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Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers

3.0 star property
From live concerts to outdoor adventures and global cuisine, travelers find a perfect blend of entertainment and exploration at this eco-friendly retreat

Choose dates to view prices

Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers offers a warm, family-friendly atmosphere near Mnarani ruins. Enjoy local and international dishes at the on-site restaurant, relaxing massages at the spa, volleyball, ecotours, hiking, or rent scooters to explore.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available
  • Business services

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Comfort Double Room, 1 Queen Bed, Shared Bathroom

Individually decorated, individually furnished, blackout curtains

Comfort Double Room, 1 Queen Bed, Shared Bathroom

  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Comfort Quadruple Room

Individually decorated, individually furnished, blackout curtains

Comfort Quadruple Room

  • 30 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Large Single Bunk Bed

View all photos for Economy Tent, Shared Bathroom

Individually decorated, individually furnished, blackout curtains

Economy Tent, Shared Bathroom

  • 9 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Comfort Shared Dormitory, Shared Bathroom

Individually decorated, individually furnished, blackout curtains

Comfort Shared Dormitory, Shared Bathroom

  • Garden view
  • 30 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Large Single Bunk Bed
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About the area

Located in Kilifi, Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Mnarani ruins and Vuma Cliff Paso Noroeste are two other places to visit that come recommended. Scuba diving, snorkelling and windsurfing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Kilifi travel guide
View more Hostels in Kilifi
Map
Seahorse Road, Kilifi, Kilifi County, 80108

What's nearby

  • Small cove with a rock
    Bamburi Beach
    58 min drive - 57.8 km
  • Pwani University
    15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Kilifi Creek
    20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • St. Patrick's Catholic Church
    6 min drive - 3.0 km
  • Mnarani ruins
    9 min drive - 5.2 km

Getting around

  • Vipingo (VPG)
    37 min drive

Restaurants

  • Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant
    11 min drive
  • Kusini Tavern
    6 min drive
  • The Kilifi Club (Members)
    6 min drive
  • Village Dishes Catering Services
    5 min drive
  • Coffee Pub
    5 min drive

About this property

Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers

Family-friendly hostel near Mnarani ruins
You can look forward to a corner/local shop, concerts and live shows and a terrace at Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers. Active travellers can enjoy volleyball, hiking/biking trails and ecotours at this hostel. Treat yourself to a massage or other spa services. The on-site local and international cuisine restaurant, Distant Relatives, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and light fare. In addition to a garden and a playground, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • Free self-parking
  • Continental breakfast (surcharge), a round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge) and babysitting (surcharge)
  • Games, evening entertainment and multilingual staff
Room features
All guestrooms are individually furnished, and have amenities such as free WiFi.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Recycling, composting and eco-friendly cleaning products
  • Toasters, stovetops and freezers
  • Private gardens, wardrobes/cupboards and portable fans

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Free in-room WiFi is limited to 24 hours per day
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • 24-hour return airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available 7 AM to noon for a fee: USD 2 to 9 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Distant Relatives

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Beach volleyball
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Books
  • Concerts/live shows
  • Ecotours
  • Evening entertainment
  • Games
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Karaoke
  • Library
  • Playground
  • Scooter/moped rentals
  • Yoga classes

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Grocery/convenience store
  • Laundry facilities
  • Playground
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • Grocery/convenience store
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Shared refrigerator
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Direct access to the beach
  • Garden
  • On the waterfront
  • Outdoor entertainment area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Spa

  • Massage

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No lift
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • Built in 2012
  • Communal living room
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Mosquito nets

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Private or shared bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Cleaning supplies
  • Freezer
  • Hob
  • Toaster

More

  • Cleaning products are eco-friendly
  • Composting
  • Electrical adapters
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Portable fan
  • Recycling
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; check-in end time: 10 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Late check-out subject to availability

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); to arrange pick-up, guests must contact the property 24 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 10 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets stay for free
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Cots (infant beds) are not available

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for continental breakfast: approximately USD 2 to 9 per person
  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 55 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 4)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property uses a grey water recycling system
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
There is no hot water on site
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
Free in-room WiFi is limited to 24 hours per day

Property is also known as

Distant Relatives Ecolodge Backpackers Hotel KILIFI
Distant Relatives Ecolodge Backpackers Hotel
Distant Relatives Ecolodge Backpackers KILIFI
Distant Relatives Ecolodge Backpackers Hostel KILIFI
Distant Relatives Ecolodge Backpackers Hostel
Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers Kilifi

Frequently asked questions

Is Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers?

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; check-in end time: 10 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers?

Checkout is at 10 AM.

Does Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request. A fee of USD 55 per vehicle applies.

Where is Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers located?

Offering direct access to the beach, this Kilifi hostel is 2.9 mi (4.7 km) from Mnarani ruins and 11.1 mi (17.9 km) from Vuma Cliff Paso Noroeste.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

9.0

Cleanliness

9.4

Location

9.2

Staff & service

9.0

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 14 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 14 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 14 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 14 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 14 reviews

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Faith

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Booked two rooms for family members.Check in was seamless, friendly staff and will definitely recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Zhao

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a great stay!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lieve

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very atmospheric and sociable place. Socially committed, sustainable and with a strong local base. A great place to hang out and relax. Great music events.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

4/10 Poor

Muhammed

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I stayed at Backpackers before this is not backpacker anymore. Price of beer is $4 cocktail $8. Not eco anymore they have English toilets. Price of room is higher than nearby B&B. Everyone who was staying was complaining about the prices. This place used to be really nice and affordable and staff were friendly. Even new staff don’t seem to like working there. WiFi didn’t work at all so I couldn’t work.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emma Kristin mørk

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Fantastisk!

Utrolig flott «hostel» Dette lå 5 minutter fra en fin Strand, har utrolig godt basseng. Mat og drikke er ganske dyrt, men veldig godt. Å bo her Anbefales. Føltes mer som et resort enn et hostel.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice place. I would come there next time again. Nice people there. Nice landscape.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Huug

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

An oasis in busy Kenia

Also this stay was fantastic. The “Back packers” as it is known by the locals gives you a basis to come yo yourself and plan whatever you want. Great assistence when you want something - inside or outside the lodge
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Huug

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

An oasis in Kenia

Fantastic accomodation. It really feels like coming home. The eco element implies that people tend to be more considerste in various ways!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Githaka

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Loved the Bandas, with the open showers and composting toilets. Friendly staff and good location.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bhavin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amanda

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

sofia

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018