Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers
Seahorse Road
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10 nights, 2 adults
Includes taxes and charges
10 nights, 2 adults
Includes taxes and charges
Why people book this hotel
“Staff are fantastic, friendly and so helpful”
“All staff were lovely as well”
“The vibe with the other guests, the location, the wide variety of activities the…”
“Pool area and beach”
“The architecture of the whole property makes you feel comfortable and we found i…”
“We were upgraded from a tent to a large adobe-walled family room which was super…”
“The place itself is very friendly with a lovely pool, great restaurant and acces…”
“The kids fell in love with the swimming pool, the kittens wandering around, and …”
“The dorm is extremely good value for what is offered”
“Very good food, try the pizza and crepes for breakfast , the team there is reall…”
Overview
Located at Kilifi Creek, just 3 km outside of town and surrounded by a community forest, Distant Relatives Ecolodge and Backpackers features a secluded beach area, a restaurant and outdoor pool. The lodge offers different accommodation types, ranging from family and double rooms to beds in a dormitory or safari tents. The spacious rooms feature custom made furniture and shelving. The waterproof tents feature a bed-side table and solar lights. Distant Relatives offers a communal kitchen. Meals can also be ordered from the restaurant and include vegetarian options. Cocktails and refreshments can be enjoyed at the bar. The lodge also offers regular live music events. Facilities at the lodge include outdoor bamboo showers, a private jetty, a library and a tour desk. An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, including cycling, hiking, volleyball, sailing and darts. Visits to the nearby Fumbene village can be arranged. Distant Relatives is 45km from Malindi Airport and 50 km from Mombasa Airport. Airport shuttles can be arranged for a fee.
Traveller reviews
Lukas
solo_traveller
May 29, 2026
“Nice place to meet people and do many activities”
The vibe with the other guests, the location, the wide variety of activities they can organise for you, the food.
Georgie
extended_group
May 26, 2026
Beautiful setting
Jason
extended_group
May 23, 2026
“Not bad , the communal area needs a bit more cleaning, pool didn’t look great! Don’t think the filter was working very w”
Staff are fantastic, friendly and so helpful
Chris
family_with_children
May 21, 2026
“Stay at DR in May '26”
Pool area and beach
Lorenzo
solo_traveller
May 10, 2026
“amazing place very nice stuff”
everything
Yannic
solo_traveller
May 7, 2026
“Beautifully in touch with nature, but expensive cafe”
Absolutely beautifully done lodge where you'll feel close to nature. All facilities worked great and below is a small beach with bioluminescent plancton. The dorm is extremely good value for what is offered. All staff were lovely as well.
Pia
solo_traveller
April 20, 2026
We enjoyed our stay at Distant relatives very much! We extended our stay several times, it was our favourite place to stay during our long trip. The architecture of the whole property makes you feel comfortable and we found it quite inspiring. The team was always friendly and welcoming and we met lovely people and we enjoyed the sunsets at the beach where you can walk down in a few minutes. We really can recommend a stay!!:)
Richard
couple
April 17, 2026
“A really friendly and nature-based venue, perfect for meeting other travellers.”
We were upgraded from a tent to a large adobe-walled family room which was super comfortable. The place itself is very friendly with a lovely pool, great restaurant and access to nature and a lovely beach on the estuary with amazing bioluminescent plankton!
Sita
couple
April 6, 2026
“Great, with a few glitches. 😊”
Gorgeous location, lovely vibes. Staff generally very kind. Creative beautiful shared areas
Rahel
family_with_children
March 26, 2026
Food was good
Matthew
solo_traveller
March 25, 2026
A welcoming place with opportunities to meet people but also space to chill on your own. A pleasant sense of being in connection with the plants and animals around us. Helpful staff.
Kim Sensener
solo_traveller
March 23, 2026
“Nice place a bit outside Kilifi town”
Lovely hostel, lovely people, lovely staff.
Florence
extended_group
March 22, 2026
Such a cool place, very friendly staff and good food.
sanne
solo_traveller
March 12, 2026
One of the best hostels i stayed at. Super kind people, nice area, great food, fun activities. Wish i could stay longer
bisaccioni
solo_traveller
March 12, 2026
Good location, nice dormitories surrendered by vegetation, large facilities with lots of space to relax , very comfortable bed , love the open shower surrendered by bamboo. Polite and well trained staff. Nice bar and good food at the restaurant. Very good music and playlist, love it ..
Alice
solo_traveller
March 10, 2026
“Would Never want to Ever have to go back.”
Being surrounded by Nature. Even though you could not enjoy much of it as the location is so noisy.
Sonia
family_with_children
March 4, 2026
“I LOVE IT!”
Our stay at Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers in Kilifi was truly unforgettable. This place is something special — created with heart, creativity, and deep respect for nature. From the moment we arrived, we were amazed by the beautiful zero-waste furniture and the eco-friendly design. Many of the pieces are handcrafted from recycled and upcycled materials, giving the whole space a unique, artistic soul. You can feel that everything here has a story. But what makes this place even more exceptional are the people. The staff are incredibly kind, open, and helpful — always smiling, always ready to make your stay even better. There’s a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel at home instantly. The beach nearby is simply stunning. Soft sand, warm ocean, and breathtaking sunsets. Steve can take you out on his boat for a magical sunset ride — watching the sky turn shades of orange and pink over the water is an experience we will never forget. And the food? Absolutely delicious! Everything tastes fresh and full of flavor. The pizza deserves a special mention — honestly, one of the best we’ve ever had! These were wonderful days that felt like they could last forever. The kids fell in love with the swimming pool, the kittens wandering around, and even the monkeys jumping playfully through the trees. There was always something exciting happening, yet the whole place still felt peaceful and relaxing. Distant Relatives isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a feeling, a community, and a little paradise you’ll want to return to again and again.
Phylicia
solo_traveller
March 3, 2026
Wonderful, wonderful. Big thanks to the amazing staff.
Mélodie
family_with_children
February 25, 2026
Perfect spot, fantastic staff
Carmella
solo_traveller
February 23, 2026
“Very social, safe, fun, good food , beautiful beach 4 minutes walk, a reallyfab for solo traveller”
Very good food, try the pizza and crepes for breakfast , the team there is really 👌
Facilities
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible, Higher level toilet
Activities
Back massage, Neck massage, Foot massage, Couples massage, Head massage, Hand massage, Full body massage, Yoga classes, Nightclub/DJ, Evening entertainment, Fishing, Games room, Massage, Billiards, Karaoke, Windsurfing, Darts, Canoeing, Hiking, Cycling, Diving, Snorkelling, Beach, Movie nights, Walking tours, Happy hour, Tour or class about local culture, Live music/performance
Cleanliness & disinfecting
Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against Coronavirus, Linens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines, Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays
Entertainment and family services
Board games/puzzles, Indoor play area, Kids' outdoor play equipment
Food & Drink
Kid meals, Snack bar, Special diet menus (on request), Wine/champagne, Fruits, Restaurant, Bar, Breakfast options
Food & drink safety
Physical distancing in dining areas, Food can be delivered to guest accommodation, All plates, cutlery, glasses and other tableware have been sanitized
General
Bicycle parking, WiFi available in all areas, Pets allowed, Non-smoking rooms, Facilities for disabled guests, Family rooms, Safety deposit box, Designated smoking area
Internet
Free WiFi, WiFi, Internet services
Kitchen
Shared kitchen
Outdoors
Sun terrace, Outdoor pool (all year), Garden, Terrace, Outdoor pool, Outdoor furniture, Picnic area
Parking
Parking, Free parking, Street parking, Accessible parking, Parking on site, Private parking
Physical distancing
Cashless payment available, Physical distancing rules followed
Pool and wellness
Swimming Pool, Sun loungers or beach chairs, Sun umbrellas, Pool/beach towels, Shallow end, Swimming pool
Safety & security
24-hour security, Key access, Security alarm, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguishers
Safety features
Access to health care professionals, Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities, Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas, First aid kit available
Services
Shuttle service, Daily housekeeping, Shuttle service (additional charge), Shared lounge/TV area, Airport shuttle (additional charge), Currency exchange, Meeting/banquet facilities, Airport shuttle, Laundry, Luggage storage, Tour desk, Car hire
Transport
Airport pick up, Airport drop off
Family Room
Offering a private courtyard with shower and toilet, this rooms features custom made shelves and furniture.
Budget Double Room
This room features an en suite shower, a fan and custom made shelves. It has a shared toilet.
Deluxe Double Room
This double room's standout feature is the pool with a view. This double room has a desk, a terrace, garden views and a private bathroom. The unit has 1 bed.
Double Room with Garden View
This double room provides a pool with a view. This double room features a desk, a terrace, garden views and a private bathroom. The unit offers 1 bed.
Hotel Policies
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