The beautiful African island that's 33C in April but ignored by tourists

Tourists don't tend to visit this gorgeous African island, but it has a unique charm and gorgeous . In fact, it is located in countries. Lamu is a small island off the coast of Kenya that feels like it is frozen in time. Spanning just 39 acres, the island is home to only 25,000 residents. Considering its small size, it's not all that surprising that it has been overlooked by tourists travelling to Kenya.

Kenya is a hugely popular destination for tourists from across the globe. In fact, it is the , ranking higher than Zimbabwe and Uganda. Some of the country's most popular attractions include its major cities like and Mombasa and its top-rated wildlife parks. However, you might want to consider this lovely little island off the coast of Kenya when you are planning your next African holiday.

Travel publication Wander-Lust call Lamu "Kenya's hidden gem", considering its unique draw that only a few are aware of. The island is naturally stunning but also full of fascinating .

Lamu is Kenya's oldest continually inhabited town and is one of the original Swahili settlements along the eastern coast of Africa. It has had a checkered past including colonisation at the hands of Portugal.

Until 2012, the US had travel restrictions for Lamu considering the local and kidnappings. However, it was lifted that year when the island was considered safe to visit again.

The island looks like it is from the past with its Swahili architecture dating back to the 14th century. In fact, it is inscribed on the World Heritage List as "the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa".

Walking through the town, the vintage feel is everywhere to be seen, not only in the buildings but also in the donkeys wandering the streets and lanes.

Among the notable landmarks on the island is Lamu Fort, which dates back to the early 19th century. There are also beautiful buildings such as the Riyadha Mosque, which is the centre for Islamic Studies and the annual Maulidi Festival.

For animal lovers, there is also the Donkey Sanctuary. As previously mentioned, donkeys are common here, and the sanctuary was opened in the 80s to look after them. There are no cars or other motorised vehicles on this island, so donkeys are the main way for locals to get goods around.

There are flights to Lamu Island directly from Nairobi. Lamu is surrounded by other scenic seaside towns such as Watamu, so it is worth spending some time exploring this region.

There some lovely accommodation options in Lamu. Hotels like Peponi offer great views of the sea while spots such as The Majlis Hotel and Banana House and Wellness have pools and other attractive amenities.

The weather is Lamu is also a welcome change for Brits with temperatures reaching as high as 33C in April. Lamu is a predominantly Muslim island so its important to observe local customs when you are not on the beach.