REVIEWS


WILD LAMU JAHAZI HOUSE Lamu, Kenya


LOCATION: It doesn’t get much more tranquil than Kizingoni Beach, the stretch of sand that forms the backdrop to Wild Lamu Jahazi House. This exclusive-use villa can be found off Kenya’s northeast coast on the southern edge of Lamu island, the oldest Swahili settlement in East Africa. Lamu is completely car-free, and the island’s few roads take the form of narrow, stone streets, so the easiest way for clients to access Jahazi House is by water. It’s about a 25-minute boat ride from Manda Airport, where guests V>n >ÀÀiÛi Ûi> Vh>ÀÌiÀ yi}hÌ vÀom Ìhi Maasai Mara or scheduled SafariLink service from Nairobi.


FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Our boat putters to a stop and we clamber out into the shallows as members of the Jahazi team greet us with big grins and a tangible sense of excitement. A few steps are all it takes to bring us from the shore to the wooden archway at the front of the property, where colourful petals and shells have been arranged on the sand to spell ‘welcome’. Small touches like this have the power to make a trip that little bit more special, and this warm welcome sets the tone for the rest of our extraordinary stay at Jahazi. The villa is gorgeously designed and minimalist in style, with lots of white walls, clean edges and neutral tones that pay homage to its tranquil, laid-back setting.


THE FACTS: Jahazi House is the newest addition to the portfolio of properties operated by conservation- focused brand Collection in the Wild, which also owns two lodges in the Maasai Mara. At the crest of Kizingoni Beach and with only a couple of other commercial properties nearby, the villa strikes the perfect balance of being quietly luxurious and unmistakably homely, with plenty of secluded corners for guests to enjoy a peaceful moment – my personal favourite is the swinging daybeds that look out across the ocean. Jahazi House’s main building is centred around a serene inner courtyard and pool, which is surrounded by four en ÃÕiÌi Li`Àoomð "n Ìhi yooÀ >LoÛi] }ÕiÃÌà Üill wn` ÌÜo vÕÀÌhiÀ in ÃÕiÌi rooms and a vast open-air living space equipped with a bar, dining area and sofas, crowned by a terrace that acts as the ultimate sunset-watching spot. Elsewhere, there’s another pool, outdoor dining area, private boat house and pickleball court.


IDEAL FOR: Families and small groups seeking an extra-special addition to their Kenya itinerary. Collection in the Wild founders Tarquin and Lippa Wood made the decision to branch out from only operating properties in the Maasai Mara to give guests the opportunity to combine the activity of the bush with the calm of the


coast, and I couldn’t imagine a more idyllic setting to unwind after an epic safari holiday than Jahazi House.


EXPLORE: The towns of Lamu and Shela are short boat rides away and offer a fascinating window into the history of this storied isle. Lamu Town is a Unesco World Heritage Site, made up of a maze of alleyways, stone buildings and colourful corners,


90 ASPIRE MARCH 2026


aspiretravelclub.co.uk


CREDIT: Collection in the Wild


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104