"Kizingo is the ultimate 'no news, no shoes' beach resort - a wonderful secluded and tranquil escape from the modern world. The lodge is situated at one end of a spectacular 12-kilometre beach that stretches from Kizingo (which means 'the point' in Swahili) to the fashionable village of Shela. Kizingo has eight beautifully appointed bandas (thatched cottages), set well apart from each other. In the early morning you can enjoy tea in bed and watch fishing dhows tack south to Malindi.
 
Guests can be as private or as social as they wish, opting to enjoy fine dining on the balcony of their banda or join other guests in the bar and the dining room with their magnficent views across the bay to mainland Kenya where giant baobab trees spread into the brilliant blue sky.
 
Kizingo is owned and run by Mary Jo and Louis Van Aardt, both of whom were born in Kenya and, after a spell as coffee farmers in Zimbabwe, have managed a similar beach lodge. Because of their long and close relationship with the local village, its chief leased them this stunning beachfront land to build a small resort that is both eco-friendly and very comfortable. Like all the best resorts in Kenya, Kizingo has a symbiotic relationship with the local village, an hour away on foot, and with farmers on the mainland who grow food and make furniture for the lodge.
 
The swimming is excellent, both in the Indian Ocean and in the calm waters of the channel that separates Lamu from the mainland. For the more energetic there is a big choice of activities including a guided tour of historic Lamu Town, excellent snorkelling, the chance to swim with dolphins in the winter months and cycle rides to friendly African villages on the mainland.

Cross Ventilation
The large open plan design of bandas, with shaded windows and the reuse of natural materials allows for optimal cross ventilation. This ensures the rooms remain cool even on the hottest days.

Solar Power & Solar Water Heating
Each banda has its own 12V solar power. Electricity is generated by a 50W photovoltaic panel supplying six low energy D.C. lights. The hot water in the banda's are also heated by the solar power.
 
Water Management
Water supply is from a fragile fresh water lens floating on a layer of salt water. To protect the lens from over pumping, our water is extracted from wells equipped with float switches. Water is then collected in header tanks before being gravity feed to the bandas. All water is metered and recorded.
 
Waste water from showers, basins and the kitchen, excluding oil and fat, is collected daily and recycled in the garden.

Eco Toilets
Bandas are equipped with flushing 'eco-loos' that use 1 liter of water per flush. This has reduced our water consumption dramatically. After experimenting with a composting loo, we will be introducing them to the staff bandas over the next two seasons.

Composting
Kitchen waste is mixed with chicken manure and bedding then composted for use in the kitchen herb and salad garden.
 
Plastic waste is incinerated at over 800ºC, breaking down the organic constituents of plastic into carbon dioxide and water.

Fuel Consumption
We have purchased our first four stroke boat engine and plan to reduce our two existing engines. It is estimated that this should reduce our petrol consumption by 50%. Egg Production
 
We have 250 layers producing organic eggs. Eggs surplus to our requirements are sold to other lodges on the island.

Tree Planting
Annually we plant almost 1000 indigenous trees and scrubs to stabilize the sand dunes. Other exotics, 500 cassarina and 200 coconuts trees are also planted ensuring self-sufficiency in fire wood, staff cooking and bread making.
 
On the main land we purchased land and planted out 50,000 cassarina and eucalyptus trees over the last four years. The trees from this year will supply Kizingo with building poles as well, and the surplus will be harvested for sale. Money from this goes into the staff pension fund. Kipungani School Trust (KST)
 
Through the KST we have now completed the rebuilding of 14 schools in partnership with the local communities. Purchasing local materials and using the local tradesman to ensure most of the money is recycled where it is most needed.
 
KST also supports 21 teachers and scholarships to senior school for some 60 children. All the KST schools have a relationship with staff from Kizingo.