| Lamu tourist Activities and Sports | | | | poling the boat is fairly common along narrow creeks |
| Dhow Trips | | | | and channels. It's common to get becalmed or stuck |
| Taking a dhow trip is almost obligatory and drifting | | | | on sand banks, so you'll just have to be patient and |
| through the mangroves is a wonderful way to | | | | wait until the wind picks up or the tide rises to move |
| experience the islands. You'll be approached by touts | | | | on. With this in mind, it's probably unwise to go on a |
| and would be captains almost as soon as you arrive, | | | | long trip if you have a flight or other appointment to |
| but its worth shopping around to find a captain you like | | | | meet. Likewise, dhows are dependent on the tide. You |
| and a price you're happy with. Prices vary depending | | | | can't sail up creeks if the tide is out and there is not |
| on where you want to go and how long you go for; | | | | enough water to float the boat. This will be the main |
| with a bit of bargaining you should pay around Kshs | | | | factor determining departure and return times. |
| 500 per person in a group of four or five people. | | | | Festivals & Events |
| Groups of more than five aren't recommended as the | | | | The mauled Festival celebrates the birth of the prophet |
| boats aren't very big. | | | | Mohammed. Its date shifts according to the Muslim |
| Solo travelers joining an existing group to make up | | | | calendar and it will fall on 12 April 2006, and 20th March |
| numbers will often be offered a great price, on the | | | | in 2007 and 2008. The festival has been celebrated on |
| condition that they don't tell their fellow passengers | | | | the island for over 100 years and much singing, dancing |
| how much they paid. As this generally means the | | | | and general jollity takes place around this time. Among |
| others paid the extortionate asking price of Kshs 1000 | | | | the interesting traditional dances are the goma or cane |
| each, it probably shouldn't be encouraged! | | | | fighting dance and the quivering-sword dance, where |
| What ever you arrange, make sure you know exactly | | | | sword-wielding dancer set up a chorus of vibrating |
| how much you'll be paying and what that will include, to | | | | steel. |
| avoid misunderstandings and overcharging. Don't hand | | | | Organized events include swimming galas, poetry |
| over any money until the day of departure except | | | | reading, calligraphy competitions, and donkey races for |
| perhaps a small advance for food. On long trips, its | | | | young boys and dhow races for all the dhow captains. |
| best to organise your own drinks. Make sure you take | | | | Most of the cerebrations are centered around Riyadha |
| a hat and some sunscreen, as there is rarely any | | | | Mosque, although there is much loud rejoicing at all of |
| shade on the dhows. | | | | Lamu's Mosques. On the final day a procession heads |
| Most day trips meander around the channel between | | | | down to the tomb of the man who started it all, Habib |
| Lamu and Manda Islands, and the price includes fishing | | | | Swaleh. |
| and snorkeling, although both can be disappointing as | | | | The Lamu Cultural festival is another colorful event, |
| the fish tend to hide among the coral during the day. | | | | held in the last week of august. It's actually a recent |
| Lunch is usually served up on a beach on Manda Toto | | | | initiative, established in 2000 and aimed more at tourists |
| Island, which has better snorkeling. | | | | than local people. Attractions include traditional dancing, |
| For something abit more flashy, Peponi Hotel, at Shela, | | | | displays of crafts such as Kofia embroidery (a kofia is |
| offers full-moon dhow cruises for Kshs 4500 (minimum | | | | a cap worn by Muslim men) and dhow races and |
| eight persons) including drinks, wine and a lobster | | | | dhow races. |
| dinner. Multi-day trips head out to pate or the still more | | | | The donkey awards in March/April are an unusual |
| remote island of Kiwayu. When it is properly up and | | | | spectacle, organized by the Lamu Donkey Sanctuary |
| running, Lamu Dhow will offer luxury trips with | | | | in conjunction with the KSPC to promote animal |
| accommodation actually on board a massive vessel. | | | | welfare. Prizes are given for the best-cared-for |
| Dhows without an outboard motor are entirely | | | | donkey, and a surprising number of locals turnout to |
| dependent on wind to get them anywhere, although | | | | parade their well-tended beasts. |