Kizingo Eco Lodge Lamu

Bandas

Each of the 8 bandas has its own personality and distinctive charm, celebrating an integral part of life and culture here on the island. Nestled among sand dunes framing the Indian Ocean, each banda is spacious and private, generously distanced from its neighbor. Crafted by local artisans, they have thatched roofs and window openings curtained with glass-beaded burlap or vibrantly coloured fabric. The bandas are positioned and designed to maximize views and draw in the beauty of the natural surroundings. Gentle cross-breezes, birdsong, and the sound of the ocean enhance the indoor-outdoor feel. The bandas – Mangroves, Corals, Sunset, and Tides, are built at ground level with beautiful wood-latticed coral brick flooring. They are accessed by stairs leading to wide-plank neem wood floors on stilts.

Mangroves banda

The mangrove banda is accessed at ground level past the flowing Casuarina tree walkway. Built on wood-latticed coral floors, it is a peaceful vibrant green forest. Retractable kindu shutters open to expansive views of sand mangroves framing the front dunes and channel. Enjoy a cup of tea while birdwatching from the swing bed or step outside and straight onto the dunes for a walk along the beach. An outdoor ladder provides access to the mangrove canopy. It is perfect for taking in a sunset or gazing at the stars. Wander through the indoor sand border, reminiscent of a meandering water channel, and imagine the molluscs, shellfish, and thousands of species of fish who live there. For privacy the interior space is lined with burlap curtains decorated with green glass beads.

Deep sea banda

From the day bed nestled in the generous front window balcony, take in a view of the magnificent sand spit formation we call The Corner, after which Kizingo is named. It is formed by the powerful forces of the Indian ocean meeting the Lamu channel. Soak in the sun or read a book as you relax on one of the many day beds set above the mangrove wood perimeter – you might just be able to reach out and touch a dune. Kinyika Island, where we snorkel the reef and swim with dolphins is just visible in the distance. The handsome neem wood floor is set on stilts and adorned with underwater-inspired plants such as Capparis Spinosa, Monstera, Snake Plant and Zebra plant.

Sunrise banda

Sunrise banda is an explosion of yellow, fuchsia and sky blue and is set on stilts with a neem wood floor. From bed, gaze out through large open windows to the east and soak in the orange hues of dawn’s twilight, a perfect way to start the day. Woven papyrus doors extending the length of the banda provide access to the balcony while flowing Casuarina trees frame the front staircase.

Sunset banda

Showcasing the spectrum of colour seen in the sky at dusk, Sunset banda is accessed at ground level and set on a wood-latticed coral floor. A Casuarina tree ladder leads to the south-facing joint balcony, from where SUNRISE may be directly accessed. Admire the view of the ocean-lined dunes and watch the sunset from the expansive west-facing window.

Dunes banda

Built on stilts and nestled in sand dunes, Dunes banda is a hideaway. This cozy space is set on a neem wood floor featuring a dune-inspired floor mural in the bedroom and dressing room. Waist-high retractable walls may be lowered to allow in more of the exterior landscape. Step outside and climb straight onto a dune for direct access to the ocean. Notice how the sand gently sinks then shifts, absorbing the shape of your footprints before you even have the chance to return from your swim or walk on the beach. Enjoy a refreshing outdoor shower under the shade of a Doum Palm tree. Soak in the tranquil seclusion, gentle breeze and dune vegetation as you relax on the day or swing bed alongside desert plants such as Garden Croton and Spotted Aucuba.

Tides banda

Tides banda has a 360 degree views of the front and back sand dunes. Built on a wood-latticed coral floor, it is lined with woven palm leaf walls and decorated with colourful hand-carved fish made from recycled wood in Lamu town. Both the balconies, accessed by Casuarina tree ladders, provide panoramic views to both the Indian Ocean and the back dunes. Gently sway on the swing bed overlooking the enclosed front garden and take in the myriad sounds of the water as the tide moves in and out. You may just dream of dancing sea foam waves created by the forces of the Indian Ocean meeting the Lamu channel at high tide, or of the beautiful, marbled sand formations left behind when the tide is out.

Night sky banda

Night sky banda is our starry-night indigo blue shelter with 360 degree views of the surrounding dunes. Built on stilts with a neem wood floor, Night sky banda features braided palm-leaf walls framing open windows, inviting in Africa’s dark sky. Woven kindu doors open on to a star bed balcony, leading to expansive views of the front dunes and Indian Ocean, the perfect spot to lay back and gaze at the sparkling night sky, long gone lights and shooting stars. It was these very stars, constellations and planets that for centuries guided Arab sailors as they traveled by dhow between East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula trading gold and spice. Should you prefer to spend the night indoors, fall fast asleep while gazing up at star lights suspended from the thatched-roof ceiling.

Corals banda

The Corals banda is built on a wood-latticed coral floor and has 2 doors, a south-facing double door leading to the main path and a west-facing door providing direct access to the dunes and channel. Retractable kindu shutters open to allow expansive views to the north and west. A mangrove wood balcony stretching the west face of Corals banda is accessible by outdoor ladder. Relax on the floating day or swing bed and you may just be inspired by some of the many gifts of corals. Soak in the vibrancy of this coral oasis all the while surrounded by succulents such as Mother of Thousands, Coastal Rosemary and Barbeton Groundsel. A starfish floor lamp made from coconut husk enhances the warm indoor glow as evening sets in. For privacy the interior space is lined with burlap curtains decorated with pink and coral glassbeads.

Kazuku bar and restaurant

Sustainability

In keeping with our sustainability ethos, we provide biodegradable hair and skin products, shower gel, toothpaste, and bamboo toothbrushes. Hand-crafted organic sunscreen and mosquito repellent is on hand along with aloe vera gel for after sun skin care. We recycle our water so ask that it not be wasted, but with a solar unit next to each banda you will always have plenty of hot water. The bandas all come with a JBL speaker and mobile phone loaded with the Kizingo guidebook, drinks and snacks menu and a selection of playlists for every mood. Extension cords including USB ports are provided for charging phones and laptops.

Solar

With abundant sunshine on the island, Kizingo relies on solar power for its energy. Each banda is fitted with its own solar unit ensuring sufficient hot water and electricity 24/7.

Water

The corner of the island is blessed to have its own sweet water source, accessed by well only a few meters from the ground. All water at Kizingo is clean and safe to drink straight from the tap.

Low visitor footprint

Nestled in sand dunes, the lodge has no roads or artificial paths, only soft sand walkways we navigate barefoot unless the midday sun requires a shoe. Visitor impact on the environment is minimal with guests arriving by boat and, after being greeted, walk the short distance along our shoreline to the lodge.

Traditional craftsmanship

All the structures were built by local craftsmen using traditional materials. Palm, coconut, and mangrove wood are used for building and furniture; palm fronds known as mkeke, woven by women from our local village, serve as interior wall coverings and headboards. Traditional thatched makuti roofs are made of strung coconut leaves.

Composting

We compose the organic waste from the main and staff kitchens to feed the growing vegetable and herb garden. The head gardener, Alex, manages it.

Resident goats and chickens

From time to time, you may encounter our resident herd of handsome goats out foraging for food on dune vegetation. We use their delicious milk, along with fresh eggs from the chickens daily in the kitchen.

Recycle and upcycle

We strive to minimize packaging and waste at all points across our operations, from sourcing food to waste disposal. When possible, we recycle or upcycle waste.

Zero plastic

Here at Kizingo we strive for a zero-plastic policy, and you can count on never seeing a plastic water bottle on offer. Through our community organisation KBCD we actively work 2-3 times per week to collect and recycle plastic we find washed up on the beach.

No AC and TV

Who needs artificial air-conditioning when soft cross-breezes blowing through your banda create the perfect temperature and atmosphere? And if the thought of a TV never crosses your mind, well you’re likely in very good company.

Paperless systems

Eliminating any need for paper, Kizingo has tailored a full digital customer experience from booking to check-out designed to make your guest experience smooth and hassle-free. For convenience, each banda comes with its own cell phone loaded with contacts to our bar & restaurant, Information Desk and Guest Relations specialist.

Eco cosmetics

In keeping with our sustainability ethos, we provide biodegradable hair and skin products, shower gel, toothpaste, and bamboo toothbrushes. Hand-crafted organic sunscreen and mosquito repellent is on hand along with aloe vera gel for after sun skin care.

Juamwezi Pamoja foundation

In 2021 Kizingo established its foundation, Juamwezi Pamoja, with a mission to support the people of our local village and wider community. Loosely translated from Kiswahili the name means sun and moon, we are all in this together. The foundation has begun implementing programs related to education, health, and the environment including support for a primary school and health clinic in Kipungani village. The foundation is also developing plans to support local food, sanitation, and mental health initiatives. To help offset the harvesting of mangroves needed for building Kizingo the foundation, as part of its mangrove forest rehabilitation program, will plant 1,000 mangrove trees with an eye to expand from there.

Community partners

In cooperation with local partners, Kizingo has established Kizingo Beach Cleanup Drive, or KBCD. KBCD works to collect and remove plastic and other trash from the beaches, recycling them when possible. Over time, plans include the installation of plastic-to-art recycling machines in Kipungani village. Kizingo is working to support a local project related to syntropic farming – growing a diversity of vegetation while simultaneously restoring the ecosystem. A local farmer has donated one acre of land for the project, with the aim of educating and encouraging local farmers to embrace more natural and sustainable farming practices.

The team

We celebrate each member of our team without whom Kizingo would not be what it is. Some of us were born on the island of Lamu while others come from Malindi or other towns along the Kenyan coast. With the word Swahili deriving from the Arabic term Sawāhili, meaning off the coast, we think of ourselves as one Swahili family. We look forward to sharing with you this special corner of the world we call home.