Lamu Donkey Sanctuary

A small free clinic on the seafront where the working donkeys of Lamu are treated, watered, and given veterinary care. There is no formal entry fee and no tour — you walk in, look at the donkeys, and ask the staff if you have questions.

It sounds slight, but the place gives a real sense of how Lamu actually works: every load of building materials, every sack of rice, every restaurant gas cylinder is carried by donkey. It is also a quietly moving stop — the animals look well cared for and the staff are happy to talk.

things to do sight
A story
There are roughly 6,000 donkeys in Lamu — more than there are cars in most Kenyan towns of comparable size. The sanctuary was set up in 1987 by the British charity The Donkey Sanctuary to provide free veterinary care for the working animals that essentially run the island's transport and construction trades.