Kipungani Explorer is part of the Heritage Group Hotels. I was blessed to stay at 2 Heritage Group Hotels... Mara Intrepids in the Masai Mara and Kipungani Explorer in Lamu. Both were absolutely AMAZING! I highly recommend Kipungani Explorer if you want to truly relax and forget about everything else than the present moment. It was pure relaxation! The staff truly makes you feel like family. The bandas were extremely large and private and were made from local materials. There are many things you can do if you choose to... fishing, visit Kipungani village, ruins, kayaking, dhow cruises, windsurfing, etc. The pictures online do not do this place justice. I will try to post some pics soon that can hopefully show it's true beauty. If you choose to stay at Kipungani, you will truly feel like you are in paradise. They served amazing fresh and unique dishes... with the best desserts! One night during dinner, the staff made me a special surprise cake and all sang a traditional song and we danced the night away. Staying at Kipungani was truly memorable! For those who think Kipungani may not be close enough to Lamu town, you can take a quick boat ride and spend the day in Lamu town... you probably will never want to leave Kipungani anyway! Please see my review for Old Lamu town as well! I am glad that Kipungani was suggested over Pepponi for the service, seclusion, food, and beauty. Also, if you're trying to choose between Pepponi and Kipungani like I was, they are 2 very different places. FOR ANYONE TRAVELING TO EAST AFRICA, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND BOOKING ALL ARRANGEMENTS WITH: www.safaritravel.biz. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!! I spent countless hours researching for this trip, and was then recommended to Feeroz Jagani at Safari Travel... THANK GOD! His responsiveness, knowledge, suggestions, personal attention, great prices, amazing staff, & great reputation in East Africa (especially Kenya) far surpassed anyone I had communicated with in trying to make arrangements... actually far surpassed anyone I've ever dealt with in trying to arrange any travel anywhere! WWW.SAFARITRAVEL.BIZ

Just returned from Kipungani. We stayed for 2 weeks, half the time we had the place to ourselves. We stayed in number 8 which had steps down to the beach. Sand flies are the real problem and we left with loads of bites. Great time, food was varied and good. Staff were like family after 2 weeks . They offer a tour to the local village which we went on as well as making use of the various boats, windsufers etc. You need to be at the airport when leaving and hour before departure. We arrived 10 mins before departure and really had to beg to get on the flight.

Kipungani is a fantastic hideaway where you can escape from the trappings of modern life. Just a short flight from Nairobi and a 30 min boat ride from the airstrip at Manda ("Manda International Airport"!!!) and you are transported to a place where time stands still. There is very little to do apart from chill out by the pool, play games, read, take a trip to the local village (where many of the staff come from and live) and meet the pupils at the local school. You can also take a trip to Lamu town by boat - there is no motorised transport on the island so you rely on boats, donkeys or your own two feet! The staff are very welcoming and the acommodation is made up of "bandas" (beach huts) . I agree with previous reviewer that the photos online do not do the place justice. The bandas have no windows or doors and are constructed entirely from local materials. The food is excellent - clean and simple local fayre. The fish is delivered by the local fisherman daily, the eggs are laid by the hotel hens, the salad and fruit grown on the grounds. The only problem is there is so much of it! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and it was the perfect contrast to the early mornings of the game drives the week before (we stayed at Serena in the Mara - best location by far and Chui Lodge in the Rift Valley - both of which I can highly recommend and give you very different safari experinces).
In summary I cannot recommend Kipungani highly enough - thanks to David, Odin, Kennedy, Anthony, Claudia + all the other staff for making our stay such a great one!

Andrea and I got to Kipungani on the 3rd day of December. We boarded a flight from the Wilson airstrip in Nairobi to Manda bay.The whole trip was organised by Bunson tours and we have to admit that they did an excellent job!
We were picked up from the bay by speed boat to the lodge.... the manager( Sebastian.) was on the beach to receive us.
It was such a warm reception..... the food was Excellent, the staff was wonderful to us and we lived like one big family.
We were joined by an amazing couple (May ling and Phil)..... there are no better words to describe the experience.
Lots of deserted beaches.....no television( wonderful huh?).....no air conditioner (the bandas are well ventilated.) and excellent room keeping standards.
They also have a well stocked boutique and a small library with games.
We had long walks on the beach.... a Kayak ride that got us to the village where everybody was welcoming and happy to have us there.
Everything was out of heaven..... We found Love, Patience, Peace and unforgetable family away from home.

Tinda and Andrea.