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Jahazi House is a stunning villa decorated with exquisite taste in the most outstanding setting, a perfect retreat for total privacy and relaxation for families or groups of friends.
Jahazi House, named after the historical large trading dhows that brought Lamu its trading wealth, stands right on the edge of the Indian Ocean on two acres of garden. From the first floor makuti-covered veranda you can watch the dhows come and go, collecting sand and delivering coral blocks and fish. The house is built of coral block plastered in the local neru finish, tinted a soft ochre yellow. Designed on traditional lines around an inner courtyard, which holds a very private swimming pool, cooling the public rooms and bedrooms.www.crocodileracers.com
On the ground floor, there is a reception and dining area leading out to a wrap-around front veranda, sitting right on the beach. The boat moorings are immediately in front. The four bedrooms are all accessed from the inner courtyard and are simply furnished with ensuite shower rooms and their own private verandas. The verandas have a work desk, the occasional table and chairs and a traditional Lamu day bed. There is a guest/pool changing room and a covered baraza area behind the pool that can also be used for sleeping.
The roof is one huge terrace, partially covered with makuti to provide a shaded bar, eating and sitting area. There is a separate small covered massage room with trellised walls at the back of the building. Frangipani, jasmine and lime trees have been planted in abundance around the house, which comes fully staffed with cook, room/table steward, laundress, boat captain and gardener.
Accommodation
Jahazi House sleeps 10 there are four large double bedrooms and one twin room. They are all accessed from the inner courtyard and are simply furnished with ensuite shower rooms and their own private verandas. Up on the roof, overlooking simply everything, is a wonderfully cool and spacious master wing, with its private salon, ensuite dressing room and bathroom.
Childcare
Children of all ages are most welcome at Jahazi House. However, there are no specific child care facilities but babysitting can easily be arranged. It is possible to tailor food requirements to children's tastes and arrange for earlier meal times if required. Lamu and the coast of Kenya is a wonderful place for a family holiday with calm safe waters, endless activities and plenty of cultural interaction.
Facilities
Jahazi House has a very private pool in the courtyard just next to the beach. The house has a massage bed so treatments can be arranged to suit the requirements of the guests. There is a private speed boat with boat captain to use for a variety of water sports, fishing or visiting Lamu Town.
Activities
A variety of water sports are available at Jahazi House, including sailing, waterskiing, wake boarding, donuting and windsurfing. Guests can use their private boat and captain for these sports, whenever they choose and there are instructors available to assist beginners. You can take a leisurely sundowner sail in Kilindini, a luxurious dhow or learn how to sail Mafida, the small fishing dhow. Other activities on the Indian Ocean include deep-sea fishing, snorkelling and kayaking.
Services
Jahazi House is fully staffed including a chef - able to provide meals and menus of your choice. There is a boat captain for your private boat and instructors available to teach watersports. A babysiting/child minding service can be arranged. There are guides on hand to take you on excursions to the mainland or to Lamu town.
When to travel
The rainy season on the Kenyan Coast is generally May/June. So from July onward the weather is gradually getting hotter and dryer until March/April when it reaches the high 90's (over40 degrees C). Christmas/New Year is generally considered the peak season and the weather is lovely then with constant sunshine and gentle off shore breezes. If you want clear seas for diving then make your trip after August/Sept.
