WILD CHILD SAFARIS - Classic East African Family Safari

Immerse yourself in a world of relaxation at Hemingways Nairobi with a luxurious spa experience that restores both mind and body. From calming massages to rejuvenating facials and invigorating treatments, each service is carefully designed using natural, locally sourced ingredients. In a serene and soothing atmosphere, our expert therapists will ease away your tension, leaving you feeling completely refreshed, rejuvenated, and deeply relaxed. Treat yourself to an unforgettable wellness experience that will leave you feeling revitalized and at peace.

Back massage Credit: Hemingways collection

Hot Stone massage Credit: Hemingways collection

Back massage Credit: Hemingways collection

Enjoy gorgeous views over the Conservancy whilst enjoying a sundowner

A team of fully-qualified driver guides are on hand for vehicle safaris across the conservancy. The specially adapted open vehicles allow for excellent viewing but it is the richness of the game that our guests talk about. All the main safari predators, the rare Grevy zebra and of course the threatened rhino can be viewed in abundance. A particular favourite and well recognised aspect of the area near the lodge are the good elephant numbers and at least weekly sightings of the illusive wild dogs. The game drives are on your terms using our experience and are not limited to daylight hours. We often explore the conservancy by night using spotlight and the full moon when it obliges.

Game walks with Calum, a FGASA qualified Trails Guide, which we hope will open up the landscape and let you appreciate the smaller (or sometimes very large) animals as well as the tracks, trails, signs, sights, sounds and smells of the wilderness – something you often miss from the car.

Guests can also visit the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy headquarters to find out more about their pioneering conservation and community work such as a visit to the anti-poaching tracker dogs or a visit to the LWC sponsored local school or other community project.

The canopy walkway is a 40 ft. high aerial bridge of wiremesh and cables meandering through the tree canopy and extending 450 metres long. The walkway ends at a wooden platform 30ft. high, where you can relax and enjoy a view of the river from this elevated vantage point. Elephants and buffaloes frequently come here to drink and wallow, and one can enjoy a drink or a meal at the lofty leafy deck.

Visit the beautiful Ngare Ndare azure waterfalls and perhaps jump into the cool clear water.

Archeological remains of much earlier occupation of the area are found at Lewa and are some of Kenya’s best archeological sites outside the Rift Valley. The hill on which Lewa House is built is home to warrior graves many thousands of years old. They were a tall race who communicated with rock gongs. Later people developed these gongs into a game that’s now played all over Africa.

The Il n’gwesi people (Northern Masai) to our north, have a fascinating history and culture. Visiting them is an authentic and engaging experience.

Head out on a camel or by horseback for a unique safari experience.

Manda offers conventional deep sea fishing on a 33 ft Lochin sportfishing boat. The Captain and Crew are experienced in fly fishing and jigging as well. Deep sea fishing season runs from September to April, offering an exciting experience for both beginners and seasoned anglers. Rough seas from May to October can make trips uncomfortable. Expect to catch game fish like tuna, marlin, and sailfish. Trips start early with a 6:30 AM departure, taking about an hour to reach the fishing grounds. The boat is equipped with a flush loo, shaded beds, and a canopy seat for comfort.

Deep Sea Fishing Credit: Manda Bay

Deep Sea Fishing Credit: Jimmy Greenwood

Deep Sea Fishing Credit: Manda Bay

Manda has a collection of small boats with which to explore the islands, try some inshore fishing, visit Lamu, go snorkelling or enjoy some watersports.

Motorised watersports such as water skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, knee boarding and banana boat are available. You can arrange these activities with your host. Snorkelling is very popular from November - March when the water is clear. The coral reefs are 10 mins away by boat.

These activities are not included in your stay and can be paid for at the end of the stay.

Banana Boat Credit: Kerry Roberts

Tubing Credit: Silverless

Waterskiing Credit: Kerry Roberts

Inshore Fishing Credit: Silverless

Tubing Credit: Kerry Roberts

Snorkelling Credit: Stevie Mann

Manda bay also has a number of non-motorized activities available to guests, which are included in their stay.
Explore peacefully with our 5 kayaks and 6 paddleboards/SUPs. At high tide, drift along mangrove creeks to spot turtles, birds, monkeys and fish or sail in the bay with our 2 sailboats and windsurfers during high tide. Sailing and windsurfing instruction is available at an additional fee.

Manda Bay is also a great Kitesurfing location. Best from mid-December to end of March and mid-May to October. Nearby kitesurfing school available; instructor at the hotel needs prior arrangement and not guaranteed due to availability.

Windsurfing Credit: Manda Bay

Canoeing Credit: Silverless

Canoeing Credit: Silverless

Canoeing Credit: Silverless

Canoeing Credit: Silverless

Canoeing Credit: Silverless

Canoeing Credit: Silverless

Paddleboarding Credit: Joe Wahome

Manda Bay can offer the perfect location for a small and intimate celebration.

We offer two wedding experiences:
1. Small intimate weddings : For couples looking for a simple, elegant ceremony, we offer an intimate wedding experience for up to 10 guests (max 5 rooms) requiring minimal arrangements.
2. Exclusive- use weddings : For a grander affair, Manda Bay can be exclusively yours for a minimum of 3 nights, accommodating up to 46 guests.

Small Intimate Wedding Credit: Manda Bay

Exclusive-Use wedding Credit: Mia Collis

Exclusive use wedding Credit: Mia Collis

In the early evening it is possible to take a drive to visit the Manda ruins, an ancient human settlement that dates back nearly 1000 years. A few remnants of this town can be seen if you take a drive where you experience a complete contrast from the beach and see old coral buildings amongst enormous baobab trees and acacia woodland. Manda Bay is home to a host of creatures both large and small and whilst most of the animals are nocturnal including the greater Galago bushbaby, white tailed mongoose, civet cat, porcupine, hyaena, genet cat and occasionally leopard; we regularly see dik-dik, buffalo and bushbuck, dwarf mongoose, yellow baboons and vervet monkeys. During the dry season, we provide fresh water for the animals and guests can meet them at the waterhole.

BIRD WATCHING: There are a large variety of water birds as well as dry country scrub species.

Buffalo Feeding Credit: Kerry Roberts

Game drives Credit: Joe Wahome

Game drives Credit: Joe Wahome

Game drives Credit: Joe Wahome

Baffaloes Credit: Joe Wahome

Sundowner Credit: Joe Wahome