Lamu and Shela offers a long range of activities for you to experience. Rich in history and culture and blessed with exquisite natural beauty, the Lamu archipelago has welcomed travellers for over a thousand years. Lamu is a magical place of long white sandy beaches, rolling sand dunes dotted with palms and acacia tortillis trees; turquoise seas, bounteous marine life and tranquil back waters; lush mangrove forests, river estuaries, deep forests and yellow grassy plains which hold some of Africa’s last truly wild game and bird life.
The Swahili people who inhabit the islands are merchants, fishermen, dhow builders and sailors, many of who still follow these age-old trades. The islands are dotted with fishing villages and ancient towns, including Lamu Old Town, the oldest continuously inhabited Swahili settlement on the East African coast and a UNESCO world heritage site, where donkeys remain the main mode of transport. Visitors can step back in time – warmly welcomed by smiling faces into a culture that flows in peaceful harmony with the ocean and the seasonal monsoon winds.
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Lamu is renowned for its many festivals and more recently is becoming known not only as a wellness destination but also, with the up-and-coming conservancies, a wildlife destination, offering a wealth of unmatchable experiences for travellers and holidaymakers.
Lamu Yoga Festival
The festival offers five days of yoga, with over 25 teachers, 150 yoga classes, meditations and workshops in Shela, Lamu town and Manda Island.
Lamu Painters’ Festival
Draws contemporary artists and work from across Africa and Europe. Normally held in February.
Shela Hat Contest
A parade of handmade sunshades!