The Pemba Channel Lodge is a small, exclusive and a very charming property in Shimoni, on Kenya’s South Coast. Built in colonial style the Lodge is set in tropical gardens on the cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean and Wasini Island.
A number of factors make the Lodge very attractive;
– It’s small, so attention to detail, from the decor to the services and facilities, is high. Also, being small, the Lodge can be very flexible in accommodating the wishes and needs of the guests.
– The setting of the Lodge is picturesque and very tranquil making it easy to relax and unwind.
– The activities available at the Lodge are many and varied. There is much to do – for all the family.
– The staff of the Lodge is very hospitable and friendly, and non-intrusive. Typically Kenyan.
– The Cuisine is, in a word, exceptional. Possibly the finest on the Kenya Coast.
ACCOMMODATION
The Lodge can accommodate up to 14 people only. It has six double or twin bungalows and two single rooms. The bungalows are totally detached and individually furnished. All are en-suite with large power showers. All have their own verandah terrace overlooking the sea or the swimming pool.
THE RESTAURANT AND BAR
There is no restaurant per se. There is a dining room but dining might take place al fresco – by the pool or elsewhere on the grounds – under the Baobab or Tamarind trees in the daytime and on the cliff edge, under the stars at night.
The bar is, as it has been for over 50 years, the place for some extreme stories.
THE SWIMMING POOL
The swimming pool is big (250 sq. metres), family friendly and overlooks the waterfront and Wasini Island. The steps of the pool are the perfect place to relax and enjoy a cocktail or a Pemba sunset over the channel, or both.
BIG GAME FISHING
The Pemba Channel fishing grounds are ranked with the World’s best. Proven and famed for big bill-fish (Dec – March) and big yellow fin tuna (July – Nov). The Pemba Channel Fishing Club, which is an integral part of the Pemba Channel Lodge, has three well-maintained big game fishing boats; two 33 ft Bertrams and the one and only White Otter, a 44 ft Sportsfisher. Experienced, knowledgeable, safe and friendly crews man all the boats. The boats are fully equipped with top of the range equipment (GPS’s, fish finders, radios) and are in constant communication with the Lodge base. The Pemba Channel Fishing Club and the Pemba Channel Lodge operate strict environment and conservation (tag and release) policies.
DIVING AND SNORKELING
Pemba Channel Lodge is extremely lucky. On it’s doorstep it has spectacular and unspoilt dive and snorkeling sites. The waters are warm, clear and safe (shallow with little or no tidal currents). The coral heads and drop-offs of the Kisite Marine Park (rated one of Kenya’s best coral gardens) teem with colour and abound with fish and other marine species. Often divers and snorkellers are privileged to see and to swim with Dolphins – an exciting, often humbling, but always majestic experience. During the months of mid July through to mid November spectacular sightings of whales are a common occurrence as these magnificent mammals make their way south. Whale spotting trips can be arranged through the Lodge.
WALKS
The Lodge offers a number of walks (guided or unguided) that cater for all types and all interests.
Walks on Wasini Island or through the indigenous forests inland of the Lodge offer phenomenal plant and bird life as well as sightings of Colobus and Sykes monkeys that should interest all nature lovers.
Walks through Wasini or Shimoni villages and a detour to the Shimoni caves (Shimoni actually means “the place of the holeâ€) will fascinate those interested in Swahili culture and local history.
PICNIC AND SUNDOWNER CRUISES
The Lodge can arrange both picnic and sundowner cruises. For a sense of real peace and a feeling of content it’s very difficult to beat a sedate sail on one of the local dhows to secluded beaches or sand bars.
EXCURSIONS
Pemba Channel Lodge is only two hours from Mombasa by road, just over an hour to the Shimba Hills and just under an hour to the Diani Beaches. This proximity allows for a number of easy one-day excursions.
– Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary – hundreds of acres of bush land nestled below the Shimba escarpment, home to over 300 elephant
– Shimba Hills National Park – famed for its panoramic vistas and wild orchids, and only one of two places in East Africa where the beautifully marked sable antelope can be seen.
– Diani Excursions – for endless white beaches, shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
– Mombasa Excursions, either by day or by night – for the Old Town, Fort Jesus, Swahili culture, shopping and restaurants
– Golf Excursions – Both Mombasa and Diani have first class 18 hole championship courses.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Pemba Channel Lodge guests’ are made comfortable by a lot that takes place that they don’t see. The Lodge is totally self-contained. It has its own independent power generator (64 kVA) in case of power outages and its own in-house water desalinater (10,000 litres of pure, fresh water are manufactured each day). However it’s not just the machinery behind the scenes that makes Pemba tick – there is, importantly, the dedication and hard work of all the staff. We believe that’s what makes Pemba Channel Lodge truly “a little corner of paradiseâ€
TO BOOK OR FOR MORE INFORMATION (Europe)
Tel: (34) 647 583498 or (34) 951 239832
E-mail: mailto:info@pembachannel.eu
Web: http://www.pembachannellodge.com
