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Lamu travel guide

A Swahili island town with donkeys and dhows

Lamu Old Town. Photo: Almaddy2022, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

9h 15mflight from London
LAUnearest main airport
29° in Marwarmest month
25° in Augcoolest month

Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili town in East Africa, a UNESCO site with narrow lanes, carved wooden doors and no cars, only donkeys and boats.

Sail on a dhow at sunset, relax on Shela Beach and stay in a traditional Swahili house.

Good forHistoryCultureBeachesSailing

What Lamu is known for

  • Lamu Old Town

    A UNESCO Swahili town.

  • Dhows

    Sail at sunset.

  • Shela Beach

    Dunes and empty sand.

  • No cars

    Donkeys and boats only.

Top things to do in Lamu

  1. 1

    Walk the old town

    Lanes, doors and the fort.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    A sunset dhow cruise

    Traditional wooden sailboats.

    Find tours and tickets
  3. 3

    Shela Beach

    Long and empty.

    Find tours and tickets
  4. 4

    The Lamu Museum

    Swahili history.

    Find tours and tickets

See all tours and tickets in Lamu

Where to stay in Lamu

Find a hotel in Lamu

Best time to visit Lamu

Best value: Jun–Jul, Oct. December to March and July to October.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
27.9 C28°J28.1 C28°F28.8 C29°M28.7 C29°A27.4 C27°M26.2 C26°J25.5 C26°J25.4 C25°A26 C26°S26.9 C27°O27.5 C28°N28.1 C28°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Lamu, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 9h 15m from London to LAU, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Fly to Manda from Nairobi, then a short boat.

Airport transfer to Lamu

Find flights to Lamu (LAU)

Shows the cheapest fares for next month on Aviasales, our flight partner. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Flight times are straight-line estimates for a direct flight from Heathrow.

Good to know

  • Check FCDO advice for the Lamu region before booking.
  • Dress modestly in town.
  • Bring cash.
Kenya guidesTravel safetyVisasPlugs & adaptersWhen to goFlight times

Lamu FAQ

Is Lamu safe?

Check the latest FCDO advice: some nearby areas are restricted.

How do I get to Lamu?

Fly from Nairobi, then boat.

More places in Kenya

Back to the Kenya travel guide + Add Lamu to your bucket list