Lamu

Accommodation | Activities | Restaurants | Business Directory

General Information

Lamu, believed to have been founded in 1370, is a small town located on Lamu Island in Kenya, and is the country’s oldest continually inhabited town. As visitors approach on water, Lamu appears from behind dozens of dhow masts. Made up of shops and mosques, Lamu is a labyrinth of alleyways and streets. The majority of the residents are of Muslim faith.

In recent times tourism has given a much needed financial injection into Lamu with the town being popular with backpackers and those wanting to escape a busy city life. Many of the locals provide tourists with scenic trips around via dhows.

Languages spoken vary from Swahili to Arabic, with English being widely spoken. There are no cars in the town as everything is easily accessible either on foot or by boat.

Accommodation in Lamu

The accommodation varies from budget hotels and guesthouses to the more luxurious. The oldest hotel in town is situated on the waterfront. There are quite a few backpacking establishments and some private houses to rent. The accommodation directory provides a list of advertisers for the town.

Activities in Lamu

The town has the historic Lamu fort on the seafront and has an amazing 23 mosques.

Some things to do and see:

Riyadha Mosque
Donkey Sanctuary
Central Market
Shela Beach

The activities directory provides a comprehensive list of things to do and see.

Businesses

Businesses here are generally aimed at the tourism industry. Local fruit such as coconuts and mango’s are the main ingredients for their delicious cuisine, as well as seafood.

Lamu has a large artisan community, especially talented carpenters who are involved in boat building and furniture making. Signal in the town is up and down so communication with the outside world can sometimes be limited, which is not a bad thing if you wanting a relaxing holiday!

More information on the businesses in and around Lamu can be found under the business directory, alternatively add your own free business listing.

Accommodation | Activities | Restaurants | Business Directory