Delta Dunes, Kenya

Here, in a little known coastal corner north of Malindi, with more than 50kms of private beachfront on its doorstep, Delta Dunes boasts six makuti-thatched rooms (including two family rooms), fashioned from local driftwood and perched atop enormous white sand dunes, shaded by doum palms and baobab trees. Each offers that rare, invigorating experience which comes with the back-to-nature freedom of no windows or doors!

This free-flowing space fully embraces the panoramic views of the Indian Ocean on one side and the winding Tana River Delta on the other – the only wetland of its kind in East Africa. The mix of savannah, mangrove swamps, forest and beaches make this a playground for incredible birdlife, pods of hippo, buffalo, elephant and waterbuck. The river safaris are a ‘must’ and guided walks, watersports and cookery classes can also be arranged. Local fishermen bring in the fresh daily catch – everything from crab to rock cod!

Forget the gym, your dune refuge is reached via hundreds of steps! There are two massage huts, a sundowner deck and a swimming pool too.

Access from Malindi is via light aircraft, helicopter or a 2 hour road transfer followed by a boat ride.