Lamu

Karibu Lamu

Lamu County is located in Kenya’s Coast Province with a land area of 6,273 km². The County covers a strip of northeastern coastal mainland and the Lamu Archipelago, which consists of numerous islands, which extend about 100km south from the Somalia border.

The most well-known of the islands is Lamu Island, which is the oldest existing Swahili Settlement.

Lamu Town, Island and Archipelago, all of the same name, lie 2 degrees south of the Equator along Kenya’s coast. The archipelago is a chain of islands separated from the mainland by a narrow channel bordered with dense mangrove forest and protected from the Indian Ocean by coral reefs and large sand dunes.

Lamu Island has been a port of call for travelers and those on Kenya holidays for centuries. The many historical sites are proof of the area’s long and rich history which, when combined with all the natural attraction of its tropical setting, make Lamu a wonderful place to visit.

The streets of Lamu town are narrow, cool and quiet. They are surprisingly intimate spaces enclosed by massive stone buildings whose thick coral rag walls give the town its distinct colour and texture.

In December 2001 Lamu Town became a world heritage site in order to protect the oldest inhabited Swahili settlement south of the Sahara.

Shela village where Peponi is located is 2 miles from Lamu Town. The origin of the village is unknown, but according to tradition it was settled by people from nearby Manda Island. In 1813 the famous “Battle of Shela” took place.

This was an attempt by Pate Island, allied with the Mazrui clan from Oman, to subjugate Lamu. The attempt failed totally, and the defeat of Pate at Shela signalled the rise of Lamu as the leading power in the archipelago.

Lamu is a region rich in both ecological and cultural diversity, which has allowed it to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lamu is not only endowed with biodiversity on the mainland, but additionally has some of the richest marine ecology on the Kenyan coastline. The County has two National reserves: Dodori, and Kiunga Marine.

Covering 877km2, Dodori is a breeding ground for the East Lamu Topi, and consists of a variety of mammals and birdlife including lions, elephant shrew, hippo, pelicans, and many more. It has the most varied species of mangrove forest in Kenya at Dodori Creek.

Kiunga Marine Reserve consists of several islands rich with biodiversity including valuable coral reefs, sea grass, extensive mangrove forests, and the endangered sea turtles and dugongs. Kiwayu Island, which is part of the reserve, is deemed as having the most pristine beach in Kenya.

Lamu has a population of 101,539 (2009 census) and consists of four main indigenous communities: the Bajuni, Sanye, Aweer (Boni), and Orma. The Bajuni, who are the largest in population of the four groups, trace their origins to diverse groups, primarily Bantu and Arab descent.

They mainly derive their livelihoods on fishing, farming, and more recently tourism-related activities. The Orma are pastoralist, while the Cushitic Sanye and Aweer are hunter-gathers primarily living off the forest resources and farming. The Aweer are the smallest of the four groups in population.

Tourist Attraction in Lamu

Lamu Fort

Built between 1813 and 1821 in the southern corner of the old stone town, the massive multi-story fort has a central courtyard used for weddings, meetings and theatre productions.

Lamu Museum

One of the largest buildings on the seafront dating from 1892 and once the home of the local leader, The Museum has the finest characteristics of the verandah-style architecture of the19th century.

The two-story house was used by the British colonial government. Today it showcases an unrivalled collection of ethnographic material from the Swahili, Orma and Pokomo ethnic groups, including-traditional Swahili craft, furniture, jewelry and the siwa an elaborately carved ceremonial blow horn.

Lamu German Post Office

Built at the beginning of the 19th century as a private residence it was later converted as the first German post office in East Africa from 1888 to 1891 when the land up to Witu, south of Lamu, was a German Protectorate.

Kiunga Marine National Park

Dubbed the ’Enchanted underwater world” the Marine Park has about 50 calcareous islands in the Lamu Archipelago. The coral reef runs for 60km parallel to the coastline which borders the fascinating but little known Dodori and Boni National Reserves on the mainland.

The larger and more sheltered inner islands are covered with thorny scrub including grasses and aloes. The small outer islands provide nesting sites for migratory seabirds. The reserve conserves valuable coral reefs, sea grasses and extensive mangrove forests.

It is a refuge for sea turtles like the Green and the rare Olive ridley and dugongs. The coral gardens are home to many species of reef fish, lobsters, sea stars and sea cucumbers. It is an important site-for wind surfing, diving and snorkeling and water skiing.

Culture and History in Lamu

A thousand years of trade, settlement and Islamic expansion have left ruins up and down the East African coast. In the 2nd century the Greeks knew of this coast and called it Azania.

Later, in the 9th and 10th centuries Arab and Persian traders and settlers called it Bilad-al-Zenj. Their small settlements grew into fiercely independent city-states which brought forth a distinct Arab-African culture called Swahili.

The buildings in Lamu historical core date from the 18th century though both folklore and archaeological evidence point to an older settlement just south and possibly also north of today’s town.

Lamu flourished in this period and her traders grew rich exporting ivory, mangroves, oil seeds, grains, cowries and tortoise shell.

Their dhows sailed to Arabia and India and brought back coveted oriental silks, spices and porcelain. Along the beach between Lamu and Shela you still find pieces af Chinese blue and white porcelain

Lamu continued to prosper in the 19th century under the protection of the Sultan of Oman who in about 1820 built the Fort. As the last century drew to a close the town gradually declined. One hundred years later the streets and the buildings remain to tell Lamu story: only they are not empty monuments, but a living town.

The streets and buildings The streets of Lamu are narrow, cool and quiet. They are surprisingly intimate spaces enclosed by massive stone buildings whose thick coral rag walls give the town its distinct colour and texture.

It is not a town of landmarks and monuments; the Fort alone stands out. Religiuos and domestic buildings are difficult to distinguish from one another. Both are simple with few openings and neither has any exterior decoration except for Lamu characteristic heavy carved doors.

Lamu mosques do not have minarets; virtually the only outward sign is the collections of sandals on the steps at prayer time. From an architectural point of view the most intresting of the coral stone buildings are the 18th century traditional Swahili courtyard houses.

Inside, these houses are extravagantly decorated with rich and masterfully carved plaster ceiling friezes, wall panels and complex wal niches, and beautifully carved trifoliate arches.

The art of carving plaster was perfected more than 200 years ago, yet many examples may still be found in the old town. One of the loveliest is in a “Little House” owned and restored by the National Museums of Kenya. The “veranda” houses which line the seafront promenade were built later, around the turn of this century.

The National Museums has also restored one of these houses and turned it into the Lamu Museum, one of the finest small museums in Africa.

Things to Do at Lamu

Lamu is a charming island off the coast of Kenya. It is known for its stunning beaches, laid-back lifestyle and centuries-old Swahili culture. There is no shortage of things to do in Lamu, whether it be an activity-filled day out or a relaxed afternoon by the sea.

Lamu Beaches

Pristine and almost secluded, Lamu beaches are the meditation you never thought you needed. Their shorelines, like is characteristic of Kenyan beaches, complement their silky white sands, deep-blue waters, humongous palm trees, warm breezes, and magnetic ambiances. Here are two of the best Lamu beaches.

Shela Beach

If it’s peace and quiet you are looking for, you are more than likely to find it by the Shela Beach shorelines. The beach sits 2km from Lamu town, on an isolated spot graced by a beachfront like none other. 12 km long, the beach is known for its calming walks overlooked by views of the beautiful Indian Ocean. In the far distance, the sandy dunes are visible, their surroundings overtaken by shrubby green undergrowth. How to Get There Bohemian Lamu Island doesn’t care about roads or cars, the only means of transport available being boats and donkeys. Being only two kilometers away from Lamu, you could walk to the beach which comes with the plus of exploring Lamu at large. The option of boarding a boat or water taxi is also available.

Manda Island

Perfect is rare but if you were to find it, it wouldn’t be in a place other than the spectacular Manda Island. Quiet and intimate, the Manda Beach nestles a stone throw’s distance from Shela and is as stunning, if not more. The beach combines bush and beach experiences treating guests to miles of its beautiful coastline as well as a rich bird and wildlife assortment. Bushbucks and buffaloes form part of this happy treat. Walks down its shores are levitating as well as other activities like snorkeling, water skiing, kite surfing, and deep-sea diving.

Lamu Old Town

On the narrow pathways of Lamu Town, you will pick up traces of the cultural and architectural souvenirs resulting from its many interactions with the exterior. That, in itself, is the most striking part of this town. Lamu is 700 years of Swahili, Arab, Portuguese, Turkish, and German interactions. Its architecture, carved wood doors, interior courtyards, and winding stone verandas, a strong indication of this. Being the oldest town in Kenya, Lamu is an archive of history -perhaps one of the reasons it made the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Its museums you must stop-by, for nothing is as intriguing. Certain as death you will be impressed by its dreamy scenery, surrounded by clear waters and guarded by graceful wavy dunes. And by its friendly to a fault people, ready to welcome you with a warm plate of their best Swahili delicacies. Prepare to spend days on end marveling at how the town beautifully blends natural wonders, shores, sea, and sand. Fun fact: Cars find it impossible to navigate the narrow streets of Lamu, and so donkeys, camels, bicycles and boats are the only available means of transport.

Lamu Museums

To be honest, Lamu feels like one big museum but there are 3 publicly designated museums. The first is the Lamu Fort which was erected in the 19th century- between 1814 and 1821- by the then Lamu ruler Seyyid Said. The fort first played the role of a military base, it being the place where weapons used to defeat the Mazrui rebels were stored. The Fort also acted as a symbol of the Mazrui control over Kenya’s coast. In 1910, the Britons turned the fort into a prison for the MauMau, a role played till 1984. With the fort comes incredible history and excellent Swahili Poetry collections. Also within lies an exhibition that showcases everything environmental conservation. Second is the Lamu or Swahili House which overlooks the drool-worthy Manda Bay and a beautiful mangrove forest. The architecture employed here is genius, its Swahili setup taking us back to the 18th century. You would be delighted to know that before the house was repossessed by the National Museums of Kenya, it belonged to a wealthy Swahili Merchant. So are you interested in learning about how the 18th century well-to-do lived? You now know where to go. The third is the German Post Office which documents the Germans’ ploy to conquer the East African coastal soils. The office was in 1888 as a trade and communications center. Though it closed in 1891, deep history still exists here, the National Museums of Kenya, centuries later, opening it up to the public.

Takwa Ruins

The Takwa Ruins are debris of an old Swahili town that was abandoned around the 18th century. Deep history runs through here, the most fascinating site being the large pillared mosque beneath which a Sheikh is buried. The town, history has it, was a casualty of the long frequent wars between the Takwa and Pate people. Access to the ruins, because it is located in the shallow waters, must be through shallow drafts. The ruins are a perfect photography spot as well as picnics and camping. Click here to read our in-depth Malindi travel guide or here to learn how you can plan adventure Kenya safaris with us.

Kiunga Marine National Reserve

The KWS run Kiunga Marine Reserve is your chance at a glimpse of the captivating subaquatic world. The Reserve, 60km long, is located on the northern side of the Indian Ocean coast. Showcased are over 50 calcareous islands and coral reefs that boast insane amounts of sea life. You get to swim or watch, on glass-bottomed boats, the large variety of sea life here which includes sea turtles and rare dugongs. The mermaid-tailed Dugong, for those who believe in mermaids, is where the Mermaid myth is believed to have originated from. Fun fact The Kiunga Reserve is the leading breeding place for at least nine mangrove species, five sea turtle species, and the roseate terns.

The Pate Island

Pate Island resulted from early Arab activities on the Kenyan coast, after which it served as home to a few cast-out Omani Rulers. The Pate Island’s Siyu Town is where to learn Islam, other worthy attractions being the Faza, Kizungitini, and Mtangawanda towns. Pate Island has the stunning Situ Fort to offer as well as a beautiful, serene scenery which can be enjoyed on dhow or ferries.

Donkey Sanctuary

Donkeys are royalty in Lamu and as such, a palace is dedicated to serving their highnesses, the Donkey Sanctuary.

The donkey sanctuary houses 3,000 donkeys which are rehabilitated and treated here.

The burdened creatures at times suffer at the hands of cruel owners which motivated a UK based organization to start the sanctuary. You get to learn a lot about donkeys here. Donations are highly appreciated.

The Lamu Island Festival

The Lamu Island party never dies. Year in and year out, a variety of festivals are hosted to celebrate the historical and Islamic identities of Lamu.

The Festival of Maulidi, for example, is an Islamic festival hosted to celebrate Muhammad’s birthday- Lamu’s version of Christmas in simple terms.

The festival is a beehive of activities, donkey competitions, swimming races and tug of war all games you can participate in.

The New Year here is ushered in with a dhow race. The Lamu Cultural Festival is another one you would hate to miss.

The festival is a big deal here, people from around the world arriving in droves to witness it. The festival is done in honor of the Swahili culture.

Baraka Gallery

Fans of art, African art mostly, would be delighted to know that there is an art gallery dedicated just to them.

The Baraka Art Gallery is a collection of art from Africa and beyond. Maasai belts you will find easily here, as well as the popular African carvings.

Land of the Tswana

There are so many places that you can visit in Botswana but there are some other attractions that stand out more than others and are worth visiting during Botswana Safari. These make the list of the top Tourist Attractions In Botswana.

There are many tours that you can do in Botswana and the most common is the overland tour, where you can drive around to most parts of the country in an overland truck. Most common tours include a Botswana Wildlife Safari, Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park package, Desert tracking, Premium safaris and 5 to 10 day safaris.

• • Exploring ancient ruins, historical landmar.

• • Immersive cultural experiences, local.

• • Hiking, trekking, extreme sports, and out.

• • A romantic destination like Paris, Venice.

• • Kid-friendly activities, theme parks family.

• • Premium accommodations, gourmet.