Description
To one side of Delta Dunes Lodge, the Tana River winds slowly into the bush, a rare wetland home to hippo, basking crocodiles and rainbows of birds. To the other side of Delta Dunes, is the deserted beachfront which stretches for 50km along the Indian Ocean.
Each of the seven open-fronted Delta Dune cottages – built from driftwood and cooled by the ocean breezes – has a private view of this striking panorama, to be enjoyed from the veranda, sun-filled shower or enormous Swahili bed. The cottages nestle amongst the spreading doum palms which provide welcome shade during the heat of the day.
By day, guests can race sand yachts, explore the shade-dappled creeks by kayak or simply settle into a hammock by the pool. In the evening there are sunset river cruises to see hippos and crocodiles basking in the shallows, followed by cocktails on the beach and a candlelit dinner of freshly-caught seafood under the stars.
Delta Dunes is a community-based lodge managed by Kenyans and local staff, who know and love the Tana River delta and are proud to share this little corner of paradise with their guests. To protect this rare and fragile ecosystem, Delta Dunes and the Tana River Delta community have established the Lower Tana River Delta Conservation Trust. Together, they are setting up over 150,000 acres of conservancy, to be owned and managed by the local Orma and Pokomo people. For every visitor, the Delta Dunes lodge donates a conservation fee to the Trust, which supports education, employment and medical facilities for its 13,000 members living in the Tana River Delta.
Guests are welcome to meet these incredible Tana River tribesmen and explore the Tana River delta by boat, kayak or guided walking safari. Delta Dunes camp is lucky to be set on one of the few pristine, untouched stretches of coast remaining in Kenya.
Accommodation
Accommodation is in seven open-fronted Delta Dune cottages these have been built from driftwood and are naturally cooled by the ocean breeze. Each cottage has a private veranda with striking panoramic views of either the Tana River or the Indian Ocean, also to be enjoyed from the sun-filled shower or the enormous Swahili bed.
The rooms are simply decorated with shells, bits of old dhow and vibrant glass and there is a beach basket providing colourful kikoi wraps and pillows for use on a trip to the beach.
There are 5 rooms and 2 family cottages which sleep 4 in two connected rooms and have 2 private bathrooms.
Childcare
Delta Dunes has no specific facilities for children but is ideal for the adventurous family, with loads of watersports and activities and staff on hand to help.
Facilities
The camp has a swimming pool to relax around during the heat of the day. The top lounge is positioned high in the dunes and is a favourite for dining and relaxing with stunning panoramic views. The chef prepares delicious meals using fresh ingredients from Tana River Delta - all the sea food is caught daily. Dinner is taken in the open sided lounge areas in the dunes or down on the river sand under the stars.
Activities
Activities take place on the beach, in the ocean or along the Tana River. Guests can enjoy tranquil river cruises offering great game viewing, alternatively take a kayak to explore the many shaded creeks and see hippos and crocodiles basking in the shallows whilst spotting some of the 400 species of birds. The river is teeming with snapper, rock cod, catfish and barracuda. Wake boarding is also a popular activity along the flat waters of the delta. Sand yacht racing is a popular activity with 50km of pristine beach and sea breezes abounding.
When to travel
Delta Dunes is closed June - July 15. The rainy season on the Kenyan Coast is generally May/June. So from July onward the weather is gradually getting hotter and dryer until March/April when it reaches the high 90's (over40 degrees C). Christmas/New Year is generally considered the peak season and the weather is lovely then with constant sunshine and gentle off shore breezes. If you want clear seas for diving then make your trip after August/Sept.
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Location and directions
Tana River Delta, Kenya
Delta Dunes lies between the popular coastal towns of Lamu and Malindi. At the old mouth Kenya’s mighty Tana River, Delta Dune lodge sits high atop windswept dunes. Nestled among the palms, Delta Dune looks out upon an unparalleled landscape – lush, wild and utterly unique.
How to get there
Lamu and Malindi are served by short daily flights from Nairobi. Delta Dune lodge is happy to arrange a transfer from Malindi. From the Malindi airport, it is a two-hour drive and a 20-minute boat ride to the Tana River delta.
Guests also have the option of chartering a plane or helicopter directly to Delta Dunes from Lamu or Malindi, a short scenic flight along the coast. Charter flights may be arranged through the Delta Dune lodge. At low tide, flights can land directly on the beach.
