Figure 4.32 Discovery Trail showing various nodes and paths to be explored

As an extension of the Lamu Tourism Board, a Heritage Task Team should be considered to define measures to tackle the issues facing the Old Town – including conservation challenges, erosion of culture and youth unemployment. This should comprise relevant government agencies from the national and local levels, LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority (LCDA) and National Museums of Kenya (NMK), as well as key community groups. Furthermore, the Tourism Board could coordinate community engagement activities to create awareness of the social and economic value of the Old Town’s rich history, as discussed in Action A18.

4.4.1.1  Project 8: Lamu Discovery Trail

Project overview

Lamu Island is one of the most important touristic destinations in the entire country. It offers a unique mix of a variety of natural assets, historic heritage, untouched beaches, inland agricultural and offshore fishing experiences. The two dry seasons, the first beginning in July and ending in October and the second beginning in January and continuing through February, are the main times to visit the Island. Lamu is one of the most culturally-rich islands of the archipelago. It is strategically located off the coast of Manda Island which hosts Manda airport. The island is accessible via water from Manda Island and the mainland at Mokowe, only a ten-minute boat ride across the channel. Despite such easy access to the island and its variety of interesting character areas (shown in Figure 4.32), there is a limited tourism offering which doesn’t allow the visitor to explore the full potential of the island beyond the known hotspots. Therefore, it is proposed to use Lamu Island as a pilot location to introduce the “Lamu Island Discovery Trail”.

Figure 4.32 Diagram showing potential linkages across the island

Source: Atkins analysis

The aim of this trail is to link various natural and manmade landmarks and assets and expand the tourism offer beyond the core town area across the island. (See Figure 4.33) This will help alleviate pressure from Lamu Old Town itself and increase the tourism offering at other locations.

It will also benefit the other local villages such as Kipungani, Matondoni and Wiyoni. Individual interventions are suggested along the trail that most suit the character of that area. The newly established discovery trail will encourage and enable visitors to explore more of the island, and in-turn, support the local economy more.

The discovery trail revolves around the concept of a circular economy and the Blue Economy. It promotes the engagement of local people and local resources. It connects and unlocks already-existing potential and demonstrates how a series of soft and spatial interventions can enhance the local economy. The approximate length of the trail is between 35 and 45km.

The trail begins within the Lamu Old Town area, where the visitor can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site and some of the historic landmarks such as the County Assembly, Lamu Museum, the Old Fort set within the Old Town, and the Masjid Al Wali Seif which formally marks the end of the Old Town.

As you move inland, the town will offer an alternative to the waterfront buzz and leisure activities with an injection of traditional intricate alleyways and cultural discovery which will elevate the local identity of the area. The Swahili architectural style dominates the town’s landscape and forms part of its character.

The trail takes you south towards Shela Village which is a centre for tourist hotels and accommodation and has a pristine beach. The hotels and holiday homes maintain the Swahili architectural style. The south-eastern tip of the island is landmarked by the beautiful Shela Fort. This spot slowly transitions out of the historic area and takes you to the natural heritage of the Island. Traditional dhow boat tours are a speciality in this area, and this node offers an ideal location for such tours. The next stop on the trail is the Sand Dune Trail. The southern beaches of the island are characterised by beautiful sand dunes stretching over 12 km. This is a protected area and offers an unfettered nature walk along the beach. A few viewing and photo points of interest are recommended along this trail.

The south-western tip of the island marks an end to the Sand Dune Trail. This node is dotted with low-key guest houses and small hotels. They offer an exceptional barefoot experience where the visitor can be at one with nature, and experience the area at a much slower pace.

As you travel further along the trail it takes you to the small settlement of Kipungani and further north the settlement of Matondoni. The area adjacent to both these towns is characterised by dense mangrove forests and presents the visitor with a great opportunity to explore them. A Mikoko Trail is proposed in this area. Timber walkways with information boards can be introduced to explore the mangroves or small private boat rides, provided by local people can be operate as guided tours. These towns can offer local home stays and fishing experiences where visitors can enjoy home-cooked meals with their own catch of the day, made by them during their fishing trip.

The central zone of the island is encompassed by farms and offers agri-tourism opportunities such as farm walks, camping and farm stays. These can be offered and run by local farmers as a supplement to their livelihoods.

The trail loops back into Lamu Old Town where it ends. This trail can be explored in reverse order too, and visitors could undertake certain sections of the trail at the leisure over a number of days. Bike share service to complement the trail

Bicycles can offer a low-cost non-polluting transport mode to enjoy the discovery trail. A bike-share provides users access to cycles for a limited amount of time from a network of geo-defined stations spread along a route where they can be borrowed and returned. A bike-share service along the trail can provide residents and tourists access to cycles that can be used to experience the diverse landscapes of open farmlands, mangrove forests, sand dunes and conservation areas along the enchanting trail.

The trail’s length is about 40 km and cycling could therefore offer a faster and more convenient way of enjoying the expansiveness of the trail, rather than by foot. A bike-share also improves access to cycles to a large segment of the local residents as well as visitors, offering the convenience of cycling without the burden of ownership and the flexibility to navigate the trail at one’s own pace.

Supporting cycling infrastructure would be a good complement to the bike-share service but would not be compulsory for operating it. A blend of compacted earth and paved routes characterise the trail’s terrain and the consideration of pedal-assist e-bikes could offer cyclist the easier option to experience the scenic natural environment while still being challenging enough for enthusiasts looking to break a sweat. For residents, the trail not only offers an oasis for reconnecting with their natural surroundings, but it also provides links to important services and activity centres. The bike-share service could support the mobility of residents too, enabling them to better-reach those connected by the trail, while contributing to the general wellbeing and public health of surrounding communities.

Raising the profile of cycling through the bike-share service could also make it a gateway for residents to consider purchasing their own cycle, which can encourage investment in supporting infrastructure and expansion of the system to other parts of the island. This in turn can help strengthen the heritage and conservation image of the town and support increased tourism and an improved business climate.