Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers

I quite liked the location. I was conflicted whether to stay along the coast or to stay here and decided to come here for a different experience. It was worth it to go because if I picked the coast I don't think I would have made the trip out here. It's quite tucked away, but has access to the creek beach where you can get picked up to go for a sunset cruise (definitely worthwhile). You're surrounded by nature and I saw a large land crab and hedgehog! They had some live music on Friday and it wasn't super busy at this time but still easy to meet other solo travelers.

It was a bit far to get to the beach, approximately a 15 minute piki piki ride.

We got upgraded to bandas and so we were very lucky in this respect. Great staff, atmosphere, chill space, incredible bioluminescence, activities, games, mangroves and local snorkelling, huge food portions. We loved it and easily could have stayed longer.

The shared kitchen needs some attention to make the place perfect; bigger fridge, more pans, more kitchen equipment such as bowls, cutlery and serving spoons etc, spices. I think there should be some thought put into an eco water filter system for drinking water to prevent people buying single use plastics. Constructive criticism but kitchen could be improved.

Really nice place overall. Bathrooms were always clean. Dorm is quite big and enough space for everything. There are also some shelves which is quite nice. Beds are big and not only standard small. Wifi overall good, sometimes bit spoty but works for calls. It is a place with quite some locals. Kitchen has the basic things.

Food is quite expensive. For example small small plate of chicken wings for 500 which is a lot. There are no lockers in the dorms, which would be nice. Fans don't really help the top beds so quite hot.

I loved the different options for accommodation (from tents and firms up to private rooms and huts) and the many cosy places where you could spend your time during day and evenings. Pool was fresh and clean, toilets also very clean whenever we went there, the tropical garden created a fresh micro-climate and wonderful atmosphere and the innovative ideas of upcycling and low waste management is an encouraging step forward. Food was delicious (I loved the baobab smoothie!!), couldn’t get through all menu points we wanted to try! All staff was super friendly and helpful! if you book tours, don’t miss sunset dhow trip with ‘Popote’!!

Nothing we disliked; If you order food don’t expect low prices, but for us it was worth it. I was worried first (rainy season) that the open windows in the rooms might give big mosquito trouble - but with huge Miskito nets and fan they have - no problem at all. We hope they’ll continue developing even more sustainable ideas in the future!

The staff were friendly and greet you by name (amazing!!) We we’re late arriving due to a flight delay, I received a message asking if I wanted to preorder dinner before the kitchen closed, and the menu was attached. The property was kept clean the entire time. The atmosphere is really casual and relaxed.

They had a and on the Friday night. They were great, but had some technical issues, which meant they started late and finished late. The music was going past 2am, which is fine for a lot of people. However I’m old, an go to bed by midnight, so it was a little much for me. But it wouldn’t stop my going back.

The place is really nice and the atmosphere in there is super good. The open mic is funny and on saturdays they also have live music. Moreover, if you are interested in a sailing trip to see the sunset ask for Abuu, he is a man from Lamu who is doing this excursions with his "dhow", typical sailing boat. It is a nice trip and he is a really interesting guy.

I thought there'll be more offer of excursions. You can ask at the reception how to get to places, and they are really kind but there are not many activities planned, such a group excursions.

We really enjoyed the area around the bar/restaurant and the pool, there were lots of possibilities to sit and chill. On Friday's there are often events happening so we enjoyed an evening there with live music. Another highlight was the access to the beach where you can find bioluminescence in the sea at night which is really something special.

Nothing major - but when you take the budget double room be aware that there's no glass in the windows, meaning you could sometimes hear the people in the neighbour rooms during the night.

The best eco lodge in Kenya🥰. DR meets all your expectations as a traveler. It's easy to access from Kilifi town and once you arrive, the staff are super helpful. The amenities are super clean and my favorite part are the lots of lounge areas. The wifi is great. The beach is literally 5 minutes walk, and the swimming pool on site is clean. There is a shared kitchen facility if you prefer making your own meals. The activities were awesome and I would definitely recommend this great stay for anyone coming to the coast. You will never meet a lodge that combines ecoculture, fun, vibes and fun all together.

nothing. the property met all my expectations

I came here for 2 nights and stayed for nearly a week. Absolutely stunning place with such lovely and helpful staff. which made the place hard to leave and a joy of a experience to stay. I’d recommend this place to anyone travelling to the Kenyan coast. beautiful rooms, bed and showers too.

the beach that is near the property isn’t very nice but your only a 10 min motorcycle ride to the nice beaches. Also found it slightly frustrating that I got told it was 100 Ksh to refill water but turned out to be 200 Ksh. yet, it meant it was 4 times the price to buy a bottle of water from the store. most ECO hostels I stay in have given free water or at least it’s cost the same as the supermarket. that was my only downside!

I was supposed to stay for one night and ended up staying for a whole month! The property is amazing, so much space to chill, sit, talk. Pool is great, music is good. Menu is big, food is tasty. And the people working there are the absolute best! I felt really at home and wish I could have stayed longer. They also upgraded me from a tent to a private house, for free, just because it was empty, how nice! And even though I loved the tent, private terrace, view of the trees and monkeys, it was nice to have a private outside bathroom. So thanks guys! Hope to see you again!! I also want to promote Abu Popote and his sailboat (dhow). He is such an incredibly nice and genuine person. He can also cook for you on the boat, and sailing at sunset is great! I went sailing with him twice :).

Maybe a closer bathroom to the tents?