Lamu Swahili Heritage

Overview

Lamu Old Town is the oldest continuously inhabited Swahili settlement in East Africa and has essentially no motor vehicles — transport is by donkey and dhow. Carved doors, coral-stone houses, a rooftop dinner and the call to prayer over the water.

Trip Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage Old Town walking tour
• Traditional dhow sunset sail
• Shela Beach — twelve kilometres of empty sand
• Swahili cooking class and rooftop dining
• Takwa Ruins on Manda Island

Day By Day

1. 01
   Day 1

   Fly to Lamu

   Morning flight from Wilson Airport. Boat transfer to your house in Shela or Old Town. Afternoon at leisure on the beach.

2. 02
   Day 2

   Old Town heritage walk

   Guided walk through the Old Town — the museum, the fort, the carved doors and the donkey sanctuary. Afternoon dhow sail at sunset.

3. 03
   Day 3

   Manda Island & Takwa

   Dhow across to Manda for the Takwa Ruins and a beach barbecue lunch. Optional Swahili cooking class in the evening.

4. 04
   Day 4

   Depart Lamu

   Final morning on the beach, then boat and flight back to Nairobi.