YOUR VINTAGE
KENYAN BEACH ESCAPE

THE HOUSES

Chikore

Chikore, meaning a chattering bird in the local Digo language, is a lovely two-bedroom house with antique arched windows and two bathrooms ensuite (a twin room with two double beds and a master with a king sized bed). The comfortable sitting room has beautiful antique Chinese furniture (a relic of the Indian Ocean trade routes) and original local art. The bedrooms are air conditioned and there are also overhead and stand fans. There is a lovely, spacious veranda with a plunge pool and beautiful views through the garden to the beach.

2 BEDROOM HOUSE
Dzumbe

Dzumbe, meaning ‘homestead’ in the local Digo language, sleeps 10 and boasts a large veranda and swimming pool, making it the perfect place for a family reunion or a group of friends. There are five bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and external terrace. There are two double and two twin rooms and an ensuite double annex with its own entrance. Designed in the Swahili style, with a high central hallway, the huge doorways draw in the sea breeze which circulates around the house providing natural air-conditioning. It is stylishly decorated with eclectic antiques and original art works by Kenyan artists.

5 BEDROOM HOUSE
Kualuka

Kualuka, meaning ‘to welcome’ in the local Digo language, is an airy, spacious three-bedroom house a stone’s throw from the beach. There is a double bedroom and a twin bedroom with shared bathroom and shower and a second twin bedroom with bathroom, dressing room and its own access. The spacious veranda, where one tends to while away the hours in the fresh sea breeze has places for sitting, dining and snoozing.

3 BEDROOM HOUSE

“The most romantic spot to stay on the whole coast is Four Twenty South, a group of cottages set in a tropical garden right on the sand.”

— Daily Mail

Feel right at home

DURING YOUR STAY AT FOUR TWENTY SOUTH

At Four Twenty South we offer you the privacy of your own home with the perks of a hotel.

Whether you get up early or late, feel lively or lazy, whether you want to spend your day on the beach or in the markets, whether you want to chill to the sound of waves lapping on the shore or thrill on or under the waves, the choice is yours. We are happy to advise on activities or make the arrangements for you. (see ‘Activities’ for information.)

Your personal chef usually arrives at 8am but please feel free to work out a timetable which suits you. The housekeepers will clean the house, make the beds and do the laundry; just leave your dirty clothes in the laundry baskets provided. The chef will discuss menus with you, write shopping lists and even do the shopping for you. The staff are professionals and their aim is to make your holiday as stress free as possible.
Children are welcome and the services of an ayah (nanny) can be arranged in advance if required. We have cots, high chairs and a baby bath. Boogie boards and buckets and spades are available for older children and there is a selection of children’s books in the library. There are also swings.
Good food is incredibly important to us. Our chefs are very adaptable and will soon understand your requirements but, if you would like to try something different, we have a menu of suggestions including locally influenced specialities cooked with spices, coconut, tamarind and baobab. We can also provide a fully catered option if you are staying in Dzumbe house.
We like to source locally if possible. Fresh seafood is delivered to your door (there is a fisherman’s landing site next door and you will see the ‘ngalawa’ boats heading out on the out-going tide). Seasonal fruits and vegetables are also delivered by local suppliers on bicycles. You can choose your ingredients yourself or leave it to your chef, entirely as you wish.
If you would like to eat from a barbecue under the stars we are happy to arrange it.
Cool bags for drinks/picnics can be provided on request.
There are four large supermarkets (in order of proximity along the beach road: Shree, Chandarana, Muthaiga Mini Market, Carrefour) and a number of banks, ATM machines and gift shops, all within 10-15 minutes’ drive.
Some of our guests enjoy the adventure of taking a tuk tuk or taxi to the shops while others would rather spend their time on the beach and let the chef do the shopping. There is a huge local market in Ukunda if you feel like an expedition guided by your chef.
We offer a complimentary service to stock the house in advance of your arrival. We would recommend choosing dinner and breakfast on your first day and then discussing your preferences with the chef.
For recommended restaurants please see ‘Activities’.
For the book worms, if you are not content with the selection of novels in your house there is a library with a large selection of books of all descriptions. Board games and cards for both children and adults are also available – call or Whatapp Jane on +254 722 901806.
We have WiFi installed in each house and a backup generator that can serve the entire plot.
The East African coast is a malarial area and prophylactics are recommended. As with all holiday destinations, medical advice from your doctor and medical insurance are advised. A doctor is on 24 hour call at a small, well-equipped private hospital nearby. There is a three day course of tablets called Coartem (based on the Artemesia plant) which is a safe and speedy remedy for malaria available in all chemists here.
It is advisable to wear a T shirt or rash vest when snorkelling to avoid too much sun.
Though one must always take care in and around the ocean, we are happy to report that this patch of paradise is relatively benign.
The lagoon is protected by a coral reef so sharks do not venture inside for fear of being beached at low tide. The sea creatures that do visit such as turtles and starfish, are mostly harmless. We do ask you be aware of sea urchins - beach/tennis shoes are needed for walking on the reef for this reason. They are occasionally brought towards the shore with a big tide but are visible underneath the water. When out swimming it is advisable to be aware of them and watch your step. If you are unlucky and tread on one, spines in the feet or hands are painful but we would advise you leave them alone and they will disintegrate in a few days. Do not dig them out as there is a risk of infection. Small jelly fish similarly may come in in certain seasons but the sting, while initially painful, is not dangerous and can be alleviated with vinegar (or urine!)
For your peace of mind we have taken the precautionary measures of having 'askaris' (watchmen) on duty day and night, CCTV and the owners of the property live onsite if any issues unexpectedly arise