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Diamond Beach Village - Manda - Lamu
Diamond Beach Village is situated on the island of Manda, which is the sister island of Lamu. Lamu town is said to be the oldest town in east Africa. The dominant Arabic influence is evident in the town's architecture with beautifully carved doors and some notable mosques. Lamu town has recently been granted World Heritage status and the local museum has a fine collection of artifacts.
There are no cars on Lamu or Manda, the only form of transport is donkey or boat, both of which are an experience in themselves. The pace of life is inevitably slow and relaxed. The island is located roughly three degrees south of the equator therefore you can guarantee that perfect island getaway, whether it is lazing in your airy banda, on the beach or exploring the surroundings.
The lodge is located on the beach front with amazing views of the ocean, Lamu Island, Shella village and dhows sailing past. It is the perfect place to come and relax for days or weeks, away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Tell Me More About Diamond Beach Village Located On Manda Island, Lamu Archipelago, as an Indian Ocean Island Beach Accommodation in Kenya
• Diamond Beach Village offers an alternative to the concrete hotel, more of a rustic Robinson Crusoe experience. The lodge works very closely with the local Swahili people taking into account their culture and only using local methods and materials to create a refreshing, eco-friendly, alternative style holiday.
• Diamond Beach Village has six beach huts called bandas, one family size that sleeps four to eight. The five other bandas have a double bed downstairs and a single bed mounted in the roof, each has a front porch and en suite shower and sink. All bandas are provided with bedding, mosquito nets and towels.
• The lodge also has a tree house to rent. It sleeps between two and six people, with wooden floors, branches coming through the walls and a large veranda on the first floor stretching right around the tree, where drinks can be brought to you. It is an amazing experience to be lying in bed in a baobab tree watching the birds fly by with a view across the village over to the dunes of Lamu Island.
Culinary and Dining Experience At Diamond Beach Village Located On Manda Island, Lamu Archipelago
• The restaurant seating area is shaded from the sun with large palm thatched umbrellas, conveniently situated with a fantastic view of the Indian Ocean. Diamond Beach Village's two experienced chefs prepare a variety of dishes from traditional Swahili cuisine to more conventional western and vegetarian foods. A must for breakfast is pancakes and fruit salad with fresh coffee or Chai tea made from local spices. Or, if you have worked up a real appetite with a morning swim or walk, then a basil and tomato omelet may take your fancy.
• Lamu's best kept secret is its freshly caught sea food: Lobster, king prawns, crab, red snapper, tuna, squid, and much more are on the menu each day. Or perhaps try the traditional African barbecued goat or chicken.
Indian Ocean Beach Vacation Experience and Activities At Diamond Beach Village Located On Manda Island, Lamu Archipelago
• Relaxation: The giant clamshells erected around the lodge act as birdbaths and attract a colorful array of beautiful birds at both dawn and dusk. Sit and watch them play as you relax and enjoy your drinks. Or lie under the shade of the acacia trees on the swing beds and hammocks, while listening to the lap of the Indian Ocean, a ten second walk away. At dusk Diamond Beach enjoys the full view of some of the most breathtaking African sunsets. When night falls you can find your way back to your banda, lit by the shimmering light of a billion stars, over 180 degrees of perfectly clear sky. Or perhaps enjoy a moonlight swim where the shimmer of the phosphorescence is truly spectacular.
• Snorkeling: Diamond Beach Village has a coral reef conveniently situated stones throw from the beach. It is a safe and easy way for kids of all ages to view the underwater world. There is a vast array of colorful fish that inhabit this reef and everyday there is something new to see. Snorkeling trips can also be arranged to a larger reef, which is an hours boat ride away. If you are lucky you will see schools of dolphins playing around the boat.
• Walking: A 10 minute walk along the shore line leads you to the point of Manda where the open sea meets the island. Along the way it is possible to see the colonial history of Lamu district evident in the ruins with rusty cannons inside. Dhows sail past but it is unlikely you will meet another person on this rugged stretch of coast. The resident dog, Mambo, will keep you company and amused as she chases crabs along the way. You can also take a guided walk to the ruins of an old Swahili settlement, Takwa, which was built in the 16th century. This walk takes you through the heart of the island where dik dik (small deer) roam. You also pass the quarry where locals cut out the coral by hand for their traditional building blocks. The local guide, Hamid, has lived on Manda all his life and is the perfect person to quiz on Manda's history.
• Windsurfing: The channel that divides Lamu from Manda provides the ideal opportunity for windsurfing. You can guarantee the wind will pick up at midday (a blessing when lying on the beach) making perfect conditions for windsurfing. Lessons and equipment are available from Shella. Another sport that is becoming popular is kite surfing; the conditions are ideal and so bring your equipment, as there is none to hire, as yet, in Shella.
• Sailing: Sailing is the traditional mode of transport along the east African coast. The beautifully crafted dhows with their huge sails are a great way to get around. Sailing through the channel is a wonderful way to view the African sunset.
• Fishing: For those who like to pass the days fishing then this is the place to fish off the beach or from the back of the boat on the way to Lamu or Shella. For the more enthusiastic, trips can be arranged to the open ocean either on a dhow or on a modern speedboat with all the top of the range equipment. Anything caught can be cooked just the way you like it by the chefs.
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