If you’re looking to get away from it all then you’re coming to the right place – Kiwayu has to be just about the furthest you can get from civilization whilst still having cold beer on hand! This classic camp, some 50km north of Lamu on the Kenyan mainland adjacent to the Dodori Game Reserve, was one of the first of the “barefoot luxury” beach lodges that East Africa has become so famous for.

The pioneer was an Italian professional hunter, Alfredo Pelizzoli, who set this up as his hunting camp in the old days when herds of elephant still roamed the beaches here. When hunting was banned in the late ‘70’s, he kick started the concept of the back-to-nature beach lodge. Kiwayu remains true to that philosophy with its 18 bandas constructed using the traditional methods of the local Bajuni tribesman – palm thatched roofs, woven matting floors and not a nail or glass window in sight.

The bandas are all very open and airy giving you magnificent panoramic views of the aquamarine waters of the bay below and cooled by the sea breezes. Relax on your spacious, private thatched veranda where the comfortable hammock and Lamu bed invite you to chill out for an hour or three. The suites themselves are enormous with 12 of them possessing some of the most enormous super king-size beds you can imagine (the other 6 bandas have twins) There’s also a spacious dressing area, twin basins, safari shower, flushing toilets and bidet.

Kiwayu has to be just about the furthest you can get from civilization whilst still having cold beer on hand! The bandas are spread amongst the dunes and palms overlooking an unspoilt turquoise bay which beyond its physical beauty also plays host to some great activities – it’s perfect for windsurfing or sailing or you can board the lodge’s Jahazi or dhow to explore the archipelago and perhaps picnic in far-off coves with cold crab, lobsters, fresh bread, wine and fruit; there’s world-class fishing in the mangrove shallows or record breaking sailfish, marlin and tuna in the deep; great snorkelling off the coral heads; or just take a stroll on the endless beaches and dunes where you may catch a glimpse of lesser kudu in the surrounding bush.

Of course if you’re less energetic there’s always the option of relaxing with a good book in the comfortable hammock of your banda’s veranda and just soaking up the sheer tranquillity and seclusion of it all. But if you looking to really have the ultimate Robinson Crusoe experience, then perhaps a couple of night’s at the lodge’s wonderfully romantic “honeymoon suite”, the Baobabs of Kitangani, standing in splendid isolation on an island about 3 km across the bay from the main lodge and nestled amidst the baobabs that line the 1km stretch of private beach…

It's difficult to imagine finding a more isolated setting - perfect if you really want to get away from it all!

Absolutely huge rooms with plenty of places to crash with a good book

Some of the best deep sea fishing on the planet lies literally on your doorstep

Great beach bar is the perfect place to chill over an ice cold Tusker after a tough day on the water

Not the easiest lodge to get to - requiring another flight from Lamu

At this type of price some people may be looking for more luxurious appointments