Visit Lamu Archipelago, Kenya

A few miles off the coast of northern Kenya, the Lamu Archipelago is peaceful and beautiful.

Transport is by donkey or on foot, beaches are deserted and the most common sounds are the wind in the grass or the creak of a dhow.

There are two main islands in the archipelago — Lamu Island and Manda Island. Sprinkled about these in the turquoise sea are tiny coral atolls and white sandbanks.

Lamu Island

Most visitors to the archipelago base themselves on Lamu Island. At 16 kilometres long and seven kilometres wide, it resembles a miniature version of Zanzibar but is much quieter. On the northeast coast Lamu Town is a World Heritage Site that simply must be explored. Venturing further afield you will find the 12-kilometre beach on the south coast and the pretty fishing village of Shela.

Manda Island

A short boat ride away, Manda Island is quieter still, with beaches just made for picnics and relaxing in the sun.