Amani Guest House Utukuni Lamu Old Town

Your family, friends or yourself will be close to the main cultural events when you stay at this centrally-located house: The Mwana Mshamu Mosque, one of the oldest in Lamu is next door; The Swahili House Museum - about 5 min walk; The Main Street, main jetty, Donkey Sanctuary, Lamu Museum and the market by Lamu Port - about 10 - 15 min walk. Across from the jetty is Manda Airport, - 15-20 mins by boat, and Shela Beach in Lamu is 10-15 by boat, or 45-50 min walk. The space Retreat island within an island. Amani Guest House is a newly built home with specific Swahili Lamu architectural design, and with own borehole. Each room is 12 ft long x 12 ft wide, and 9.5 ft high, with mangrove poled ceiling. All windows are mosquito proof, and additionally, mosquito nets are provided. Bathrooms are 9.5 ft long and 8.5 ft wide with a shower, toilet, and an Arabic shower, a sink and a towel rail. Towels, slippers, bar soap and toilet rolls are provided as well. Guest access Other than the bedrooms, guests can communally use upstairs terrace, downstairs garden, and the kitchen. This is located downstairs (with a small fridge), and dining area. and guests are expected to purchase own food and drinks. Please note that there are excellent restaurants within 5-10 min walk on the sea front. Otherwise cooking, items can be purchased from the Lamu market about 10 minutes from here or at supermarkets and corner stalls. Also, we do grow our own organic coconuts, sukuma wiki (collard greens), and mchicha (amaranth), and pumpkin plants - whose leaves are edible. If you need anything just let us know. Other things to note Lamu is predominantly an Islamic society. The dress code for both men and women expects a display of what’s considered modest - with concentration on character rather than physical attributes of a person. For example, women cover entire body and wear a headscarf called the hijab. And both men and women wear loosely fitting clothing, that doesn’t reveal body shape, thus not drawing attention to oneself. Men cover themselves up from waist down to the knees. Displays of affection in public is considered disrespectful. It’s advisable to follow suit. As the Swahili saying goes “heshima si utumwa”, or showing respect towards others doesn’t translate into servitude. Additionally, the Islamic prayer call happens at regular intervals 5 times per day, as do Madrassa classes. However, on the weekends there may also occasionally be preaching and or choral music overheard from nearby churches. While one can generally get accustomed to this fact, it maybe advisable to bring personal noise reduction equipment of one’s own choosing.