Lamu is actually an attraction similar to none, a serene warm island where daily life is lived at its own relaxed rhythm, but a site whose heritage is just as mystical and unique just like the endless streets and roadways of its ancient Stone Town.
Most of the island itself is really a spectacular place of gently slopping dunes along with many beaches, where smaller villages lie among coconut and also mango farms then Lateen dhows sail over the ocean waters. But Lamu’s big charm is its Old Town.
In this particular town of Lamu living went on for a 14th century Swahili settlement, but the island has experienced many people and power, including Portuguese visitors, Turkish merchants along with the Omani Arabs. Every one left behind their label, but Lamu formulated some particular way of life, and that has in due course lived on.
Lamu’s narrow streets continue to be unchanged, as well as in the trading markets and squares. All around the fort everyday living proceeds at the same rate as it habitually has been.
You will find absolutely no automobiles about this specific island, while donkey plus the famous dhow continue to be the dominant form of transport. People of Lamu are exceptional believers in traditions as well as custom, which makes it strong society built on regard to the background.
For the visitor, Lamu is really a hypnotically amazing adventure, fashioned a lot more pleasant by the relaxed and welcoming conduct of the locals. To vacation in Lamu is to enter yet another world, additionally , the vacationer sees themselves growing to be a member of this life.
Daily life re-adjusts, and long days are taken strolling along the waterfront, exploring the town or laying back over the beaches.
Dhow safaris can get you past Lamu in to the surrounding archipelago, where remote villages, ancient spoils and a couple of luxurious and even exclusive resorts lie buried between the islands of Manda, Siyu, Pate and also Kiwayu.
Lamu Tourist Activities
Lamu is a ideal location for a beach safari that has a difference, a totally unique vacation spot which remains for an extended time in the minds of all people vacationing in.The island, off Kenya’s north coast, is often a place of wonderful elegance, having extensive deserted beaches dotted with rolling sand dunes and the turbulent waters of the Indian Ocean.The actual destination here is the islands’ fascinating history, a lengthy as well as incredible story which fortunately dates back into the 14th century.
Lamu is promoting a culture drawn kind a lot of resources, plus in the streets and markets with the old city, life continues unhurried and unchanged by exterior influences.
A brief history of Lamu was created from the terrific trade routes on the East African Coast, as well as the sea remains a fundamental portion of life to the island.
Dhow Safari; the rich waters of Lamu are undoubtedly crossed by great numbers of typical lateen sailed Dhows. Such crafts are an integral part of lifestyle within the island. Every day got sailing for a Dhow an exceptional feel and a noticeably wonderful tactic to check out the spot. The calm waters around Lamu are best for sailing, and also the adjacent islands are worthy of seeing because of their modest fishing neighborhoods, historical spoils and desolate beaches. After the day trip over the ocean waters, you cruise backwards to Lamu town as the evening sun gets the ocean to gold. Even longer Dhow safaris throughout the full Archipelago may also be organized. Many hotels and also guesthouses, and likewise private Dhow captains, can a day trip using a dhow.
SCUBA Diving and Snorkelling; Exclusive Dhow cruises from Lamu often tour great snorkelling sites and give diving accessories. Usually there are some great dive spots to be found about Lamu and the regional archipelago. Diving is pretty fresh to the region, so the good news is that there is a tremendous option of excellent spots expecting to get discovered by the daring scuba diver.
Big game fishing may also be booked at Manda Island or simply by a handful of hotels or resorts within Lamu from the fishing season of December to March. Kenya’s significant coastal game fish encompass Sailfish, Wahoo, Marlin, Kingfish, Horse Mackerel and the like. Lamu is the place just where exploration produces an abundance of adventure, whether inside the endless avenues of the Old Town as well as on board a dhow on the large ocean.
Bird Viewing; Usually the Kiunga Marine Reserve around Lamu is a major retreat for water birds and also pelagics, including the Sooty Gull, White Cheeked Tern, Brown Noddy, Bridled Tern, Roseate Terns many Crab Plovers.
Dhow Racing; On January 1st, the locals of Lamu rejoice in the coming of any New Year by having a Dhow Race. This is a vital yearly festival over the island. Lamu Dhow constructors are viewed among the better on the coastal region, and this also is really a culture made by sea and Dhow sailors.
/
Lamu can be a spot with unique attributes, a calm tropical island exactly where every day life is comprehended at a relaxed cycle, yet unfortunately a destination whose history is very mystical and fascinating more so like the winding streets of its very own old Stone Town. This tropical isle is an incredible dotted with raising and falling dunes and then endless beaches and resorts, where little villages tucked away amid coconut and mango farms and lateen sailed dhows ply the coastal waters.
Lamu’s significant attraction is actually the Old Town. The town of Lamu was born in the form of 14th century Swahili colony; however the island has received countless travellers and influences, among them Portuguese explorers, Turkish merchants and the Omani Arabs. All leaving their particular image, however Lamu developed a unique customs and way of life, which has in the end came through the ages.
Lamu’s winding streets remain unchanged, as well as in the market places on top of that squares around the fort. Life is at precisely the same rate as before. There won’t be automobiles on this island; in this case the donkey as well as dhow continues to be the prominent method of travel.
For that vacationer, Lamu can be a fascinating and impressive adventure, crafted to be far more pleasurable through the easy as well as vibrant perceptions from the local people.
To check out Lamu should be to another world, and the traveler has themselves growing to be a part of this world.
Dhow safaris can take you beyond Lamu to the adjacent islands, where by isolated villages, historic ruins and some lavish and exceptional resorts are lying concealed one of several islands of Manda, Siyu, Pate together with Kiwayu. To view the nearby island destinations of Manda, Pate or maybe Siyu, perhaps consider an arranged Dhow Safari or join a trip for a moving dhow for exciting adventure. Also, it is possible to use donkeys to trip throughout the island.
Mainly travellers to Lamu come to have the special culture and historical past of this island. On the other hand you can also find opportunities for wildlife fanatics to visit. The Palm woodlands and swampy regions of the island are perfect destinations for tracking down coastal birds along with other birdlife. About the areas of beach shore, many crabs sometimes appear, normally brimming over the fine sand in big host.
For the dry mainland facing Lamu, you will find there’s stunning variety of wildlife in the Dodori Reserve, like Buffalo, Lion and Leopard.
The mangrove channels within Lamu are likewise perfect for birding and you can come across occasional crocodile. Holidays to the section could be prearranged from Kipungani on Lamu.
Lamu is best accessed on air travel. There are actually daily flight schedules via Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani Beach and even Malindi. This island is serviced by an airstrip on the adjacent Manda Island. Currently the strip is sometimes utilized by personalized aircrafts.
The winding streets of the towns might be best visited by walking. Shela village and the beaches are frequently available by foot. However dhows often carry passengers back and forth from Lamu town on the way to Shela.
/
Shopping in Lamu
Lamu is an ideal place to find unique coastal handiwork. Lamu is known for its sculpturers, whose forte are the popular crafted Lamu Doors, Furniture pieces, signboards and even Swahili cases, delicately carved and inlaid with brass, copper or possibly marble work. Such vary in dimension up from small jewellery boxes and also significant boxes. In the same manner styled candle holders and other wooden things are usually for sale.
Something every tourist into the coast has to spend money on can be a kikoy or khanga. These types of customary cloths are actually donned as a wrap around garment by both men and women on East African coast, much like the sarong of South East Asian countries. The kikoy is usually a vivid, often striped and additionally knotted tassles on every hem.
The khanga is bigger, more uniquely patterned and in addition customarily imprinted with Swahili proverb giving a pearl of traditional information.
These types of outfits happen to be identifiable with the Kenyan coast, and their fabrics are frequently adapted into clothes, table linens, bed linen, and almost everything else imaginable. Your khanga as well as kikoy is perfect for the beach and will possibly be worn or chosen as a beach towel, or even both. Lamu can also be the place to find superb tailors, who are able to make outfits from traditional fabrics quickly and cheaply, made to order.
Dining in Lamu
Well-known cuisine fascination found in Lamu is sea food, as there was plenty offered, that includes excellent fish, crabs, lobster, oysters and more. Additionally, there is a good amount of unique exotic vegetables and fruits. There exists a choice of dining establishments throughout Lamu town. Numerous resorts currently have their very own eating places. Lots of cater for Swahili Cuisine, a traditional blend of Arabic as well as African cuisine. Swahili cuisine usually is slight with seasonings made out of some thick coconut sauce, and seafood grilled using cloves plus cinnamon. Lamu can be well-known for its locally produced Yoghurt. Privately rented apartments normally have a cook on location, who’ll purchase ingredients and even make delicacies according to your personal preference.
/