Further Info
How to get here
There are 3 sheduled flights a day into Lamu main airport which is 20 minutes boat ride from the lodge. We collect all guest staying at the lodge free of charge.
Air Kenya - Sheduled flight every day from Nairobi, Wilson Airport.
Safarilink - Sheduled flight every day from Nairobi, Wilson Airport.
Fly 540 - Sheduled flight every day from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Manda Air Services can provide a private charter to our own landing strip on Manda Point in anything up to a Cessna Caravan. Private Charters using a King Air or larger must land in Lamu main strip and the lodge can collect from there in a boat or with a smaller Cessna.
The Manda Bay landing strip is 2 minutes car ride from the lodge.
Power
Manda has 24 Hr electricity in the bedrooms and 16 hour power in the main lodge. All rooms have plugs for charging telephones, camera batteries or computers.
Water
Water is drawn from wells on the property and passed through a desalination and ultra-violet plant. There is also bottled water provided for guests. Hot water is available 24hrs a day.
Weather and Seasons
For nine months of the year Manda Bay enjoys spectacular sunshine. In May, June and July however, the Kenya Coast is generally overcast and wet so Manda Bay is closed. The two monsoons “Kaskazi” from the North East and “Kusi” from the South East determine the weather and are almost always predictable.
Medical and Insurance
We recommend all guests to acquire temporary membership of the Flying Doctor Service (link) on top of their normal travel insurance. Manda’s cool breezes insure that there are not too many mosquitoes on the peninsular but we advise all guests to take anti-malarial medication.
Credit cards
Mastercard and Visa are accepted.
Communications
Manda bay has cell phone coverage and Broadband Internet.
Visas
All travellers into Kenya are required to have a visa. This can be purchased on your way into the country. Please check with your travel agent what is the current fee.
Currency
Kenyan Shillings is used locally however all payment to the lodge is invoiced in US Dollars.
Manda Bay accepts all major currencies and Mastercard and VISA. We do not accept Diners Club, travellers Cheques or Amex. All activities and extras can be paid at the end of your stay. All credit cards carry a 5% surcharge.
Baggage Limits
All sheduled flights have a limit of 20kgs and all private charters have a baggage limit of 15 kgs per person plus hand luggage. We recommend you pack in soft zip up bags of good quality.
Recommended Packing List
Light weight shirt and shorts and one pair of long pants.
Sandals or flip flops
Sun block, hat, sunglasses and swimming costumes.
Camera and binoculars
Fly fishing rod ( 8 wt) for keen fly fisherman.
Insect Repellant
Flash light or torch for walking at night.
Basic medical - prescription drugs, plasters, panadol and one course of Ciprobay antibiotic (in case of contracting a stomach bug) and anti- histamine. The lodge has a fully stocked medical store and there is a doctor in Lamu and drugs are easily accessible if in need during your stay.
Dietary Preferences
Manda Bay can cater for all dietary needs with prior notice. All food is Kenyan produced and is of a very high quality.
Accommodation
The lodge has 16 bandas all with either twin or Double bed All rooms are big enough to accommodate extra beds.
Each room has an overhead fan, a small fridge for drinks, a room safe, bathrobes and hairdryer.
Gratuities
We recommend you pay a gratuity at the end of your stay which goes towards the whole staff. We recommend $15 per guest per night. If you wish to tip your room steward or boat driver independently this is perfectly in order.