Lamu Island, Kenya
The Lamu Archipelago is located close to the Northern Coast of Kenya and home to the beautiful Islands of Manda, Lamu, Kiwayu and Pate. Lamu Island is an ideal destination to end any Kenyan safari giving you the perfect opportunity to relax.
Lamu Island is home to the Town of Lamu. Founded in the 13th century, Lamu is the oldest living Town in Kenya and now a world heritage site recognised as “the Oldest and Best-Preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa”. The Town is exceptionally pretty with some beautiful architecture including Lamu Fort and a few Mosques, as well as the intricate decorative carvings found on doors, lintels and wood work which the Town is famous for.
Not far from Lamu is the Island of Kiwayu. Kiwayu is small but boasts some wonderful Beaches. The east side of the Island is ideal for diving with some excellent reefs and tidal pools. The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed.
Lamu is a beautiful Town, and its surrounding beaches are perfect for soaking up the sun and relaxing. Boat Trips will give the chance to visit the numerous Islands within the Lamu Archipelago, many of which boast a rich history worth delving into.
Water sports are also easily accessible, and there is excellent diving from Kiwayu.
Discovery
Rich in history and culture and blessed with exquisite natural beauty, the Lamu archipelago has welcomed travelers for over a thousand years. Lamu is a magical place of long white sandy beaches, rolling sand dunes dotted with palms and acacia tortillis trees; turquoise seas, bounteous marine life and tranquil back waters; lush mangrove forests, river estuaries, deep forests and yellow grassy plains which hold some of Africa’s last truly wild game and bird life. The Swahili people who inhabit the islands are merchants, fishermen, dhow builders and sailors, many of who still follow these age-old trades. The islands are dotted with fishing villages and ancient towns, including Lamu Old Town, the oldest continuously inhabited Swahili settlement on the East African coast and a UNESCO world heritage site, where donkeys remain the main mode of transport. Visitors can step back in time – warmly welcomed by smiling faces into a culture that flows in peaceful harmony with the ocean and the seasonal monsoon winds.
Lamu is renowned for its many festivals and more recently is becoming known not only as a wellness destination but also, with the up-and-coming conservancies, a wildlife destination, offering a wealth of unmatchable experiences for travelers and holidaymakers.
With over 120 members including hotels, guesthouses, lodges and private villas; restaurants, shops and galleries; yoga and wellbeing centers; water sports companies; fishing and dhow charters; airlines and bus companies; local businesses; tour guiding and conservation associations; banks and Government bodies, the East African Jungle Safaris can help you to discover Lamu.