Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers

If you like hostel/backpackersl vibe, this is the place for you! There are not so many options in Kenya, so Distant Relatives really stands out. You will be surrounded by nature, friendly and helpful staff, animals (monkeys, cats, dogs, insects, birds) and interesting people. When it rains, the roof might be leaking in some rooms, but the administrator resolved the issue quickly and moved us to another room. Communal toilets and shower were always clean and well-maintained. The location is a bit far from the main beach but there are always boda bodas outside the gate, and you can also call a tuktuk. They host different events such as musical jams and night parties. The food in the restaurant is also very delicious! A few suggestions for improvement: 1. Communal kitchen is not very well equiped as there are few cooking items available, especially clean ones if someone who cooked before did not clean after themselves. Maybe additional pots for heating water for tea/coffee and a couple of more frying pans would be good to have. 2. There should be dedicated smoking areas or much more non-smoking areas. It was unfortunate that many people smoked around all the time meanwhile we came to enjoy nature and fresh air - it just did not feel right that in the Ecolodge smoking is allowed almost anywhere. 3. Music sound control. Sometimes I felt like the music in the bar area was a bit too loud for morning hours when I would prefer to relax in silence as the day unfolds, but maybe I could just ask to lower it a bit. Sometimes at night it was a bit noisy too and there was some noise at around 4 am on Sunday coming from the village (must be the church!) Just bring your ear protectors :)

Staying at distant relatives was an absolute treat! We arranged for a car to pick us up from Malindi airport when we booked our stay which was very helpful. The driver was there when we landed and it was a smooth drive. The grounds at DR are beautiful, check in was easy and we were given a tour of the area. It was great to have the option to have food/drink on the premises when we weren't out and about in town. Our room was so nice and cozy (so nice to have options from dorms to private rooms with private bathrooms all at very affordable prices). The pool was such a treat and there's so many areas to hangout outside, almost always right next to outlets, as well! The staff is very kind and helpful and there's always something to do. I would definitely stay here again when I visit Kilifi!!

DR lies on top of what is almost a privat little beach towards the Kilifi Creek. The compound includes some mostly friendly animal life; very nice eco-themed daily activities. bar/food could be a tad cheaper but are perfectly ok, there's also the possibility to prepare one's own meals. Staff is very friendly.

Would recommend this place to anybody looking for some down time at a beautiful location on the Kenyan coast, but still wanting to meet up with folk and share some good vibes, meet interesting people and recharge with positive energy. Wonderfully located overlooking the creek in Kilifi, it is well organised, with friendly positive staff and management, and there is always something going on. The food is good, and accommodation in the Bandas is great for families as well as for couples and individual travellers. They often have gigs and djs in on a friday night, and with its own swimming pool and access to a beach, it really is a great place to hang out, and from which to explore Kilifi and the surrounding areas. Definitely coming again.

I loved the privacy it offered for one seeking some quiet ,relaxed enviroment. The variety in meals offered. The whole eco setting within the vicinity. The kids enjoyed the uninterrupted swimming sessions & making friends. For house keeping,they should ensure it's a daily routine in terms of changing bed sheets & pillow cases ,cleaning of rooms & bathroom & toilet areas,disinfecting of the same & probably put an active supervisor to do follow ups on the same to ensure high standards of hygiene.

What an amazing place, I loved being here. Distant Relatives Eco Lodge is located in a quiet place, close to the beach on the river. The staff are friendly and helpful. Food and bar service is good. Common area with pool is a great place to sit and relax, you can feel the peace and the real hostel vibe here.