Lamu

Day Trips

You step off the small turboprop at Manda Airport and glide across turquoise waters on a traditional dhow taxi to Lamu Old Town. The gentle sea breeze carries hints of salt and coconut as you settle into a charming guesthouse tucked among coral-stone buildings. Local children wave from narrow alleyways lined with fragrant bougainvillea.

A guide leads you through labyrinthine lanes where intricately carved doors tell centuries of Swahili history. You pause at the Lamu Museum to marvel at antique dhow models and centuries-old manuscripts. The sweet aroma of freshly brewed kahawa coffee drifts from a hidden courtyard café.

As the sun dips low, you walk to the waterfront to witness fishing dhows returning with their daily catch. Lantern-lit streets come alive with the soft rhythm of taarab music wafting through open windows. You dine on grilled prawns and coconut curry under a canopy of star-spangled sky.

At dawn, you wander to Shela Village, crossing stone archways as fishermen haul nets. The powdery white sand feels cool beneath your feet while the Indian Ocean reveals its turquoise palette. You pause under a swaying palm to watch local women collecting shells.

You lounge on a shaded sunbed as the gentle waves sing you a lullaby, sipping on freshly cut coconut water. A dhow excursion takes you along the shore, letting you dive into clear shallows brimming with colourful fish. Soft coral cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop to your beachside picnic of chapati and spicy chakula.

Golden rays stretch across the horizon as you stroll back to Shela's cluster of homes. You join locals at a beach bonfire, sharing stories over sweet mandazi and mint tea. Lanterns guide you home through silent pathways lined with oleander and frangipani.

You visit Lamu Fort at first light, climbing its ramparts for panoramic views of red-tile roofs and azure sea. Inside, white-washed walls echo tales of Omanite traders and Swahili sultans. The breeze carries spices from the nearby bazaar.

Navigating narrow lanes, you explore traditional Swahili homes adorned with ornate wooden doors, stopping to admire elaborate carvings. A friendly artisan invites you into his workshop where you watch him fashion a dhow model from polished timber. Aromatic cardamom and cloves drift from hidden spice stalls.

As dusk paints the sky in shades of rose and violet, you attend a live taarab performance in a courtyard lit by lanterns. Silk scarves swirl in time with melodic strings and poetic lyrics. You savour lamb pilau and sweet mango slices under the moonlit sky.

You board a traditional dhow with striped sails billowing in the breeze. The rhythmic lapping of waves accompanies your journey across emerald waters toward Manda Island. Dolphins escort your craft as they leap through morning mist.

You step ashore at ancient Manda ruins, wandering past weathered mihrabs and crumbling mosques blanketed in jasmine. A local guide shares stories of traders who once sailed these waters in search of gold and ivory. You picnic on grilled fish and coconut rice beside a palm-fringed lagoon.

The dhow glides you back to Lamu as the sun sinks behind clouds of pink and amber. Fishermen bring in their final catch, casting nets in the fading light. Under a sky ablaze with stars, you reflect on the day’s timeless beauty.

At sunrise, you journey by boat to Manda Towa, home to the Takwa Ruins hidden among casuarina trees. You wander through ancient walls, imagining vibrant markets where spices and silks were once traded. White sands cushion each step as you explore forgotten courtyards.

Nearby Mpeini Beach invites you to lounge on sun-warmed sand, the only footprints being your own. You dive into crystalline shallows to swim alongside parrotfish and corals bursting with life. Palm fronds rustle overhead as you enjoy tamarind juice and mango slices.

Returning to Lamu, you head to a beachfront restaurant lit by tiki torches. Calypso tunes float through the air as you feast on coconut crab stew. Candlelight reflections dance across the water, creating an intimate ambiance.

An early drive takes you to Mpeini Village where friendly residents greet you with warm smiles. You join a weaver in her courtyard as she demonstrates intricate mat weaving using palm fronds. The rhythmic clack of her tools provides a soothing backdrop.

You wander through homesteads where women roast cashew nuts over clay stoves. A local chef teaches you to prepare samaki wa kupaka, fish bathed in creamy coconut sauce. You dine al fresco under a shady baobab tree, savouring each fragrant bite.

Back in Lamu, you participate in a henna evening, choosing floral motifs to adorn your hands and feet. Soft kahawa aromas mingle with laughter in a courtyard lit by lanterns. You end the night with freshly baked mandazi and aromatic spiced tea.

You set out by boat toward the famed Blue Lagoon, its waters a dazzling spectrum of blues. Mangrove roots dip into the clear shallows, creating a magical labyrinth to explore. Kingfishers dart between branches, their calls echoing in the still air.

You dive into the lagoon’s warm embrace, snorkeling amid schools of angelfish and lionfish. A floating lunch of coconut rice and grilled prawns is served on a sun-drenched sandbank. You stroll along the water’s edge, collecting iridescent shells.

As the tide retreats, the lagoon shimmers under golden light. You watch as fishermen retreat to their dhows, silhouettes against a fiery sky. Returning to your dhow, you savour twilight serenity with a glass of chilled passion fruit juice.

You paddle through a serene mangrove forest in Shianda Bay as dawn’s light filters through leafy canopies. Egrets and herons stand motionless on twisted roots, scanning for fish. The gentle creak of paddles and soft bird calls create a peaceful symphony.

Gliding deeper into the labyrinth, you discover hidden tidal pools teeming with mudskippers. Your guide points out crab burrows along the muddy banks and explains the ecosystem’s delicate balance. You pause on a sandy shore for a picnic of chapati, grilled corn and fresh fruit.

As the water level rises, you kayak back under a sky blushing with sunset hues. The mangrove’s silhouette becomes a lacework of shadows on the water. You return to Lamu for a calm dinner of sweet coconut rice and spiced beans.

You depart before dawn for Kiwayu Marine Reserve, arriving as first light dances across reef crests. A marine biologist briefs you on coral conservation before you slip into the water. Tropical fish swirl around you in a vibrant underwater tapestry.

You drift above coral gardens alive with parrotfish, butterflyfish and ornate starfish. Your guide points out delicate seahorses clinging to seagrass blades. You surface for a picnic on a deserted islet, nibbling on fresh pineapple and cashew nuts.

Returning to Lamu, you relax with a rejuvenating beachside massage infused with frangipani oil. The soothing breeze carries the scent of nearby hibiscus blooms. You cap off the day with grilled knotfish and a spicy coconut dip under lantern glow.

You spend a leisurely morning shopping for souvenirs among Lamu’s antique shops, selecting silver anklets and carved wooden doors. Spice merchants offer you samples of clove, cinnamon and vanilla from their colourful sacks. The rhythmic hum of trade pulses through the streets.

Back at your riad, you pack a wicker hamper filled with fresh fruit, samosas and sweet mandazi. You board a sturdy dhow for a final sailing around the archipelago. Gentle waves cradle the boat as you glide past silent islets.

At sunset, you anchor in a sheltered bay and gather around a long table laden with Swahili delicacies: pilau, biryani, coconut prawns and fresh tropical salads. Lanterns dangle from the mast as taarab melodies fill the air. You raise a toast to ten unforgettable days in Lamu beneath a canopy of stars.