We are thrilled to announce that MANDA BAY will re-open on 1st December!

The lodge is fully booked from 4th - 18th December, but has space in the second half of the month.The directors, Fuzz Dyer & Andy Roberts, have been working around the clock together with the guidance of International security experts, on new security measures and an effective network in the Lamu area for quick response and early warning systems.

A large investment has been made into security at Manda Bay. We have gone to great lengths to retain the usual care free, relaxed atmosphere while providing the necessary security including a discreet presence of security personnel stationed in the lodge.

Manda Bay in November and December is just glorious - the sea crystal clear, the snorkeling wonderful and the fish in the bay are filling up. We have had lovely rain so everywhere is green and the wild animals are all looking wonderful.

Due to the recent attacks and kidnapping of two foreigners in the Lamu Archipelago, tourism has diminished extensively and Manda Bay has been closed until we were able to evaluate the risks and take precautions to be sure it does not happen again.

Lonnie Howell, who has been a visitor to Lamu for many years and owns land on Manda, has agreed to help finance a privately operated fast response boat. This comes as the first step to investors in the region to help with additional security in the Lamu district.

We had a wonderfully festive Christmas and New Year with lots of really super and fun guests staying. The wind never got up for the entire 2 weeks so we had picture perfect weather.

The fishing has been excellent with plenty of Black Marlin and Striped Marlin and Sailfish coursing the waters and although Cheza has not been out everyday, when she has the homecomings have been triumphant. A Grand Slam is no longer such a difficult accomplishment these days – perhaps this is thanks to the Somali pirates and not having trawlers fishing our waters. Who knows??

We have had unprecedented rain in October and our total expected rainfall in one month, which has been fabulous.  The grass is green, the buffalos are delighted and although our guests were not sunbathing for a few days when it seemed to rain all day, we did manage to still have fun even if it was in bar and in the dining room and not out snorkelling!

With another season complete at Manda Bay, we’d like to thank you for your continued support, and especially for those of you who have visited us this year, it has been lovely to see you. Times are tough and we are tightening our belts in the hopes of riding it through without having to cut down on staff, etc. – especially when jobs are so scarce around this area at the best of times.