Swahili Heritage & Old Towns
Lamu Old Town, Fort Jesus in Mombasa, Gede Ruins near Watamu and the Vasco da Gama Pillar in Malindi.
Watamu, Malindi, Mombasa, Lamu
Lamu & Shela Holiday Houses: Christmas & New Year 2026/27
From USD 1,380 for 2 guests (3 nights)
3 to 7 nights
Lamu
1 Dec 2026 to 28 Feb 2027
Boutique hotels for couples and whole Swahili houses for families and friends in Lamu and Shela. Prices are for the whole stay, not per person.
- UNESCO-listed Lamu Old Town
- Private houses for 5–12 guests
- Peponi Hotel and Manda Bay for couples
- Dhow sailing and Shela beach
Day-by-day itinerary
1
Day 1: Fly to Manda and boat to Lamu
Fly from Nairobi or Mombasa to Manda Island. A short boat ride takes you to your hotel or house in Lamu or Shela. Sunset from the rooftop.
2
Day 2: Lamu Old Town
Guided walk through the stone lanes of Lamu Old Town, Lamu Fort and the museum, with lunch on the waterfront.
3
Day 3: Dhow day and Shela beach
Sail by dhow around the archipelago with snorkeling at Manda Toto and a seafood lunch, then walk Shela’s long beach at sunset.
4+
Day 4+: Island time optional
Longer stays: Takwa ruins on Manda Island, fishing trips, or simply the beach and the house. Departure by boat to Manda airport.
Follow this trip day by day on Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter).
Hotels & prices
Non-resident rates in USD. Choose a hotel to add it to your request.
Price for the whole stay (USD), guests and nights as shown
-
Kilele House Best valueUSD 1,200 whole stay
-
Peponi HotelUSD 1,380 whole stay
-
Kholle HouseUSD 1,640 whole stay
-
Kijani HouseUSD 2,750 whole stay
-
Garden HouseUSD 4,200 whole stay
-
Manda BayUSD 4,720 whole stay
-
Palm HouseUSD 8,400 whole stay
-
Shela HouseUSD 8,400 whole stay
-
Kilele HouseUSD 9,600 whole stay
-
Beach HouseUSD 24,500 whole stay
Prices for 2 guests (3 nights), subject to availability at the time of booking. Christmas and New Year dates sell out first.
Included
- Accommodation for the nights and number of guests shown
- Meals as per the meal plan shown (self-catering houses usually come with house staff, so ask us)
Not included (we can add)
- Flights to Manda Island and boat transfers (quoted on request)
- Dhow trips and excursions
- Food for self-catering houses, drinks and tips
Things to do on this trip
Dhow Cruises & Island Trips
Sail on a traditional wooden dhow: sunset cruises, island hopping and seafood lunches on the Swahili coast.
Diani, Watamu, Mombasa, Lamu
Snorkeling & Marine Parks
Coral gardens, turtles and reef fish in Kenya’s protected marine parks at Watamu, Malindi, Diani and Mombasa.
Diani, Watamu, Malindi, Mombasa, Lamu
FAQs
No. Lamu prices are for the whole stay: the number of nights and guests in the table.
Fly to Manda Island airport from Nairobi or Mombasa, then a 10-minute boat. We arrange the flights and boat transfer.
Some houses have minimum stays over Christmas and New Year. Tell us your dates and group size and we will confirm options.
Fly to Manda Island airport and take a short boat ride across to Lamu or Shela. We meet you at the airstrip.
No. Lamu house prices are for the whole house and the number of nights shown, for the number of guests listed.
About Lamu
You may also like
Beach
Diani · 3 days / 2 nights
Diani Beach Holiday
White sand, warm water and ten beach hotels to choose from, from cosy cottages to all-inclusive resorts. Add a dhow trip to Wasini Island for dolphins.
From KES 21,500
per person sharing · 10 hotels
View
per person sharing · 10 hotels
Beach
Watamu · 3 days / 2 nights
Watamu Beach Holiday
Kenya’s best snorkeling right off the beach, sunsets on Mida Creek and ten hotels from boutique to all inclusive.
From KES 20,800
per person sharing · 10 hotels
View
per person sharing · 10 hotels
Beach
Malindi · 3 days / 2 nights
Malindi Beach Holiday
Our lowest-priced beach break: Malindi’s marine park, Vasco da Gama’s pillar and sunset at Marafa, with six hotels on full board or all inclusive.
From KES 10,150
per person sharing · 6 hotels
View
per person sharing · 6 hotels