Lamu Island
Car-free streets, dhow-lined harbours and centuries of Swahili heritage make Lamu Island one of East Africa’s most singular destinations.
A Town Untouched By Time
Lamu Island – Kenya
Lamu Island lies off Kenya’s northern coast, home to Lamu Old Town, the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cars are banned on the island; donkeys and dhows still do the work instead. That single fact shapes everything about a visit here, an unhurried pace found almost nowhere else on the Kenyan coast.
Why Lamu Island Rewards The Extra Journey
Lamu Old Town
East Africa’s oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement, still lived in today.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Recognised for its unique architecture and centuries of layered history.
Genuinely Car-Free Streets
A rare, unhurried pace of life found nowhere else on the Kenyan coast.
Traditional Dhow Sailing
Traditional wooden dhows remain central to daily island life.
Quiet, Uncrowded Beaches
Uncrowded shoreline, well away from Kenya’s busier coastal towns.
Rich Swahili Culture
Centuries of Arab, Persian and Indian influence, still visible everywhere.
When To Visit Lamu Island
Peak Season
Cooler, drier weather that is ideal for exploring the Old Town on foot.
Hot And Dry
Warm days that make for ideal beach weather at Shela.
The Short Rains
Fewer visitors around the island, with occasional afternoon showers.
The Long Rains
The quietest season of the year, and the lowest rates.
WILDLIFE
Coastal Life You Can Expect To See
From mangrove channels to open water, Lamu Island holds a rich variety of coastal and marine life.
Dolphin
Sea Turtle
Mangrove Kingfisher
Dhow Fish
Crab Plover
Things To Do On Lamu Island
An Old Town Walking Tour
Explore centuries-old streets and carved Swahili architecture on foot.
Dhow Sailing
Cruise the channel aboard a traditional wooden sailing vessel.
A Shela Beach Day
Relax on Lamu’s most celebrated stretch of sand.
The Lamu Museum
Learn the island’s Swahili history and heritage in detail.
A Mangrove Channel Tour
Explore the island’s quiet waterways by traditional boat.
Start Planning Your Lamu Escape
Tell us your travel dates and we will build a private Lamu itinerary around what you want most.