A dhow is a traditional wooden sailing boat, originally built to carry exotic spices and goods along the Indian Ocean trade routes.

Tusitiri was hand-crafted as a trading vessel more than 50 years ago. Meticulously restored and converted by her current owners, today she is a majestic and luxurious vessel offering private dhow safaris through the Lamu archipelago in northern Kenya.

She is chartered on an exclusive-use basis for multi-night dhow safaris for up to 10 guests, and is also available for day trips from Lamu for up to 25 guests. Tusitiri is ideal for families, couples and groups of friends looking for a unique and private experience among the beautiful, historic islands of the north Kenyan coast.

Life on board is relaxed and centred on Tusitiri's broad deck, with sumptuous cushioned seating areas and a dining area arranged around the wooden mast. Meals are prepared in the open-air galley at the bow and served in the shaded dining area, with beautiful views over the ocean. There are quiet corners to relax in, and day cabins below deck provide storage and changing facilities.

Days drift between sailing, snorkelling over coral reefs, paddleboarding through quiet lagoons and mangrove creeks, fishing, and exploring empty beaches and island villages.

At night, brass lanterns light up the deck and comfortable white-linen bedrolls are laid out under the stars. On Tusitiri, every bed is a star bed! For guests who prefer more privacy, two beds are also available in the cabins below deck.

Tusitiri is based in the pristine Lamu archipelago, a rare gem in the Indian Ocean. Quiet and seemingly forgotten, the islands have welcomed travellers for more than a thousand years and are steeped in history. Lamu Old Town is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

White sandy beaches are fringed with palm and acacia trees, and turquoise waters teeming with marine life wind through mangrove forests. Unspoilt and unhurried, the archipelago has become known as a world-renowned destination for fishing, culture and marine life.

Good to know

• Dedicated crew: Tusitiri is run by a crew of eight, including the captain and two chefs, so every meal is freshly prepared on board.
• Door-to-deck pick-up: guests can be collected from anywhere in the Lamu, Shela and Manda area.
• Flexible charters: there is no minimum stay. Choose a day trip, a sunset sail, a single night or a dhow safari of up to five nights.
• Exclusive use: up to 10 guests overnight and up to 25 guests on day trips, with the whole dhow and crew to yourselves.
• Season: Tusitiri sails from August to April and is closed from May to July.
• What's included: all meals and drinks, including house wines and spirits; picnic lunches on secluded beaches; paddleboarding, kayaking, water-skiing and wakeboarding; and one hour of fishing per day, which can be saved up and combined into longer fishing trips.