LAMU ISLAND

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Lamu has a very special appeal derived from its historic arab background and its ancient Islamic traditions, as well as its relative remoteness in touristic terms.The island lies 270kms north of Mombasa by road of by light aircraft to a landing strip on nearby Manda island. There are no cars on Lamu island; transport is by dhow or donkey. Cruise vessels rarely visited Lamu but arrangements have been made to enable smaller vessels to make this unusual call.Ships are limited to a maximum of a 100m loa and 10m draft.Having regard to local limited tourist facilities, a passenger capacity above 120 is undesirable.Ships tenders can be used to take passengers to the main jetty in town, to Manda island and to peponi hotel and adjacent beaches. Lamu dhows are available for excursitions around Lamu island and to other nearby islands-especially Pate which is of Islamic historic interest.Customs, immigration and Port health services are available in Lamu. Lamu takes one back in time 600 years ago. Little has changed. The unchanged architecture of the houses, a series of open plan galleries always without doors and interior courtyards ensuring trade from the tropical sun and calm from the bustling streets outside kept secret by enormous intricately curved doors.

The town, with its busy yet relaxing atmosphere is not all that the area has to offer. The district is Kenya in miniature, the balmy sea, deserted beaches, wildlife and friendly people. Now its possible to sail the archipelago of Lamu by dhow to visit the new Kihunga Marine park and the new Dodori National reserve. The Lamu area contains some of the worlds truly deserted tropical beaches and islands, traditional crafts, exotic shopping for bargain hunters and a glimpse of a contented way of life that has remained unchanged for century.