Lamu Old Town
It is thought to be the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is largely built in coral stone and mangrove timber. It’s a maze of narrow, winding streets and full of little gems. Here are a few must-sees.
Lamu Fort
Lamu Fort is a huge, two storey stone structure. Completed around 1821, it marked the southern corner of the traditional stone town and served as a garrison for Baluchi soldiers sent by the Sultan of Oman. The protection it offered meant that Lamu merchants began to erect the 19th century shopfront and buildings you see today. The Fort is still central to the community- you’ll often see locals gathered under the shade of a big tree outside, catching up and people watching.
Lamu Donkey Sanctuary
Lamu wouldn’t be Lamu without its donkeys- an estimated 2,200 of them! The island doesn’t really have cars and so the furry residents are an essential part of life, transporting everything from building materials to people. Pay them a visit at Lamu’s Donkey Sanctuary, where a dedicated team cure them of any ailments and educate owners on how to take good care of them.
Swahili Carpentry
Take a peek inside a traditional carpenter or “fundi’s” workshop. A.A. Skanda (bottom left) took over from his father 10 years ago, painstakingly carving traditional Swahili furniture. His father who was in the business from the 1920s built a solid reputation on the island and is featured in the Lamu Museum.
German Post Office
Somewhat of an anomaly on the island and tucked into the side of a narrow street, this building was the first German Post Office ever established along the East African coast. It opened in 1888, serving the German Protectorate in Witu. It operated for more than two years before its closure in 1891, after the withdrawal of the German settlement.
Lamu Museum
If you fancy an educational visit, then this grand warehouse on the waterfront is a great gateway into Swahili culture and that of the archipelago. Inside everything from traditional dress to the histories of local tribes and the nautical heritage of the coast is on display. Colorful vintage posters are on sale in the little gift shop too.
