Lamu is one of the oldest towns in Kenya. It’s located on the south coast. Below are some of the fun places to visit in Lamu;
- Takwa Ruins
- Lamu Fort
- Siyu Fort
- Masjid Riyadha Mosque
- The Donkey Sanctuary
- Dodori National Park
- Takwa Ruins
Do you love exploring Swahili culture? Well, this fantastic destination might just be your must-go location. Arriving at that place takes you back in history.
The destination, essentially, is the material remains of the Swahili people who used to reside in the area. The ruins have survived for centuries and remain, to date, unscathed despite the elements.
It is believed that the location was the burial site for the Sheikh of Lamu, who was famous among the locals, and they, therefore, would come pay homage to him once in a while.
The ruins have so far been declared a national monument. The ruins are only 30 minutes away from Lamu town and can be best accessed by boat at only $3–10 per person.
2. Lamu Fort
Dating back to 1821, Lamu Fort is possibly one of the oldest structures in the area that is still intact. This fantastic destination was commissioned and constructed by the Sultan of Pate.
Its existence was that the Sultan needed to ensure that he garnered all the economic advantages for himself and all the Omani Arabs in his region, so building the fort assured him of that. Over time, the fort has been used for many engagements, from housing prisoners to being a library and a museum.
In addition, the site has incredible wonders and is a cool destination in Lamu that you’d like to witness! It can be accessed by visiting Lamu town itself.
3. Siyu Fort
“Unique is good!” Siyu Fort has been around since the late 19th century. It stands out from all other forts on the coast in that the locals themselves built it.
It is said that the leader of the Siyu at that time, Mohammed Ishaq, built it as a haven for his people to defend them from the Omanis who were hostile to them. Get to witness fabulous material remains from the site like sandals, belts, and stools that have been retrieved as cultural remains.
The site can be best accessed by boat since it’s only 25km from Lamu town.
4. Masjid Riyadha Mosque
Masjid Riyadha was built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Habib Salih as an important religious place and as an epitome of his accomplishments as an Islamic cleric.
The mosque served as a madrasa where Habib could impart knowledge to his students and carry out regular religious rituals. Habib continued teaching until his death in 1935.
His descendants took on the mantle and continued in his footsteps, teaching in the madrasa. The mosque has been recognized as one of East Africa’s best Islamic education centers!
5. The Donkey Sanctuary
The relationship between donkey and man has been dated back hundreds of years ago. This is perhaps the most symbiotic relationship known to everyone. The donkey sanctuary supposedly has the highest number of donkeys in Kenya in a single place.
The sanctuary was founded by a UK charity organization that aimed to improve living conditions for the poor animals, who lacked basic amenities such as medical treatment. The facility is a few kilometers from the town and can be accessed by foot or even by tuk-tuks. This, indeed, is somewhere you would like to visit.
6. Dodori National Park
Named after the river Dodori, the reserve boasts many sites to keep that dream tour a reality. The conservatory is home to wildlife, including lions, elephants, and buffalos.
Apart from the animals, Dodori also has an astonishing mangrove conservation activity. All these summed up to form a breath-taking ecosystem that makes it one of the fun places to visit in Lamu.
The facility is better accessed by boat from Mombasa, where you could pay upwards of $20-30 per head for the whole experience, plus food provided onboard.
Also, check out 20 perfect ways to experience the Kenyan Culture
