Lamu Island in Kenya
Located northeast of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean coastline is the picturesque Lamu Island. This tropical island lies in Northern Kenya and forms part of the Lamu Archipelago. Lamu is suitably located between Lamu and Kiunga Towns, Lamu County. It is among the biggest islands known to offer captivating adventures in Kenya for decades. To all adventure and holidaymakers on a Kenya safari, a visit to Lamu Island should be a must.
Lamu is a perfect spot to experience the best of a beach holiday. The island features extensive white sand dunes with scenic waters. Its strategic location at the cost presents abundant opportunities to visitors to experience, including snorkeling adventures. Lamu, being at the coast, is inhabited by different communities, including Africans, Europeans, Asians, and Arabs. Each of the communities on Lamu Island showcases its distinct culture.
Lamu Island was founded in the 14th century. The island is most popular for its ancient traditional Swahili settlements in Lamu Town, which is recognized as a UNESCO Site. It is a valuable trade center where several traders and sailors from China and the Arabian Peninsula all converged. At the island, expect to interact with the Indians, Persians, Kenyans, and Europeans. Lamu also features ancient buildings, although most of them have been replaced by modern structures. Lamu is a perfect addition to your Kenya wildlife tour.
What to do on Lamu Island in Kenya
Explore Lamu Town
A tour of the beautiful historical Lamu town shouldn’t be missed. The Lamu town tour offers you a great opportunity to explore the unique history of this coastal town. You will be led by an experienced guide and expect to visit different sites. Lamu Old Town is East Africa’s oldest and well-preserved Swahili settlement town. It still retains its ancient functions. At Lamu, expect to find structures built using coral stones and mangrove timber. The stone buildings date back centuries and feature ornate doors of Indian, Omani, Portuguese, and Arab origin. This ancient town also hosted main Muslim religious festivals dating the 19th century. Today, it is a valuable center for learning Islamic and Swahili cultures.
Discover the Ruins of Takwa
The Takwa ruins are among the remains of the 15th-16th century Swahili settlements on Manda Island. They were abandoned in the 17th century following freshwater salination and conflicts with the Pate people. The sites to be explored during the Takwa ruin tour include the Friday Mosque, which was gazetted as a National Monument and provides deep insights into the unique Swahili cultures.
Troll along the 12km beach & swim
You can have a great day in Lamu as you traverse some of the stunning white-sand beaches and enjoy a sunrise swim in the coastal calm water. Alternatively, you can even pay a visit to Shela Village or spend 3 hours walking from Shela to Kipungani. You also have the option of taking a speedboat back to Shela/Lamu town.
Enjoy a Swahili Dinner
Settle at the Banana House and enjoy your Swahili dinner. A myriad of dishes await you to grab, including tasty fish.
Don’t miss a Yoga class.
If you love yoga classes, then Lamu is definitely the right location for you. Visit Banana House to engage in their daily yoga classes.
Sail using a traditional dhow boat.
Experience the best of dhow cruise excursions on Lamu Island. These can be organized by your expert, Native Africa Tours. There are multiple options to take, including day dhow cruise trips combined with snorkeling and a lunch break at Monda Toto. Guests can also appreciate the memorable sunset cruises that include dinner, drinks, and musical entertainment.
Be part of the festivals in Lamu.
Join the vibrant festivals hosted in Lamu each year. The popular annual events not to miss on a Lamu tour include the Lamu Yoga festival in March, the Maulid festival in June, and the Lamu cultural festival, often conducted in November.
Best places to go shopping
Love shopping? Then Lamu is the best place to visit on a Kenya tour. On Lamu Island, the best spots to consider for shopping tours include Ali Lamu which specializes in bags crafted from recycled cloth. Aman and Aman home, Natural Lamu, Maasai Market, and African Corner.
Best places to eat/drink
Lamu Island contains a range of amazing places for guests to find something to eat/drink after a long day of exploration. Top places to eat/drink on Lamu Island include Peponi Hotel located in the central point of Shela Village, MaraRaha Village Lounge, Diamond Beach Village, Kijani Restaurant, Al Mabrook, and Ali Lamu.
How to dress on Lamu Island
Lamu Island is dominated by Muslim community and they are conservative in nature. The choice of your dress code matters a lot and women are advised to have clothes that cover up their knees, shoulders, and chest. This is advisable, especially when you are walking around Lamu Town. Places like swimming pools and beaches, swimsuits are okey but tiny bikinis should be avoided and never go topless.
You can also find Swahili-style dera dresses or get for yourself white shirts, kaftans, maxi dresses. Being coastal island, footwear options can include flip flops.
Accommodation options on Lamu Island
Lamu Island features myriad of accommodation options for guests’ overnight stay. The accommodation alternatives exist in the various locations including Shela, Lamu Town, Kipungani Beach, and Manda Island. At Kipungani Beach, the place to stay include Cabanas Eco Lodge. Manda Island features Diamond Beach Village Eco-Lodge and Majlis Resort.
Accommodation options in Lamu Town include Lamu House Hotel, Jambo House, and Makubwa House. Shela features options such as Peponi Hotel, Dudu Villas & Lamu Backpackers, Amani Lamu, Jua House, and Banana House.
Best time to visit Lamu Island in Kenya
Lamu Island welcomes guests at any time of the year. But to experience an exceptional vacation on this coastal island, the 2 dry seasons are essential to consider. The first dry season extends from July to October and from January to February. These dry seasons record long hours of sunlight and offer an opportunity to guests to indulge in a variety of activities in this tropical island.
The island’s warmest months run from January to March. Then cool temperatures are experienced from July, August, to September. The average day temperatures vary in Lamu Island depending on the season but range around 26 to 32 degrees Celsius. The rainy seasons/months in Lamu fall in the months of June, November, and December.
How to access Lamu Island in Kenya
By road, visitors interested in a seaside vacation in Lamu Island in Kenya can drive from Mombasa to Mokowe by bus. Mokowe is the mainland port located opposite the charming Lamu Island. Using a ferry/speedboat, you can depart from Mokowe to Lamu Old Town.
Guests on the Lamu Island tour in Kenya can also travel by air. You take a domestic flight from Nairobi/Malindi/Mombasa to Manda Island or make the best of coach bus services. From Manda Island, you can set off on a 5-minute boat ride to cross to Lamu Island. While in Lamu Island in Kenya, you can do more of walking than traveling in a safari car.
Conclusively, visit Lamu Island to explore a myriad of opportunities from culture to beach experiences. With the above travel guide, you can plan your Lamu Island tour in Kenya appropriately. To experience the best of Kenya’s Lamu Island and its wonders, consider booking your tour with Native Africa Tours.
