A slower kind
of coastal living.
Eco retreat · Kilifi, Kenya
Explore Maya Ilai
A place to
slow down.
Maya Ilai is a private coastal retreat where nature, space and simplicity come together. Surrounded by lush greenery and just moments from the ocean, it's a place to pause, unwind and truly be present.
Nature lives hereThe House &
Its Surroundings
Made for open-air living.
Maya Ilai unfolds around light, greenery and generous outdoor spaces, where the architecture opens naturally into the garden and the days move easily between inside and out.
to breathe.
through the property.
between villa and garden.
Your stay is powered
by the sun.
Maya Ilai is one of Kenya's most genuinely sustainable retreat properties. No greenwashing — the systems are real and the commitment runs through every element of the operation.
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Fully solar powered
Every unit, the pool, the bar, the lighting. Your stay generates zero grid electricity demand. The sun does the work.
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Desalinated water
Luxury without freshwater depletion. Water is drawn from the Indian Ocean and desalinated on-site — no pressure on the local freshwater table.
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Rainwater harvesting
Every rainfall is captured and stored as part of the Tribal Dunes water management system, reducing reliance on pumped water further.
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Coral restoration
An active coral restoration project operates near Tribal Dunes. Guests can observe or participate — a living contribution to the Indian Ocean reef ecosystem.
Villas, studios,
or the whole compound.
Sixteen units around one pool, bar and garden. Take a studio, a full three-bedroom villa, or all of Maya Ilai for your group.
16 units — villas & studios
Room Only
Perfect for solo travellers or couples seeking a peaceful retreat with all essential amenities.
Room with Living Area
Enhanced comfort with dedicated living space — ideal for extended stays and longer coastal living.
Full Villa
Complete three-bedroom villa with full kitchen and shared living spaces — designed for adult groups seeking privacy and comfort.
Villas · 8 three-bedroom villas
Rooms ending in 1 & 2 are double rooms. Room ending in 3 has bunk beds — ideal for groups and kitesurf camps.
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Villa 1101 · 102 · 103
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Villa 2201 · 202 · 203
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Villa 3301 · 302 · 303
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Villa 4401 · 402 · 403
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Villa 5501 · 502 · 503
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Villa 6601 · 602 · 603
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Villa 7701 · 702 · 703
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Villa 8801 · 802 · 803
Studios · 8 private studios
Self-contained studios designed for simplicity, comfort and relaxed coastal living. Communal pool, bar and gardens included.
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Studio 1
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Studio 2
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Studio 3
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Studio 4
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Studio 5
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Studio 6
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Studio 7
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Studio 8
Full buyout · all 16 units
All sixteen units, exclusively yours.
Eight three-bedroom villas and eight studios around one pool, bar and garden — for wedding groups, corporate retreats, kitesurf camps and multi-day celebrations.
- Retreats — corporate and wellness groups
- Celebrations — weddings, birthdays, New Year's Eve
- Quote within 24 hours, no payment at enquiry
All units have access to the communal pool, bar and garden spaces. Electric bikes and golf carts are available to the whole compound for easy movement to the beach and around Tribal Dunes.
Everything included
- Fully solar powered
- Desalinated water
- Communal pool
- E-bikes & golf carts
- Bar & garden
- Free Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning
- 24-hour security
- Rainwater harvesting
- Beach · 5 min walk
Bofa Road, Kilifi,
Kenya's North Coast.
Maya Ilai sits at the quiet back of Tribal Dunes. Transfers can be arranged by the Tribal Sand team.
By air
Fly into Nairobi JKIA, the main international gateway, with a short connecting flight to the coast. Mombasa's Moi International Airport is about an hour from Kilifi by road.
By road
From Mombasa, follow the coast road north through Mtwapa and Vipingo to Kilifi. Maya Ilai is on Bofa Road inside Tribal Dunes.
To the beach
Five minutes on foot through Somewhere Café, or by electric bike and golf cart, both available to guests.
Check-in
From 2:00 PM. Check-out by 10:00 AM. Minimum stay two nights. Adults only, minimum age 16; guests aged 16 to 17 may stay without a parent or guardian.
Tribal Dunes · Bofa Beach, Kilifi
Maya Ilai occupies the rear section of the Tribal Dunes property on Bofa Road, Kilifi. The beach is approximately five minutes on foot, passing through Somewhere Café and the heart of the ecosystem.
- Address
- Tribal Dunes, Bofa Road, Kilifi, Kilifi County, Kenya
- Mombasa (MBA)
- About 1 hour by road
- Nairobi (JKIA)
- Direct air link to the coast
- Beach
- 5 min walk via Somewhere Café
- Maya KobeBoutique hotel
- Tribal TableNow open
- Tribal Kite SchoolOcean sports
- Somewhere CaféComing soon
- Off DutyComing soon
Things to do
around Maya Ilai.
Everything in Tribal Dunes is a short walk away. Further along the coast, the Tribal Sand team can arrange trips around your stay.
Kitesurfing
Lessons and gear with Tribal Kite School, inside Tribal Dunes.
On siteBofa Beach
White sand and the Indian Ocean, through Somewhere Café.
5 min walkTribal Table
Restaurant and bar in the Tribal Dunes village.
Now openSomewhere Café
Beachfront café on the path to the sand.
Coming soonCoral restoration
An active reef project near Tribal Dunes. Observe or take part.
NearbyDhow cruises
Sail the coast on a traditional wooden dhow.
Arranged for youDeep-sea fishing
Fishing trips off Kenya's North Coast.
Arranged for youSafaris
Wildlife safaris arranged from the coast.
Arranged for youBring the whole group
under one sky.
Sixteen villas and studios around one pool, for wedding groups, corporate retreats, kitesurf camps and multi-day celebrations.
- RetreatsCorporate and wellness groups
- CelebrationsWeddings, birthdays, New Year's Eve
- BuyoutsAll sixteen units, exclusively yours
Events hosted by Tribal Sand on Kenya's North Coast. Quote within 24 hours, no payment at enquiry.
Questions guests ask.
What is the age policy?
Adults only with a minimum age of 16. Guests aged 16 to 17 may stay without a parent or guardian.
What kinds of units are there?
Sixteen units: eight three-bedroom villas and eight studio apartments. Villa rooms ending in 1 and 2 are doubles; room 3 has bunk beds. All units share the pool, bar and gardens.
Is it suitable for corporate retreats?
Yes. The compound is designed for group stays, with flexible unit combinations and a full buyout option.
How far is the beach?
About five minutes on foot through Somewhere Café. Electric bikes and golf carts are available to guests.
Check-in and check-out?
Check-in from 2:00 PM, check-out by 10:00 AM. Minimum stay two nights. Smoking in designated areas only.
What is included?
Solar power, desalinated water, the communal pool, bar and gardens, electric bikes and golf carts, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and 24-hour security.
Tell us about
your stay.
Send your dates and party size and the Tribal Sand team will come back with the unit combination that fits. For individual bookings, check live availability on tribalsand.com.