3-Day Lamu Island Itinerary – “Timeless Swahili Escape”

Day 1: Arrival in Lamu & Old Town Discovery

Morning:
- Fly into Manda Island Airport (via Nairobi or Malindi)
- Transfer by boat across the channel to Lamu Island
- Welcome check-in at a heritage Swahili guesthouse or boutique beach villa (e.g., Peponi Hotel, The Majlis, Banana House)
Afternoon:
- Explore Lamu Old Town on a guided walking tour:
  - Visit Lamu Museum, Fort Lamu, local markets, and traditional coral stone homes
  - Learn about carved doors, Islamic traditions, and the island’s trading past
- Refresh with Swahili tea and snacks at a rooftop café
Evening:
- Dhow sunset sail along the mangroves with light refreshments
- Return for a beachfront or rooftop dinner featuring seafood pilau or coconut curry
Overnight:
- Stay at your selected island retreat in Lamu or Shela Village

Morning:
- Optional yoga session or beach walk in Shela Village
- Visit to a local Swahili home or cooking class – learn to make chapati, samaki wa nazi (fish in coconut), or tamarind juice
Midday:
- Light lunch at Peponi’s or barefoot café in Shela
- Time for shopping at local boutiques (Maasai jewelry, Lamu fabrics, artisan woodcrafts)
Afternoon:
- Explore the 12-kilometer Shela Beach or take a donkey ride through the village
- Optional: Henna art session or Swahili poetry reading with a local storyteller
Evening:
- Romantic rooftop dinner or curated cultural evening with taarab music (optional)
Overnight:
- Continue stay in Lamu or Shela

Morning:
- After breakfast, board a dhow for a half-day excursion to Manda Island
  - Visit Takwa Ruins – an ancient Swahili settlement hidden in forest
  - Enjoy a picnic brunch or fresh coconut drinks on the beach
Midday:
- Return to Lamu for final shopping or photography session in Old Town
- Transfer by boat to Manda Airport for return flight