Lamu is a town, an island and an archipelago on the Kenyan coast, located south of the equator near the Somalian border.

Lamu is well known for its unique swahili culture with roots from the Persian and Omani kingdoms, Arabia and India going back more than eight hundred years. Lamu has a character of its own, still keeping to its original charm. Life here moves no faster than the speed of a donkey or a dhow, the local sail boat. This is as far off streamlined mass tourism you can get on the East African coast.

 

Wander the maze of narrow lanes of Lamu stone town - declared  a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, catch a glimpse of  black-veiled women disappearing around a corner leaving enticing perfume in the air. Buy mangoes, sweet bananas and spices at the local market place or chill out on a roof top and watch the three point lateen sails of the traditional dhows swiftly pass by in the afternoon breeze, walk the usually deserted twelve kilometer long white sand beach backed by empty sand dunes or go for a safari by sail for a full day out snorkeling at the Zinyika  coral reef and enjoy a fish barbecue on the beach - catch of the day.

 

 

Lamu has only two cars, all other transports are conveyed by hand-pulled charts or one of the island’s thousands of donkeys. The blend of excellent beaches, the gentle islamic ambience, the funky old town and a host population always with a smile on their face makes this a truly unique and genuine place to be.

Breakfast,  Shela Royal House

Close to Lamu City you will find the small fishing village called Shela, traditional in style and with a special and warm atmoshere.

Here Basecamp Lamu uses several accomondations, suited to any budget and requirements. You can choose from  small, intimate swahili style guest house up to more upmarket  houses that can accommodate about 15 people. The Penthouse top floor is always a winner!

 

You will find  restaurants, either at your place of stay or elsewhere in the little village,  serving declicious swahili cuisine. Have a fresh fruit juice on the terrace, watch the fishermen returning with the catch of the day and simply spend hours seeing the village life go by.

 

The daily prayer calls from the many mosques helps you keep track of time, from tide to tide, from dusk (the first one starts early!) to dawn.