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The Pemba Channel Lodge

Barefoot comfort away from the stresses of modern life, a place of fresh air and perfect peace

The Pemba Channel Lodge is Sandra and Peter Ruysenaars' unique home on Kenya's South Coast.

The Pemba Channel Lodge is tucked away in the tiny fishing village of Shimoni on the southern Kenya coast, not far from the Tanzania border, 80 kms south of Mombasa. Shimoni, which means 'the place of the hole' was integral to the infamous slave trade of the 19C. Shimoni is about a 2 hour drive from Mombasa down the coast towards Tanzania.

Founded over 40 years ago, the rustic simplicity of The Pemba Channel Lodge combines African tradition with its Colonial Heritage and is comfortable and friendly. The feel of the place is low-key, informal and casual. Although simple, Pemba Channel Lodge is professionally run and provides a very high standard of service.

The Pemba Channel Lodge is in a tranquil setting and its elevated position ensures privacy and excellent views across the Channel to Wasini Island with the Usambara Mountains of Tanzania as a back-drop. The grounds are quiet and peacefully secluded. Central to the garden is our large fresh water swimming pool on the edge of a small cliff, the steps of which are the perfect place for evening sundowners. Laze there long enough and the silky evening turns to velvet night and the sun gives way to the major constellations and the Milky Way.

Food at the Pemba Channel Lodge is one of our passions! This is reflected in Sandra's enthusiasm and that of her team. Using a combination of Swahili, Indian, Mediterranean and Eastern Cuisines, the cooks produce exotic and imaginative faire - fresh seafood is one of our specialties, light and succulent salads, delicious dressings for pasta and super sauces for balmy evening bar-b-q's served with home baked breads, fruit and fresh salads from our garden. Special diets can be catered for on request. Please give us advance warning! The eclectic cuisine exceeds all expectations.

Highlights

- Excellent dolphin spotting, diving and big-game fishing
- Catch of the day seafood and superb cuisine
- Well stocked bar and excellent wine list
- 23 meter fresh water swimming pool
- Evenings sat on the edge of the world under the umbrella of a diamond studded, clear African sky

Your Hosts

Your hosts at the Pemba Channel Lodge are Peter and Sandra Ruysenaars, both proud Kenyans, who have a wealth of African experience and will enrich your stay with their warmth and hospitality.

Peter's family goes back a long way in Africa. In 1935 his uncle, together with 2 friends, set off from Holland on their pushbikes to look for a new life. They arrived in Kenya a year later, fell in love with the country and settled in Eldoret. In 1947 Peter's parents made the journey south by boat and joined the family on the farm in Eldoret. Peter was educated in Kenya and had his own successful accountancy practice in Mombasa before buying The Pemba Channel Fishing Club. In 1992 he sold his practice and came to join Sandra in Shimoni full time.

Sandra's father left the UK in 1947 and together with 3 friends and an old Austin A made their way down the west coast of Africa, along the equator eastwards and finally, they too, arrived in Eldoret, fell in love with the land and settled there. Sandra's mother arrived 2 years later, from the UK and married Monty.

Peter and Sandra look forward to welcoming you to their home and country.