Set in an archipelago of coral-fringed islands, swaying palm trees and aromas of spices unknown, Lamu is possibly one of the most relaxing places on earth. Lamu is also the name given to the only town on the island and you will soon find that nothing much happens here in a hurry. A trading town for hundreds of years between Arabia and India buying and selling spices and ivory has produced a vibrant culture known as Swahili. Established in the 14th century, Lamu is the oldest surviving Swahili town in Kenya, which explains why the streets are only wide enough for donkeys and pedestrians. Without cars the options are walking, riding a donkey or sailing a dhow.

In the evenings the aroma of thick Turkishlike coffee permeates the atmosphere; old men sit together philosophizing on the front steps of their houses, and little boys chase one another, darting in and out of quaint shops that line the main street. Shela village, the smaller neighbour of Lamu, is a tangle of narrow sandy lanes, tall stone houses, some smaller thatched dwellings, mosques, ruins and a spacious square ringed with a few market stalls. Off the bustling waterfront of Shela village, dhows sway gently on the incoming tide as merchants and fishermen cross back and forth on the shimmering sand. Shela Beach is famous for its 12 kilometers of wild, untouched sea-shore and ancient sand dunes that have recently been designated part of the Lamu World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Remote and peaceful, it is a 20 minute boat ride from Lamu town and the airport on Manda Island. Turtles lay their eggs on the beach where long walks are a joy: snorkelling, swimming with dolphins, fishing, dhow sailing, camping out on desert island beaches, water skiing, wake boarding and kite surfing are all possible.

Kiwayu Island is the most remote and pristine island in the Lamu Archipelago in the far north of the Kenyan coast. White coral and virgin beaches stretch for miles, with crystal clear water at all times. Snorkeling over a myriad of unspoilt coral reefs, wind surfing, laser sailing, water skiing, picnics, deep-sea fishing and exploring the mangrove forests, caves and coves are all available. Dolphins and whales are seen regularly off the coast of Kiwayu, moving in shoals across the ocean. There are also two villages on the Island that can be visited and allow an authentic experience of contemporary coastal life. The mainland hosts an abundance of game and borders on the Boni and Dodori game reserves and guests can have a break from their their island experience with game drives or walks on the mainland.