Coast · County · Kenya
Lamu
Kenya's Swahili-coast jewel: car-free Lamu Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site of coral-stone houses, carved doors and donkeys), 12 km Shela Beach, dhow sailing across the archipelago and the November Lamu Cultural Festival.
Know this county · verified 2026-09-16
Mid-August to late March is best; December to March brings the calmest seas and clearest skies.
3 to 5 days
Fly to Manda Airport (about 1.5 hours from Nairobi) then a short boat transfer; the long road via Malindi and Mokowe is possible but slow. Onward travel is by boat.
No cars in Lamu Old Town: get around on foot, by donkey and by dhow or motorboat between islands.
Lamu Island and Manda Island are visited normally with high caution and welcome tourists. Several governments advise against travel to mainland Lamu County near the Somalia border (terrorism and kidnapping risk); stay on the islands and check official advisories.
Police, ambulance and fire: 999 or 112 (also 911).
King Fahd Lamu County Referral Hospital (Lamu Island).
4G and M-Pesa on Lamu and Manda islands and in main towns; weaker on remote islands and the mainland.
culture, history and honeymoon travellers; beach and sailing lovers; slow-travel and photography enthusiasts
Destinations
Lamu travel questions
Sourced answers to what visitors ask about Lamu.
How do I get around Lamu?
No cars in Lamu Old Town: get around on foot, by donkey and by dhow or motorboat between islands.
Full answer and sources →How do I get to Lamu?
Fly to Manda Airport (about 1.5 hours from Nairobi) then a short boat transfer; the long road via Malindi and Mokowe is possible but slow. Onward travel is by boat.
Full answer and sources →How many days should I spend in Lamu?
3 to 5 days
Full answer and sources →Is Lamu safe for visitors?
Lamu Island and Manda Island are visited normally with high caution and welcome tourists. Several governments advise against travel to mainland Lamu County near the Somalia border (terrorism and kidnapping risk); stay on the islands and check official advisories.
Full answer and sources →What is Lamu known for?
Kenya's Swahili-coast jewel: car-free Lamu Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site of coral-stone houses, carved doors and donkeys), 12 km Shela Beach, dhow sailing across the archipelago and the November Lamu Cultural Festival.
Full answer and sources →When is the best time to visit Lamu?
Mid-August to late March is best; December to March brings the calmest seas and clearest skies.
Full answer and sources →Where is the nearest hospital in Lamu?
King Fahd Lamu County Referral Hospital (Lamu Island).
Full answer and sources →Who is Lamu best suited for?
culture, history and honeymoon travellers; beach and sailing lovers; slow-travel and photography enthusiasts
Full answer and sources →