The Lamu archipelago at a glance
The Lamu County government names Lamu, Manda, Pate and Kiwayuu as the islands of the archipelago. The words "Lamu" and "Lamu Island" are used loosely, so it helps to keep four things apart: the county, the archipelago, Lamu Island and Lamu Old Town.
Lamu Old Town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. The listed property covers 15.6 hectares and recognises the Swahili stone town and its role in trade and in Islamic and Swahili learning. The listing does not cover the beaches of the islands, so do not read a World Heritage label into every shore. This site is independent and not run by any government body, museum or hotel.
The islands and places compared
What each is known for, what you pay in 2026 and what the advice says.
| Place | Known for | Fees in 2026 | UK advice, 16 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamu Island | Old Town, museums, fort, Shela, Kipungani | Museum sites $10 / $4 for visitors from outside Africa | Excluded from the advice against all travel |
| Manda Island | Airport, Takwa ruins, Ras Kitau | Takwa $8 / $4 | Excluded from the advice against all travel |
| Pate Island | Siyu Fort, Faza, Pate Town | Siyu $4 / $2 | Not named in the exclusion |
| Kiwayu and the Kiunga reserve | Coral reefs, seagrass, mangroves | Reserve fee, see below | Not named in the exclusion |
Fees are adult / child. The UK advises against all travel to Lamu County with an exclusion for Lamu Island and Manda Island, and that exclusion carries no guarantee of safety. The exclusion does not extend to Pate or Kiwayu.
Our pick: the Old Town on foot
The Old Town is the main reason to come, and this is a guided walk through it. The travel advice below applies to any plan in the archipelago.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. 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.
Tours and day trips in the Lamu archipelago
Dhow sails, snorkelling and guided island visits, with live prices and availability.
Travel advice, as of 21 October 2026
Three governments, three different texts.
United Kingdom
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Lamu County and excludes Lamu Island and Manda Island. It recommends flying to Lamu Airport and not travelling by road. Updated 16 October 2026.
Germany
The Foreign Office has a travel warning for the county, with the two islands excluded. It still advises against non-essential travel to the two islands. Valid from 19 October 2026.
United States
The State Department lists Lamu County at Level 4, Do Not Travel, and names no island exception. The US raised the rating for the whole country to Level 3 on 19 October 2026 because of health risks, and the Lamu rating stands separately.
What this means for island plans
Do not treat a trip from Shela to Pate or Kiwayu as an easy extension. Read the full texts and talk to your operator.
Safety guide →Kiwayu and the Kiunga Marine Reserve
The northernmost island and its reefs.
The Kenya Wildlife Service describes Kiwayu as an island in the Kiunga Marine National Reserve. The reserve protects coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves, and it is habitat for turtles and dugongs. No sighting is guaranteed. The service lists dhow or speedboat from Lamu as the way in, with no duration or public timetable.
Entry fees for non-residents are given in two ways. The older destination page lists $17 for an adult and $13 for a child. A tariff dated October 2025 lists $25 and $15 for Kiunga. Treat the higher figures as the ones to plan for, and confirm the current fee with your lodge or the reserve. One camp inside the reserve says its guests pay the park fees on top of the stay.
Kiwayu is not exempt from the advice. It is not one of the two islands excluded by the UK, so read the current texts before you plan it.
Kipungani and the other shores of Lamu Island
A village, not an island.
Kipungani
Kipungani is a village next to Kizingoni Beach on Lamu Island. Villagers built the hotel dhow Kilindini there in 2002. Do not list it as a separate island.
Kizingoni Beach
The Cabanas lies at Kizingoni, away from the Old Town and Shela. A hotel operator describes the sand beach from Kizingoni to Shela as about 12 km long, an operator figure and not a survey.
Shela guide →The Old Town
The Old Town is the main reason to come, and it sits on Lamu Island.
Lamu Old Town guide →Plan the rest of your trip
One guide for each island.
Lamu archipelago: frequently asked questions
Which islands are in the Lamu archipelago?
The Lamu County government names Lamu, Manda, Pate and Kiwayuu. Lamu Island holds the Old Town, Shela and Kipungani, and Manda holds the airport.
Is Kipungani an island?
No. It is a village on Lamu Island, next to Kizingoni Beach.
What is the Kiunga Marine Reserve?
It is a marine reserve run by the Kenya Wildlife Service, with coral reefs, seagrass and mangroves, and habitat for turtles and dugongs. Kiwayu lies inside it.
How much is the Kiunga fee?
An older page lists $17 for adults and $13 for children for non-residents, and a tariff dated October 2025 lists $25 and $15. Confirm the current fee before you go.
Is it safe to visit the other islands?
The UK excludes only Lamu Island and Manda Island from its advice against all travel to the county. Pate and Kiwayu are not named. Read the texts as of 21 October 2026 and the safety guide.