

While we wouldn't expect much rain across most of the country this month, the climate has become so unpredictable that you can never say never, and the possibiity of the short rains – usually associated with November to mid-December, starting early, can't be discounted.

  • This month sees the tail end of the great migration in the Mara.
  • Palearctic migrant birds start to arrive, staying until March.
  • Turtle nests hatch at Watamu, until November.
  • Amboseli elephants focus on the swamps for their daily water.
  • The Indian Ocean monsoon winds turn from southeast to northeast.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Kenya in November

The northeast monsoon wind or kaskazi heralds the start of the “short rains", usually some time in the second half of the month. From November to mid-December, this is the low season, and accordingly has lower accommodation rates and lower visitor numbers. Across most of the country you can expect warm, somewhat cloudy weather, with occasional heavy showers and localised flooding.

Expert Africa bases its description of the climate in November, like the other months of the year, on the records of roughly the last 100 years, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable: some years the short rains don't come at all, or don't reach every part of the country. In an El Niño year, the November short rains can be very heavy, but in a La Niña year, they can fail completely.

  • Swimming with dolphins in Lamu can be done from now until April.
  • Birders gather at Ngulia in Tsavo West to ring Palearctic migrants.
  • The Lamu Cultural Festival takes over the town and Lamu Creek.
  • Agricultural shows often take place regional market towns.
  • This is low season, so camps can be great value, with special offers.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Kenya in December

In a typical December, the rains usually finish by middle of the month, leaving the landscape looking its best, under clear blue skies, and heralding the start of the second peak tourist season from around 20 December to the first week of January. Our assessment of the likely weather in December, like the other months of the year, is based on climate records, and it's fair to say that the seasons since the beginning of this century have been highly irregular and unpredictable.

Christmas can sometimes be wet, but most years the rains have finished a week or two earlier, with the festive season ushering in the perfect combination of clear skies and sunshine by day and starry nights.

  • Christmas and New Year are busy, with the lodges and camps full.
  • Rates are highest after 24 Dec, with supplements on public holidays.
  • Republic Day and Independence day are celebrated on 12 December.
  • Good kite- and wind-surfing restarts, with strong northeasterly winds.
  • Mango season begins, providing excitement for primates and elephants.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in December

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