6-Day The Majlis Lamu Festive Island Escape
About this package
Experience a festive celebration with a difference as you travel from Nairobi to Kenya’s Lamu Archipelago for six relaxing days at The Majlis. Set on Manda Island overlooking Ras Kitau Bay, this boutique beachfront resort offers an inviting combination of coastal scenery, comfortable accommodation and the chance to experience the region’s distinctive Swahili culture. The holiday is designed for travellers who want a leisurely Christmas or New Year break rather than a rushed sightseeing schedule.
Alipsa Ventures presents this six-day, five-night itinerary as a quotation-on-request coastal escape. The proposed services include return flights from Nairobi, a Superior Room at The Majlis on a half-board basis, and return speedboat transfers to the resort. Every flight, room and seasonal supplement must be confirmed before booking. The festive promotional travel window quoted by the reference operator runs from 22 December 2026 to 10 January 2027; your actual holiday is five consecutive hotel nights chosen within an available period.
Holiday overview
- Six days and five nights beside Ras Kitau Bay at The Majlis, a beachfront boutique resort on Manda Island in the Lamu Archipelago.
- Superior Room accommodation for the confirmed number of guests, with air conditioning and en-suite facilities.
- Half-board meal plan: daily breakfast plus one additional meal, either lunch or dinner, as specified by the resort.
- Planned return economy flights between Nairobi and Lamu and coordinated speedboat transfers between Manda Airstrip and the resort.
- Leisure time for the beach, resort pools and optional exploration of Lamu and Shela.
- Flexible itinerary with unhurried resort days instead of compulsory paid excursions.
- Festive season travel window for enquiries: 22 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, subject to room and flight availability.
The Majlis: accommodation on Manda Island
The Majlis is located on the Manda Island side of the Lamu channel, facing the Shela area. Its setting makes the journey feel different from a conventional road-access beach resort. On landing in Lamu, guests connect with a speedboat for the short transfer to Ras Kitau Bay. You stay at the resort for five nights and can choose between peaceful downtime and separately arranged cultural or marine experiences.
The proposed room category is a Superior Room. The resort describes this category as having air conditioning, an en-suite bathroom and the usual essentials for a comfortable stay. It is important to book by room configuration and actual occupancy: couples sharing, solo travellers and families may receive different quotations. Room views and extra-bed suitability should never be assumed from the room name alone.
Half board means breakfast plus either lunch or dinner each day under the conditions stated on your voucher. Guests who want all three meals can request an upgrade to full board, subject to the resort’s prevailing supplement. Drinks, minibar items and special dining events may carry separate charges.
Flights, island transfers and festive timing
The package concept includes return economy flights from Nairobi to Lamu with Jambojet, together with the round-trip resort boat transfer from Manda Airport. Flights are subject to schedules, seats, booking class, airline policies and fare conditions. Confirmed travel documents will state the operating flight numbers, the Nairobi airport and terminal, reporting time, baggage allowance and transfer meeting point.
Festive dates are among the busiest travel periods on the coast. Alipsa will check the preferred five-night stay against hotel availability and flight seats, and advise any compulsory holiday supplement or minimum-stay requirement before asking you to commit. Please do not rely on the advertised holiday window as confirmation that every date is available.
Optional experiences around Lamu
Lamu Old Town and its heritage streets are excellent options for guests interested in culture and history. Shela offers another setting for an easygoing guided visit, while a dhow cruise can be arranged for those who would like to see the archipelago from the water. Fishing, paddling and selected watersports may also be available through qualified providers. These are optional activities only; prices, boat conditions, entrance tickets and operating schedules need separate confirmation.
Who this festive package suits
This holiday works well for couples celebrating Christmas or New Year, friends looking for a beach retreat, and families who want to balance relaxation with optional excursions. Solo travellers can also request a room quotation, but single-use supplements and room allocations must be checked carefully. Inform Alipsa of the ages of children and any special mobility, dietary or accessibility needs before the accommodation is booked.
Travel dates, rates and reservations
Reference promotional travel window: 22 December 2026 through 10 January 2027. Duration: six days, five nights. Proposed hotel: The Majlis, Manda Island. Board: half board. Travel: return Nairobi–Lamu flights plus boat transfers. These details describe the proposed trip design and do not constitute a live price or confirmed reservation. Alipsa Ventures will provide a fresh quotation in the agreed currency after checking contracted hotel rates, occupancy, flight fares, taxes, festive surcharges and availability.
Before payment, review the written cancellation rules, names on airline tickets, baggage limits, child policy, hotel meal basis and any minimum-stay or compulsory gala dinner requirements. Because both hotel and domestic airline inventory can change during the festive season, the final booking is confirmed only after the operator issues the applicable booking documents.
Plan your Lamu holiday with Alipsa Ventures
Tell us your preferred departure date, number of adults and children, room configuration and whether you would like any extra excursions or a meal-plan upgrade. We will check availability and prepare a written quotation with the applicable terms.
Ready to explore Lamu? Contact Alipsa Ventures for a personalised holiday proposal. For general room descriptions, you can also consult the official Majlis Resort website.
Your itinerary
Day 1Day 1: Fly from Nairobi to Lamu and settle into The Majlis
Your festive island holiday begins at the Nairobi departure airport and time shown on your confirmed ticket. After checking in for the flight to Lamu, enjoy the coastal approach before landing at Manda Airport, which serves the Lamu Archipelago. A representative coordinates your prearranged speedboat transfer across the sheltered waters to The Majlis in Ras Kitau Bay. Boat movements depend on weather, sea conditions and flight arrival times, so follow the joining instructions rather than making independent assumptions about the transfer. On arrival at the resort, complete registration and check into your confirmed Superior Room. Spend the remaining afternoon becoming familiar with the beachfront surroundings, relaxing beside the pool or enjoying the views over the channel toward Shela. If the day falls within the Christmas or New Year period, ask reception about seasonal activities taking place during your stay, but do not assume that a special festive event is included. Dinner or lunch is provided according to your confirmed half-board arrangement and arrival schedule. Overnight at The Majlis Lamu. Meals: one half-board meal according to arrival time and resort voucher.
Day 2Day 2: A relaxed day beside Ras Kitau Bay
Wake up on Manda Island and start with breakfast at the resort. Today is deliberately unhurried. Enjoy the pool area, find a quiet spot along the shoreline or take time for photography of the changing colours over the channel. The Majlis combines coastal architecture and tropical surroundings, making it suitable for couples celebrating a special occasion and for guests who simply want a restorative beach break. The Superior Room category provides a practical base for a longer stay while allowing easy access to the restaurants and leisure spaces. If you are interested in fitness activities, kayaking or guided watersports, check directly with the resort about current opening times, age requirements, equipment availability and extra charges. Under half board, your second included daily meal is lunch or dinner, not both, so schedule the day around the selected option. The evening is free for a peaceful stroll or relaxation at the hotel. Overnight at The Majlis Lamu. Meals: breakfast and either lunch or dinner.
Day 3Day 3: Optional Lamu Old Town heritage experience
Following breakfast, you may continue enjoying the resort or arrange an optional cultural excursion to Lamu Old Town. The historic streets are associated with long-standing Swahili traditions, coral-stone buildings, carved doors and coastal trading history. A guided programme can include a walk through the narrow lanes and, depending on opening hours and the experience requested, visits connected with the local museum or Lamu Fort. No Old Town excursion is automatically included in this package: boat transport, local guide fees, admission charges and any meals away from the hotel should be confirmed separately. Wear comfortable shoes, carry drinking water and respect local customs by choosing modest clothing for visits to inhabited neighbourhoods. Travellers who prefer a slower pace can remain at the resort for swimming, rest or a book beside the pool. Return in time for the included lunch or dinner on your half-board schedule. Overnight at The Majlis Lamu. Meals: breakfast and either lunch or dinner at the resort.
Day 4Day 4: Discover Shela or request a sunset dhow cruise
Enjoy another leisurely breakfast with the island atmosphere around you. Today can be adapted to your interests. A separately arranged visit to Shela offers an opportunity to explore a coastal village known for its Swahili setting, sandy lanes and waterfront views. Alternatively, ask Alipsa Ventures about a private or shared dhow trip, a sunset sail or a suitable boat outing around the archipelago. Prices, meeting points, duration, tides and safety procedures must be confirmed with the selected licensed operator. There is no obligation to book additional activities; an entire day spent at the beach and resort can be just as rewarding. If children are travelling, request current safety information and life-jacket arrangements before choosing a water-based excursion. Depending on the booked half-board meal selection, enjoy lunch or dinner at The Majlis. Any unselected meal and drinks ordered outside your plan are payable separately. Overnight at The Majlis Lamu. Meals: breakfast and either lunch or dinner.
Day 5Day 5: Festive relaxation and your final full island day
Make the most of your last full day at The Majlis. After breakfast, choose between a relaxing morning by the swimming pool, time along the shoreline and optional activities arranged through the resort. Guests travelling over Christmas or New Year may encounter seasonal dining menus and events, but the schedule and any mandatory gala supplements are not guaranteed by the basic half-board description. Alipsa should obtain written confirmation of anything you wish to attend before you pay for the holiday. Couples may wish to request a private meal or a spa appointment as an extra, while families can ask the resort about the most suitable on-site leisure programme for their group. Towards evening, enjoy the coastal views, take photographs and settle your plans for the return flight. Double-check your baggage allowance, confirmed boat pickup time and departure terminal. Finish the day with the additional meal covered by your selected half-board arrangement. Overnight at The Majlis Lamu. Meals: breakfast and either lunch or dinner.
Day 6Day 6: Breakfast, boat transfer and return flight to Nairobi
Begin your departure day with breakfast, allowing sufficient time to pack and complete the hotel checkout process. Settle any minibar, drinks, spa, restaurant or excursion charges that are outside your agreed package. The resort team will guide you to the confirmed boat transfer departure point for your journey back to Manda Airport. Transfer times can be affected by tide, weather and airline schedules, so follow the latest arrangements issued by the hotel or Alipsa rather than relying on a fixed published timetable. On arrival at the airport, complete the usual security and airline procedures and board your confirmed return flight to Nairobi. Your six-day festive island escape concludes upon arrival in Nairobi. Meals: breakfast, subject to the scheduled departure time and resort service hours.
What's included & excluded
Included
What is included
- Five nights in a Superior Room at The Majlis on Manda Island, on dates and occupancy confirmed in the final Alipsa Ventures quotation.
- Half-board meals for the booked nights: breakfast and either lunch or dinner in accordance with the resort voucher and meal service schedule.
- Return economy-class Jambojet flights from Nairobi to Lamu and back, provided these are explicitly confirmed and ticketed under the final quotation.
- Return scheduled or prearranged speedboat transfers between Manda Airport/Airstrip and The Majlis as shown on the approved itinerary.
- Use of standard guest leisure facilities, including resort swimming pools and beach access, subject to hotel rules and operation hours.
- Bottled drinking water supplied in the room under the confirmed resort package.
- Alipsa Ventures coordination of the flight, resort booking and transfer information for the services itemised in writing.
Not included
What is not included
- Guided Lamu Old Town tours, Shela walking excursions, museum admissions, private dhow cruises and deep-sea fishing unless separately booked.
- Kayaking, watersports, kitesurfing, snorkelling or other activities whenever an equipment, guide, permit or operator charge applies.
- Lunch or dinner not selected under the half-board plan, plus extra snacks and room-service orders.
- Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, premium coffees and other beverages outside the written meal-plan entitlements.
- Spa treatments, massages, private dining, personal shopping, laundry, phone bills and minibar expenses.
- Upgraded rooms, extra beds, child supplements, single-use charges and compulsory festive dinners or entertainment not itemised in the quotation.
- Flight upgrades, excess baggage, optional travel insurance and fees for date changes or cancellations.
- Tips and any service not expressly described in the final written Alipsa Ventures offer.
Frequently asked questions
Is this holiday six days long or is the whole festive period included?
The package is a six-day, five-night stay. The source operator advertises availability for travel dates between 22 December 2026 and 10 January 2027. You select a five-night stay within that promotional period subject to confirmation.
Where is The Majlis located?
The Majlis is on Manda Island in Ras Kitau Bay, within the Lamu Archipelago. It is not on the mainland and guests normally use a boat transfer from Manda Airport.
Does the holiday include flights from Nairobi?
The reference offer is built around return Jambojet flights between Nairobi and Lamu. Alipsa must confirm flight inventory, airports, passenger names, schedule and baggage allowances before issuing a binding quotation.
Are transfers from Lamu Airport provided?
The proposed package includes return resort speedboat transfers from Manda Airport. The exact meeting point, operator and timing will be specified in the confirmed travel documents.
What is a half-board meal plan?
Half board normally includes breakfast and one main meal per day, either lunch or dinner according to the hotel voucher. It does not mean breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included.
What room category is proposed?
The indicative accommodation is a Superior Room at The Majlis. Any change to a sea-view category, larger room or suite must be expressly quoted and approved.
Can I visit Lamu Old Town during the stay?
Yes, you can request a separately priced excursion. Guide, museum admissions and excursion boat arrangements are not standard inclusions.
Is a sunset dhow cruise included?
No. It can be requested as an optional extra subject to local operator availability, tide and weather conditions.
Can children join this holiday?
Families can request a quotation, but child room occupancy, extra beds, ages, flight fares and any festive supplements must be verified with the resort and airline.
Are Christmas or New Year gala dinners included?
Not unless the final Alipsa quote explicitly lists a gala dinner or festive entertainment arrangement. Compulsory hotel supplements, when applicable, must be disclosed before confirmation.
Can I book specific dates immediately?
No confirmed Alipsa hotel inventory or ticket allotment has been loaded. We first check available rooms and flights for the requested five-night period, then send a firm written quotation.
What happens if the flight timetable changes?
Flight schedules and operations may change. Alipsa will reconfirm the carrier, airport, baggage allowance, transfers and any resulting amendments before travel, subject to booking conditions.
Can I extend the stay or change room category?
Extensions and room upgrades can be requested and separately priced, subject to hotel and flight availability. The standard offer covers five hotel nights.
Is travel insurance included?
No. Travel insurance is not automatically part of the proposed package and should be arranged separately if required.
Request a personalised quote
Tell us your travel dates and the number of guests. We will confirm availability, inclusions and the final price before any reservation.
