Lamu is Kenya’s oldest inhabited town, a place like no other, its “old town” is largely unchanged and it dates back to the 14th century. It is a must-see ith its strong Muslim roots this UNESCO World heritage Center. Lamu is a peaceful tropical island where life is lived at it?s own relaxed rhythm, but a place whose history is as fascinating and mysterious as the winding streets of it?s medieval stone town.
The island is a beautiful place of endless beaches and rolling dunes, where tiny villages nestle among mango and coconut plantations and lateen sailed dhows ply the waters. But Lamu?s real attraction is its Old town. The town of Lamu began life as a 14th century Swahili settlement, but the island has seen many influences and visitors, including Turkish traders, Portuguese explorers and the Omani Arabs. All left their mark, but Lamu developed its own particular culture, which has ultimately endured.
The narrow streets of Lamu remain unchanged, and in the markets and squares around the fort as it always has, life moves at the same pace. On this island, there are no vehicles and the donkey, the dhow remain the dominant form of transport.
Lamu’s people are great believers in custom and tradition, and this is a strong society built on a respect for the past. For the traveller, Lamu made even more enjoyable by welcoming attitudes and the relaxed of the locals. This is a hypnotically exotic experience. This is enter another world while visit to Lamu, visitor will finds themselves becoming a part of this world. Long days are spent strolling along the waterfront and life slows down, relaxing on the beaches or exploring the town.
Dhow safaris can take you beyond Lamu into the surrounding archipelago, where ancient ruins, isolated villages and a few luxurious and exclusive resorts lie hidden among the islands of Siyu, Manda, Pate and Kiwayu. This idyllic island speaks to the heart and soul, and a trip to Lamu is a romantic experience that can become a life long affair.
How to Getting There
It will be best accessed by air to go to Lamu. There are scheduled flights daily from Mombasa, Nairobi, Malindi, Diani Beach. The island is serviced by an airstrip on neighbouring Manda Island. It can also be used by private charters for the trip. A dhow ferries arriving passengers to either Lamu town or Shela. Many yachts also come to Lamu, often sheltering in the channel near Shela.
Getting Around Lamu
Unfortunately, there are no vehicles on Lamu. The best way to explored the winding streets of the towns are on foot. Shela village and the beaches are also accessible by foot. Alternatively dhows regularly carry paying passengers back and forth from Lamu town to Shela. Either take an organized Dhow Safari or for the adventurous travellero access the surrounding islands of Pate, Manda or Siyu, just hitch a ride on a passing dhow and explore. To ride around the island, it is also possible to hire donkeys.
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