Outings

Warning: there is a risk that you will get so relaxed that you won’t want to do any of these.  But just in case…..

Dolphins: swimming with dolphins is one of the Lamu experiences which will stay with you for ever.  Whether or not you have the chance to do this depends on the water, the calmness of the ocean and someone at Kizingo Lodge who can take you out.  There will also be an opportunity to snorkel round Kinika, the coral island you can see from the house.  Trips to the dolphins usually last all morning and only happen in December, January, February and March – be down at Kizingo point by 9am.  Trips cost $40 per person, payable directly to Kizingo.

Dhows: for about $60 you can charter a dhow and crew for a sail around at sunset from Kizingo point or sometimes we take a fast boat down to Lamu town and set off from there, maybe going through the channel to Manda or Manda Toto. The crew will cook you lunch on board and will come with a cold box of drinks. This costs about $250. Wilfred can arrange either of these.

Lamu Town: well worth a visit.  The world’s oldest Swahili settlement which, in 2001, was designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The Lamu Museum gives you a historical overview but wandering around the medieval streets is the best part and along the front where you can easily be mown down by the Lamu taxis aka donkeys.  Some people say the German Postal Museum is an absolute must; others are not so sure.  Abdul, who you will have met at the airport on your arrival, will give you a guided tour for a small fee (approx. 1,000 ksh.)

Peponi is the hotel in Shela which put Lamu on the tourist map forty years ago. It’s still lovely.  You can walk there in two and half hours by turning left on the beach.  It’s best to leave early (make sure you have consulted the tide table and that there is enough hard sand to make your journey agreeable) and book in for a slap up breakfast; this must be booked in advance.  Organise a boat to bring you back up the channel.  Or walk back the other way.  An askari will come with you. Again Wilfred can organise this for you.

Shela Village - do take time to wander around this highly picturesque village. There are some beautiful Swahili houses, many of them taken over by Europeans. The backstreets are always full of life, the waterfront cafes make handy pit stops and the upmarket shops can offer some lovely retail therapy.

Walk up the dunes: a 45 minute climb to the top of the dunes to Louis’ look out where you can see across the whole island. It’s an especially good place to see the sunset.  Ask a staff member to show you the way.  There’s a small cool box you can take with you if you want to have a drink at the top.

Motorbiking on the mainland: go across the channel from Kizingo point where you will be met by piki pikis who will show you the area, take you to the local town- Mpekatoni- and to Lake Kenyatta.  You can also go and visit some of the local schools supported by the Kipungani Schools Trust (run by Kizingo Lodge). You ride pillion on these bikes and it can be pretty hair raising and hot but we recommend it.