Lamu Archipelago
The Lamu Archipelago comprises a cluster of hot, low-lying desert islands tucked into the coast in Northern Kenya.Lamu and its neighbouring islands have a special appeal that many find irresistible. While each town or village has its own distinct character, together they epitomize a separate spectrum of Swahili culture. For although the whole coast is – broadly – “Swahili”, there’s a world of difference between these islands and the popular mass tourist beaches of Mombasa and Malindi.
In the untouched town of Lamu, cars are not permitted and the quiet life is preferred. Donkey carts, stone buildings, mosques and forts line the cobbled streets where ancient traditions and Swahili customs abound within an Islamic culture. The town has its own distinctive architecture and among the mango and coconut plantations traders sell their wares and are more than willing to engage in bartering with tourists. Along the coast, white-sailed dhows dot the coastal waters
The Lamu archipelago is one of the most important sources for knowledge about pre-colonial Africa. Archeological sites indicate that towns have existed on these islands for at least 1200 years. The dunes behind Lamu beach, for example, are said to conceal the remains of long-deserted settlements..
Development in these islands is for the present fairly low key without the package tour hotels found on other parts of the coast making it an ideal luxury beach holiday extension to your Kenyan Safari. A few high quality beach hotels and resorts are dotted around these islands offering a range of excellent water sports including, sailing, wind surfing, inshore and deep sea fishing, scuba and excellent snorkelling.
Lamu island itself, most people’s single destination, still has plenty to recommend it, despite the inevitable sprouting of TV satellite dishes.
Manda, directly opposite Lamu, is little visited except for the lifeline it provides with the outside world – the local airstrip.
Pate island, accessible by dhow or motorboat, makes a fascinating excursion if you have a week or more in the area.
Kiwayu, not quite within the archipelago, but exotic and alluring enough to be worth the effort if you have time, is a wisp of a beach island 9km long and less than 1km across, lying to the northeast of the other islands.
The best time to visit Lamu area is from August through to March.