A heavenly getaway on Kenya's Lamu Island

Lamu Island is a small paradise set in the Indian Ocean and mangroves. Located on the north-east coast of Kenya, around 250 km from the city of Mombasa. This island is known for its timeless charm, white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and unique Swahili culture. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 for its well-preserved historic buildings and traditional Swahili architecture. Indeed, with a few exceptions, there are magnificent villages that respect the island's important heritage. They bear witness to Swahili architecture and culture, the best preserved in the whole of East Africa.

Since its foundation in 1370, it has been one of the first settlements on the Kenyan coast. It was the cradle of Swahili civilisation, born of a mixture of Africans, Persians and Omani merchants. The island lives to the slow rhythm of donkey steps. It has always been home to a moderate form of Islam. Burqas and rastas live side by side. An open island, it tolerates homosexuality while the rest of the country condemns it.

Lamu is the largest island in the Lamu archipelago, which also includes the islands of Manda and Pate. The island is accessible by boat from Manda, which is linked to Nairobi by air. The island's main town is also called Lamu, and is located on the east coast of the island. The island's second village is Shela, further south. During your stay in this little corner of paradise, you'll be bathed in a gentle, relaxed atmosphere. All the while, you can catch a glimpse of the fascinating and mysterious history and culture of the area.

Lamu is an ancient town, founded in the 14th century. The town is famous for its narrow, winding streets, white stone houses and carved wooden doors. Discover the local traditions as you wander through the steep, maze-like streets. Most of the buildings are made from mangrove wood, gathered from the mangroves surrounding the island, and coral rock, all finely decorated and carved to create colourful ornamentation. This is an opportunity to discover the country's Islamic riches.

The town is also famous for its festivals, particularly the Maulid, which celebrates the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. During this festival, the people of Lamu come together for religious celebrations, dancing and singing. Don't forget to visit the Lamu Museum on the seafront, where you can learn all about Swahili culture. The Donkey Sanctuary is, as its name suggests, the sanctuary of the donkey. Donkeys are very common on the island, and are even the main means of transport. This place is a rest and care home for this very important animal, and it is possible to take a donkey ride.

A little further north, in the town of Lamu, don't hesitate to visit " The Flipflopi project " centre, a circular economy movement that encourages the reduction of plastic use. To do this, they build DHOWS entirely out of plastic. Dhows are traditional Arab sailing ships, adorned with their muslin sails, which have been sailing off the coast of the region's ports for centuries. It's a great way to celebrate the country's age-old crafts and traditions, while doing something good for the planet!

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The village of Shela is well worth a visit, with its narrow streets ideal for strolling around and discovering new traditional houses dating back to the 17th century. This little piece of land, one of the most beautiful on the coast, has some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches on the island, so take the opportunity to take a dip. The beach is also renowned for its spectacular views over the neighbouring island of Manda.

The archipelago remains absolutely unperturbed by external changes. In Lamu, luxury lies in the simple things in life. The people are deeply attached to their island, which has seen centuries of its history without changing its habits, taking care to preserve its character as much as possible. However, the island's beauty has attracted its fair share of tourists, inevitably pushing up property prices, which are now far from affordable for local families.