TRAVEL GUIDE | CABANA TRAVEL | WORLD OF CABANA

Born and raised in the wilds of East Africa, Anna Campbell is a neuroscientist turned filmmaker who now runs a beautiful off grid retreat on the magical island of Lamu, Kenya. She shares her favorite markets, restaurants, museums (and more) from a small island that draws a discerning, creative crowd.

BY ANNA CAMPBELL | CABANA TRAVEL | 5 MARCH 2026

My Favorite Things to Do in Lamu

I love wandering Lamu Old Town. Losing yourself in the winding, donkey-filled streets of the Old Town is a grounding sensory experience. (Just remember to dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees—out of respect for the culture).

But for pure inspiration, I love visiting The Flipflopi Project. It’s an incredible workshop turning the tide on plastic pollution. They collect local waste and transform it into everything from furniture to traditional sailing dhows, quite literally clad in thousands of vibrant, repurposed flip-flops. It’s a colorful, ingenious reminder of how creativity can save our oceans. 

My Favorite Restaurant

The Shela Women’s Association is the real soul of Lamu food. It’s not just a restaurant; you are welcomed by the local women who not only serve you the most delicious, authentic Swahili dishes (the samosas are legendary), but they will also teach you how to cook them. It’s an experience that feeds both the stomach and the heart.

My Favorite Shops & Markets

Lulu Lamu, Ali Lamu & The Old Town Market. In Shela, Lulu Lamu is a beautifully curated treasure trove, but I also cannot resist Ali Lamu. Their bags are crafted from weathered sailcloth and hand-painted by the wonderful local artist, Ali, with happy, love-infused sayings that simply fill the soul with good vibes. (They also serve delicious Lamu gelato in-store, which is a welcome delight to accompany the retail therapy). 

For a raw, sensory feast, walk through the Lamu Town Market near the old prison. It is a vibrant theater of daily life: market ladies wrapped in bright traditional kangas preside over baskets overflowing with fresh produce, from earthy pulses to sweet mangoes. The scene is always alive with chatter and laughter, a truly joyful slice of Kenya culture. 

My Favorite Museum or Gallery

Lamu Museum: small but mighty, and packed with wonderful stories and artifacts that capture the history of the coast. It feels intimate and incredibly rich in culture. 

My Favorite Place of Architectural Interest

Lamu Old Town. The entire UNESCO heritage site is a marvel, but specifically the coral stone houses with their intricate plasterwork and heavy carved wooden doors. They tell the story of centuries of trade and culture.

My Favorite Garden or Green Space

The Mangrove Forests. It isn’t a manicured garden, but rather the wild, breathing lungs of the island. Floating through these ancient waterways is incredibly peaceful. These unassuming, remarkable trees are actually the greatest carbon sequesters in the world, true heroes of our ecosystem. At low tide, their exposed roots remind me of ladies on their tiptoes, hitching up their vibrant green leafy skirts to keep them dry, which always makes me smile. It is a birdwatcher’s paradise, too; we’ve even started seeing pink flamingos recently, which is a wonderful new addition to the landscape.

My Favorite Place to Stay

Forgive the bias, but The Cabanas Lamu is truly our dream realized. Entirely off-grid and tucked into the private side of Lamu Island, it offers a profound sense of restoration. It is the kind of place where the very design feels like a long, deep exhale.

My Favorite Cafe or Coffee Shop

The Cabanas Pool & Pods are my absolute favorite spot to hang out. We recently added a new pool and these incredible pods beside the pool. Once you nestle into a pod with a coffee and a book, it is genuinely hard to leave. It’s the ultimate island cocoon. 

My Favorite Cozy Pub or Bar

A Sunset Sail on Kilindini Dhow: for atmosphere, nothing beats being on the water itself. A slow sunset cruise in a traditional Lamu Dhow, with delicious samosas to nibble on and a favorite cocktail in hand as the sky turns pink, is the ultimate Lamu "pub". 

My Favorite Lesser Known Spot

The Wild Ocean Walk. Just a ten-minute stroll along the beach from The Cabanas lies the wild ocean side. It's the most magical, serene spot to sit on a dune and watch the sunrise. For the more adventurous, follow this uninterrupted stretch of pristine coastline for three hours (12 km) all the way to the village of Shela where you can reward yourself with a delicious breakfast or lunch in the village, before catching a boat back.

Be sure to stop off at Lamu Old Town for a cultural tour before winding home through the mangroves, spotting birds and fishing dhows on the way.