Attractions in Lamu County
47. Monuments in Lamu
Apart from the ruins on Manda, Pate and Lamu Islands, Lamu County has in total almost 45-historic monuments; varying from tombs, battlefields, ancient towns and mosques from past kingdoms dating back in some cases to as the 8th Century. Some of the little-known historic sites in Lamu County include Dondo, Ugwana, Agin, Mambore, Kimbo, Uziwaa, Mukunumbi, Witu, Mwana, Manda, Tosi, Jongeni, Ishakani, Rubu, Kiunga, Stesheni, Shaka, and Mea; among more.
48. Mangrove Forests
Mangrove Forests, locally known as “Nyangwa”, are one of Lamu’s dominant ecosystem. The mangrove forests, which march along the 131 kms coastline of Lamu County, are the most important source for timber and wood fuel. The largest patch, spanning from Kiunga Marine National Reserve to Manda Island, cover about 40,000-hectares (400 km2) and which accounts for 70% of Kenya’s mangroves. Ecologically, these are havens for motley birds and rare marine-life.
49. Dodori National Reserve
Located north of Lamu Island and contiguous with the Boni National Reserve, the wild and remote Dodori National Reserve is inhabited by a hatful of plains game, three unique varieties of turtles, a multiplicity of migratory birdlife and even some elephants. Although Dodori National Reserve has abundant wildlife, the animals are rather shy because of the rarity of vehicles. The landscape of the 133 km2 Dodori National Reserve is predominated by the native canopy forest which forms a fragment of the great Northern Zanzibar to Inhambane Coastal Forest. Gazetted in 1976 as a national reserve, Dodori National Reserve remains underdeveloped lacking both easy access and accommodation. While this offers an interesting excursion into an unusual coastal flora, it is necessary to go fully equipped and with enough supplies to overcome the complete lack of resources.
50. Kiunga Marine National Reserve
The Kiunga Marine National Reserve, which can be reached from Kiwayu as can Dodori and Boni National Reserves, is a 270 km2 colourful underwater world. Kiunga stands at the head of a long chain of islands running parallel to the coast and making a sheltered navigable channel for about 112 kms. The park itself is comprised of a 60 kms coral reef which runs parallel to it, and close to 50 off shore islands. The greater part of these islands are uninhabited; but there are a number of settlements on the mainland along the coast. The islands, and the coastal strip facing them, represent the farthest northern frontier of the ‘Swahili Coast’. Kiunga Marine Reserve is best known as a safe-haven for populations of the endangered Dugong (also popular as the sea cow) and the bounteous coral reef, home to a multiplicity of fish species that include the wrase, barracuda and rock cod. Kiunga Marine National Reserve is located 48 kms northeast of Lamu.
51. Kiwayu Island
The phenomenal beach at Kiwayu Island where the Kiwayu Safari Lodge stands sentinel is arguably the least-travelled spectacular ocean retreats in Kenya. It is also perhaps the most private and splendacious beach in Kenya. Kiwayu Island, which once could only be reached by major dhow expeditions from Lamu Island is now in air contact with Manda Island Airport. There is a small private airstrip at Kiwayu Island that links to Manda island. Alternatively, it can be reached on a legendary 7-hours traditional dhow voyage or a 4-hours motorboat ride from Lamu and Shela. By and large, Kiwayu Island, part of Kiunga Marine National Reserve, is a narrowed-strip of beach surrounded by reef. Goodly rolling dunes along the beach give way to thicker vegetation, stands of palms, tropical citrus and mango trees; while the low lying zone is covered in dense mangrove forests.
52. Ashuwei Ruins
On the mainland north of Kiwayu Island the first historic site is Ashuwei – a settlement just recently abandoned, probably in the 1960’s. The single mosque is broken down except for the north wall, which contained a very plain mihrab, perhaps simply a plain round arch, without apparent cut coral. East of the apse is a minbar of four steps. The second site is known as Mvindeni and Ras Uwani used to refer to the pillar tomb and town ruins at the north end of the little bay.
53. Boni Forest
“In spite of identifying themselves as Muslim, the Boni maintain sacred forest shrines to protect their spirit world. The destruction of the Boni Forest and the expropriation of their land pose a serious threat to Boni survival, as well as the loss of significant biological diversity. Numbering about 3,500, the Boni are one of the most marginalized indigenous cultures in Kenya, and they are threatened with losing their land, their livelihoods, their way of life, and perhaps their very lives” – Chonjo, Issue 11. Also known as Aweer, Boni live in the forested patch between Boni and Dodori National Reserves, and southwest of Dodori Reserve towards the tail end of Dodori Creek in what is known as the Boni-Lungi Forest. On a much grander scale, but more easily approached from Lamu, is the 1,339 km2 Boni National Reserve, located at the extreme southeast corner of Garissa County, in between Dodori National Reserve, in Lamu County, and Lag Badana Bushbush National Park, in Somalia. Established in 1976, as a dry season refuge for elephants and other wild animals, this way-out backwoods reserve, covering a vast area of indigenous coastal forest, has a sizable concentrations of valuable hardwoods, most of which are listed as very rare, vulnerable or endangered. Its 680 km2 forest section is the only notable forest in Garissa County. Enclosed in this rarely visited forest are many ancient sacred and traditional groves used by the Bajuni, Somali and Boni Communities as well as a handful of historic sights.
54. Ishakani Ruins
The entrance to Kenya in the immediate vicinity of Somalia (and Ras Kamboni) is marked by two tombs with high pillars whose site may have once been a pre-Islamic market, possibly one of the emporia mentioned in the Periplus. It is also believed to be the legendary Shvpigwaya of African tradition, claimed by Kitab-ul-Zunuj to have been the dispersal point for a large number of African tribes during the 12th or 13th Centuries. 10 kms to the south of Ras Kamboni are the remains of the walled town of Ishakani, with a similar tomb. South of Ishakani is a large striking rectangular panelled tomb over 1.2 ms high covering an area of about 80 m2. Three of its walls are decorated with asymmetrical, apparently abstract motifs in low relief; that do not appear to be Islamic. 16 kms further south are the ruin of a mosque belonging to the site of a settlement on Kiunga Island, opposite where there is an old tomb with a pillar in a bad state of repair.
55. Festivals in Lamu
Everything about Lamu Island seems unique. Its natural beauty and laid back style attracts travellers eager to experience the mystique of the ancient dreamy island. And nowhere perhaps are its exotic ways better displayed that in its 10 annual festivals. The Festivals of Lamu are: Lamu Painters Festival (February), the Shela Hat Festival (February), Lamu Yoga Festival (March), Lamu Food Festival (April), Eid-Ur-Fitr (June), Lamu Cultural Festival (November), Lamu Fishing Festival (December), Lamu Triathlon (December), El-Maulid Festival (December) and New’s Years Dhow Race (January). They offer a lens to its awe.
Abiri Kenya 