Lamu Island

Country – Kenya

County  – Lamu County

Founded              1370

Population Total 30,000

Time zone           +3 (EAT)

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Official name      Lamu Old Town

Criteria  : Cultural

Area       15.6 ha (39 acres)

Lamu  was founded in the 14th century, making it the country’s oldest living town and the best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa.

Lamu Island, part of the Lamu Archipelago off the northern coast of Kenya, is a popular destination for travelers interested in East Africa’s rich heritage. With its preserved Swahili and Islamic architecture,

Lamu has been a key settlement for trade since the 14th century. Visitors can wander through the coral stone and timber buildings of Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, admiring the carved doorways, verandas, and arcades. The Lamu Museum offers insight into Swahili culture, including traditional boat-building tools and ceremonial wedding attire, while Lamu Fort now serves as a library for valuable collections of Swahili poetry and historical reference books.

Beyond Old Town, the rural villages of Shela and Matondoni offer unique experiences. Shela boasts a collection of 19th-century mosques, luxury eco-lodges, yoga retreats, and a bohemian atmosphere that attracts artists and designers. Matondoni is a fishing village, mostly untouched by tourism, where visitors can witness master boat-builders repairing and constructing new dhows using traditional methods.