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. Please note there is currently a UK FCO Travel Advisory recommending people do not travel to Lamu.
Lamu Island has been a port of call for travellers 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.
The most popular beach is at Shela a 12 km stretch of white sandy beach and where you will find Peponi hotel and nearby The Red Pepper House. Also worth considering is Manda Island, home to The Majlis, a good resort.
