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Why visit Lamu?

Lamu is a small island off the north coast of Kenya, and its Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are almost no cars here: people get around on foot, by donkey or by boat, through narrow lanes of coral-stone houses with heavy, beautifully carved wooden doors. Life follows the rhythm of the tides and the calls to prayer from the town's mosques.

Start at the Lamu Fort, built in the early nineteenth century, and the Lamu Museum on the waterfront, which explains Swahili culture and the island's long trading history across the Indian Ocean. A walk or short boat ride away, the village of Shela has a long, empty beach backed by sand dunes. Across the channel, Manda Island has the ruins of the old town of Takwa. In the late afternoon, sail on a traditional dhow at sunset. Eat Swahili dishes such as fish cooked in coconut sauce, biryani and mango juice from the market. Some parts of mainland Lamu County are covered by travel advisories, so check the latest advice before you book. The best time to visit is December to March and July to October.

Plan your Lamu trip with Tony AI

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