Surrounded by holy forests and sacred land, the Kinondo Kwetu resort sits on the Indian Ocean’s Galu Beach, near the border with Tanzania, and a mere 15 minute drive from the Ukunda Airstrip.
Overview
Kinondo Kwetu is a spacious resort – seemingly endless amounts of green grass roll towards the sun-bleached beach, interrupted here and there by footpaths leading visitors to one or another of the resort’s attractions. There’s the ergonomically designed Lake Pool, spanning 23 metres both ways, and a smaller 10 metre pool tucked under the shade near the beach. In addition, it boats the luxurious main house, the sauna, the yoga house, the horse stables and paddocks, boat house, tennis courts and the office and shop – from which guests of Kinondo Kwetu can access the internet.
The main house is largely the indoor lounge area, decorated with African sculpture, pottery and carvings. The furniture is comprised of dark wood, soft weave and comfortable cushions – all centred on a large ornate hanging lantern, suspended through a hole in the ceiling from the room above. The main house also provides some serene balcony areas.
Food & service
Kinondo Kwetu encourages an atmosphere of freedom by having no fixed dining area – the three course lunch is taken on the beach, while dinner can be served under the night’s sky, or even in the water tower. The resort’s chefs take good advantage of what’s in proximity, and a key ingredient of the food served here is local fish. Meat and vegetables are also sourced locally, making the food at the Kinondo Kwetu as much as part of the stay as the surroundings are.
Rooms
With just 16 rooms and a maximum capacity of 36 guests, the Kinondo Kwetu is an intimate place. Each room has its own personalised character, all coming with king sized beds, fans and mosquito nets. Available are cottages, suites, double rooms, twin rooms and child friendly rooms. Many rooms have verandas and balconies, and all are extremely comfortable.
Activities
Activities include water sports, fishing, golf, horse riding, tours, wildlife drives, gym facilities, spa treatment and boat excursions. Water sport equipment is kept on site, keeping these activities available throughout the day.
Impact
Community
The Kinondo Kwetu Trust fund was founded in order to provide health care to the villagers and to support the education of children. The fund sponsors and administers sponsoring of school fees in secondary school. The fund is at present establishing a computer-training centre with the aim to educate children and adults.
Kinondo Kwetu Clinic started its operation in November 2008. It offers basic healthcare at a very low cost, a cost that is waived for those who cannot afford it. Since it started, the clinic has been recognised for its good work for HIV and TB patients, as well as for its laboratory.
The clinic expects to have about 21,000 patient visits this year. Included in this figure is the outreach activity of 9,000 expected visits. This outreach activity is very important, in order to serve the patients in the clinic’s TB program and to reach people in the villages.