Vacation rentals in Lamu Island

Feisal's place was amazing. The house sits on its own plot on Manda Island, just a quick boat ride from Shela and Lamu Town. We had a family of 5 adults, 2 kids, a toddler and 2 infants. There was more than enough space with a balcony on each floor and 3 bedrooms. The sea breeze was incredible and the pool did not disappoint. There is a long dock to go to the boat and as the level of the tide varied each day we enjoyed swimming in the sea some days and beachtime on others. Amina the housekeeper and her daughters kept the place clean and helped us with anything we needed. We hired a chef, Yousef, who cooked amazing meals and even grocery shopped for us. This allowed us to truly relax and our kids loved their time on the island..it was a true adventure for them. We visited the Takwa Ruins, shopped in Shela and ate at several local restaurants. The weather was gorgeous and when it rained it only lasted minutes. The internet speed was great both inside and outside and allowed for streaming and movie afternoons when the kids were tired. We would love to return some day!

Mtende house is beautifully charming, each detail seemingly handpicked with thought and attention to detail. From the characterful doors, windows, lighting fixtures and furnishings, to the elevated ceilings in the bedrooms to the breezy dining and sitting area at the top of the 3 storey house, everything about the house makes you feel at home and simultaneously on vacation. The staff were wonderful. Patrick is a terrific cook and assisted by George, everything went perfectly smoothly regarding every aspect of our stay. If you are lucky enough to visit Shela, make Mtende House your home away from home … you won‘t regret it. Thank you Jax for being an amazing host and sharing your special home with us.

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!

Spectacular. I don’t think any words can justify our incredible stay at Forodhani House but I’ll try. The house itself is jaw-dropping. Charming Swahili architectural elements with an open floor plan that maximizes the 180 degree sea view. The bedrooms are generous to say the least, with well designed en-suite bathrooms that rival 5-star hotels. Yes. You will be wowed by how it looks. But the best part of the house is how it feels. The way it’s designed, the cross breeze flows beautifully through the entire property. And still, somehow the house isn’t the best part of our stay. The best part is the house staff. Without too much fuss or fanfare, the staff preemptively cared for our every need. They remembered how we liked our tea and how we liked the lights to be at dinner. 5-star service from beginning to end. Then there was the food. every meal prepare by the in-house chef Cylus left us speechless. We didn’t eat dinner anywhere else. Core memory stuff.

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 😊