Hotels in Lamu

Lamu: East Africa's Oldest Swahili Settlement

Lamu Old Town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, is the oldest continually inhabited Swahili settlement in East Africa, with stone buildings dating to the 14th century. The island sits within the Lamu Archipelago off Kenya's northern coast, roughly 340 km northeast of Mombasa. No private motor vehicles operate on the island — donkeys and wooden dhows remain the primary transport, a reality that shapes daily life and keeps the medieval street grid intact.

Where to Stay in Lamu

Most hotels and guesthouses concentrate in Lamu Town itself and the quieter fishing village of Shela, 3 km south along the waterfront. Shela borders a 12 km sand beach and draws visitors seeking fewer crowds. Properties range from converted Swahili courtyard houses with carved wooden doors to simple seafront lodges. The Lamu Fort, built between 1813 and 1821, stands at the centre of town and now houses a museum.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Daily flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport and Mombasa to Manda Airport; a short ferry crosses to Lamu Town.
• Best season: July–September brings steady southeast trade winds, ideal for dhow sailing; April–May sees heavy rains.
• Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES); ATMs are limited — carry sufficient cash from the mainland.
• Dress code: Lamu is a predominantly Muslim town; modest clothing is customary outside beach areas.