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Kenya coast destination

Lamu Island

A car-free Swahili town of donkeys, dhows and carved doors, with quiet dunes just a boat ride away.

Lamu holidays
Plan your trip

Location

Lamu County, Kenya

Best time

December to March

Ideal stay

Three to four nights

Famous for

UNESCO Old Town

Location

Lamu County, Kenya

Best time

December to March

Ideal stay

Three to four nights

Famous for

UNESCO Old Town

Lively beach scene with people enjoying the coastline near historic buildings.

Getting around

No cars in the Old Town. You travel by boat, by donkey or on foot.

A Swahili town that time forgot

Lamu lies off Kenya’s far north coast, close to the Somali border. Its Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Life moves at the pace of the tide. Donkeys carry goods through lanes too narrow for cars, dhows sail between the islands, and the call to prayer drifts over coral-stone houses with carved wooden doors. A short boat ride away, Shela village and the dunes of Manda offer long, empty beaches.

Places to explore

  • Lamu Old Town
  • Lamu Fort
  • Shela village
  • Manda Island
  • Takwa Ruins
  • Donkey Sanctuary

Coastal and marine life

Calm channels, mangroves and reefs around the archipelago are full of life.

Sea turtle

Green turtles nest on the quieter beaches of the archipelago.

Dolphin

Dolphins often swim alongside dhows in the channels between the islands.

Kingfishers

The mangrove channels are rich in kingfishers, herons and waders.

Reef fish

Snorkel the reefs around Manda Toto for colourful fish and coral.

Ghost crab

Bright crabs dart across the sand on Shela’s long beach.

Humpback whale

From July to October, humpbacks pass offshore on their yearly migration.

Slow days on Lamu

Hover or tap a card to see how each experience fits into your days on the island.

Old Town walking tour

Carved doors and coral lanes.

Old Town walking tour

A local guide takes you through the Old Town, the fort, the museum and the busy seafront.
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Dhow sailing

The island way to travel.

Dhow sailing

Sail between Lamu, Manda and Shela aboard a traditional wooden dhow, with stops to swim and snorkel.
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Shela beach day

Dunes and empty sand.

Shela beach day

Walk the long beach beyond Shela village, backed by high dunes and almost always quiet.
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Mangrove channels

Calm water and birdlife.

Mangrove channels

Explore the mangrove channels by boat or kayak, with kingfishers and herons along the banks.
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Swahili cuisine

Flavours of the coast.

Swahili cuisine

Eat fresh grilled fish, coconut curries and samosas in seafront cafes and family kitchens.
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Snorkelling

Reefs off Manda Toto.

Snorkelling

Take a dhow to the reefs off Manda Toto island to snorkel over coral and colourful fish.
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When to visit Lamu

Lamu is warm all year. The season you pick shapes the weather, the sea and what is happening in town.

Best time

December to March

Hot, dry season

Calm seas, clear skies and the best sailing conditions of the year.

April to June

Long rains

Heavy showers and rough seas. Some hotels close during these months.

July to October

Cool, dry season

Breezy, pleasant days, with fewer visitors than the peak months.

November

Short rains

Short showers, and the Lamu Cultural Festival often falls around this time.

Planning your trip

The practical details, so you can decide how to travel and where to stay.

Getting there

Fly in, then cross by boat.

  • By air: scheduled flights from Nairobi or Malindi land at Manda airstrip, a short boat ride from Lamu town.
  • By boat: water taxis and dhows link Lamu, Manda and Shela.
  • Combined routes: pairs well with Watamu or Diani, or a safari in Tsavo or the Maasai Mara.

Where to stay

Swahili houses and beach hotels.

  • In Lamu town: restored Swahili houses with rooftop terraces.
  • In Shela: boutique hotels a short walk from the beach.
  • Any budget: we match stays to your style, from simple guesthouses to luxury hideaways.

Lamu Old Town is a living town and a place of faith. Dress modestly away from the beach, and ask before taking photos of people.

Safari and beach holidays

Ready-made trips that pair a safari with a few slow days on Lamu or elsewhere on the Kenya coast.

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Lamu FAQs

Can’t see your question here? Our Nairobi team is available 24/7.

Talk to Serval Tours and Travel

Lamu is part of the Lamu Archipelago on Kenya’s far north coast, close to the border with Somalia.

Fly from Nairobi or Malindi to Manda airstrip, then take a short boat ride across the channel to Lamu town or Shela.

Three to four nights gives you time for the Old Town, a dhow trip and a few slow beach days at Shela.

It is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, with traditional coral-stone houses and narrow streets still in daily use.

No cars are used in the Old Town. People get around by boat, on foot or by donkey.

December to March is hot and dry with calm seas. July to October is cooler and breezy. April to June brings heavy rain.

Light clothing that covers shoulders and knees is respectful in town. Swimwear is fine at the beach.

Yes. Fly to Lamu after a safari in the Maasai Mara or Tsavo for a relaxing end to your trip.

Start planning your Lamu escape

Tell us your dates, group size and budget. We’ll come back with a Lamu plan built around the season and the experiences you want most.

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