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 General Informations


Lamu is an island in Kenya that is fascinating and totally different from the main land. The first time we visited Lamu Island, we could totally feel the difference. It is a small but wonderful place to be for a holiday compared to the main land. Especially the people living there they are so friendly than in any other place in the country. Moreover the Arabic culture, the traditional life, the splendid beaches and the fact that there are only two Cars on the island we liked the place from the very first moment.

Lamu island is a 7 mile long and 4 miles wide small spot in the Indian Ocean situated in the north of Kenya. The neighbouring islands which also belong to Lamu Archipelago are Manda Island (with the national Airport), Pate, Faza and Kiwayu.





The important villages on Lamu Island are Lamu Town (which is under protection of the UNESCO as world heritage site since the year 2001), Shela with its splendid and deserted 8 mile beach with dunes and Matondoni which is famous for the production of dhows (traditional boats).





Lamu Island has only 30,000 inhabitants, which are mainly Muslims. In Lamu Town there are no main roads and so there are only narrow lanes, no wonder only two cars exist, one tractor, a few motorbikes, countable bicycles and very many donkeys. These are the main means of transport of goods and services on the island. When you are walking through the narrow lanes you really get impressed when a herd of donkeys is on the way. You really feel like you are living in the past.

Some tourist usually go to Lamu for a few days but they later realize it's a place they could stay for a long time without getting bored actually because it's a world by its own. It will be our pleasure when you spend your precious holiday at JamboHouse because Lamu is a tropical paradise, which is known by only few people. It has a quite interesting culture and the extra cost are unbeatable.





Lamu Island is the oldest and the best-preserved settlement of the east Africa coast. The first settlers arrived in the 14th century. Later Portuguese sailors came to Lamu and it became a trading place for Arabic traders from Oman. Lamu did slave trade also which was abolished in 1907. Currently Lamu has around 20,000 visitors from all over the world. The locals are so friendly and so crime is less compared to the mainland. It's a world of its own although it's just a stone throw to the mainland. For this reason some actors spend their holiday in this island and also princess Caroline from Monaco has a property there.





It is usually easy via Nairobi you could get a return flight from Europe by KLM/Kenya Airways it is around 800 Euro in High season but you also have a chance to get a cheaper fare if you book in advance. From Nairobi there are a few daily flights to Manda Island via Malindi. When you get to the departure hall with the makuti roof and the tiny "duty-free shop" and when you watch how your luggage is brought by manpower you immediately feel you just landed in a small tropical paradise.





We offer to wait for our entire guests who do a pre-booking at JamboHouse right at the airstrip. Then on the 15 minutes boat ride to Lamu you get the first impression of Lamu Town. From the jetty it's only five minutes through narrow lanes to JamboHouse which is located above Lamu Fort. Upon arrival we serve our guest a welcoming drink on our rooftop terrace where you get the first view over the makuti roofs of Lamu Town.

From Mombasa there are also flights to Lamu but they are not so often. We recommend taking a bus from Mombasa to Malindi, which takes only two hours, and from there connect a flight to Lamu (the bus passes Malindi Airport). It's also an interesting experience to travel with the locals and the flight from Malindi to Lamu is much cheaper. Alternatively you could also travel the whole distance from Mombasa, Watamu or to Malindi top Lamu. From Mombasa by bus it takes around 6-8 hours depending on the weather, as the road on the last part is not asphalted. We also pick up our guests from the bus terminal in Mokowe.

Lamu Island is an ideal place to relax after a wildlife safari as the journey from Nairobi or Mombasa is easy. At some tour operators you could do the booking for the wildlife safari separately and then you book your stay in Lamu at JamboHouse through the home page or by phone. Its also interesting to combine a stay in Diani beach (Mombasa south coast) or Bamburi Beach (Mombasa north coast). Lamu has just around 20,000 visitors every year and other extra costs are quite low compared to Bamburi Beach and Diani Beach. Crime is not a problem in Lamu and the sun is shining almost all year round. It's an all year round destination with high season from December till mid April. Temperatures during the day range between 28-34 degrees Celsius (82 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit) with the hottest temperatures in March and April. Rainy season starts around mid / end April till July. You will find detailed weather information at www.wetteronline.de.





The official language in Kenya is English although most of the locals speak Swahili. You should take some precautions in Malaria although it's not such a big problem like any other place. In Lamu there is one of the most modern and well-equipped hospitals (financed by Saudi Arabia) of the Kenyan coast.

In Lamu Town you find a lot of small shops, internet cafés, cell phones are working too (but who need it on a leisure trip to Lamu?), offices of airlines and bus companies and also a bank with international ATM.

In restaurants you get freshly prepared fish, rice, chicken and goat meat at very reasonable prices. For drinking there are soft drinks, freshly squeezed juices and beer.

We gladly provide you with information to make your well-earned holiday even more enjoyable. We reconfirm flights for you free of charge, reserve bus tickets, day trips and could also help when you want to get extra services like Henna Tatto. If you have any questions about traveling to Lamu or about your stay at Jambo House please don't hesitate to ask us.