Welcome to TAKAUNGU!
DIRECTIONS
Drive from Mombasa, go past Vipingo Sisal Estate. Immediately sisal stops there is a well sign posted sign to right to Takaungu.
Exactly 4 kms down dirt road there is a sign to the right to the secondary school.
Follow this road to the big tree, where you bear left to go past the PRIMARY school.
Take the first and only turning on your right immediately after the school and follow your nose past the school to the sea.
You will see a fork (keep right) in the road with a white gate directly in front or slightly to your right through which you pass to the house.
If in doubt ask at the village for Nyumba ya Mason.
Total of 6 kms from the tarmac.
There are two houses on the property (Taku Double Storey and Taku Bungalow) and although close are two separate entities and we hope you will respect the other houses privacy as much as they will respect yours ! Late nights and parties are fun, but really for those involved, as are boisterous children round the swimming at siesta hour !
There are two individual access routes to the beach which mean that the other house doesn’t have to wander past you when you have just woken up.
The beach is generally a haven of peace and the “cool pool” at the southern end which gives safe swimming or a lovely wallow at any stage of the tide. The water can be quite bumpy at high tide and there are currents.
High days and holidays and the beach is public property..all the village children and many residents come down and it is wiser to retire to a stiff drink on the verandah until peace reigns the following morning.
The fishermen have a Banda down on the beach but often leave their possessions with our staff which means at least a supply of fresh fish. Any problems with the fishermen please refer to Bakari who will talk to the Turtle Conservation Group who are our unofficial askaris for the beach.
Security has never been a big issue as we have a good relationship with the village and you will see the houses are hardly burglar proofed. We generally shut the main windows and doors at night to dissuade petty theft and Husseini sleeps around the houses to help. The Turtle Conservation Group keep an eye during the day but we would suggest not taking any valuables to the beach. Please also be careful not to take towels to the beach a sarong is more than adequate. Please, be careful and don’t leave cash or valuables lying around and lock up any wodge or valuable items in a safe place.
Bakari is the man in charge of pretty much everything and will do his best to keep his girls in line and look after you. He has a book which he keeps for village purchases and will tell you when he needs money and keep an account. Some items require a sortie to Kilifi and he can either tell you where to go or come with you to find things. At a pinch he can always get on a bicycle and go and buy things.
You will find all the basics in the village, tea, milk, sugar, eggs, basic fruit such as bananas and mangoes in season, some sodas, ice and margarine. You won’t find alcohol, butter, coffee, kerosene, diesel/gas or meat – for these items please drive to Kilifi. You should not run out of diesel or gas but should you do so, Bakari will advise where to get them in Kilifi.
Please note that fish will be bought up from the sea for you to purchase in season. Prawns and shellfish are generally not available from the beach and these may be purchased in Kilifi as well.
Coast houses are normally fine for wet swimming costumes but because this is also our home we do have leather dining chairs which are rather old and do better without wet bums. There are a few items of furniture that require a little more than gentle care so please treat them with the respect that age expects.
We have left you with all the very basics such as coffee tea sugar milk beer and soft drinks etc and started the cool box off with ice so if possible please leave the house with much the same for the next incumbents.
Please note that the freezer is on for an hour in the morning and in the evening, so it acts as a very large cool box and is NOT a fully fledged freezer. Kept topped up with lots of ice it will act like one, but please keep an eye on foodstuffs contained within it.
The swimming pool has no filters but is cleaned every morning and treated every evening. We have swum in it since it was built ten years ago and have never suffered any maladies! Please do ensure that an adult is always present when children are swimming and do not rely on the staff to caretake your children.
Ayah’s accommodation is not provided for. Should you wish to bring your ayah, separate arrangements must be made as there is no extra room in the quarters.
CONFIGURATION FOR TAKAUNGU DOUBLE STORY
Main house sleeps 2 x doubles. Cottage sleeps 1 x double and 2 x singles can be made up if needs be. The cottage and main house are all included in the rental.
Swimming pool
Rates
High Season (December 16th to Jan 30th – KShs. 20,000.00 per day, July and August)
Mid Season (April) 15,000/- per day
Low Season (Feb, March, May, June) 10,000.00 per day
CONFIGURATION FOR TAKAUNGU BUNGALOW.
2 x Doubles, 1 x Twin – sleeps 6 in total.
Swimming pool
Rates
High Season (December 16th to Jan 30th – KShs. 20,000.00 per day, July and August)
Mid Season (April) 15,000/- per day
Low Season (Feb, March, May, June) 10,000.00 per day
