Greetings from Distant Relatives!
We at Distant Relatives Eco-Lodge and Backpackers would like to say a big “Hi” and “Hello” to everyone out there – friends, family, guests, etc. We’ve been in somewhat of a transition phase these last few months and we’d like to thank everyone for their continued support and company. With lots of construction and what seems like an overwhelming amount of repairs (pool, oven, fridge, wifi) we’re getting back on our feet and are ECSTATIC about the holiday season!
Just in case you were wondering, we are still top of the charts on TripAdvisor for Specialty Lodging on the coast of Kenya, and we couldn’t be more proud! And it’s thanks to YOU for writing us awesome reviews and keeping this business going. Thank you!
Read on in this month’s newsletter for details on all our projects, photos of everything (including our new cute-as-can-be addition to the Distant Relatives Family) and all the information you need for the upcoming events during the holiday season!
Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter !
New bandas!
Many of you may know we were building six new, beautiful, eco-friendly private bandas. They are now ready! Each banda was built with love and care from the best local eco-friendly materials. Inside every one is a double bed, a set of bunk beds, and ensuite shower and toilet in private outdoor courtyards! The furnishings, toilet, and shower are mimicking the rest of our facilities – custom-made beds and shelving units, economical showers that feed into our banana plants and composting toilets. Check out the photos below !
The rates (outside of peak season) for the private bandas are as follows:
- One person = 3,000/- per night
- Two people = 4,000/- per night
- Three people = 5,000/- per night
- Four people = 6,000/- per night
So, we now have 7 ensuite bandas (sleeping 4), 4 private rooms (sleeping 3), 16 dorm beds, 5 safari tents (sleeping 2) and plenty of space for the campers! We recognise that everyone is on different budgets and might have different needs of privacy so we make sure everyone finds what they want!
We are so excited about these new additions and can’t wait to host you and show you around!
Repairs!
Remember this lady?
She’s had a total makeover, with brand new steps and bright blue lights for night-time swimming adventures!
Pizzas are BACK!
We also send our apologies for the recent lack of pizza nights earlier this month! In the spirit of needing repairs, our oven decided to take a break from life as well. It made its way back from Malindi and is back in action, making some even tastier & crispier pizzas that are all-you-can-eat every Friday night.
Holiday Events!
14th of December – Habari Kilifi News paper Launch AND …… ITS OUR BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Come celebrate the launch of Habari Kilifi, a newspaper that serves the Kilifi County, and raise a glass in honor of Distant Relatives’ first birthday! On Saturday, Dec. 14, Distant Relatives will host a fundraiser and birthday party with local live music, delicious bitings, and tasty drinks served up by your favorite bartenders in town.
Habari Kilifi (www.HabariKilifi.com) is a publication written by Kilifi residents, aimed at informing the community of news about everything from health to business, current events, education, sports and more (Habari Kilifi on Facebook!).
Our esteemed staff of professional and student writers will be on hand to meet the community and talk about how Habari Kilifi will help educate residents about local news that often goes unreported in other media outlets. The publication currently only publishes online, but is gearing up for a printed version in the new year. This launch party is also a fundraiser to help cover some of the costs of paying the writers and for the first round of printing Habari Kilifi’s first edition.
AND ….. Distant Relatives Eco-Lodge and Backpackers is turning One!!
After two months of busy building and renovations we are ready to rock and roll for the xmas season. We invite you to come and have a look at our recently finished Ensuite Bandas – Sit by the pool, enjoy a dawa, dance to some pumping tunes of Max Melesi and celebrate Habari Kilifi and Distant Relatives with us on Saturday, Dec. 14!
We ask you to donate a non-compulsory Ksh 200 on the door. All proceeds go to Habari Kilifi.
24 & 25 December: Christmas at Distant Relatives!
On Christmas Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 24), we’ll be hosting a party with iced mulled wine and plenty of mistletoe hung about.
On Christmas Day, we’ll host a big garden BBQ buffet with volleyball games, a giant Christmas present exchange, and all-day fun in the pool! Please RSVP if you would like to attend.
Check our Facebook page for more info!
New Years Eve in Kilifi!
We are so excited to announce we will be hosting this year’s Kenya Nights New Year’s Eve Party! Join us here at Distant Relatives for the Kenya Nights – Beautiful Faces Beautiful Places for NYE 2014, founded by the awesome Rizwan Ibrahim! Kenya Nights is the first and largest event photography service in Kenya, and focuses on “capturing the unique and vibrant ambiance that Kenya has to offer, tracking social events, festival, nightclubs, bars and pubs, etc.” The event is going to be loud and wonderful and will most definitely last all night! Unfortunately, we are already booked solid for that night, pole sana! Tickets are limited so contact us quickly!
Check out the Kenya Nights Facebook page for more details on the big event.
We are also very happy to announce that we will be starting what we hope to be an annual event – the Kilifi Roots Festival!! This all-ages event will be a collaboration between us at Distant Relatives Ecolodge and Backpackers, Kenya Nights Beautiful Faces Beautiful Places, Synergy Productions Kenya and AfroAsia. The event will feature local and international artists, musicians, workshops, yoga, hula-hooping, drumming, bonfire parties and more! The event will be over multiple days – from the 31st of January to the 2nd of February. Get ready to join around a big bunch of fabulous people to help bring Kilifi back to its roots!