Lamu Island extension

5 days
From US$900 per person
The Lamu archipelago is made up of three islands: Lamu Island (home to the historic old town), Shela Island and Manda Island. Between nature and mangroves, wild beaches and Swahili culture, the Lamu archipelago is a real journey in itself: a trip back in time, a return to the roots in this archipelago that has remained very authentic.

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Nairobi or Mombasa - Lamu Island

    In the morning, you leave Nairobi or Mombasa by flight to Lamu Island. Transfer from your hotel to domestic airport. You arrive at the island of Manda.
    You will be welcomed by our team and transferred to your hotel. Start your free stay.

  • Day 2

    Lamu Island

    Day at leisure on the Indian Ocean. Depending on your mood, you can relax or plan a sea activity (motorboat or traditional sailing boat trip, diving...), or visit Island.
    Shela Island
    The small village of Shela is about 15 minutes by boat from Lamu's old town. It's the perfect place to enjoy the peace and quiet, to swim in the clear waters of the Indian Ocean and lay down your towel under the palm trees, anywhere along these kilometers of wild, deserted beaches. Where the boat arrives from Lamu, a number of hotels and guest-houses offer grilled fish with local vegetables for lunch.

  • Day 3

    Lamu Island

    Day at leisure on the Indian Ocean. Depending on your mood, you can relax or plan a sea activity (motorboat or traditional sailing boat trip, diving...), or visit Island.
    The town of Lamu is the most densely populated part of the archipelago. Its historic quarter is one of the best-preserved examples of Swahili culture in East Africa. Lamu's architecture and culture make it a unique place in the world, totally preserved and very authentic, where everyday local life mingles with the tiny tourist population with a great deal of naturalness and mutual respect. A wide choice of small hotels is available in the heart of the old town, where, as is often the case in cities, bustle, noise and local life reign supreme.

  • Day 4

    Lamu Island

    Day at leisure on the Indian Ocean. Depending on your mood, you can relax or plan a sea activity (motorboat or traditional sailing boat trip, diving...), or visit Island.
    Manda Island
    This is the island on which the plane lands when you arrive in Lamu (the airport handles 2 or 3 flights a day, from Nairobi and Mombassa). The island is home to the ports of Takwa and the town of Manda, founded in the 9th century. You can also visit the ruins of Takwa, a town abandoned in the first half of the 19th century, probably due to water shortages.

  • Day 5

    Lamu Island - Nairobi or Mombasa

    Last day to enjoy the Indian Ocean coast. Depending on your flight schedule, departure for the airport 3h before your flight.

Prices

Price conditions for your extension in Kenya


Price Per Person

Based on 2 people, from : US$ 900
5 to 12 years $ 450 sharing with parents
Single supplement $110

Price Include

  • Transfers to and from the train station or airport to the hotel
  • Three nights' accommodation with breakfast in a shared room (twin or double room)
  • 1st class train from Nairobi to Mombasa

Not Included in the Price

  • Visa fee
  • Domestic flights supplement instead of trains
  • Transfers where not applicable 
  • Hotel accommodation in Nairobi
  • Single room supplement Drinks and meals during your stay (except breakfast)
  • Activities during your stay
  • Any items or expenses of personal nature

Option

  • We can also arrange domestic flights, on-site activities and other services. Please do not hesitate to contact us

Travel info

Here is some practical information for your extension in Kenya


Accommodation during your extension in Kenya

Accommodation is in either twin or double rooms at carefully selected safari lodges. The lodges we use are all set in spectacular locations and provide delicious meals and comfortable airy bedrooms. Here's a list of the accommodations we use on our trips. If they are fully booked, we will offer you similar accommodation.

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Transport

Private transfer

Other Useful Information to travel in Kenya

  • No plastic bags in to Kenya
  • No plastic bottles in the Game Parks and Reserves
  • Carry your COVID Vaccination Certificate

Entry requirements for Kenya

  • Mandatory passport valid 6 months after your return date
  • Since January 4, 2024, entry to Kenya has been subjected to an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), in place of a visa.
Travellers must now apply for an ETA in advance at https://www.etakenya.go.ke, and present it before boarding the plane.
Depending on your nationality, you'll need to check the entry requirements.

Sanitary conditions for Kenya

  • Yellow fever
Yellow fever is endemic in central and western Kenya. Vaccination is strongly recommended (in approved centres). In principle, vaccination against yellow fever is only required for people arriving from a country where this fever is endemic(1), or for people who have spent more than 12 hours in transit through one of these countries. To avoid any inconvenience, we strongly recommend that you are up to date with your yellow fever vaccination and in possession of an international vaccination booklet.
(1) In Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Congo (DRC), Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Uganda. South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela. 
  • Malaria
Malaria, particularly prevalent around Lake Victoria and on the Kenyan coast, is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bites of mosquitoes infested with the malaria parasite. There are two complementary forms of malaria prevention: protection against mosquito bites and prophylactic drug treatment. Conventional measures to protect against mosquitoes in the evening and at night are strongly recommended (see “A few simple rules” below). As far as prophylactic medication is concerned, you should contact your GP or a hospital specialising in travel medicine before you leave. During your stay, and for two months after your return, in the event of fever, medical advice should be sought systematically and rapidly, in order to start anti-malarial treatment as soon as possible.

Before you travel to Kenya, it's important to :
  • Consult your GP or an International Vaccination Centre to assess your state of health and receive health recommendations, particularly concerning vaccinations
  • Set up a personal pharmacy

Climate

Kenya's climate is equatorial, with significant regional variations. There are two dry seasons, the first from December to March, and the second from July to October.
These alternate with rainy seasons, between April and June, then between November and early December.
There are, however, a few nuances to these generalizations. On the coast, the climate is hot and humid, but moderated by the monsoon. In the desert to the northeast, the heat is dry, except in April and May, when there is some light rain.
The climate is humid around Lake Victoria, a little less so in January and February. Higher up, the climate is drier and warmer, with cold nights.
During the dry seasons, visitors flock to the area and all the trails are passable. Animals become easily visible in the dry grass and around waterholes. There are therefore more visitors between December and March, but also in July and August.
The “in-between” months of June, September and October are less crowded, but the weather conditions are quite suitable.
The wet seasons are less frequented, but the rains can be quite violent, even accompanied by spectacular thunderstorms, which can alternate with sudden clearings. At this time of year, there's no sweltering heat and, above all, the light is magnificent for photographers. It's also the time of animal births, but the tall grass doesn't always make observation that easy.

What to Pack for your extension in Kenya

  • Good quality sandals
  • Casual shoes for evenings
  • Fleece jacket 
  • T-shirts
  • Short and long sleeve shirts or blouses
  • Shorts and long casual trousers
  • Enough underwear, socks and hankies
  • Bathing suit
  • Good quality sunglasses
  • Safari hat or cap
  • Personal medication
  • Important Quality mosquito/insect repellent (for body)
  • Quality sun blocker cream/sunscreen
  • Binocular and Guidebooks
  • Camera with extra battery and memory card

Strengths

  • Lamu Island
  • The Indian Ocean coast
  • People of the Indian Ocean coast
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