Kinondo Kwetu
Kinondo Kwetu is boutique beach lodge located on the exclusive Galu Beach to the south of the busy Diani Beach area on Kenya’s South Coast.
Kinondo Kwetu is an exclusive and upmarket beach property that has character and charm and offers a very personal service for a beach hotel. Whilst it is extremely comfortable, Kinondo does not offer modern 5 star opulence (a few of the rooms don’t have air-conditioning), but rather a tranquil, discerning environment which will be attractive to travellers seeking to avoid large resort hotels. Having used the word ‘tranquil’ above, it is worth pointing out that Kinondo is fantastic for families looking for a more exclusive beach stay, so during certain months of the year (July, August, October and December) you should expect there to be children on the property. With a beautiful beach, friendly and efficient service, good food and a wide variety of activities on offer, Kinondo is one of our favourite beach lodges and it fits really well at the end of a safari.
ACCOMODATION
Kinondo Kwetu comprises of a variety of guest accommodations.
The original main house, Mama Tina Villa, has three small rooms; a double en suite and two connecting singles with a shared bathroom, which we really only recommend for teenagers and children. Also in the main house is the main bar, lounge, library, internet room, dining room, large veranda and al fresco dining area. Next to Mama Tina are three en suite double cottages with king beds and en suite bathrooms set back from the beach, but close to the swimming pool on this side of the property. In front of the main house is a fourth cottage with a double bedroom and a connecting single room, sharing one bathroom.
On the beachfront is the two storey Ubani Beach House consisting of an en suite double bedroom upstairs with a private veranda and separate entrance; and an en suite double and connecting en suite single bedroom downstairs.
Mama Taa Villa was built specifically for guests and is slightly separate from the original family homestead. Mama Taa Villa is a big two storey thatched villa with a downstairs lounge area. On the ground floor there are three rooms each comprising a double en suite with an interconnecting second bedroom or lounge, that take up the width of the house with entrances from both sides. Also on the ground floor is the Borelius room which is 30 metres from the beach and has two bedrooms, sleeping up to five, and two bathrooms, making it ideal for small families. Upstairs is a large honeymoon double suite (Andersson Suite) that takes up one end of the villa. In addition, there are two en suite doubles interconnecting to a second bedroom / sitting room, and another large double en suite with balcony at the other end of the villa.
There is one large swimming pool by Mama Taa Villa with the PADI dive house, a pool mini bar, treatment room, changing area, sauna and showers. Overlooking the beach is an original Dhow boat containing a dining table (ideal for special dinners and sundowners), and an elevated massage and treatment banda with views over the sea. At the back of the property is a floodlit tennis court, a stable and paddock.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for Charging – Yes
Swimming Pool – Yes
Location
Diani Beach is Kenya’s foremost tourist beach, located some 30 km south of Mombasa. The beautiful 25 km long white-sandy palm tree lined beach stretches from Tiwi beach in the north to Galu beach in the south, and includes the small town of Ukunda which is serviced by a small airport (with direct flights from the Masai Mara and Nairobi). The area is known for its coral reefs, the nearby Shimba Hills National Reserve (the only place in Kenya where you can see the sable antelope), and for its black-and-white colobus monkeys. Kinondo Kwetu is located on Galu Beach in the far south of the area, which is quiet and exclusive.
Activities
At the property there is a water sports centre offering a range of activities including sailing, kayaks, snorkelling, water skiing, wake-boarding, scuba diving, and deep sea fishing. Due to the large tidal fluctuations, sea swimming varies but Kinondo do have a 150m pier out into the ocean for low/mid tide periods when the immediate shoreline is exposed. There are also tennis courts and stables where horses may be ridden along the beach or through the forest depending on your experience.
Located along the coast at Diani Beach are a number of quality restaurants and shopping centres, as well as a couple of interesting nightclubs and bars. Diani Beach is a popular water-sport destination with diving, snorkelling, wind surfing and kite-surfing, and sailing all available. Deep-sea fishing can also be arranged, although this is best a little south of Diani in the Pemba Channel. Other activities in the area include the Leisure Golf Club, cycling, and sailing dhow safaris.
Seasons
Kinondo Kwetu is closed in May and June each year.
Kinondo Kwetu is ideal for families seeking a more exclusive, personal beach resort and there are no age restrictions. There are several family suites consisting of two partitioned bedrooms, both with bathrooms attached, and the three bedroomed Ubani Beach House is a great option for families with older kids as it is made up of an en suite double bedroom upstairs, with a private veranda and separate entrance, and an en suite double and connecting en suite single downstairs.
Kinondo Kwetu Trust Fund was established to improve the quality of life for the people in Kinondo villages, where the average household income is among the lowest in Kenya.
The trust has three main activities: to operate the Kinondo Kwetu Hospital; to sponsor studies for children whose parents cannot afford to pay; and to support the local primary school.
Kinondo Kwetu clinic was originally established by the trust in November 2008, to meet the strong need for basic health care, treatment of malaria, HIV, TB, parasites, ante-natal care, deliveries, child care, vaccinations and provision of health information. Prior to this, the only health care accessible to the people of Kinondo was that provided by traditional medicine men. The clinic has now developed into a Level 4 hospital, employing over 100 people, meaning that all surgery, except on heart and brain, is done at the facility.
Whilst education up to the age of 8 years was made free of charge in Kenya in 2004, many schools struggled to find the resources to teach and accommodate children in buildings fit for purpose. The trust sponsors the salaries of more teachers to allow smaller class sizes, while also helping with improvements to the school resources which started with essential help to make the premises rain-proof with adequate light.
In Kinondo, very few parents can afford to send their children to high school, which has a knock on effect of children not being motivated to study at primary level. The trust secures sponsorship for students to continue their studies, in high school and in specialist schools for blind and deaf children.
The trust also operates outreach clinics to help treat and prevent parasite infections among school going children.
