Lamu
Picturesque island located in Kenya
Lamu is a picturesque island located in Kenya, known for its rich Swahili culture, pristine beaches, and historical architecture. It’s part of the Lamu Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The town of Lamu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is characterized by narrow winding streets, coral stone buildings, and traditional Swahili architecture. It’s a haven for cultural enthusiasts, beach lovers, and those seeking a laid-back atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Distance 694.10 km) approx. 9h 52min.
Activities
1. Explore The Narrow Streets of Lamu Town
Dating back to the 12th century, Lamu Town is the oldest inhabited Swahili town in Kenya. It’s comparable only to Zanzibar, over 250 miles south, off the coast of Tanzania. Lamu—the town—is charming and authentic, with its medieval fort, its quiet townhouses adorned by elaborately carved wooden doors, the ubiquitous donkeys, and bustling markets. No wonder UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site.
2. Walk Along deserted Beaches
The white sandy beaches of Lamu are breathtaking. The best spots for beach strolls can be found a couple of kilometers south of Lamu Town, on the eastern tip of the island where the channel opens to the ocean, around the Shela village.
3. Sail the traditional DHOW
Dhow and donkey remain the only forms of transport around Lamu (there are only two cars on the entire island: one belonging to the governor, for official occasions, and the other one is an ambulance… for the donkeys). Hiring a dhow for a leisurely cruise around the archipelago is a must-do!
4. Get lost in Shela Village
While in Shela, you will no doubt have to navigate the sand-lined maze of pathways of this tiny settlement. It’s a tangle of tiny alleys, wide enough to allow a donkey to pass, and winding among tall stone townhouses, small thatched huts, a few mosques, and ruins. At the heart of the village is a roomy square, ringed with market stalls.
5. Feast on the Swahili food
The international trade between Lamu and Oman, Zanzibar, India, and beyond brought goods and influenced building style, but it also altered the local cuisine. It created a unique and sophisticated blend of the African and the Eastern, more nuanced than the austere nomadic diet of mainland Africa.
6. Sunset-Gaze on Manda Island
Just across the channel from Shela, the mostly uninhabited Manda Island provides the best spots for watching the wonderful African sun setting behind Lamu Island.
7. Visit The Ruinded city o takwa
The Manda Island once held one of the Kenya coast’s largest settlements, but this once-thriving community abandoned their homes and disappeared sometime in the 17th century.
The cause is debated, but the most probable reason was the depletion of fresh water on the island. Today the coral stone ruins are a popular destination for a day trip from Lamu or Shela.
8.Visit Kiwayu Island
Kiwayu island is located about 51km away from Lamu Island, and it’s part of the Kiunga Marine National Reserve. The Reserve is a marine protected area with a total of 51 islands. It takes about 2hours from Lamu via a speed boat
Were to stay
1. Manda Bay
2. The Majlis Hotel
3. Peponi Hotel
When is the best time to visit Lamu?
Lamu Island is a fabulous place to visit any time of year, but for the unsurpassed seaside vacation on the Indian Ocean, we recommend that you visit during the two dry seasons that begins in July and ends in October and also January through February.