Lamu Island Kenya – A Story Of Donkeys And Dhows

I’ve lusted after Lamu my whole life. I fell in love by way of the pages of a ebook, and once I lastly made it to Lamu Island’s silken shores, it was all the things I hoped for: distant, romantic, scorching, hippy, totally fabulous.  

Lamu Island Kenya is a part of an archipelago on the Kenya’s northernmost shoreline. Nudging Somalia, its remoteness is a part of its attraction, however its proximity to Kenya’s warring neighbours retains the vacationers at bay. Lamu is unequivocally lovely. As soon as described as the place the desert meets the ocean, the bougainvillaea clad, coral stone buildings tumble down the hillside surrounded by peanut butter dunes, all washed clear by the clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

Lamu Island Historical past

Lamu was first settled over 700 hundred years in the past, and have become a big buying and selling port for sailors from Arabia, India, China, and Southeast Asia. While quite a lot of spices, ivory, and timber shaped a part of Lamu’s buying and selling historical past, it was primarily often known as a centre for the slave commerce. When slavery was abolished in 1907, Lamu’s slave inhabitants left in droves, inflicting the native economic system to break down. Lamu languished in relative obscurity till it turned a vacation spot on the hippie path within the Sixties. These tales of Sixties hippie Lamu had been what had so enticed me in my teenagers. In the present day, Lamu is a key vacationer vacation spot, however that hippie vibe stays. Kaftans and coconuts all day, child.  

Lamu Island Kenya Structure

Centuries of inhabitation by a melting pot of cultures makes Lamu a spot of historic and non secular significance. Lamu’s background, its pure variety and indigenous magnificence contributed to Lamu being named a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. Lamu has defied the eyewateringly ugly new builds that litter the remainder of Kenya, and the outdated city at this time, remains to be comprised of Fifteenth-century buildings constructed from coral stone and mango wooden. Higgledy piggledy, the streets of Lamu twist and switch, providing tantalising glimpses of the blue ocean, the salted breeze mingling with the scent of Lamu’s most well-known residents, the ever-present donkey. Lamu’s Swahili structure is clear all through the city: intricately carved wood doorways, terraced balconies and lintels engraved with quotes from the Koran. The Arabic influences are ever current; even the buildings are oriented in direction of Mecca. Privateness is paramount in Muslim tradition, and plenty of Swahili-style buildings are centred round courtyards, some stuffed with splash swimming pools; the shaded squares supply a respite from the searing solar. No vehicles are allowed on Lamu and all transport is by foot or by donkey. This gradual tempo, and the ever current solar, permeate the atmosphere, and enforces a laid again lifestyle.

Shela

At low tide, it’s doable to stroll 3 km from Lamu City to Shela (take a water taxi at excessive tide). Shela, Lamu’s prettier sister, is fronted by a 12km expanse of golden seaside. The city, populated with mosques, donkeys and dhows, retains the genuine cultural significance of Lamu Outdated City however is dwelling to extra resorts and visitor homes, which makes it a extra in style vacationer vacation spot. In Shela, you’ll discover the illustrious Peponi Resort, beloved by celebrities. Peponi steals the highest spot, being on the seaside and nestled throughout the city. Sipping an Outdated Pal cocktail on its terrace is an Instagram must-do.

Manda Island

Throughout the seemingly harmless channel from Lamu is Manda Island. The shortage of freshwater on Manda means few folks stay right here. Manda is magical. Its lethargic attraction invitations you to sail by way of mangroves at excessive tide, stroll the heat-hazed and fully abandoned seashores, go to the Takwa Ruins, or simply sit. Sit and be nonetheless on this most languid of locations. Manda Island is dwelling to unique high-end resorts, nevertheless it’s doable to search out some Airbnb homes. The one eating places on the island are positioned throughout the resorts.

What to do in Lamu

Lamu is for absorbing the bohemian vibes and doing nothing in any respect, however if you’re a stressed soul like me, then there’s journey to be discovered.

Procuring

Lamu is as removed from a bustling metropolis as doable, however they’ve a number of outlets promoting native crafts, divine clothes and distinctive jewelry.

• Aman – this boutique is beloved throughout Kenya for beautiful hand tailor-made clothes.
• Ali Lamu – they make bespoke baggage from recycled dhow gross sales.
• Pure Lamu – pure merchandise impressed by lamu (they’ve an onsite spa)
• African Nook – your traditional Swahili crafts

Sail on a Dhow

Lamu and dhows are intrinsically certain. These conventional crusing vessels vary from wood canoes to piratesque galleons. You possibly can take a moonlight tour, a sundown sail, a snorkelling journey, an island hop and even spend a couple of days sleeping upon a dhow. It’s an absolute must-do in Lamu.

Dive within the Indian Ocean

Lamu has a few of the finest diving in Kenya. Head to the Kiunga Marine Nationwide Reserve, a 37-mile-long assortment of coral reefs and islets. You’ll discover sharks, whales, whale sharks, moray eels, dugongs, manta rays and all of the tropical fish you possibly can want for. At present, there are not any dive faculties in Lamu, however some massive resorts can help with diving. Or you’ll be able to contact one of many Kenya dive faculties and ask about journeys/liveaboards to Lamu.

Swim/ SUP the Lamu channel.

It doesn’t look far, nevertheless it’s not for the faint-hearted. The currents within the channel have claimed quite a lot of lives through the years.

Take a Tour of Lamu City

E-book a guided tour of Lamu city to know and immerse your self in Lamu’s historical past absolutely. You possibly can ebook strolling excursions by way of your lodge or through Get Your Information, linked beneath.

Go to Lamu Museums

There are 5 museums in Lamu City which you’ll be able to go to. Discover extra particulars on Lamu museums right here https://museums.or.ke/lamu-museum/

Go to the Takwa Ruins

Situated on Manda Island, the Takwa Ruins are the stays of a Sixteenth-century settlement. 

The place to Keep in Lamu, Shela and Manda Island

There’s a large selection of locations to remain, from luxurious, absolutely inclusive resorts to thatched seaside huts. 

It’s value a fast look on Airbnb to see if you happen to can decide up a deal. One of the best locations are at all times booked out months prematurely, in order with a lot of the Kenyan coast, the sooner you’ll be able to ebook, the higher.

Lodging on Lamu Island

Peponi Resort – high-end lodge in Shela City

Kizingo Seashore Lodge – high-end lodge on the western facet of Lamu Island

Banana Home and Wellness Centre – Shela City, plush boho resort

Jua Home – Resort positioned in Shela

Forodhani Home – Personal home positioned in Shela  

The Moon Homes – interconnecting homes in Shela

The Cabanas – Beautiful houses on Lamu’s south coast

Lodging on Manda Island

The Majilis Resort – A really luxurious high-end resort.

Manda Bay Lodge – 5-star lodge

Eating places Lamu Island.

Peponi Resort: Shela is Shela’s best-known, most frequented restaurant and bar.

Kijani Restaurant: Seafront restaurant in Shela, specialising in seafood and Swahili curries.

MaraRaha Village Lounge: Bar/ restaurant within the dunes close to Shela. Their celebration nights are unparalleled, with fiercely good DJs and a crowd that dances until daybreak.

Ali Lamu: Cafe for desserts, smoothies and ice cream.

Diamond Seashore Village: Pizza, motion pictures nights and celebration nights out on Manda Island.

Want To Know: Lamu Island Kenya

Lamu Island Kenya is predominantly Muslim. Guests, significantly girls, ought to present respect by carrying unfastened clothes and never exhibiting an excessive amount of pores and skin.

Alcohol is forbidden within the Muslim faith and, subsequently, not as freely out there as elsewhere in Kenya. Inns will serve alcoholic drinks, however chances are you’ll battle to search out them within the outlets, significantly in Shela. 

No vehicles are allowed on Lamu or Manda Island. It’s possible you’ll discover a couple of small motorbikes, however transport is principally by donkey, foot or water taxi.

Attending to Lamu Island Kenya

Lamu is just accessible by airplane. Though there are highway hyperlinks, I don’t know anybody who drives as a consequence of ongoing threats from al-Shabbab terrorists. The drive is lengthy and distant and never value it.  

Airways that fly to Lamu are Safarilink Jambojet, Skyward Specific, and Fly540. Flights go from Nairobi, Mombasa and Malindi. 

It’s a brief boat experience from the airport to Lamu Island. Communicate to your lodge for a switch. 

When to Go to Lamu Island Kenya

Lamu is scorching, scorching, scorching any time of yr. Historically, the rains in Kenya fall from April to June and October to November/ Dec. Christmas could be very busy, and costs soar. 

Additional Studying for Lamu Island

The Majlis Resort in Lamu, Kenya

The 8 Greatest Eating places in Mombasa 

Kilifi Kenya – The Final Vacation Information

Watamu Seashore Kenya: The Insiders Information to Paradise

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