Forodhani House

Beautiful beach front house, on Shela beach in Lamu, with stunning 270° sea-views on Indian Ocean. Stunning location and exquisitely finished.

Forodhani is backed by the village, facing the beach and jetty at the very spot where decades ago stood a watch-post (Forodhani in Kiswahili) that controlled the ships and passengers entering and exiting the LamuArchipelago.

Its location is truly stunning!

The house commands superb views of the arm of Indian Ocean that separates the islands of Lamu and Manda. It towers over the dhows and their crews sliding out to the ocean or returning to the quiet waters bordering Lamu town and Shella after a night of fishing in deep ocean. You have 270 degrees breathtaking but peaceful views of the to and fro of boats entering and leaving the archipelago!

Newly built in authentic swahili style and exquisitely finished, Forodhani House sleeps comfortably 10 to 13 people, in 5 ensuite bedrooms (3 double and 2 triple), all with stunning sea-views.

With lots of different areas to take it easy in (near the pool, in main lounge, in garden, dining room, or on barazza beds and seats, shaded or not, at ground, 1st or 2nd floors, in little lounge bar, or on top top terrace), it is really the ideal place to stay with family or friends (10 adults or 3 families), to relax, be lulled by the lapping waves and cooled by the gentle sea breeze which is so refreshing at these latitudes.

Here you will be able to relax (4 staff, among them a very good cook, to pamper you), enjoy the pristine white sand beach and its activities (sailing, swimming, snorkelling, windsurfing, fishing…), discover Lamu Old Town and Shela (the rich Swahili culture and its welcoming atmosphere)… But you will also be able to take the most of Nature, which is truly at its best here.

The house is white, with round or Arabic arches which frame sea views, sky at day or night, and sails sliding silently. Always magic! Palm trees, ylang-ylang’s, frangipanes, bougainvilleas add some colours and scents. And from Forodhani House, because of its particular location, the show is always there: you are having breakfast and you happen suddenly to see school of sardines jumping, trying to escape barracudas, or dolphins swimming up the Channel, or a friends’ dhow sliding from one arch to the other, or a fishermen boat coming from the open seas with load of tunas. It’s both relaxing and so interesting!

  • Stunning beachfront location, with 270° seaviews.
  • Built in authentic swahili style and exquisitely finished and furnished
  • 5 en suite bedrooms – sleeps 10 to 13
  • Garden and Pool
  • 4 staff, among them a great cook