Anyone looking for a coastal retreat that is tranquil, traditional and right off the beaten track will delight in the two houses at Takaungu – both are very much family homes and have been designed and decorated and with individuality and charm. Comfortable and unpretentious, the houses are furnished with lovely coastal and colonial antique furniture, paintings, prints and all kinds of eclectic treasures collected by the owners.

Perched on a bluff overlooking the sea and the long white beach, the The Private House was the original house on the site – built many years ago by an Arab trader as his summer seaside retreat. The walls are thick limestone and coral rag and the ocean breezes keep it cool, and all bedrooms have standing fans.

There are two double bedrooms with four-poster beds – one ensuite and one with a separate bathroom, and one twin bedroom with large antique Arab beds and an ensuite bathroom.  An additional bedroom with smaller twin beds provides additional accommodation for children. The living and dining room is airy and nicely-furnished and gives on to a large veranda overlooking the private swimming pool.

“We spent three nights for our anniversary at Takaungu House – the beachfront and architecture were enchantingly beautiful – it was a wonderful getaway.”

S.M Nairobi

Takaungu Main House also started life as a single-storey cottage but has grown over the years into a substantial 3-storey building, designed and built in a traditional Zanzibari style, with generous rooms, ceilings and outside spaces. Downstairs is a large and airy veranda along with elegant drawing room and dining room with Moorish arches.

The top floor of the house, 2000 square feet in all, comprises a vast bedroom, an open ensuite bathroom and a morning veranda which also has a big Arab bed for an occasional guest or family member – making this this room ideal for parents plus child. The views from here are stunning and the open front makes it probably the coolest room on the coast. There are two further double bedrooms, both with ensuite bathrooms, and which share a veranda.

The adjoining cottage annex ‘Wishies Cottage’ was built as a separate but self-contained Granny Flat – it comprises a big double bedroom and twin beds in the adjoining sitting room area which share a bathroom – making it ideal for children. The cottage has its own veranda and can easily be used as extra accommodation for either of the houses.

“Sometimes reality fails to live up to website pictures – here, it is the other way round – reality exceeds all expectations. This house is a historic dream. Restored with incredible attention to derail yet retaining an authentic ‘old’ feel and all of that with an ocean view. The staff are as friendly and helpful as they are discreet and the cooking is simply exquisite. Really hope to be back before too long”

Vincent, Nairobi

The houses have numerous staff on hand to ensure that your stay is as comfortable and easy as possible. The man in charge is the very capable and experienced Bakari – he is also the main cook and is assisted around the houses by Selina, Binti and Joseph. Steven and Wanja look after pools and gardens and Mama Chadi is a local legend who keeps an eye on all of the above, as well as night watchmen Husseini and Mwalimu.

Delicious fresh fish and seafood is always available from the local fisherman. Bakari and Selina have years of practice in the kitchen and a wide repertoire of recipes both local and international. They will help you source whatever you need locally and Selina’s lemon sponge cake is legendary!

The houses are surrounded by several acres of colourful tropical gardens and are only a few steps away from Takaungu’s wonderful and often deserted white-sand beach – there is excellent swimming (but please beware strong currents at high tide) and the snorkelling is great just off the reef at low tide. The “cool pool” at the southern end of the beach is a safe place to swim or wallow area at any stage of the tide and is a perfect place for aspiring toddler swimmers, and the rag coral caves and rock pools are other great places for children to explore.

“What a wonderful location. All was perfect and the staff are so kind and helpful.  But best of all, the cooking. So much better than any restaurant. Thank you so much for a truly delicious stay!” 

Susie and Alan, UK

  • Traditional, authentic, elegant accommodation
  • Lovely unchanging rural beachfront location
  • Freshwater swimming pool
  • Private House – accommodates up to 8 guests
  • Main House and annex – can accommodate an additional 9 guests
  • Ksh 35,000 per night for 8 guests (6 adults and 2 children) at the Private House and Ksh 45,000 at the Main House.

Accommodation and Facilities

  • Six full-time staff
  • Main House and annex – sleeps 8 adults and 1 child
  • Private House – sleeps 6 adults and 2 children
  • Two freshwater swimming pools
  • Direct access to quiet sandy beach
  • 10 acres of colourful gardens
  • Wifi internet
  • Good cellphone signal
  • Laundry service
  • Snorkelling gear and body boards

Available Nearby

  • Sailing
  • Dhow sailing
  • Windsurfing
  • Water skiing
  • Fishing
  • Diving
  • Kite Surfing
  • Massage and Yoga
  • Golf at Vipingo Ridge
Takaungu Creek

Takaungu Creek

Takaungu is a sleepy and traditional coastal village of fishermen and farmers about 10 km south of Kilifi town. The village sits on coral cliffs above the southern shore of picturesque Takaungu Creek, and Takaungu House and its wonderful beach are a fifteen minute walk or five minute drive beyond the village.

Takaungu Beach View

Takaungu Beach View

The village, seashore and beach remain somewhat frozen in time – peaceful, unspoilt and undeveloped. There are very few visitors, disturbances or distractions – and no hotels, beach bars or beach boys – making Takaungu the ideal destination for guests looking for a really restful, secluded, away-from-it-all beach retreat.

There are several small shops or dukas in Takaungu village where basic provisions, groceries fruits and vegetables can be purchased. There is also excellent shopping for good-value, colourful kangas and kickoys. Zinj is a manufacturer of high-quality leather and beaded goods, including really good sandals, and guests can visit their workshop and shop.

Kilifi Harbour and Bridge

Kilifi Harbour and Bridge

Kilifi is a busy town with plenty of shops and services including a Tusky’s supermarket All kinds of watersports and activities are available and a good starting point is the Mnarani Club just to the south of Kilifi Creek and road bridge. Kilifi attracts ocean sailors and the creek offers a fabulous deep water yacht anchorage and is ideal for boating and windsurfing. Larger boats can be hired from the Boatyard about a mile up the creek on the south shore, where there is a pleasant bar, good company and simple food and drink.

kilifi Creek

kilifi Creek

The staff at Takaungu House will be happy to arrange day trips to Mombasa, Malindi, the ancient ruins at Gedi or the Arabuko Sokoke Forest – all are within about an hour’s drive. There is an excellent new golf course at Vipingo Ridge, just 15 minutes south of the turn off to Takaungu – the course has been designed and built to the exacting USGA standard and is of international class. It has a spectacular setting, at the top of the ridge overlooking the Indian Ocean.

Vipingo Ridge Golf Course

Vipingo Ridge Golf Course

By Road
Takaungu House is about one hour’s drive from Mombasa in the south and from Malindi in the north. It is situated about 5 km off the main B8 coastal highway and the turn off to Takaungu is approximately 5 km south of Kilifi

By Air
There are daily flights on Fly ALS from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to the airstrip at Vipingo Ridge which is about 15 minutes away by road from Takaungu. www.flyals.com

Airlines flying to Malindi and/or Mombasa from Nairobi include :–

“We arrived on our last legs and left feeling as though we could fly – Takaungu heals the soul and has ripped our children away from technology to a real world of electric blue skies, heavenly rock pools and discovering what lies beneath the sand. Thank you!”

D.C., Nairobi

Ooh la la!  Bakari’s fish dishes have me waddling home – not to mention his fudge and cakes, all delivered with a massive smile – I wish I was taking him home too!  But not all is lost – all were worked off every morning in a stunning sea without a soul on the beach.  Yes, Takaungu can (and has) rebuilt me!

C.P., Nairobi

“We spent three nights for our anniversary at Takaungu House – the beachfront and architecture were enchantingly beautiful – it was a wonderful getaway.”

S.M., Nairobi

Standard Accommodation Rates for Private House

Ksh 35,000 per night for up to 8 guests (6 adults and 2 children)

Minimum stay – 3 nights

Standard Accommodation Rates for Takaungu House (main house)

Ksh 45,000 per night for up to 9 guests

Minimum stay – 3 nights

Rentals are on a ‘self catering’ basis including the services of chef and staff

Check in from 3pm, Check out by 10am

The swimming pool is unfenced. Children must be closely supervised around the pool and should never be left unattended in any part of the property at any time

The owners require all adult guests to sign an indemnity / disclaimer form on arrival

Please contact us for rates for the Main House and Annex and Christmas & New Year rates

These rates, terms and conditions are valid for stays up until 31st December 2024

Please contact us to make a booking

Please familiarise yourself with all our terms & conditions when making a booking

Availability Calendar

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