Tourism gems off the crushed observe

Some of the country’s little known tourist gems.

Kenya is a land of contrasting landscapes in terms of tourism products. It has world-class hotel operations, including global players such as the Radisson Group, Marriot, Hilton and Kempinski.

But there are also smaller ones, some of which are hidden in seemingly inaccessible places. Includes some who have welcomed kings and global statesmen. We look at six and tell you what makes them tick.

Delta Dunes, Tana River

Have you ever thought of Tana River as your ideal vacation destination? Unlikely.

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Stories of banditry and extreme weather conditions may have conspired to remove the Tana River from the top getaway checklist. But there are Delta Dunes that have existed in the seemingly harsh environment for over 30 years.

As the name suggests, Delta Dunes was built on dunes that lie between the Indian Ocean and the delta of the Tana River. The main dining area is located in the uppermost part of the property and offers a bird’s eye view of the calm water world. The house has used rusty logs, old canoes, and driftwood to create a “flint-like” world.

With temperatures soaring, it’s important to have a breeze filter through the rooms, and the developer has made sure that the wide-open sides achieve this.

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Talk about sleeping under the stars with a mosquito net that only separates you from the outside world!

From Malindi, take the Malindi-Garsen road and a 15 minute canoe ride and you are in Delta Dunes.

Hell kitchen, Kilifi

Fancy dinner in Hell’s Kitchen? Maybe not. Well, the only feast you could indulge in at the Marafa Depression in Kilifi is visual. Marafa Depression is a series of gorges and canyons that have become part of local legend and are told in the same way as visiting Vasco da Gama in the area.

Beautiful hues combine to form a magical canyon that the locals call Nyari, or a sacred depression, despite the creepy name a white visitor gave it – Hell’s Kitchen. How did that happen? It depends on who you ask.

A local myth has it that people who lived here long ago angered the gods by using milk for bathing, as there was no water nearby.

As a punishment, the gods killed them all. The red color is said to symbolize the blood, while the white color represents the milk.

Scientifically speaking, the depression and the resulting colors are due to the erosion of the soft sandstone, creating the depression, which is interspersed with rocky outcrops – about 30 meters high.

The best time to visit Hell’s Kitchen is in the late afternoon, especially for sunset lovers. The local guides charge a small fee. Sh200 for East Africans and Sh300 for foreigners.

Msambweni Beach House, Kwale

Freddie and his family came to Msambweni on the south coast of Kenya and fell in love with the view. Here they built a family home. This later turned into the Msambweni Beach House, one of the most exclusive in the region.

The main house consists of six en-suite bedrooms, including the large ocean suite with tent, all of which share a 14 m long infinity pool.

Then there are three private villas, protected from prying eyes by a maze of palm trees, popular with families with children of all ages. It’s an architectural masterpiece with a few swimming pools in the lounges.

You can either fly to Ukunda Airstrip or drive via Mombasa. Msambweni is a 30-minute drive from Ukunda. There are no walk-ins. A confirmed booking is required.

Mfangano Island Camp

Few places are as serene as Mfangano Island, where you can tweet birds and watch people make their way to the lake to catch the day’s catch. Mfangano Island Camp is hidden under a canopy of trees and can easily be overlooked for a first-time visitor.

The camp consists of nine plastered huts designed according to the local Luo architecture.

The high roofs make them cool and airy in the damp climate. Every rondavel tells a story.

The showstopper is the secluded honeymoon suite that comes with a sunken bathroom, while the bedroom sits on a rock that seems to hang over the lake.

The enchanting camp hosted former US President Jimmy Carter, among others.

Travel to Mbita Point before traveling another hour to camp by speedboat. Here, too, a reservation for an overnight stay is a must.

Some of the country’s little known tourist gems.

Ololo, Ongata Rongai

How can you not know about Ololo? After all, it is not far from the populous Ongata Rongai, on the banks of the Mbagathi River and opposite the Nairobi National Park.

The lodge, immaculately situated on a hill overlooking the park, was designed by Craig and Joanna Chapman, a farming couple from Australia. It is a former residential building that has been converted into a small vacation enclave.

The main guest lounge is one of the most tastefully decorated with collectibles from Kenya and Australia.

Some of the ornate rooms are former horse stables and hay barns, but have little suggestion of their animal past.

Reservation required.

Rondo Retreat, Kakamega

Have you ever been to Kakamega Forest? This is an ornithological wonder and the last of the once vast Guineo-Congo forest.

The forest is great for trekking (with a guide) as you sample over 300 species of plants, including the endangered Elgon teak, red and white stinkwood, and croton.

Tired after the rigors of the hike, there is no better place to relax at the nearby Rondo Retreat. This exquisite lodge was built in 1948 by Bob Turton, who had come to Kenya from South Africa and was drawn to the Kakamega Gold Rush.

The house was built under a large Elgon teak. The charming house is a regular stopover for local and international guests. The house is run like a missionary outpost. Please read the strict rules for engagement.