Lamu · Shela · Kenya Coast

Island escapes on the Kenya Coast.

Multi-day escapes that get you away from it all — a four-day Lamu island trip by flight or overland coach, a sunset dhow cruise, or a flexible Coast weekend getaway.

Lamu is the oldest living Swahili settlement in East Africa — a car-free island of donkeys, dhows and coral-stone streets where the Indian Ocean sets the rhythm. An island escape works well if you want a slower, more immersive coastal holiday than a single day trip can offer.

Choose the four-day fly-in escape for speed (about 45 minutes to Manda Island), or the overland version along the coast highway through Malindi for a more affordable journey. Both include the same curated island itinerary. For a shorter break, the flexible Coast weekend escape can be based in Mombasa or Diani with optional marine and cultural add-ons.

Popular questions about island escapes

How long does it take to get from Mombasa to Lamu?Flying from Mombasa Moi International Airport to Manda Island takes about 45 minutes, followed by a short dhow crossing to Shela. The overland coach route via Kilifi, Watamu and Malindi to Mokowe Jetty, then a boat crossing, takes approximately 5–6 hours.
What accommodation is included in the Lamu island escape?Both 4-day packages include 3 nights in one of eight Lamu properties around Shela — from a king en-suite room to a whole Swahili house — chosen by you and your group size when booking.
What is included in a Lamu sunset dhow cruise?A private sunset dhow experience on the Lamu Channel from Shela with a local dhow crew. It is quoted flexibly around your preferred date, group size, departure point and boat availability.

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