Lamu
Founded in the 14th century, Lamu is a delightful stone town with distinctive architecture, carved doors, narrow streets, many mosques and bui bui clad women. Vehicles are not allowed on the island; if you need a lift, try a donkey taxi or a dhow taxi as an alternative to walking!
A thriving town since the 1500s, Lamu played a large part in trade between Arabia and Eastern Africa for several hundred years. This trade resulted in a new language, KiSwahili, which is now one of the most widespread Bantu languages in East Africa. Lamu was populated by a large number of different tribes as a result of the slave trade, which used Lamu as one of its ports; the majority of people share both African and Arabic blood. As the majority of the local Lamu people are Muslim, there are a large number of mosques on the island; it is therefore considered polite to cover your arms and legs when walking in the town.
The Old Stone Town of Lamu is the largest stone town in East Africa, but still fairly easy to explore. Most of the buildings were built in the 18th century, Lamu’s Golden Age. The tall buildings, with their hidden inner courtyards, huge carved doors and narrow streets are a living museum in themselves, making for a fascinating walk.
In addition to its historical interest, Lamu also offers beautiful, white sand beaches and superb seafood to its visitors; the relaxed, friendly style of the island makes for a wonderful beach vacation. Two “musts” in Lamu. Number one - visit the museum, situated next to the jetty.
The National Museums of Kenya have done a superb job here and it is well worth an hour or two of your time. Second is a dhow trip – take the bull by the horns and insist on one without an engine! A visit to Takwa ruins (on Manda island, just opposite) can be made by sailing dhow, if the tides are right.
Otherwise, if you are really adventurous, take a full day sailing trip to the other side of Manda – Manda Mtoto – to catch fish, goggle, swim, return after dark with conch shells blowing and drums banging - guaranteed a day to remember! BE SURE that you arrange things with the actual skipper, though – it is important to get the tides right, or you won’t get back that night!
Flights from Malindi are at a minimum daily and more frequent during the high season. Cost of return trip was 140 dollars at time of writing. Traveling by bus is a cheaper option, but it is not a hugely comfortable journey, starts very early, and why waste half a day of your precious time sitting steaming in a bus? The flight is half an hour. Hemingways can arrange your air travel and create a Lamu itinerary for you.
