Vacation rentals in Lamu

Fishbone is a beautiful traditional Lamu/Swahili style house, with a stunning roof terrace and a wonderful courtyard. You can sleep 8 guests comfortably. Best part: although there is no pool, it is very accessible within 5mn walk from the nearest beach and 7mn walk from Peponi hotel (and as always, you will enjoy getting lost in Lamu!), yet still very quiet and private. We have stayed in many houses in Lamu and Fishbone's architecture and attention to detail is unmatched! Points for improvement: some of the fans did not work and some of the mosquito nets are in need of repair (make sure to take mozzie repellent and anti-malarial tablets!). A clothes rack would also be helpful, especially in the rainy season.

Authentic Swahili Town House on three floors. Lovely roof terrace. Amazing housekeeper Elizabeth who is very helpful and on hand.

We loved our stay at Pumbao House. It was perfect for our family: two parents and three young adults. It was our final stop after an few weeks traveling through Kenya, and provided the peaceful, casual, comfortable space we needed. We enjoyed every meal cooked by Mwembe, and left the decision making up to him. It was not hard to say "yes!" to "catch of the day"! He and Alex made us feel at home, and were so helpful in every way. Every bedroom was spacious and had an en suite bathroom. We used the pool every day, as well as the outdoor shower. Peponi's was just a few steps away and provided the perfect place for a "sundowner" and a card game at the end of each day, before returning to the house for dinner. I would definitely recommend this house for a family or couples/families traveling together. We created amazing memories there, especially up in the "crow's nest" at the top of the house, where we lay on deep comfortable cushions to look at the stars. We will be back!

We had an absolutely amazing time at this beautiful home! Hannah was incredibly responsive. She even let us borrow her SUP boards. The house itself was comfortable and spacious. The chef was fantastic, and the staff were all so helpful and welcoming, always ready to assist with anything. The house is a 10 minute walk from the beach and the restaurants. We especially loved the local recommendations, and Hannah had contacts for everything we could possibly need in Lamu, which made our trip even more seamless. We’re already looking forward to coming back for a longer stay next time! Highly recommend!

Camilla’s place is absolutely stunning. Tucked away in a sand dune within sight and sound of the ocean. The tide is wide and creates a sandy expanse at low, and a choppy sea at high The open living space is spacious with high cathedral roof and a large sitting area with a kitchen area large enough for all four of us to prepare meals. The dining table is big and sturdy. The bedrooms are also spacious with king beds and full square mosquito nets. The bathrooms are large and open. The house staff, Baraka and Salma welcomed us on the beach as we arrived and to tote our bags to the house. They are discreet and let us be independent with cooking and cleaning. They offered to wash laundry, made beds, and Baraka even helped us find wine at a local shop. Truly one of a kind. Thank you Camilla and team.

in the center of Lamu makes it convenient to move around and the Swahili-style house huge bathroom

My friends and I loved our stay at Arjun's place. There was three of us so we had plenty of space and Paul and Michael took such great care of us for the few days that we were there. Communication before and during the arrival was clear and helpful. The place was absolutely stunning and the food by Michael was a highlight...honestly his food was better than some of the restaurants on the island. 5 stars for the whole experience and would definitely come back again. Highly recommend to all looking to go to Lamu Old Town.

Jane was very helpful even before our trip, her house, Jaha is definitely prettier than the pictures. She has done a good job with the interior and she a nice collection of books you can read while relaxing. James the chef made such tasty meals, his soups are a must have 😅 Juma was also very proactive and he helped us around the Island. Jane has done well with her team, including Nasir who picked and dropped us at Manda Airport. We had a such a lovely stay.

Teresiah was really friendly and helpful. The house location was also close to the seafront, and it was easy to find my way around - walk to restaurants and shops.

Samaki house was great place to immerse yourself in Lamu’s culture. The house itself boasts beautiful Swahili finishes along with a stunning view from the terrace. The location is within walking distance to several local restaurants, land marks and is located near the Main Street where all the local stores are. Moses, the house manager, was extremely helpful. Breakfast was an added bonus, and the provision of different breakfast options was very appreciated.

Second time staying here, and will always stay here when in Lamu. Such a special place with the nicest staff and the most beautiful setting. A very special place hidden in Lamu Town. Thank you Safari, Abu & Johnson!

We’ve visited Lamu six times, and this house is by far our favorite—surpassing even some of the most historic hotels. The house is impeccably decorated, with every detail thoughtfully designed by a talented interior designer. It’s clear a lot of care went into creating this space, and it made this our favorite stay in Africa to date. The amenities were fantastic—multiple fridges stocked with a wide selection of drinks (alcoholic/non), coffee stands with milk frothers, filtered water taps, and a small bites menu. These thoughtful touches really elevated the experience. The location couldn’t be better—right on the beach, we enjoyed watching the Dhows sail at sunset. Finding a house with a pool in this prime location is a real gem! The staff were exceptional—friendly, attentive, and respectful of our privacy. Francis, the chef, was wonderful, and the tablescapes every evening were stunning. Suzanne was also incredibly helpful and responsive through our stay. And of we love the dogs!

We really enjoyed our stay at Tunusuru House. It is just off the beach front in the centre of Shela, meaning everything is within easy walking distance. Chef Robert and his team cooked exceptional food - some of the best fish that we have ever eaten. The rooftop is a particular highlight - stunning views out onto Manda Island and a very welcome breeze. The house were able to organise numerous excursions and all of our water taxis and were incredibly responsive. If I was being picky, although traditionally designed, the house was a little sparse on furnishings (e.g. there could be some bedside tables), but overall this didn’t detract from the enjoyment of our stay. I’d thoroughly recommend Tunusuru House!

Our 2-night stay at Amu house was a dream. We were specifically interested in staying in Lamu's Old Town in contrast with accommodations in the more touristy resort-studded area of Shela, and we were not disappointed! Between wandering the local alleys filled with locals of all ages and donkeys, relaxing at night on the roof with views of boats in the harbor, surrounded by the sounds of the Ramadan prayers, we felt totally immersed in the unique, rich Swahili culture of Lamu Island. And this is to say nothing of the beautiful, comfortable, spacious accommodations of Amu house! Check-in was a breeze: Mohammed Aweso from Amu house met us promptly at the airport, where he led us on a short boat ride and a 3 min walk to the house. After a quick tour of the house, Mohammed offered to arrange any number of excursions and activities for us throughout our stay. We took up on his offer for a walking tour of Old Town, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. We can't wait to return again!

The stay was great! Penthouse was really spacious for 2 people - lots of sleeping and lounging areas. The food was really tasty and came in huge portions. Just remember to order lunch/dinner and in advance to make sure they can source the required items and doesn't interfere with other work. Great views of the ocean and was a 5 minute walk to the shore There's a mosque nearby but qqs pretty easy to tune out and honestly just added to the ambience Service was amaaaaaaazing - From Dorcas to Kalama and the rest of the staff. They were all extremely attentive and helpful. Thank you for the wonderful stay 😊