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Fig House is the epitome of luxurious living on the Indian Ocean. It is situated on a low coral cliff, at the confluence of Takaungu creek and the Indian ocean.

Low tide reveals acres of sand, studded with tide pools - each an aquarium in miniature. As the tide turns, the creek is transformed into turquoise shallows, on which fishing dhows sail home.

The house speaks of warm casual elegance - soft curves and muted tones. It is spacious and hand crafted from coral and dhow-wood - suited to idle days and moon-lit nights.

GETTING THERE

The house is perched on the north side of Takaungu creek, on the Indian Ocean. It should be approached through Kilifi Plantation via a turnoff on the main Mombasa - Malindi road c. 1 km south of Kilifi bridge. It is approximately 1.5 hours from Mombasa and Malindi airports and approximately 15-20 minutes from the new airstrip at Vipingo Ridge ( 3 weekly flights from Nairobi www.fly540.com) . The plantation is on the east side of the main Mombasa-Malindi road.

ACCOMMODATION

The house is large and spacious with four bedrooms and easily sleeps 10 ( 2 x 2, 2 x 2+1). Under special circumstances it may be possible to sleep more. It is ideally suited to family groups. Depending on the time of year and availability, it is possible to either take the whole house or to take individual rooms.

The plantation is a great place to walk - especially in the cool of the morning or in the late afternoon. The groves of baobabs and figs that lie to the north around the mouth of the creek are good for bird-watching - and monkeys, duiker, fruit-bats etc are often seen when the trees are in fruit.

The quiet tracks around the plantation are ideal for jogging and all link up, so eventually you will come back to somewhere you recognize.

FOOD

You may take the house fully-catered or bring your own food.  Fig Tree House has an excellent cook. He will prepare and cook anything you bring, or you may prefer to shop locally. Seafood can be purchased from local fishermen - prawns, fish, squid, crab, lobster, octopus etc.  Basic foodstuffs are available in Kilifi where there is a market and a new supermarket. The nearby farm shop sells chicken, fruit and dairy products.  If coming through Mombasa, it is advisable to shop at the Nyali ‘Nakumat’ on the way as it has a much wider range.

The boat yard does reasonable meals, and is the social hub of the fishing/ sailing community.

TAKAUNGU CREEK

There is a private hand-hewn tunnel through the cliff, leading from Fig House to the creek. At low tide, acres of sand and rock-pools are exposed to explore and enjoy.

TIDES / SURF

The currents are what you would expect of a tidal creek - in and out, depending on the times of low and high water - strongest in the middle 2 hours of the six hour cycle and on spring tides. There can be surfable waves at the creek mouth and there is often a good reef-break c. 2km offshore - swell forecast.

UTILITIES

Fig House has mains power (240v) and water, backed up by its own generator and private sweet-water well. The house water is heated by solar and might take a minute or so to run hot. There is back-up immersion heating in the unlikely event of a cloudy day. Water for drinking is boiled and filtered and chilled ( the cook will do this), or bottled water can be obtained locally. The house does not have  internet but there is good mobile phone coverage. The best local cell provider is SAFARICOM and SIM cards can be purchased cheaply locally ( £ 1-2) along with pre-paid scratch cards.

SECURITY

The plantation has its own security, and in addition Fig House has a night watchman and is linked by radio to KK security - there are red security buttons in the master bedroom, the kitchen and at the bottom of the stairs. The KK call-out alarm can also be used in the case of personal accident.

HEALTH

There is a pharmacy and local hospital in Kilifi and larger hospitals at Mombasa. Many guests will have taken temporary flying doctor membership as part of their safari and, should a flying doctor call-out be necessary, there is a 1000m grass airstrip in the plantation a few minutes drive from the house.

There has never been a case of malaria at Fig House, but we advise guests to follow the recommendations of their home countries on general medical advice / malaria prophylaxis while in Kenya.