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For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni
For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni 

Things to do in Kenya

Kinondo Kwetu: the Swahili-style boutique beach resort

What’s really special about Kinondo Kwetu is its location between the white sands of Galu Beach and ancient Kaya forest …

By Daniel Heatly
Senior Product Executive for Alfred&

Come to Kinondo Kwetu for barefoot luxury set among sacred Kaya forest on the Swahili Coast. All the resort’s villas and cottages are dotted around the grounds and cooled by a natural sea breeze. It’s a bit Robinson Crusoe with thatched roofs and wooden ladders, all set among the trees. There’s no TV or Wifi in the rooms so it’s a real digital detox, yet you’ll enjoy five-star features like a yoga deck, spa, tennis courts and two pools. I was just blown away by the property.

What’s really special about Kinondo Kwetu is its location. It’s set between the white sands of Galu Beach and ancient Kaya forest land which is filled with birdlife and monkeys. The local Kinondo people believe their ancestors live among the trees – you may even see them holding ceremonies and rituals in the forest. You’re spoilt with views of the Indian Ocean and since the cove is cut off by a headland, it’s like you’re on a private beach. Turtles even come here to lay their eggs at certain times of the year.

The boutique beach retreat is owned by a Swedish family related to Baron Blixen, who was the husband of Out of Africa author Karen Blixen. However, it’s designed in Swahili style, with lots of African art, hand-carved furniture and paintings. Every room is unique and each night, you’ll dine in a different, secluded location; it could be on the beach, in the forest or in your villa, with plenty of fresh seafood on offer.

One of my favourite things about Kinondo Kwetu is the personal service. Concierge can arrange all of your activities, whether you want to snorkel in the Marine National Park, go on a game drive in the nearby Shimba Hills National Park or take a whale-watching trip. There are stables too, so you can go horse riding on the beach and there’s also an on-site dive centre. The water is amazingly clear and the sand is sugar-white – it’s just a fantastic place to relax at the end of a Kenyan safari.

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Alfred & Daniel Heatly

Upon leaving university, Daniel blindly placed a pin into a map (we kid you not!) to select South Africa as the first destination he ever travelled to. This was the beginning of a 23 year love affair with African travel. Subsequent adventures have taken him to Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, meeting new people and discovering new experiences along the way.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Becky, who's travelled extensively in Kenya. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the safari rangers, local village chiefs and camp managers you'll be talking about for years to come. Start planning today, call us, email an enquiry or arrange a phone or video appointment for ideas and advice.

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