About Us
As long-term Kenyan residents we are fortunate enough to have been able to travel all around the region and to have spent time in some lovely and memorable destinations (as well as one or two places to which we won’t be returning in a hurry…)
In putting together East African Retreats we wanted to help take some of the mystery, uncertainty and hard work out of planning a trip and booking a holiday house – by sharing and recommending a collection of our favourite discoveries – characterful private homes, small and intimate safari camps, and other unique and special places to stay.
We love experiencing East Africa’s magnificent scenery and abundant wildlife, unspoilt coastlines and beautiful beaches – and think accommodation is just as important as location. We value places that are well-designed and nicely furnished, places with history, originality and charm, places that are fun and family-friendly, with welcoming owners, efficient management, obliging staff and delicious cooking.
‘Self Catering’
Several of our retreats are available with a generous, all-inclusive, full-board tariff, but many are rented on a ‘self-catering’ basis. This doesn’t mean you will need to do any work in the kitchen – in fact quite the contrary. Simply bring your food and drink with you and discuss menus with the chef and staff when you arrive, and they will then prepare and cook and serve your meals as required.
In many of the retreats the staff can often do the local shopping for you, keeping a careful record of their purchases. At some retreats delicious home-grown and organic fruits, vegetables and meat are also available for guests to buy, and at our coastal retreats there is always a plentiful supply of lovely fresh fruit, fish and seafood, with the fishermen often bringing their catch straight to your door.
Individual and Unpackaged
We value the chance to be as independent and unconstrained as possible when on safari – to escape with family and friends to somewhere self-contained, peaceful and private – off the beaten track and away from some of the more well-trodden tourist trails. We really aim to avoid staying anywhere bland, humdrum or uninspiring – or ending up anywhere contrived, overpriced or over-the-top.
Some of the properties on our site have long and colourful histories – as so do several of their owners – and many were built as family homes or private weekend getaways. They range from the historic to the brand-new, from the modest to the palatial, and from the highly affordable to the somewhat less-so – but all the retreats share a sense of individuality and personality which we hope appeals as much to you as it does to us.
Personal Choice, Personal Service
We really hope you enjoy our choice of retreats and find our site comprehensive, helpful and inspiring when planning your travels. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any further information or advice – we’ll be happy to share our personal experiences of the properties, to pass on our local knowledge and to help in any way we can.
We only deal direct with you – and with the owners, managers and staff of the properties on our site. We don’t go through other booking websites or travel agents, and aim to give as prompt and individual a service as possible.
We are always looking for new and original places to visit and to add to our collection. We also really value feedback from you – our guests. So please do get in touch to tell us all about your stay – or to recommend another retreat to add to our portfolio.
With best wishes,
Andrew and Caroline
