Luxury villa to rent in Manda Island, Lamu, Kenya

The most romantic gem of a cottage opposite the Peponi Hotel.

Nestled directly on Mada Island’s beachfront, opposite the Peponi Hotel, this gem of a planation inspired cottage sleeps 1 or 2 couples. Adapted to the local climate and specifically to catch the tropical breeze under high ceilings and louvre shutters.

The main house is open plan with a double bedroom area set to one side of the living space. The guest cottage is equally comfortable and has a private terrace. Both are beautifully decorated.

Surrounded by numerous verandas and terraces, a plunge pool and mature gardens the cottage has direct beach access.

The house comes with a 9metre hardwood canoe with a distinctive 1030’s vibe. There is a generous mattress on the bow for sunbathing or sunset tours with a coffee table for picnics towards the rear. The boat is available for the duration of the stay and will be waiting at the airport when guests arrive andis strictly for use with the Captain.

 N.B. Syngué Sabour Cottage and Guest Suite is solar powered therefore the use of hairdryers, air conditioners and other high-consumption electronics is not permitted.

A private house to rent on the Borana Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya

Beautifully designed and built entirely from sustainable materials, this exclusive-use house sits in the centre of the Borana Conservancy, famous for its rhinos and riding safaris.

Lengishu is a stunning new house located on Kenya’s newest and most successful private rhino conservancy, Borana. The private home is completely sustainable in design and was built to blend into its natural surroundings. With sweeping views across the Borana-Lewa landscape and into Northern Kenya, it’s difficult not to fall in love with this house.

The main house is central to the design with a large entrance hall leading to the sitting and dining rooms, which is warmed by two large open fireplaces with glorious views and an impressive vaulted ceiling. A covered veranda with a pizza oven allows for outdoor luncheons or evening entertaining. A studio with floor-to-ceiling windows and inspirational views is nestled below.

All the bedrooms are spacious with an open, uncluttered design and have en-suite bathrooms with rain showers and freestanding copper bathtubs. The floor-to-ceiling windows open on to the views beyond, making the most of a spectacular setting and allowing for bathtub game viewing.

There is never a dull moment at Lengishu – stay at the house and watch wildlife from the gorgeous infinity pool while sipping a G&T, play pétanque in the grounds or partake in a relaxing massage, the choice is yours.

Alternatively, enjoy daily game drives on the hunt for the big five, hop in a helicopter and explore the frontiers of Northern Kenya, go horse riding in the foothills of Mount Kenya, or venture out on foot with a conservancy ranger to spot black and white rhino.

A luxury villa to rent on Shela beach, Lamu, Kenya

A traditional Swahili house of whitewashed terraces and Arabic arches, sitting right on Shela beach with 270-degree views of the ocean.  

Built in authentic Swahili style, Forodhani House is a large whitewashed villa situated on a 12km stretch of pristine white sand on the beautiful island of Lamu.

The house has five en-suite bedrooms, all with shaded terraces and magnificent ocean views. The ground floor comprises a large kitchen, where the excellent cook works her magic, a beautiful dining terrace, a spacious lounge and a pool that looks out across the ocean.

Inside, everywhere is beautifully decorated, with a carefully curated a mix of hand-woven rugs, light curtains, antique coffee tables and old wooden chests. There are plenty of lounging areas, terraces, shady verandas and welcoming day beds, as well as Arabic arches that frame the sea and sky and remind you where you are.

Once outside you’re immediately struck by the 270-degree views of the ocean, and it’s not uncommon to look up from the breakfast table and spot schools of sardines jumping to escape barracuda, or dolphins swimming up the channel.

The village of Shela is right behind the house and has a great collection of markets and shops. Guided tours of Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO-listed site, can also be arranged.

Or you may simply want to spend your time on the beach. You can walk for miles along soft white sand from the steps of the villa, or try your hand at anything from kitesurfing to kayaking. Turtles come to nest and lay their eggs on these beaches, and you can even spot humpback and blue whales in season.   

A grand colonial house to rent in Laikipia, Kenya

This colonial-era house offers breathtaking views of Mount Kenya and is within easy reach of the best wildlife viewing in Laikipia.   

As a Kenyan wildlife destination, Laikipia is second only to the Masai Mara, and Mukima House is perfectly positioned for exploring its patchwork of privately owned ranches and wildlife conservancies.

By day you can track the Big Five at Ol Pejeta, watch black and white rhino at Solio or Lewa, or view game from the saddle at beautiful Borana, then return each evening to the comfortable sanctuary of your own private house. Treks up nearby Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest mountain, can also be arranged, along with helicopter flights above the gorgeous Rift Valley.

The house itself is set in tropical gardens with expansive lawns and offers eight en-suite bedrooms, a games room, an office with a broadband connection, a large kitchen and store, laundry room, cloakroom, drawing room, dining room, a generous entrance hall and an upstairs gallery.

There’s also an open terrace on the first floor – perfect for sundowners while watching egrets fly home to roost against the backdrop of Mount Kenya. Just as stunning on clear mornings is the sunrise, which silhouettes the mountain against a sky of pink and blue. The front of the house has a large, wrap-around veranda used for daytime dining.

The rooms are comfortably furnished with local, Lamu and imported Javanese pieces, which all combine well and compliment the formal aspect of the house.

Facilities include a large oval swimming pool, a separate children’s pool, a pool house with covered eating area, bar, sauna, exercise room with massage area and a tennis court.

The generous farmhouse food is fresh and wholesome, with homegrown fruit and vegetables often the stars of the show.

The live-in staff ensure your every requirement is met quickly and discreetly, and love to entertain visitors with a Samburu-style dance on the lawn – something of a Mukima House tradition.