setauketli

does anyone have a point of view on which is best for a laid back week of beach vacation? Issues are cost, cultural interest, natural beauty, ease of getting to and avoiding negatives like overly built up areas, beach hustlers etc.

setauketli

help- insights, anyone?

YvonneM

I have been to both and while Lamu is less touristy and less hassle it doesn't have the stunning white beaches and tourquoise sea of Zanzibar (at least it didn't in July when I was there) There are areas of zanzibar that have lots of hotels but its not built up like a European beach destination.. I think you could find something in Zanzibar to suit you, where are you travelling from, that will make a difference as well

Zambezi

I visited Lamu in March, 2005, and Zanzibar in October, 2006. If my experiences are typical, it is easier to get to Zanzibar than to Lamu. Planes were not flying regularly to Lamu at that time, so I took the African bus from Mombasa north. It was a pleasant ride. I had a reserved seat and the bus did not break down, but it took most of the day. Returning to Mombasa, I was able to get a flight from Lamu to Malindi and then shared a long-distance taxi with a group of German marine biologists. To get to Zanzibar, you can take a flight from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Kampala, and probably other cities or take the ferry, which is convenient and comfortable, especially in first class.
I will confess that I have not been to any of the beach resorts on Zanzibar and that I was comparing Zanzibar in 2006 with my first visit there in 1971, but I was totally disillusioned by the commercialization and development on the island. In contrast, Lamu was undeveloped and authenic, just as it must have been years ago. Dhows enter and leave the harbor, black-robed women walk along the sandy streets, men heaving huge timbers go to and fro, and caravans of load-bearing donkeys amble along. There is snorkeling, scuba, swimming, dhow-riding, and just relaxing. I'll never return to Zanzibar, but I can hardly wait to go back to Lamu. ZZ

YvonneM

i did a lot of diving in Zanzibar so maybe the commercialism didn't bother me too much

Its nothing like lovely mozambique though

setauketli

thanks for both your inputs! I guess either could work... I have nothing against a relaxing beach vacation with gorgeous ocean water and built up it may be but zanz doesn't exactly sound like miami beach. Lamu sounds fabulous but one of our group has been there. So it's a bit of a tossup, but your opinions do help!

sandi

If you're on most beach areas on Zanzibar, you're not likely to see "built-up" rather the ocean in front of you, your resort/cabin behind you. Often you can't even see the resort next to yours unless you walk up/down the beach. Though the northern tip, does seem to have more resorts, bungalows, cabins in the area. We never saw any beach hustlers on the Northeast, Southeast or Southern parts of the island. Built-up on Zanzibar is mostly in Stone Town; most is "old" built-up, having been there for centuries.

Dubwana

Hi:

This is possibly a bit late for your trip but just in case you are still looking... I live in Mombasa and have travelled to both Lamu and Zanzibar so:

Stonetown: tourist trap. OK if you have never seen that kind of culture before but get in, take some pictures and get out. It's hard to take a picture where most people are not white. We went north to Nungwi and stayed quite cheaply, no real view but add $20 per night and you will get it. Still very touristy though probably the best water I've ever swam in. Fantastic warm ocean and beach.

Mombasa if you want inexpensive and beach go south coast recommend highly Sand Island Cottages at c$100 per night for a cottage several sharing or if you want same great beach at lower cost you can camp on Tiwi Beach for $3 per night per person. Sand Island you will not be hassled with beach boys but Tiwi you will.. .a bit but its not bad.

Lamu: I don't know you says there is no beach, just take a boat, or daytime walk up to Shella and you have 10+ kilometers of unused beach. Probably best to leave someone beside your stuff though as the beach is empty and it would be easy for someone to run over the dunes and grab stuff. I agree Lamu is a way better choice if you don't want touristy. Its a real community that survives off the tourist $$$ but still keeps its identity. Stonetown is the disneyversion.

anyway these are just my observations