Lamu is an outstanding place that is truly one of its own kinds –a tranquil equatorial island where you can live life at a peaceful rhythm and the place of a distinguished and fascinating history which is as bewitching as the twisting streets of its chivalric rocky town. The island is truly amazing with the unlimited beaches and rolling dunes, where small villages are settled snugly amongst the mango and coconut plantations, where rigged boats regularly sail through the water.
But the actual allurement of Lamu is the old town which is a mini town, located on the island and is the constituent of the Lumu Archipelago. The antiquated town has been declared by UNESCO World Heritage List as ‘the oldest and the best preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa’, and is frequently visited by thousands of tourists who take cheap flights to Nairobi to visit the magnificent spots of this antediluvian region.
The recent research work has proved that some Chinese, who were the survivors of the Zheng He’s ship, settled down here in 1415 and the Lamu port lasted for more than thousands of years. With the passage of tome Lamu flourished and became the focal point of crafts, arts, politics and poetry and now it is regarded as the most beloved destinations by the backpackers who come for an enticing and enthralling excursion. The natives are the great followers of the cultures and traditions and the tourist’s experience is made even more enjoyable and exotic by the welcoming and amicable nature of the residents.
The town has many charming sites and all area easily approachable with the help of a bicycle, foot and the most fascinating local mode of transport which is a donkey. The townhouses many museums amongst which the Lamu Museum stands notable and unique which is the dwelling place for ritual horn called as Siwa. Besides there are many dazzling and monumental buildings such as Lamu Fort- the Sultan of Pate, Fumo Madi ibn Abi Bakr planned to construct the fort on the waterfront to guard that group of the people who belonged to his infamous government but even before the completion of the first floor the Sultan departed in 1809 and this citadel was finally completed in 1820.
Moving further you will notice the Riyadha Mosque which is very famous for the Maulidi Festival and is visited by agglomerations of pilgrims of Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Congo and Sudan. The most entertaining and attention-grabbing spot of the town is Donkey Sanctuary- where you will be able to find almost 2000-3000 donkeys and this place has been built as the island has no other means of transportation.
The trip to Lamu is just like to pop into another magical world- life becomes soothing and comfortable while strolling through various attractive sites. With Dhow Safaris you can have a voyage to the encircling archipelago where historical ruins, remote villages and various exclusive and luxurious resort s are hiding among the Kiwayu, Pate, Siyu and Manda Islands. The trip to the Idyllic Lamu speaks to the soul and the heart and this romantic and sentimental experience will undoubtedly turn into the lifetime affair.
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