When the first Lamu Yoga Festival was held in 2014, it began with a simple vision: to promote yoga as a healthy lifestyle and to position Lamu as the Wellbeing Destination of Africa. At the time, tourism on the island was struggling, but its founder believed deeply in Lamu’s healing spirit, a place with no cars, where donkeys still roam the narrow alleyways, where Swahili culture breathes through every arch and doorway, and where an endless beach meets the timeless Indian Ocean.
The very first edition welcomed 108 participants, a number seen as a sign of alignment and support from the Universe. What started as a grassroots celebration of yoga and community quickly grew into something much larger. Within three years, the festival was voted the #1 Festival worth traveling for, and in 2023, it was recognised by Yoga Journal as one of the 11 Top Yoga Festivals worldwide.
Now preparing for its 11th edition, happening from 31st October to 4th of November 2025, the Lamu Yoga & Wellbeing Festival (LYFE) has become a truly global gathering. The program brings together 37 teachers & 7 therapist from 24 different countries, offering more than 160 classes and workshops, from sunrise yoga on the beach to sound healing, meditation, African dance, and cultural ceremonies. The participants, meanwhile, come from all walks of life, from across the African continent and far beyond, with a growing number of Kenyans discovering the magic of yoga and of Lamu itself.
At its heart, LYFE is about connection: to oneself, to others, and to the unique spirit of Lamu. Sailing into the sunset on a dhow, moving with the tide in SUP yoga, or simply pausing to breathe in the stillness, participants discover that Lamu is more than a destination, it is an experience of wholeness.
From a hopeful vision in 2014 to a celebrated global festival today, LYFE continues to share the gift of wellbeing, culture, and community from the shores of Lamu Island.
Be part of the 11th edition of the Lamu Yoga Festival: reserve your spot and get in touch with us today!