Change Location

Select your country below for local telephone numbers and guide prices

Book with confidence. Find out more

The Majlis

  • A LUXURIOUS HOTEL ON MANDA ISLAND, WITHIN THE LAMU ARCHIPELAGO
  • TOTAL OF 39 GUEST ROOMS AND SUITES, SET OUT WITHIN THREE BEACHFRONT VILLAS
  • COMFORTABLE LOUNGE, RESTAURANT, TWO BARS, TWO GYMS, MASSAGE BANDA, TWO SWIMMING POOLS
  • BOAT EXCURSIONS, BOAT AND MAINLAND SAFARIS, FISHING, SNORKELLING, KITESURFING, CULTURAL EXCURSIONS, SCENIC FLIGHTS
When To Visit Lamu:
left arrow image right arrow image
“An ex-private family home turned boutique hotel, The Majlis is for those looking for luxury and creature comforts such as air-con and satellite TV away from the crowds on a quiet stretch of Manda Island.”

OVERVIEW:

If you’re looking for luxury – even something a little glitzy – within the Lamu Archipelago, look no further! The Majlis offers superb service and six categories of deluxe accommodation.

The Majlis is privately owned and run by the Moccias, an Italian family. As well as providing an excellent option for a beach holiday, it combines well with time on safari for a classic bush-and-beach break. The accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, and a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks. The hotel is open throughout the year.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

The hotel is accessed via 15 minutes’ boat transfer from Manda Airport. It’s situated on the west coast of Manda Island, within the Lamu Archipelago.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT THE MAJLIS:

Guest accommodation consists of 39 guest rooms and suites, set out within three beachfront villas. There are six categories, and all units are exquisitely presented. At entry-level, there’s the Superior Room, on the ground- or first floor and featuring a comfortable double bed with mosquito nets, bedside tables and lighting, a writing desk and chair, and in some rooms extra seating. In-room amenities include air conditioning, ceiling fans, a mini-bar, and a safe deposit box, and the en-suite washroom contains a flush toilet, bidet, washbasin, and shower. The next options up are the Deluxe Room with Veranda and the Deluxe Room 1st Floor with Seaview, similarly appointed to the Superior Room but with better views. The Family Suite is made up of two interleading deluxe rooms – one double and one twin, both en suite – and it has two spacious terraces or verandas. The large Junior Suite, on the first floor, boasts both sea and garden views from its terrace, and finally, the Royal Suite comprises two junior suites and an additional lounge area altogether covering 260 square metres!

The communal facilities at The Majlis are equally well-appointed. A rather grand timber-and-thatch two-storey structure is home to the property’s restaurant and two bars. The restaurant is positioned on the ground floor. Guests can tuck in to Swahili, Italian, and international dishes while enjoying views through the gardens to the beautiful beach beyond. Al fresco dining is also available. Both bars within the main building incorporate sumptuous lounge areas, and the bar/lounge on the upper floor offers particularly breathtaking vistas over the Lamu Channel to the village of Shela. There are two gyms as well, one with standard equipment and the other a ‘jungle gym’ within the garden. Massages can be requested, ranging from basic to energetic and offered in your room or in the seafront massage banda. And guests also have use of two swimming pools, with panoramic views of Ras Kitau bay and Shela village!

*Please note, we only book ground floor accommodation at this property for safety reasons. If you stay here with us, please ensure this is what you are given.*

ACTIVITIES AT THE MAJLIS:

The Majlis provides an exhilarating assortment of activities! Here are a few examples:

  • Boat excursions

    - Why not begin your stay with a boat trip, to get to know the area? Three trips are available – around Lamu, around Manda, and out to Kiwayu, a small island within the north-eastern region of the archipelago. Guests can request a BBQ lunch as part of the outing.
  • Boat and mainland safaris

    - These longer excursions are ideal for travellers hoping to explore farther afield. You can enjoy a vehicle safari around Lake Kenyatta or a boating safari along the Tana river delta. Please contact a member of the YZ team for further details.
  • Fishing

    - Keen anglers can choose between reef- and creek fishing, or even a trip to the deep seas! The Lamu Archipelago is famous for its diversity of species, including kingfish, giant trevally, and three types of marlin.
  • Snorkelling

    - Venture beneath the sea’s surface to discover a colourful world of coral and other marine life. The hotel organises snorkelling trips every day – and diving can be arranged too.
  • Kitesurfing

    - This activity is offered at the kitesurfing school on Shela beach, just 5 minutes from The Majlis via boat transfer. All levels of experience are accommodated, and a wide variety of equipment can be hired.
  • Cultural excursions

    - Lamu has a fascinating history and a vibrant culture! Among the cultural attractions, you can visit are Lamu town, Matondoni village, and the Takwa Ruins on Manda Island.
  • Scenic flights

    - Staff at the hotel are happy to organise flights over vast swathes of the Lamu region. Spectacular sights you’ll enjoy from the air include pristine beaches, dense mangrove forests, and safari areas filled with wildlife!

Lamu

Why Trust Yellow Zebra with your African Safari?

"Yellow Zebra are genuine specialists; they know the African bush like the back of their hand."

Brian Jackman, safari expert for The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, Condé Nast, and the BBC

'Europe's Leading Safari Tour Operator' at the World Travel Awards

9 years in a row, since 2015

Receive news & offers from Yellow Zebra