Things To Do On A Safari On Lamu Island
Things To Do On A Safari On Lamu Island.
Lamu Island is situated just off the shore of the northern Kenya in the Indian Ocean, Lamu Island is approximately 150 miles northeast of Mombasa. The island has a small population of just over 25,300 people, and it is a major island with the Lamu Archipelago. Lamu Island dates to the c.14th and it is renowned for being the longest established and best preserved traditional Swahili settlement. Throughout its history, Lamu Island has been an important trade center and it has attracted traders and sailors from China to the Arabian Peninsula, the island has been inhabited by the Kenyans, Persians, Indians and the Europeans.
Lamu island’s traditional buildings are gradually being replaced by the modern structures as part of a regeneration project in the harbor area.
10 things to do on the Lamu Island.
Walk along deserted beaches.
The best sports for a beach stroll is a couple of kilometers south of Lamu Town, on the eastern tip of the island where the channel opens to the ocean, around the Shela village. Not much more than a pretty waterfront and a jumble of narrow sandy pathways, in hela you are never far from sand dunes and the deserted beach.
Explore the narrow streets of Lamu Town.
Dating back to the 12th century, Lamu Town is the oldest inhabited Swahili town in Kenya, comparable only to Tanzania’s Zanzibar. With its ancient fort, its wood carved doors, bustling markets and the ubiquitous donkeys the town is charming and authentic-no wonder UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site.
Sail the traditional Dhow.
Dhow and the donkey remain the only forms of transport around the Lamu (there are only two cars on the entire island: one belonging to the governor, for official occasions, and one is an ambulance, for the donkeys). Hiring a dhow for a leisurely cruise safari around the archipelago is a must-do. Sailing on a beautiful boat with the crew from the Red Pepper House.
Rent a beautiful Swahili Townhouse.
The Shela village is popular with the western experts and even an occasional celebrity, who come here to unwind or to live: many own properties in the village. In fact the majority of the town houses are owned by the westerners. They turn into guesthouses: beautifully restored, full of character and authenticity-they are in many ways what makes Lamu unique from the rest of the islands, particularly stunning is the Jaha House, which is too nice.
Get lost in Shela Village.
While in Shela, you will know doubt have to navigate the sand-lined maze of the pathways of this tiny settlement, it’s a tangle-wide alleys, winding among the stone townhouses, small thatched huts, few mosques and ruins and a spacious square ringed with some market stalls.
Sunset gaze on Manda Island.
Just across the channel from the Shela, the mostly uninhabited Manda Island provides the best spots for watching the wonderful African sun setting behind the Lamu Island. Looking towards the village and the Fort of Shela, the palm-fringed, vast, empty and unspoiled beaches of the Ras Kitau are the gem of the Lamu area, plus you can actually have a sundowner, forexample in a lovely setting at The Majlis.
Visiting the ruined city of Takwa.
The Manda Island nice held one of the Kenya coast’s largest settlements, but this once thriving community abandoned the town in the 17th century. The cause is debated, but the most probable reason was the depletion of the fresh water on the island. Currently the coral stone ruins are a popular destination for a day Kenya safari from Lamu or Shela.
Feast on the Swahili food.
The international trade with Oman, Zanzibar, India and beyond brought goods and influenced building style, but it also altered the cuisine of Lamu, it created a unique and the sophisticated blend of the African and the Eastern, more nuanced than the austere nomadic diet of the mainland Africa.
Biryanis and curries, couscous and pasta, coconut rice with mango chutney, and most of all the varied sea food: it’s a rich palette of the flavors enhanced by the cinnamon, clove, cumin seed and the fresh coconut milk.
Visiting to the vegetable market for people watching.
Lamu town narrow streets have not changed for hundreds of year’s life moves at the same pace as it always has in its markets and squares. Lamu’s Muslims population carries on the way of life of their ancestors, with the important distinction: today the island’s economy revolve area tourism, but the traditional markets still cater mainly to the locals. These are the most authentic places on the island.
POLE-POLE.
This Pole-pole Kiswahili for ‘’take it slowly’’permeates all aspects of life in Lamu, you cook pole-pole, you adopt the laid-back pace of life, the pole-pole life. The time slows down here-indeed it’s a bit like a trip back in time, to the heyday of Lamu, which a thriving port town of medieval ages.
Lamu Island is a home to one of the best coral reefs in Kenya. You can expect to sea range of species including the vibrantly patterned reef fish, dolphins and he sea turtles, then the opportunities for the scuba diving safaris are limited due to the remoteness of the beach. Diving excursions and courses need to be organized a head of your safari, you will reach the tropical reefs through a traditional dhow or a motorboat. Your accommodation may offer snorkeling and diving excursions.
