Best Travel Guide To Lamu Islands At Indian Ocean Coastal Beaches In Kenya

Best Travel Guide To Lamu Islands At Indian Ocean Coastal Beaches In Kenya

A peaceful tropical island with stunning beaches on Kenya’s far north coast, Lamu Island emanates a relaxed atmosphere, which makes it a perfect destination for a break away from the demands of the urban environment. The island’s climate is flawless and the cool breeze makes touring it a pleasure. This natural gem’s striking beaches, outdoor activities, and warm locals make Lamu Island an impressive destination, and among Kenya’s most visited attractions.

Island-bound Lamu is one of the popular towns in East Africa. Established in medieval times, it blossomed in the 17th to 18th centuries as a trading port and center of Swahili art and scholarship. Today it’s something of a backwater, and too remote to attract much mainstream tourism, but the timeworn alleys of the old town retain a compelling Swahili cultural and architectural identity.

Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa, retaining its traditional functions. Built in coral stone and mangrove timber, the town is characterized by the simplicity of structural forms enriched by such features as inner courtyards, verandas, and elaborately carved wooden doors.

About Lamu Islands At Indian Ocean Coastal Beaches In KenyaLamu Old Town is located on an island known by the same name on the coast of East Africa some 350km north of Mombasa, and is the oldest and best-preserved example of Swahili settlement in East Africa.

With a core comprising a collection of buildings on 16 ha, Lamu has maintained its social and cultural integrity, as well as retaining its authentic building fabric up to the present day. Once the most important trade center in East Africa, Lamu has exercised an important influence in the entire region in religious, cultural as well as in technological expertise.

A conservative and close-knit society, Lamu has retained its important status as a significant center for education in Islamic and Swahili culture as illustrated by the annual Maulidi and cultural festivals.

Unlike other Swahili settlements, which have been abandoned along the East African coast, Lamu has continuously been inhabited for over 700 years.

The growth and decline of the seaports on the East African coast and interaction between the Bantu, Arabs, Persians, Indians, and Europeans represents a significant cultural and economic phase in the history of the region which finds its most outstanding expression in Lamu Old Town, its architecture and town planning.

The town is characterized by narrow streets and magnificent stone buildings with impressive curved doors, influenced by the unique fusion of Swahili, Arabic, Persian, Indian, and European building styles. The buildings on the seafront with their arcades and open verandas provide a unified visual impression of the town when approaching it from the sea.

The vernacular buildings are internally decorated with painted ceilings, large niches (madaka), small niches (zidaka), and pieces of Chinese porcelain. The buildings are well preserved and carry a long history that represents the development of Swahili building technology, based on coral, lime, and mangrove poles.

The architecture and urban structure of Lamu graphically demonstrate the cultural influences that have come together over 700 hundred years from Europe, Arabia, and India, utilizing traditional Swahili techniques that produced a distinct culture.

Attributed by eminent Swahili researchers as the cradle of Swahili civilization, Lamu became an important religious center in East and Central Africa in the 19th century, attracting scholars of Islamic religion and Swahili culture. Today it is a major reservoir of Swahili culture whose inhabitants have managed to sustain their traditional values as depicted by a sense of social unity and cohesion.

The small island of Lamu, northeast of Mombasa, oozes old-world charm. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lamu Old Town is Kenya's oldest continually inhabited settlement, with origins dating back to the 12th century. It has a beautiful 12km stretch of unspoiled beach and a relaxed vibe.

Strolling the labyrinthine streets is one of the top things to do in Lamu. You can see the island's rich trading history reflected in the buildings. Architectural features from the Arab world, Europe, and India are evident, yet with a discernible Swahili technique. Intricately carved wooden doors, coral stone buildings, hidden courtyards, verandas, and rooftop patios are common features.

Sightseeing in Lamu is like stepping back in time. Dhows plow the harbor, few if any motorized vehicles exist here, and donkeys still rule the streets as they have done for centuries. Most of Lamu's population is Muslim, and both men and women dress in traditional attire.

Top attractions on the island include the Lamu Museum, with displays on Swahili culture and the region's nautical history; Lamu Fort; and the Donkey Sanctuary.

Lamu Island is also home to Shela Beach, one of the best beaches in Africa. You can bask in the sun or plan for more adventure. Over the past number of years, the island has become a hot spot for kitesurfing. Wide-open spaces with little kite traffic and shallow warm water are perfect for learning near the village of Shela.

Arrange and Book with Ultimate Wild Safaris for the Lamu Island safari tour in Kenya.

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