About Kijani Hotel
Located directly at the sea front with two fresh water swimming pools. Kijani Hotel Lamu has 10 rooms spread throughout the garden into three small separate traditional Swahili buildings which formerly were private homes.
Two aquamarine pools glow gently in the shade of giant kunazi trees, small tables and beach chairs lie in the shade of a profusion of different species of palm trees, and flowering flamboyant and yellow oleanders branch out over large terraces that face the ocean. ‘Kijani’ means green in Kiswahili, at once invoking the colour of Islam, the small hotel’s verdant gardens, and new growth.
Swiss owner Pierre Oberson created Kijani House to revive the tradition of stone Swahili houses and create an authentic retreat for visitors looking to experience Lamu’s past. It took Pierre more than ten years to rebuild the hotel from the ruins of three old houses, and he used only traditional methods and materials in the restoration.
Kijani’s rooms and gardens are filled with antiques or handmade replicas of the furniture, lanterns, ornaments, and utensils that graced the stately houses of Lamu’s past. Copies of Old Portuguese lanterns hang from white archways. An arrangement of ceramic water pots stand – used to carry oil and water aboard ships centuries ago – stand under the shade of a palm tree. Members of the village even borrow Kijani’s ceremonial chair, crafted from hardwood and wickerwork on the nearby island of Siyu, for weddings and special occasions.
Photos & Rooms
Room 1
Room 2
Room 2 b
Room 3
Room 3 b
Room 4
Room 4 b
Room 5
Room 5 b
Room 6
Room 6 b
Room 7
Room 7 b
Room 8
Room 8 b
Room 9
Room 9 b
Room 10
Room 10 b
Kijani View from Above
Kijani House Pool View
Accommodation
True to the atmosphere of a Swahili house, Kijani’s rooms and central areas emphasize the aesthetics of privacy and space. Each room has a private veranda shaded from sight by arabesque archways and trees. The 10 rooms are vast and cool, shards of sunlight and ample breeze welcomed through tall shutters.
A canopied Swahili bed stands beside antique cupboards and tables coloured with hand-painted Indian tiles and painted glass.
In the bathroom, intricately carved mirrors set off the sensuous effect of the walls, ceiling, and floor in warm ochre, its heady oriental effect heightened by shafts of light filtering through shutters from the world outside. Kijani House offers a retreat from the bright bustle of Lamu’s waterfront – a lush oasis of green gardens, pools, and cool rooms in all their Swahili splendour.
Kijani restaurant offer an exotic selection of seafood, Swahili dishes and a touch of Italian cuisine. Fruit and vegetable are coming from the Kijani small farm in the middle of Lamu Island.
A good selection of Italian and South African wine’s are available from the cellar.
Features
Rooms: 10 (8 double rooms, 2 suites)
Restaurant: Open from 7:30am to 21:30pm
Swimming Pools: 2
Location: Beachfront in Shela
Rates for Kijani Hotel, Shela Village
| Bed & Breakfast | |
| Double Standard | €175 |
| Double Superior | €220 |
| Single Standard | €125 |
| Extra Bed (0-2) | €0 |
| Extra Bed (3-11) | €40 |
| Extra Bed (12 -) | 40% off regular room rate |
| Children under 12 not sharing | 75% off room rate |
Christmas & New Year minimum stay 5 nights. Breakfast 12 Euro.
Reservations & Fine Print for Kijani Hotel
- The hotel is closed for off season May & June
- All prices include Vat, levy, service charge, boat transfers to the hotel and return
- 50% deposit required at time of booking
- Balance due 30 days prior to arrival
- The Hotel will not honour a booking if the deposit & full payment is not received prior to arrival
- The Hotel reserves the right to make amendments to the rates in the event of any increases in taxes, levies, statutory charges or any other input costs
