Our Story
How it all began
The project was initiated in 2010 when co-founders Tom and Romain embarked on a journey from Addis Ababa to Cape Town. During their travels, they had the opportunity to visit Kilifi, where they encountered a diverse group of passionate artists, activists, and community builders.
The tranquility, unspoiled natural beauty, and warm hospitality of the locals, combined with the simplicity of life in Kilifi, deeply resonated with Tom and Romain. Inspired by these experiences, they made the decision to establish Kilifi as their home and the birthplace of the project known as Distant Relatives.
WHY Distant Relatives?
The name ‘Distant Relatives’ comes from Nas & Damian Marley’s song, sums up the central principle and aim of our project: to bring people together from all around the world to learn and share with one another and build lasting, positive relationships based on an understanding and appreciation of community and sustainability – at the end of the day, we are all Distant Relatives!
WHY WE’RE FAMILY FRIENDLY
Distant Relatives strives to create an environment for all types of travelers, families included! From sailing and snorkeling to exploring ruins or swimming in our pool, there’s no shortage of family friendly activities in and around the ecolodge. Parents and kids alike can enjoy movie nights, live music and our famous Friday night pizza!
All of our accommodations are suitable for families. For the adventurous family our safari tents are ideal! Our spacious private Bandas are perfect for larger families; complete with a queen bed, a set of bunk beds and a private bathroom and a shower.
AWARDS
Recognitions From Kenya And Abroad
Since its establishment in 2010, Distant Relatives has been the proud recipient of numerous prestigious awards. In 2020, for the sixth consecutive year, we were honored to receive the coveted Travellers’ Choice Award from Tripadvisor, along with the esteemed Certificate of Excellence. Additionally, we were privileged to be acknowledged as the Best Hostel in Kenya by Hostelworld for the year 2020.
Furthermore, in 2021, we were humbled to receive the esteemed Traveller Review Award from Booking.com, recognizing our commitment to exceptional guest experiences.
Our dedication to excellence and commitment to providing unparalleled hospitality has not gone unnoticed. We were honored to receive the African Business Excellence Awards 2020 from MEA Markets, underscoring our contribution to the African business landscape. Moreover, our efforts were recognized with the Global Experience Award in 2018 by TWISHT, further solidifying our position as a global leader in providing exceptional experiences to our guests.
To culminate our achievements, we were thrilled to be included in Hostelworld’s esteemed list of the Seven Best Independent Hostels in the world in March of this year. These accolades are a testament to the unwavering support of our esteemed guests, as well as the dedicated efforts of our remarkable team of staff, volunteers, friends, and family.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to our success and inspired us to continually exceed expectations. These accolades serve as a driving force for us to continuously strive for excellence in providing exceptional experiences to all who choose to make Distant Relatives their home away from home.