Reviews of Kinondo Kwetu
Wildlife sightings and reviews
29 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Kinondo Kwetu and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Mr F
Exmoor Somerset
"Kinondo Kwetu stunning!"
6 nights Arrived 18 Sep 2022
"Such an amazing well run peaceful location to finish off an outstanding holiday experience.
Stunning accommodation with beautiful views of the ocean.
Friendly and accommodating staff a pleasure to be with.
Amazing food imaginatively created and executed. Loved experiencing different locations and settings around the grounds.
Such a friendly yet tranquil atmosphere.
Loved enjoying the spa and health facilities.
Perfect!" See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Stunning accommodation with beautiful views of the ocean.
Friendly and accommodating staff a pleasure to be with.
Amazing food imaginatively created and executed. Loved experiencing different locations and settings around the grounds.
Such a friendly yet tranquil atmosphere.
Loved enjoying the spa and health facilities.
Perfect!" See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr S.
Cheltenham
"Kinondo Kwetu review"
5 nights Arrived 30 Aug 2022
"A peaceful final stop for our holiday, after being out on safari we were content to just relax and this was the perfect place for that.
Each day we saw at most a dozen other guests and easily as many staff members, making this the ideal place to go for a quiet break. The secluded strip of beach meant that the only people outside the site we saw were the occasional passing fishermen.
The staff were all very polite and friendly, working hard to make sure we had everything we wanted. The food was excellent, always a set lunch and dinner of mostly seafood due to the location, written up in advance so you have opportunity to request something else. I'm quite a fussy eater but never had to ask for something different.
This was such a lovely place we were sad to leave to travel home." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Each day we saw at most a dozen other guests and easily as many staff members, making this the ideal place to go for a quiet break. The secluded strip of beach meant that the only people outside the site we saw were the occasional passing fishermen.
The staff were all very polite and friendly, working hard to make sure we had everything we wanted. The food was excellent, always a set lunch and dinner of mostly seafood due to the location, written up in advance so you have opportunity to request something else. I'm quite a fussy eater but never had to ask for something different.
This was such a lovely place we were sad to leave to travel home." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Surrey
"A little bit of paradise on the Kenya coast. "
3 nights Arrived 18 Jul 2022
"Kinondo Kwetu is a little bit of paradise on the Kenya coast.
As you drive through the discreet wooden gates you are warmly welcomed and that welcome continues throughout your stay.
The staff are extremely friendly and hospitable. Nothing is too much trouble. Even though the meals were absolutely delicious, they catered very well for our fussy teenager. The accommodation is rustic but comfortable. The bedroom outdoor terraces are lovely.
Three beautiful days by the sea and a perfect end to our stay in Kenya." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
As you drive through the discreet wooden gates you are warmly welcomed and that welcome continues throughout your stay.
The staff are extremely friendly and hospitable. Nothing is too much trouble. Even though the meals were absolutely delicious, they catered very well for our fussy teenager. The accommodation is rustic but comfortable. The bedroom outdoor terraces are lovely.
Three beautiful days by the sea and a perfect end to our stay in Kenya." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Mr V
Birmingham
"Kinondo Kwetu review"
3 nights Arrived 17 Jul 2022
"Wonderful beach front setting, accommodation was carefully thought out by the Swedish owners and fitted in with the setting especially the African furniture and created the ethos for a relaxing stay.
Snorkelling trip was excellent.
Staff were very accommodating and thoughtful throughout, went the extra mile, for example getting in a specific type of wine when requested I would describe this as a luxury boutique lodge rather than hotel as a hotel would have a wider menu." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Snorkelling trip was excellent.
Staff were very accommodating and thoughtful throughout, went the extra mile, for example getting in a specific type of wine when requested I would describe this as a luxury boutique lodge rather than hotel as a hotel would have a wider menu." See all these reviews: 10n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr S.
Chester
"Kinondo Kwetu review"
4 nights Arrived 23 Mar 2022
"Fabulous small hotel, lovely room - they up graded us to a suite.
Rather odd eating arrangements - no dining room as such so moved around to different locations each evening. Dinner on top of water tower not a good idea - food cold by the time it got there and had to eat sitting on the floor - difficult to cut meat! Food excellent.
Very helpful staff, nothing too much trouble.
For the price, I was disappointed to be charged extra for a group yoga session." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Rather odd eating arrangements - no dining room as such so moved around to different locations each evening. Dinner on top of water tower not a good idea - food cold by the time it got there and had to eat sitting on the floor - difficult to cut meat! Food excellent.
Very helpful staff, nothing too much trouble.
For the price, I was disappointed to be charged extra for a group yoga session." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr and Mrs B
London
"Kinondo Kwetu review"
8 nights Arrived 9 Feb 2022
"After our safari we decided to stay in Kenya and go to the beach for some relaxation. Kinondo Kwetu was the perfect place to do this.
The location and setting is stunning, the staff fantastic and the food is some of the best we have had. From all our research then this is the most luxury you will find on the Kenya coast and so if this is a special trip (ours was our honeymoon) then I’d highly recommend Kinondo. The one downside is that a lot of the activities incur an extra cost but kayaking/tennis are free and if you are happy to just eat/drink and relax then that’s not a problem.
Aside from the amazing staff and food, a lovely touch is you move around for each meal and experience different places to eat.
It’s worth doing some research on the rooms, we had a night in a beach cottage which was lovely albeit a bit rustic but luckily we were upgraded to a suite for our honeymoon which was very nice." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
The location and setting is stunning, the staff fantastic and the food is some of the best we have had. From all our research then this is the most luxury you will find on the Kenya coast and so if this is a special trip (ours was our honeymoon) then I’d highly recommend Kinondo. The one downside is that a lot of the activities incur an extra cost but kayaking/tennis are free and if you are happy to just eat/drink and relax then that’s not a problem.
Aside from the amazing staff and food, a lovely touch is you move around for each meal and experience different places to eat.
It’s worth doing some research on the rooms, we had a night in a beach cottage which was lovely albeit a bit rustic but luckily we were upgraded to a suite for our honeymoon which was very nice." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Lancs
"Kinondo Kwetu review"
10 nights Arrived 8 Feb 2022
"Nice rustic lodge but have to be aware families come here did spoil the serenity a little
Accommodation was good but a little rustic
Food was good although a little repetitive although having said that they do offer to cook you something different if you ask and they are happy to do this." See all these reviews: 19n in Kenya
Accommodation was good but a little rustic
Food was good although a little repetitive although having said that they do offer to cook you something different if you ask and they are happy to do this." See all these reviews: 19n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Lucy & Richard
London
"Heavenly Kinondo Kwetu "
7 nights Arrived 16 Jan 2022
"Really lovely resort - white sand - a causeway across the coral so you can see the wildlife without getting wet (!) - shady trees - excellent food and lovely, lovely, staff - spectacular architecture - huge spacious accommodation - huge pool - we had a happy lazy week here that ended too soon.
Only slight criticisms are (1) that it is quite a trek into town - although the resort was so lovely that you really didn't want to leave it it's always nice to see how the locals live and (2) boat trips seemed eye-wateringly expensive.
But, honestly, I can't think of any other resort I'd so like to return to." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
Only slight criticisms are (1) that it is quite a trek into town - although the resort was so lovely that you really didn't want to leave it it's always nice to see how the locals live and (2) boat trips seemed eye-wateringly expensive.
But, honestly, I can't think of any other resort I'd so like to return to." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr B
London
"Wow. What a beautiful place!"
3 nights Arrived 25 Nov 2021
"Wow. What a beautiful place. Rustic but luxurious rooms, a choice of two pools and when we visited the sea was 32 degrees! Yes, really!
Fantastic food and extremely friendly and kind staff (who are very good at making cocktails!) They move the location of dinner to a different beautiful spot every evening!
We were really pleased to see that the whole lodge was in the process of switching to solar power, and it really felt like an environmental theme was quite prominent. It's also worth noting that the lodge is quite far out of town, and as a result it is extremely private - you can walk out on the beach and often have it all to yourself.
We did two dives while staying at Kinondo Kwetu, and the boat picked us up right from the beach. We were lucky to see turtles, anglefish, trumpet fish, crocodile fish and even huge shoals of sardines. Having dived in both, I would say the reefs are in substantially better condition than down the coast in Zanzibar.
We also took a visit to the nearby sacred forest. If you do one thing (in between eating and relaxing), you must visit the incredible forest just a few hundred meters away. We were shown around by a local student who was a fountain of knowledge about the wildlife, trees , medicinal plants and indignous groups that lived in this area. There are so few patches of coastal forest left, do take the opportunity to see one - and the very modest $10 entrance fee is a worthy contribution to its preservation. If you like birds, ask to go early in the morning!
Next time, I think we would start our trip at the beach to relax and unwind, before then setting off on our safari. That way around might be even better!" See all these reviews: 15n in Kenya
Fantastic food and extremely friendly and kind staff (who are very good at making cocktails!) They move the location of dinner to a different beautiful spot every evening!
We were really pleased to see that the whole lodge was in the process of switching to solar power, and it really felt like an environmental theme was quite prominent. It's also worth noting that the lodge is quite far out of town, and as a result it is extremely private - you can walk out on the beach and often have it all to yourself.
We did two dives while staying at Kinondo Kwetu, and the boat picked us up right from the beach. We were lucky to see turtles, anglefish, trumpet fish, crocodile fish and even huge shoals of sardines. Having dived in both, I would say the reefs are in substantially better condition than down the coast in Zanzibar.
We also took a visit to the nearby sacred forest. If you do one thing (in between eating and relaxing), you must visit the incredible forest just a few hundred meters away. We were shown around by a local student who was a fountain of knowledge about the wildlife, trees , medicinal plants and indignous groups that lived in this area. There are so few patches of coastal forest left, do take the opportunity to see one - and the very modest $10 entrance fee is a worthy contribution to its preservation. If you like birds, ask to go early in the morning!
Next time, I think we would start our trip at the beach to relax and unwind, before then setting off on our safari. That way around might be even better!" See all these reviews: 15n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Andreas
Switzerland
"Kinondo Kwetu review"
6 nights Arrived 16 Jul 2021
"We (2 adults, 2 children 12 and 15) spent 6 nights to relax after our safari. This was a great addition to our schedule, and we greatly recommend that visitors spend a few days there instead of only visiting safari camps and hushing out of the country thereafter.
The information and photos on the internet had set high expectations, but our experience surpassed those. The generous park-like setting with many trees full with birds and monkeys is marvelous, the buildings and rooms are exceptionally well designed and influenced by traditional, local styles, decorated with African art, but with modern comfort and much attention to detail. The staff, headed by Anna, was overwhelming in how much they cared, considered our wishes, repositioned the locations of our meals, surprised us with cocktails during the day and invited artists and musicians.
The place with its two pools, sandy beach and comfortable furniture are already a good basis for spending days there. We made good use of the morning gym classes (facing the ocean) and sea kayaks, and other local activities would have been available. Trips to Diani Beach are further away and require transportation. We also visited the well run Kinondo Kwetu Health Services center supported by the Kinondo Kwetu foundation.
On the last day, we had the opportunity to meet the Andersson family and were amazed to hear that they conceptualized Kinondo Kwetu by themselves and how much they care about their employees and the people in the village nearby.
As we were going to thereafter leave Kenya, we much appreciated that a nurse came to the camp to take samples for the Covid tests and thereafter mailed us the results. The staff was very careful to heed the health precautions." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
The information and photos on the internet had set high expectations, but our experience surpassed those. The generous park-like setting with many trees full with birds and monkeys is marvelous, the buildings and rooms are exceptionally well designed and influenced by traditional, local styles, decorated with African art, but with modern comfort and much attention to detail. The staff, headed by Anna, was overwhelming in how much they cared, considered our wishes, repositioned the locations of our meals, surprised us with cocktails during the day and invited artists and musicians.
The place with its two pools, sandy beach and comfortable furniture are already a good basis for spending days there. We made good use of the morning gym classes (facing the ocean) and sea kayaks, and other local activities would have been available. Trips to Diani Beach are further away and require transportation. We also visited the well run Kinondo Kwetu Health Services center supported by the Kinondo Kwetu foundation.
On the last day, we had the opportunity to meet the Andersson family and were amazed to hear that they conceptualized Kinondo Kwetu by themselves and how much they care about their employees and the people in the village nearby.
As we were going to thereafter leave Kenya, we much appreciated that a nurse came to the camp to take samples for the Covid tests and thereafter mailed us the results. The staff was very careful to heed the health precautions." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
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