Wimbi House
From $400 per night (varies by season)
About Wimbi House
Wimbi House is the perfect home for a large family holiday or group adventure. Built using local coral stone and traditional Swahili building methods — neru plaster carvings, locally made bespoke furnishings, three ground-floor fountains — the house creates a natural cooling airflow throughout. The suspended second-floor rooftop pool is the crown jewel.
Featuring 5 large en-suite bedrooms, multiple entertainment and dining areas, and a beautiful courtyard, Wimbi House is located in a quiet corner of Shela village — 3 minutes from the waterfront, 10 minutes from Peponi and the 12km pristine beach. Operating on 99% solar power with Starlink high-speed internet throughout.
Why guests love it
- Rooftop Pool — Suspended second-floor pool with panoramic village views
- Beach 3 Min Away — Walk to the 12km pristine Shela beach in minutes
- 99% Solar Powered — Sustainable living without compromise on comfort
- Starlink WiFi — High-speed internet throughout the property
- Private Chef — Professional chef available for all meals
- Swahili Architecture — Authentic coral stone construction with hand-carved details
Amenities
- Rooftop swimming pool
- Beach access (3 min walk)
- Kitchen with private chef available
- Starlink high-speed WiFi
- Dedicated workspace/library
- 99% solar powered
- SUP boards and kayak rental
- Laundry service
- Staff for cleaning and cooking
- King beds in all 5 bedrooms
- En-suite bathrooms
- Mosquito netting
- Ceiling fans
- Multiple dining areas
- Rooftop bar/lounge
- Internal Courtyard with fountains
- Ocean views from top floor
The Space
5 Bedrooms — Each king-bed suite features a private en-suite bathroom, mosquito netting, ceiling fans, and thoughtfully curated Swahili textiles and furnishings.
The Rooftop — A large terrace surrounds the rooftop pool, with a bar, lounge seating, and uninterrupted views across Shela village and the Indian Ocean beyond.
Living & Dining — Multiple indoor and outdoor dining areas across three floors. The ground-floor courtyard with three stone fountains is a natural gathering space.
The Kitchen — Fully equipped with everything needed for a private chef to prepare breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Staff for cooking and cleaning are included.
House Policies
Check-in: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (late check-in by arrangement)
Check-out: Before 10:00 AM
Maximum guests: 15
Minimum stay: 3 nights (7 nights over Christmas/New Year)
House Rules:
- Quiet hours from 9:00 PM — please respect the village community
- No loud music or large gatherings not agreed in advance
- Be mindful of water usage — the island has limited fresh water
- Switch off lights and fans when leaving rooms to conserve solar power
- Shoes off at the entrance — traditional Swahili custom
Location & Getting Here
Shela is a small, car-free traditional fishing village at the southern tip of Lamu Island, Kenya. It sits beside a 12km stretch of pristine Indian Ocean beach — one of the last undeveloped beaches on the East African coast.
Getting here: Fly to Lamu (LAU) via Nairobi or Mombasa with Kenya Airways, Jambojet, or Skyward Express. We organise all airport transfers.
In Shela: The village is explored entirely on foot or by donkey. Restaurants, the famous Peponi Hotel, and local shops are all within a 5-minute walk of Wimbi House.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation: 50% refund for cancellations more than 30 days before check-in for fully paid bookings. No refund within 30 days. Final Payment for bookings is required 30 days before arrival.
Questions guests ask
How do we get to Shela?
Fly to Manda Island airport (LAU) — it is a 5-minute boat transfer to Lamu town, then a 10-minute boat to Shela. We arrange transfers for all guests.
Is a chef included?
A cook is available on request — we work with excellent local chefs. Most guests enjoy a cook for breakfast daily and dinners several times per week. This is arranged separately and priced at approximately $80-120/day.
Can we hire a boat?
Absolutely, depending on your needs, we can organise everything!
Is the pool heated?
The rooftop pool is naturally heated by the Lamu sun and is warm year-round. Water temperature rarely drops below 28°C.
What is included in the rate?
The nightly rate includes the full property, daily housekeeping, all utilities (solar/Starlink), and use of SUP boards and kayak. Chef, boat hire, and activities are additional.
Reviews
We’ve just returned from our fourth stay at Wimbi House in the past two years, and I think that probably says everything about how much we love this place. Every time we come back it feels a bit like coming home. The house is beautiful, light and peaceful, and there’s something about being there that makes you immediately slow down and relax. The upstairs pool is still a favourite, particularly…
Tristan's home is simply breathtaking and even exceeds the expectations set by the pictures! Probably one of the best Airbnb's that we've stayed in.
Wimbi House was absolutely lovely! Hannah and the staff were wonderful, the food was excellent, and we had a really great time here.
A truly lovely house in beautiful Shela. The pool was perfection, and it made for a great family stay. House manager Hannah was especially responsive
Your host: Tristan Waterkeyn
Tristan is a designer and builder with a passion for creating beautiful spaces that connect people to culture and environment. He has been developing and restoring properties in Shela for several years, working with local craftspeople to preserve and celebrate traditional Swahili building techniques.
When he is not building, Tristan can be found sailing the Lamu Archipelago, exploring the nearby islands, or working on his next creative project. He is always available to provide local recommendations and ensure your stay is exceptional.