Our take
The Cabanas is a small, solar-powered retreat on Kizingoni Beach, on Lamu's quieter south-western coast. Seven individually crafted cabanas, shared dining and easy access to sailing and wellness create a relaxed alternative to a conventional beach hotel.
Coral, makuti thatch, carved Swahili doors and locally crafted furniture give the cabanas their coastal character. The setting is spacious and informal, with a long stretch of beach and a programme that can be as active or as quiet as you choose. This is a retreat built around outdoor living, communal meals and the island's rhythms. Lamu Town and Shela can be visited by boat, but the everyday atmosphere here is more secluded.
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A closer look at the accommodation, atmosphere and setting.
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01
Accommodation
Seven cabanas vary in size and layout. Lokahi and Aloha each sleep two; Moana, Makai, Malama and Ohana each accommodate four. Kailani is the largest, sleeping six across three en-suite bedrooms, with a central living room and private infinity pool. Its bedroom arrangement spans upstairs and downstairs. Other cabanas have their own living and outdoor spaces, with the shared swimming pool providing a separate place to swim and relax.
02
Food & drink
Full board includes three meals a day. Breakfast is relaxed, with coffee and fresh juices at the Cabana Café, while lunch is served in dining pods overlooking the pool and ocean. Dinner is generally a communal occasion at the Captain's Table. Fresh coastal fish, biryani, homemade bread and pasta feature, with vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements accommodated on notice.
03
What to do
Dhow sailing, paddleboarding and water-based activities such as wakeboarding, kneeboarding and waterskiing follow the day's tides and conditions. Beach walks offer a simpler way to enjoy the setting, while boat visits to Lamu Town and Shela bring historic streets and village life into the stay. Snorkelling is more favourable in the calmer season. Yoga, breathwork and massage provide options away from the water, and evenings can gather around the fire pit.
Planning your stay
Four cabanas accommodate four guests, while three-bedroom Kailani has space for six and its own pool. Layouts differ, so the choice should reflect children's ages and sleeping needs. The larger cabanas give families more living space than a single hotel bedroom.
Handcrafted cabanas and a quiet Kizingoni setting give the retreat a distinctive identity. Communal dining brings guests together without a formal resort routine. Kailani provides a larger private-pool option while retaining access to the retreat's shared facilities.
The final arrival is by boat after flying to Lamu. The property runs on solar power, and its beach setting is shaped by tides and seasonal winds. Water activities are planned around daily conditions rather than guaranteed at a fixed time.
Compare the alternatives
Explore the accommodation and setting of each property before choosing your combination.
Lamu
Manda Bay is a relaxed, family-run beach lodge on the northern tip of Manda Island. Its open-air cottages, sailing and watersports make this a coastal stay shaped by the sea, rather than a conventional resort.
Explore the property
Lamu
Peponi is a family-run hotel on the waterfront at Shela, where Lamu's village life meets a long sandy beach. Individually styled rooms, seafood dining and a sociable terrace give it a character quite different from a secluded resort.
Explore the property
Lamu
The Majlis is a beachfront hotel on Manda Island, facing Shela across the water in the Lamu Archipelago. Thirty-nine rooms and suites, varied dining and boat-based excursions offer a coastal stay that combines beach time with the area’s cultural life.
Explore the propertyMake it part of a journey
A stay of several nights leaves space for sailing, wellness and simply enjoying the beach after safari. Choose a cabana around sleeping arrangements and the value you place on a private pool. Compare Kizingoni's quieter setting with Shela if village restaurants and shops are a priority.
These journeys are starting points. We adapt the route, accommodation and length of stay around your plans.
Explore Lamu or read our Kenya seasonal guide.
Your questions
Seven cabanas vary in size and layout. Lokahi and Aloha each sleep two; Moana, Makai, Malama and Ohana each accommodate four. Kailani is the largest, sleeping six across three en-suite bedrooms, with a central living room and private infinity pool. Its bedroom arrangement spans upstairs and downstairs. Other cabanas have their own living and outdoor spaces, with the shared swimming pool providing a separate place to swim and relax.
Dhow sailing, paddleboarding and water-based activities such as wakeboarding, kneeboarding and waterskiing follow the day's tides and conditions. Beach walks offer a simpler way to enjoy the setting, while boat visits to Lamu Town and Shela bring historic streets and village life into the stay. Snorkelling is more favourable in the calmer season. Yoga, breathwork and massage provide options away from the water, and evenings can gather around the fire pit.
Four cabanas accommodate four guests, while three-bedroom Kailani has space for six and its own pool. Layouts differ, so the choice should reflect children's ages and sleeping needs. The larger cabanas give families more living space than a single hotel bedroom.
A stay of several nights leaves space for sailing, wellness and simply enjoying the beach after safari. Choose a cabana around sleeping arrangements and the value you place on a private pool. Compare Kizingoni's quieter setting with Shela if village restaurants and shops are a priority.
Tailor-made Kenya
We will explain how it compares with the alternatives and whether it fits your preferred dates, route and pace.
Start planning