Lamu at a glance
Lamu lies on the north coast of Kenya, in an archipelago of islands. The county administration names Lamu, Manda, Pate and Kiwayuu as the islands. Lamu Island has the old town of Lamu and the village of Shela with its long beach. Manda Island, across the channel, has the airport and the ruins of Takwa.
Lamu Old Town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001. It is a living Swahili town, mostly Muslim, with coral-stone houses, carved doors and narrow lanes. Most visitors arrive by plane at Lamu Manda Airport (LAU) and cross to the town by boat. Prices on this site are listed as shown in 2026, mostly in US dollars, and they change.
What this guide covers
This is an independent guide for visitors to Lamu and the archipelago. It covers the old town with its museum and fort, Shela and its beach, dhow trips, Manda and the Takwa ruins, Pate and Siyu, the wider archipelago, festivals, getting there, safety, the weather and where to stay. Each page gives opening times and prices with the year they apply to.
The site is not run by Lamu County, the Kenya Tourism Board, the National Museums of Kenya or any tour operator. For official notices, use the websites of those organisations.
Our picks: Lamu tours
An old town walk, a sunset dhow sail and Swahili carved doors.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sunset sail on a traditional dhow
Two hours on a dhow through Manda Bay and the mangrove channels, with water, soda, samosas or bhajia and seasonal fruit.
Check availability →
Swahili carved doors walk with a woman woodcarver
A walk through the old town that explains Swahili culture and the carved doors, plus a stroll through Shela.
Check availability →
Guided walk through Lamu Old Town
A guided walk with a visit to the fort and an old mosque, through the markets and past local life. Entry fees for sites such as the Lamu Museum and the fort are listed separately.
Check availability →Lamu tours and day trips
Old town walks, carved door tours and sunset dhow cruises around Lamu, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
Start with the list of things to do, then pick the pages you need.
Things to do in Lamu
Twelve experiences, from the old town lanes to Shela beach and the Takwa ruins.
Dhow trips
Sunset sails, full-day charters and what to ask before you board.
Lamu Old Town
Museum, fort, carved doors and how to behave in a Swahili town.
Shela
The village, the long beach, the dunes and the tides.
Manda Island
The airport, quiet beaches and the Swahili ruins of Takwa.
Pate Island
Siyu Fort, Faza and old Swahili towns, with the advice that applies.
The Lamu archipelago
The islands, Kiwayu, the Kiunga reserve and Kipungani.
Festivals
The Cultural Festival and Maulidi, and how to attend with respect.
Getting to Lamu
Flights to Manda, the boat to town and what the road involves.
Is Lamu safe?
What the UK, German and US governments say, area by area.
Weather and best time
Monsoon winds, rainy months and which season suits which plan.
Where to stay
The old town, Shela or Manda: which area fits your trip.
Good to know in autumn 2026
Where older guides and some listings are out of date.
New museum prices since 7 May 2026
The National Museums of Kenya raised and restructured its fees. Visitors from outside Africa pay $10 per adult and $4 per child for the Lamu Museum, the Lamu Fort, the Swahili House and the German Post Office, or $40 and $16 for the combined pass. Payment runs through eCitizen, and cash is not accepted.
Museum and fort prices →Governments give different advice
The UK Foreign Office (updated 16 October 2026) advises against travel to Lamu County but exempts Lamu Island and Manda Island. The German Foreign Office, valid since 19 October 2026, exempts the two islands from its travel warning yet still advises against non-essential travel there. The US State Department (19 October 2026) lists Lamu County at Level 4, Do Not Travel, with no island exception. Read all three before you decide.
Safety page →Travel insurance for Kenya
Since 5 October 2026, most visitors staying under 12 months need the Kenyan government travel health insurance, valid for 90 days. A foreign policy does not replace it. Kenyans, residents, East African Community citizens and people in transit without entering are exempt.
Getting there →Donkey Sanctuary
A press report says the sanctuary closed its buildings temporarily from 20 March 2026 over structural concerns. A directory still lists opening hours, but its entry is undated. Confirm its status before you plan a visit.
Donkeys in the old town →Festival dates are not settled
For the Cultural Festival 2026, one listing gives a start on 26 November and another 30 November to 2 December. Neither is confirmed. Local Maulidi follows the Islamic calendar and moves each year.
Festivals →Flight tables can differ
A hotel's flight table does not always match the airline's own timetable. Safarilink, for example, publishes Wilson to Lamu at 13:50, while one hotel lists 13:30. Check the airline before you book.
Flights and boats →Lamu: frequently asked questions
Where is Lamu and how many islands are there?
Lamu is on the north coast of Kenya. The county administration names four islands in the archipelago: Lamu, Manda, Pate and Kiwayuu. Visitors mostly stay on Lamu Island, in the old town or in Shela. See the archipelago page.
Is Lamu safe to visit?
Governments judge it differently. The UK exempts Lamu Island and Manda Island from its warning for Lamu County, Germany still advises against non-essential travel to the islands, and the US lists the whole county at Level 4. None of these is a guarantee either way. Fly to Lamu rather than travelling by road, and read the safety page for the dates and the details.
How do I get to Lamu?
Fly to Lamu Manda Airport (LAU), on Manda Island, then take a boat to Lamu Town. Safarilink publishes a daily flight from Nairobi Wilson. Hotels also mention Jambojet from Nairobi JKIA and Skyward from Mombasa, so check each airline for the current timetable. See getting there.
What is the best time to visit?
It depends on what you want. The north-east wind (Kaskazi) blows roughly from November to April and often brings clearer water. The south-east wind (Kusi) blows roughly from May to October and brings rougher water. The county plan describes long rains from late March to early June, peaking in May, and short rains in November and December. See the weather page.
What should I wear in Lamu?
Lamu is a conservative Muslim community. Cover shoulders and knees in the town and the villages, and ask before you photograph people. Swimwear belongs on the beach and at your hotel. The old town page has more on etiquette.
Is visitlamu.org an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to Lamu County, the Kenya Tourism Board, the National Museums of Kenya, any museum or any tour operator.