Lamu Island

Lamu Island, Kenya

The Handbook Complete One of the main islands in the Lamu Archipelago off northern Kenya, Lamu has an incredible past going back to the 14th century and boasts a lot of wonderfully preserved Swahili and Islamic architecture, which makes it a perfect location for visitors in the vibrant Heritage of East Africa.

Lamu Island does not yet feature paved roadways. Although donkey carts remain a frequent sight and sandy lanes are still the same as they have been for hundreds of years providing visitors with an opportunity to feel as though they are steering back in time.

Visiting Lamu Island also gives visitors a chance to unplug from technology and enjoy the white, sand beaches and enchanted views of the Indian Ocean.

Lamu Island’s historical background

Since the Arab traders established a port on Lamu Island in the 14th century, the island has been inhabited for more than 700 years. Over the years, Lamu Island has grown to be a major seaport for trade between the native Swahili Coast residents and Arabs, Persians, Indians, and Europeans. Lamu Old Town expanded and was under Sultan of Zanzibar’s authority, a one-time Omani king of Tanzania’s Zanzibar Archipelago, during the slave years.

Lamu Island first became a popular tourist destination when Kenya gained its freedom in 1963. Its reputation was strengthened in 2001 when Lamu Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lamu Old Town is now acknowledged as the oldest and most well-preserved Swahili village in all East Africa.

Activities available in Lamu Old Town

Every excursion on Lamu Island begins at the lovely Lamu Old Town, which consists of traditional Swahili homes and landmarks reachable via little labyrinthine paths. Made from coral stone and mangrove timber, these amazing residences are Many of these homes and buildings stand out due of their architectural design, which includes sea-facing arcades, airy verandas and carved entrances leading to cool inner courtyards.

Making a visit to the Lamu Museum

One of the main attractions on Lamu Island for visitors eager to learn about Swahili culture is the Lamu Museum, which exhibits relics taken from nearby ruin sites, traditional boat building tools used in boat construction and ceremonial wedding attires.

Using the same ticket, you may also visit the 19th Century Lamu Fort on the Lamu Museum; today, the fort serves as a library for priceless Swahili Poetry and historical reference book collection.

Shelet & Matondoni

Two diverse experiences of the island are provided by Shela & Matondoni rural villages; the Sheila Village is well-known for its collection of mosques from the 19th century and has also developed into an up market location with many eco-lodges and yoga retreats. Along with a bohemian vibe drawing lots of designers and artists, the village presents some of the best dining and retail options on the island.

A walking tour or a dhow excursion will allow you to explore the unspoiled village of Matondoni, a fishing community on the island with few visitors. Master boat builders repairing and building new dhows using conventional techniques will also be visible.

Beachfronts and Water Sports

Shela Beach is the most well-known of the other gorgeous beaches on Lamu Island; on land islands, you will find nearly 7 miles of perfect white beaches. Apart from swimming, you can do a dhow and speedboat cruises to Kiwayu Island, Kiunga Marine national park, and snorkel for an encounter with marine life including turtles, dolphins, sailfish, marlin, kingfish and rare dugongs and beautiful coral reefs. Swimmers should be careful of the rip currents. Seasonal trade winds help to enable windsurfing and kite surfing.

Events and Religious Celebrations

In Islamic and Swahili cultures, Lamu Island is a key hub for education; among the several celebrations held there annually, the Lamu Cultural Festival and the Maulidi Festival stand most importantly.

Celebrating Swahili customs with donkey and dhp races, swimming contests, poetry readings and performances of age-old crafts and dancing, the Lamu Cultural Festival

Attracting pilgrims from all around East Africa and the Indian Ocean, the week-long Maulidi Festival marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Along with music, dancing, and street parades, this celebration features

Lamu Food Festival honoring the island’s varied gastronomic legacy and Lamu Yoga Festival are other well-known celebrations at Lamu Island.

Where on Lamu Island should one stay?

Lamu House Hotel, Baytil Ajaib, Peponi Hotel among others are some of the lovely hotels in Lamu Island that fit every kind of visitor from budget to luxury.

Approaching and Getting There

Flying into Manda Airport (LAU) on Manda Island—the adjoining island—allows one the quickest access to Lamu Island; numerous domestic airlines run these flights, including Airkenya Express, Safarilink, Fly 540, and Mombasa Safari Air.

If you are going to Shela or any other point on the island, you will have to take another dhow to get to Lamu Island from Manda Island and Mokowe. By bus, one can also get from Mombasa to Mokowe over about eight hours.

Once on the Island, you can walk about quickly on foot; for longer distances between settlements, you can rent donkeys or use a dhow to cruise along the coast. You will want to pack a flashlight if you intend to move after dark.

Best Time to Go

Lamu Island, like other Kenyan Coast, has a tropical climate with high temperatures and plenty of humidity all year long; it is at its hottest and most humid in January to March, a brief dry season; in the long dry season, July to October, it is somewhat cooler and more pleasant, thus the best time to visit the Island while on Kenya Safaris Tours.

From November to December it is a short rainy season on the Island and it might be a great time to visit the Island as it gets short, sharp thunderstorms with brilliant sunshine in between from April to early June.