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Lamu Island · Cultural Tour

Lamu Island Heritage Tour

  • Duration3 days / 2 nights
  • Group size1–12 guests
  • DifficultyEasy
  • AvailabilityOn request
From KES 89,000 per person
Book now Request a quote
Lamu Island Heritage Tour

Overview

Lamu Island heritage tour

Lamu, off Kenya’s northern coast, is one of East Africa’s oldest continuously inhabited towns and a place unlike anywhere else in the country. Lamu Old Town is recognised by UNESCO as the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement on the coast, with narrow car-free streets, carved wooden doors and coral-stone buildings that reflect centuries of trade between Africa, Arabia and the Indian Ocean world. This heritage tour is planned as a relaxed two-night stay that lets you settle into the island’s slower pace.

Lamu Old Town

A guided walk through the old town takes in the waterfront, the fort, small museums and the maze of alleys where donkeys, rather than cars, are still the main form of transport. Swahili culture is visible everywhere, from carved doorways to the daily rhythm of the harbour, where traditional dhows load and unload cargo much as they have for generations.

Dhow sailing and Shela Beach

A sailing trip on a traditional dhow, often timed for sunset, is one of the most memorable parts of a Lamu visit, gliding past mangroves and the town’s waterfront under sail. Shela Beach, a short walk or boat ride from Lamu town, offers a long stretch of sand backed by dunes, popular for swimming and quiet walks.

Getting to Lamu

Lamu has no road bridge to the mainland; visitors fly into Lamu Airport or Manda Airstrip and cross by boat to Lamu town. Flights are not included in this tour and are best booked alongside your dates, since schedules can be limited.

How the two nights work

Day one covers arrival and a gentle old town walk. Day two includes the dhow sailing trip and free time at Shela Beach. Day three is a relaxed morning before your onward flight. The pace is deliberately unhurried, in keeping with the island itself.

Good to know

Modest dress is appreciated in the old town out of respect for local custom. The price is a guide per adult sharing a room; flights and most meals are not included, and the final quote is confirmed before payment.

Highlights

  • Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Car-free streets and traditional Swahili architecture
  • A sunset dhow sailing trip
  • Shela Beach nearby for swimming

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Day 1 – Arrival and Old Town walk

    Boat transfer from the airport, check in, and a guided walk through Lamu Old Town.

  2. 2

    Day 2 – Dhow sailing and Shela Beach

    A traditional dhow sailing trip, often at sunset, and free time at Shela Beach.

  3. 3

    Day 3 – Departure

    A relaxed morning before the boat transfer back to the airport.

What’s included

Included

  • 2 nights bed and breakfast in Lamu Old Town
  • boat transfers between the airport and your accommodation
  • guided Old Town walking tour
  • dhow sailing trip
  • local guide

Not included

  • Flights to and from Lamu
  • lunches and dinners
  • tips
  • personal expenses

Practical information

Departure
Lamu Airport or Manda Airstrip
Pickup
Boat transfer from Lamu Airport or Manda Airstrip to Lamu town
Meeting point
Confirmed after pickup location is provided
Accommodation
Guesthouse or boutique hotel in Lamu Old Town, matched to your dates
Best time to go
Year-round; November–March and July–September are the driest months
Recommended age
All ages
Cancellation & changes
Free request changes before final confirmation; final terms depend on the selected supplier.
How to book
Submit your dates and guest details. Our team confirms availability and the final itinerary before payment.
Guide price basis
Per person sharing, 3-day / 2-night stay in Lamu Old Town with transfers, a guided walk and a dhow sailing trip; flights not included. This is an estimate based on current market rates; the final price is confirmed in writing before any payment.

Frequently asked questions

How do we get to Lamu?

Lamu is reached by scheduled flight to Lamu Airport or Manda Airstrip, followed by a short boat transfer to Lamu town; there is no road bridge to the main island.

Why is Lamu Old Town a UNESCO site?

It is recognised as the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, with buildings and a street layout dating back centuries.

Are cars allowed in Lamu town?

No motor vehicles are used in the old town; donkeys and boats are the main forms of transport.

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