Lamu
Dating back to the 14th century, much like its cousin Zanzibar, Lamu was a trading post for the sultanate of Oman and was once one of the most important locations in East Africa for the slave, ivory and gold trade. Today the islands towns and the thriving fishing community offer a fascinating insight into the Swahili way of life and retain a charm that seems to have held its own against the tourism that it invites. Move out of the towns and there are deserted beaches to relax on, before or after a safari.
Cooled by the trade winds that run north and south along the Kenya coastline, Lamu has both a thriving fishing population and a scattering of well appointed hotels. It is a captivating island that has had a pretty turbid history over the last 500 years. The islands history only adds to the appeal for travellers with Lamu becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001 simply because of its cultural importance to East Africa.
The blend of Arab and Swahili cultures create a peaceful laid back environment that can overflow into what seems like classic Swahili chaos in the towns. Lamu and the smaller towns such as Shela are a maze of winding alley ways, walked by donkeys and their masters. Most people dip into the towns for a night or two, soak up the atmosphere and then go to spend the majority of their time on the beaches in Southern Lamu or the islands of nearby Manda and Kiwayu, linked by beautiful old sailing dhows. When to Travel to the Lamu: As with the majority of East Africa, the months to avoid are April and May due to the heavy rains. The short rains tend to hit the area in November but do little to put off travellers and are certainly not a reason to not travel to the country, especially considering the low season rates on offer. |
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