Overview
Lamu moves at the pace of the tide, and this journey moves with it. Base yourself for five nights at The Majlis Resort, a
boutique retreat on Manda Island’s Ras Kitau Bay, facing the golden dunes of Shela across the channel. From there the
archipelago opens by boat: cross the water to Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and East Africa’s oldest
living Swahili town, with a photographer-guide for the day; tour the island with lunch along the way; sail a traditional dhow
at sunset; explore the Takwa Ruins; and ride along Shela beach as the light turns gold. Half-board dining keeps evenings
easy, and optional extras, such as the dhow builders of Matondoni or a private champagne sunset sail, can be added on
request.
Trip Highlights
- Five nights at The Majlis Resort on Manda Island, on half board
- Photographer-guide for your day in Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Full-day tour around Lamu island, with lunch
- Sunset dhow cruise on the Lamu channel
- Takwa Ruins tour, with lunch
- Sunset horseback ride along Shela beach
- Optional on request: Matondoni dhow builders, champagne sunset sail, rooftop portraits, kayak paddle
Itinerary
Nairobi → Manda Airstrip → The Majlis Resort
Fly from Nairobi to Manda Airstrip, where you are met for the short boat ride to The Majlis Resort on Ras
Kitau Bay; the resort is reachable only by water, so your stay begins on the channel. Settle into your
Superior Room and spend the afternoon at leisure on the beach or by the pool, looking across to the
dunes of Shela. Dinner is served at the resort.
Key activities included:
• Flight to Manda Airstrip and boat transfer to The Majlis Resort
• Afternoon at leisure
Meals: D
Overnight: The Majlis Resort, Superior Room (half board)
The Majlis Resort → Lamu Old Town (boat) → The Majlis Resort
After breakfast, cross the water by boat to Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with your
photographer-guide for the day. Walk the coral-stone alleys in the soft morning light, past carved Swahili
doorways, the old fort and the busy waterfront, as part of a full-day tour around Lamu island with lunch
included. Return to the resort by boat in the late afternoon for dinner.
Key activities included:
• Boat crossing to and from Lamu Old Town
• Photographer-guide for the day
• Full-day tour around Lamu island, with lunch
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: The Majlis Resort, Superior Room (half board)
Optional (on request):
• Private rooftop portrait session in Lamu Town at golden hour with a local photographer – On request
Manda Island and the Lamu channel (traditional dhow)
A slow morning at the resort: swim, stroll the long beach or simply watch the channel, and keep the
afternoon free. In the late afternoon, board a traditional dhow for a sunset cruise on the Lamu channel,
with the sails catching the last light as the lamps of Shela come on across the water. Dinner is served at
the resort.
Key activities included:
• Sunset dhow cruise
Meals: B, D
Overnight: The Majlis Resort, Superior Room (half board)
The Majlis Resort → Takwa Ruins → Shela beach → The Majlis Resort
Spend the morning at the Takwa Ruins on Manda Island, the remains of an abandoned Swahili town, with
lunch included. Return for a quiet afternoon, then cross the channel to Shela for a sunset horseback ride
along the beach, with the dunes turning gold beside you. If you wish, arrive early to wander Shela’s quiet
lanes first.
Key activities included:
• Takwa Ruins tour, with lunch
• Boat crossing to Shela
• Sunset horseback ride along Shela beach
Meals: B, L, D
Overnight: The Majlis Resort, Superior Room (half board)
The Majlis Resort (day at leisure)
A deliberately slow day to enjoy the resort, its beach and its pools at your own pace. To see Lamu’s
boatbuilding tradition, add the optional boat trip to Matondoni, where craftsmen still build dhows by hand
using skills passed down for generations, or end the day with a private champagne sunset sail (both on
request, below).
Key activities included:
• Day at leisure at The Majlis Resort
Meals: B, D
Overnight: The Majlis Resort, Superior Room (half board)
Optional (on request):
• Boat trip to Matondoni, with dhow-building boatyard visit and photo session – On request
• Private champagne sunset dhow sail – On request
• Mangrove kayak paddle in the calm channel, late morning – On request
The Majlis Resort → Manda Airstrip → Nairobi
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a last walk along the beach before the boat transfer to Manda Airstrip for
your flight back to Nairobi.
Key activities included:
• Boat transfer to Manda Airstrip
• Flight to Nairobi
Meals: B
Overnight: None (return to Nairobi)
Cost
Cost Includes
- Return flights Nairobi – Manda Airstrip (Jambo Jet)
- Boat transfers Manda Airstrip – The Majlis Resort
- Manda Airstrip
- 5 nights at The Majlis Resort, Manda Island, in a
- Superior Room on half board
- Meals as indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D =
- dinner)
- Photographer-guide for the Lamu Old Town day
- Full-day tour around Lamu island, with lunch
- Sunset dhow cruise
- Takwa Ruins tour, with lunch
- Sunset horseback ride along Shela beach
- Bush Escapes welcome kikoi and Field Journal
- Bottled water on all excursions
- 24/7 Bush Escapes concierge support
Cost Excludes
- International flights
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Travel and medical insurance
- Optional activities
- Excess baggage on domestic flights (soft-sided bags
- recommended; confirm the allowance at booking)
- Laundry, phone calls and other personal expenses
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Frequently Asked Questions
General
The experience combines photography opportunities, Lamu’s rich Swahili culture, historic architecture, coastal scenery, and a relaxing luxury island escape over six days and five nights.
You can capture Lamu’s narrow streets, traditional Swahili architecture, dhow boats, vibrant markets, coastal landscapes, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
No. The experience is suitable for photography enthusiasts of all skill levels, from beginners using smartphones to experienced photographers with professional equipment.
You can discover Lamu’s historic Old Town, Swahili traditions, local craftsmanship, traditional architecture, and the island’s unique coastal way of life.
Lamu offers beautiful photography opportunities throughout the year. The drier months generally provide favorable conditions for outdoor exploration, although weather and lighting vary by season.
Accommodation arrangements depend on the selected package. Please confirm the specific luxury accommodation, meal plan, and included services when booking.
Bring your camera or smartphone, spare batteries, memory cards, comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing, sun protection, and a hat. Respectful, modest clothing is recommended when visiting cultural and religious sites.
Yes. The experience can appeal to couples, solo travelers, photography enthusiasts, and cultural explorers seeking a memorable coastal getaway.
Guided experiences may be arranged to help you discover Lamu’s history, culture, and hidden photographic gems. Confirm the guiding arrangements with your tour operator before booking.
Contact Bush Escape Safaris to inquire about availability, package pricing, accommodation options, and personalized arrangements for your six-day, five-night Lamu escape.
