Twiga Lodge — Hotel in Tiwi ward

Twiga campsite is hands down one of my favourite camping spots!! ||||I left a review for Twiga Lodge back in 2011, 7 years later I thought I would give a new and updated review. I camp here about twice a year, it's the best beach camping spot along the coast. It's quite, except during the holidays, so be prepared to relax. ||||I've included how to get here, transport, people, food, drinks, camping, the beach, beach boys, safety, prices etc. ||||Ohh and they now have FREE Wifi.||||CAMPING COST: ||Ksh 400/- per person - you can also rent rooms for about 3k a night (I think) as well as rent camping equipment. Call Iddi, one of the managers, to find out more: 0728-772-579. ||||WHERE TO PITCH: ||You can pitch your tent, car, tepee, hammock or anything else you choose to sleep in among the many shaded, grassy green or sandy spots available (they do have some tents you can rent as well - so don't worry if you don't have a tent). ||||Personally, I love waking up with the sunrise, so always pitch my tent right on the beach under the coconut trees, but for those who prefer a little bit of a longer AM sleep, you can choose to pitch upon the grass, all the views are stunning. ||||The sun does warm up your tent and by 7 am (ish) you'll be forced to get up, natures natural alarm clock. The good thing is the warm and welcoming sea is right in front of you, or you can head up to the restaurant and grab a coffee. ||||TOILETS: ||Male and female toilets are separate, although not far from each other. There are plenty of showers with strong water pressure. The toilets flush and are the western seated style, all very clean, although simple and rustic. ||||You'll find some friendly geckos hiding behind the doors when you open/close the door behind you, don't be alarmed, they are harmless and actually help by eating the bugs and mosquitos. ||||FOOD: ||You can eat at the super-chilled restaurant on site or cook your own food. The restaurant food is super tasty and well priced. Garlic-buttered or grilled fish at just 650/- as well as club sandwiches with chips at 450/- to give you an idea on pricing (I'll upload photos of the menu). ||||If you do cook your own food you can either buy the fresh seafood the fishermen will bring, usually while the tides are coming in as this is when they stop fishing or place an order from one of the local fishermen (make sure you agree on a price before). ||||It's a good idea to befriend one of the friendly beach boys, they can also bring you vegetables etc. from the local village. I usually use 'Ruddy' or 'Eddy', both have been working thier trade along Tiwi for many years. Just make sure you write a clear list and give a VERY clear explanation, as well as agree on rough prices. Ask them to get you some 'Maharagwe Ya Nazi' (Beans in Coconut Milk) and some chapaties - super tasty. Breakfast! ||||BREAKFAST: ||Tea/Coffee with milk is just 200/- for a pot and gives you around 3 small cups, expect to share some with the friendly cat who might befriend you. ||||The breakfast options are eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, and juices.||||Prices range from Ksh250/- for coffee and 3 toast with jam and margarine to a full fry up for Ksh650 that includes fresh juice and coffee. ||||LUNCH AND DINNER:||Go for the fish, it's super tasty. Get the pan-fried Taffi or fish fillet with garlic butter, these are probably my 2 favourites and just Ksh650, served with rice or chips and a small coleslaw (super filling).||||There are also different kinds of pasta, sandwiches, burgers, pilau, and biryani dishes ranging in price from Ksh400 for the sandwiches to Ksh700 for the Pilau. ||||Prawns are seasonal and will set you back around Ksh1,200. ||||Pizza is also on offer, but they don't have a pizza oven, so don't expect to be blown away. Chips and other potato sides are just 200/- ||||Tip: You can ask the restaurant to cook any seafood you buy from the fishermen, negotiate a fair price and buy a few side dishes. ||||DRINKS: ||There is a well stock bar with everything you need open from around 7ish to 10ish (depending on the season and if there are clients). ||1.5L cold water: 150/- ||Beers: 250/- (Pilsner, Tusker, Whitecap, Balozi) ||Sodas: 100/-||Spirits 150/- to 300/- (depending on the type) ||||FISHERMEN SEAFOOD PRICES: ||Some days you'll get a bargain, others you'll pay a little more depending on whos there and how good a catch they had that day.||||Pay what you feel is fair and always remember it cost 600/- for a super tasty fish fillet or pan-fried fish at the restaurant. ||||To give you an idea:||Octopus: 150-400/- each (depending on size)||Fish: 100/600+ depending on the size and type (parrot and snapper are always winners) ||Squid: 200-250/- each (depending on size)||Lobster: 500-2,000/- (depending on size)||Prawns: 400-1000/- a KG depending on the season ||||Tip: Get the fishermen to clean whatever you buy, so that it's ready to cook and then get the restaurant to keep it in thier freezer. Just remember to take it out with enough time to defrost. ||||WHAT TO SEE AND DO: ||Apart from re-energize and planning to not have a plan, there are some pretty cool rock pools on the far left of the beach during the low tied. The beach has a reef and you'll usually get a high and low tied twice a day, apart from when it's a spring (neep) tied. ||||A number of the rock pools are in the shape of different countries, the African one being the best, you might argue it looks a bit like Australia, either way, it's pretty cool. It's a good 6-10ft deep when the tied is out and definitely worth a visit for a swim, snorkel and a cliff jump, just make sure you look after or leave your valuable as there have been a number of incidents where things get snatched. Don't let this happen to you, to be on the safe side, ask one of the beach boys who will 'guide' you and look after your stuff, Ruddy or Eddy are both trustworthy. You can also ask the restaurant staff what beachboy they would recommend - agree on a price and enjoy the rock pools, it's win-win for everyone.||||Tip: If you have open sea shoes or even flip flops wear them, there are quite a number of sea urchins in places. Take your snorkels or hire some of the beach boys, few hundred shillings, and make sure you jump off the cliffs, great fun. ||||BEACH BOYS: ||Unlike many of the north coast (Bamburi) or south coast (Diani) beach boys the Tiwi beach boys are relatively chilled. They make thier money by selling anything and everything they can to tourist, it's a daily hustle for them and for the most part they are respectful and will look out for you. ||||It's a good idea to let them bring you some fresh coconuts, firewood, vegetables, chapatis, milk or anything else you might need for a small cost and they will soon leave you alone and be your best friend. But don't feel pressured, if you don't need anything don't get it.||||Call Rudi: 0791-942-206 if you need anything. ||||SAFETY: ||The coast has seen a large decline in tourism in most areas over the last decade, once a hotspot for hundreds of thousands of tourist, numbers have dropped. Obviously, this means job losses, resulting in a few negative incidents. If you make sure you don't walk around with all your valuable outside on the main road or along the beach in secluded areas you will be fine. Simple precautions will ensure you will enjoy this little slice of paradise without any issue or worries, I've been going for years and years now and never had an issue. ||||TRANSPORT: ||You can get to Twiga by public transport or private. There are lots of bikes (boda boda's) on the main road that will take you from the main road to the camp for only Ksh 100/- per person. Call ZINGA on 0721886767 - we used him and his friend whenever we needed a bike. Lovely old man! ||||Taxies are also available on request (Call the camp on +254(0)721 577614) and they will help set that up. Expect to pay 1,000/- to 3,000/- for trips to Diani or Mombasa. ||||You can grab a Tuku Tuku from the main road to either Diani or Likoni Ferry for about Ksh 500 to 600 and that can fit 2 people comfortably with luggage. A fun and chilled experience! ||||You can call this number when/if you need a Tuku Tuku - 0742643221 - we used him from the main road to Likoni ferry as we left the car back in Nairobi. Great little adventure - much more exciting and memorable then a taxi.||||Matatus cost about 100/- from the main road to Diani or Likoni ferry. ||||Avoid walking the long road - it's long and much safer as well as easier just grabbing one of the many bikes or tuk-tuks. ||||CALL AHEAD: ||You can call Camp Twiga and ask for help if you need anything from transport to renting a tent. ||||Eddi: 0728 772 579 or 0721 557 614 (camp manager) ||Beach Boy Rudi: 0791-942-206 ||||||Enjoy your stay and have an...

This review is for the campsite. Twiga Lodge Campsite. A gorgeous gem of a campsite right on the most beautiful stretches of beach on the south coast of Kenya. Tiwi Beach is the actual name of the beach. The fact that the shower and toilet blocks could have appreciated some substantial work doesn't in the least bit take away from the magnificence of the camp site location and the beach itself.

You can set up your tent right on the beach itself and I believe this is the only camp of its kind in this part of the world where you can do that...and boy, what a beautiful beach it is!

We keep coming back every chance we get and we can't have enough of this campsite or the beach. You can actually sense yourself thawing out your stresses and the kids just love it, the swimming, the snorkelling...

...plus their food is both well thought out and delicious! We just love the straightforward, uncomplicated seafood and meat dishes they have and at good prices. Again, you would never guess from the dated bar and restaurant area that they can produce such tasty food.

The lounge area also commands magnificent beach views. All this campsite for just Kshs. 400/- or US$ 4 pppn! Really?How better can it get? Just cone see...

I absolutely love this place and should be a stop on any backpackers trip to the coast. I've been 4 times and family and friends. The staff are friendly and polite. I usually camp as I tend to go for a few weeks at a time. The campsite is on the beach and the views at sunrise can be amazing. ||It is a little run down and the menu is limited but the drinks are cold and it's reasonably priced. If you don't mind the paint flaking around the edges it's really worth a visit. You get the beach boys on the beach but they are regular guys who have worked there for years and if you order a couple of carved key rings when you arrive (for around 500 ksh) they don't bug you as much as the guys down the coast at diani do. ||It's close enough that if you want a night out in Diani you can reliable taxis are available from Ruwa on 00254 721307872) and there's safari day trips to the shimba hills and down to the marine park as well as snorkelling in the rock pools just past the end of the beach. ||I have never found anywhere more beautiful or worth a stop over. Honestly...