a) Visit Shela beach on the North end of the Lamu island is a beautiful stretch of white sand and tiny broken sea shells. The walk from main Lamu town is only about a mile and a half and well worth it due to the locals you meet on the way. Watch for the young boys selling homemade samosas on the beach. They are delicious!
b) Lamu Museum:
Built in 1891, the Lamu Museum was the former residence of the British Governors during the colonial era. Here, you will experience and learn about the rich Swahili culture that is ever so evident in Lamu Town.
Map of Shela Village and Manda Island
Hotels and Restaurants in Shela Village and Manda Island
itineraries
You can explore the Lamu archipelago by dhow. A dhow is a traditional Arab sailing vessel with one or more lateen sails. It is primarily used along the coasts of the Arabian Peninsula, India, and East Africa. Dhow trips are the ultimate experience on a trip to Lamu. They are relatively inexpensive and you can go as far as Manda Island, Takwa Ruins or Matondoni. Kiwayu is the most pristine of the islands and it is in a biosphere reserve. Several companies specialize in trips to Kiwayu but it's nice to patronize the local captains, who know the islands and the villages best not to mention the sea! One small company called Nature+Culture makes Kiwayu and ecotourism its specialty and works closely with the communities. They also do smaller trips, and the company's owner, Gabriel Suleiman, is a former soccer star well-known and respected in the region: (http://www.lamutravel.com).
Tour guides are licensed on Lamu and they will show you their license on request and they have a well-organized association and work together cooperatively. Another company, (http://www.my-kenya-guide...) Sailkenya, also runs three-day trips. The dhow captains of Lamu, however, recently organized themselves into a professional organization, called Promise/Ahadi. They offer excellent services and their knowledge of the ocean and the island is impressive. These young men really made an effort to improve the tourist experience in Lamu, while also trying to empower themselves. You can find more information on their website www.lamutrips.com, visit their booking office close to the German Post Office Museums or look for them along the Lamu Seafront wearing bright blue T-Shirts and badges of their organization.