# Event Details - **Event Name**: Writing Retreat in Lamu, Kenya September 2027 - **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 11 Sep, 2027 at 02:00 pm – Thu, 16 Sep, 2027 at 05:00 pm (+03:00) - **Event Description**: Join literary agent and writing mentor Sarah Bullen on the magical island of Lamu, 11 - 16 September 2027, for a summer writing retreat.About this Event​Come and join a group of writers in magical Lamu, a tiny, secret archipelago off the East African coast of Kenya. This is the place to discover your story, to connect, to rest and dream.For time slows right down when you’re sailing by a wooden dhow, or exploring a medieval port town with no cars. ‘Pole-pole’ is the island’s mantra - Swahili for “take it slowly”. And, lulled by the laid-back pace and the legendary comfort and service given by the Swahili islanders, you will do just that.The Writing Room is hosting the 4th Lamu Writing Retreat from 11 - 16 September 2027.You will check into your accommodation on 11 September at 2 pm to start that night. The retreat ends on the morning of the 16th, but we highly recommend you extend your trip and stay another few days to take advantage of this magical place.Travelling to a remote island is no walk in the park - so we want you to look carefully at flights and dates first.WHY LAMU?Since the 1960’s, Lamu has attracted artists and nomads, writers and seekers. They have been enchanted by those white sails against that blue sea, and by Lamu’s hundreds of years of invaders and influence: Chinese, Omani Arab, Portuguese, British, Indian, Persian and African, dating back as early as the fourteenth century.Stand on their shoulders, as you embark on your own creative journey, led by international writing coach and facilitator Sarah Bullen and family constellations expert Niall Campbell.WHO SHOULD ATTENDYou, if you need an adventure, plus the gift of time and space in an extraordinary island setting. You don’t need to be a writer or to have a grand project in progress. You may be halfway through a novel, you may just want to write a special letter, create a video on your trip, or you may choose to absorb the other-worldliness of Lamu while your story brews. All seekers are welcome! You do have a story in you.You can be working on a novel, memoir, poetry, workbook, online course, photography-based book, life story or just a creative writing project.This is for writers who just need dedicated time away from your ordinary life to totally immerse in a creative environment to write, write and write. RETREAT COSTBelow is a list of the rooms and their pricing. The price below is for single occupancy. If you want to share, please add a $1,000 supplement for the second person, which we will add in future instalments.When you get to the ticket section, you will see a list of rooms and what is left available.The deposit is euro 600, and we will invoice you for the remainder in 3 instalments. ​Please note the deposit is in euros, but the retreat is priced in $$. We adjust your remaining invoices.Banana Penthouse Suite $4,125Wellness Penthouse Suite 1 $4,185Wellness Penthouse Suite 2 $4,185Sweet Penthouse $3,905​Family room x 2 rooms $3,540Double room x 3 $3,485Double room with Garden view x 3 $2,915Twin room $2,885Single room $2,860​You can look at the rooms on the Banana House website here, but bear in mind some may already be booked by our writersPRICE INCLUDESYour accommodation for the 5 nights.Transfer from the airport via dhowA structured writing journey for your full retreat.Daily Breakfast. There we get home-made bread, jam, yoghurt, fruits, juices, pancakes or Swahili breakfast to start the day well.Daily swims in the mangrove swamps with a dhowAll lunches and dinners on the retreat (5 nights)A welcome feast on the first night of a Swahili dinner.A dhow trip out in the early evening to watch the sunset with supperA tour on a boat and then a walking tour of Lamu Old Town, where we will walk through the ancient city and see inside some of the famed houses before heading back to Shela, where we are staying.Two daily group sessions on a different aspect of writing and/or storytelling.A family constellation led by Niall CampbellOne individual session with Sarah, to assist with any aspect of writing your story, from structure to tools to inspiration or publishing advice.PRICE EXCLUDESFlights to and from the island. Beware, travelling to an island is no easy task. Be sure you know how to get there and your timing.Yoga classesMassages, extra day trips, or any extras you want to to your stay.Alcohol or drinks outside our meals.HOW THE DAYS UNFOLDAn early morning (depending on the tides) sea swim in the Indian Ocean mangrove channels with a small dhow trailing you.Walk past the Swahili market, watching the fishing boats as they leave.Yoga at the enchanting Banana House with Kenyan instructors renowned for their island-style practice.Waking with the call to prayer that rings from the Shela mosques in the distance.A mid-morning writing session on craft and structure.Anchored writing time at Banana House, where you are encouraged to sit, get quiet and finally write.Time and space to work on your own creative pursuit. Session with Sarah during your stay, which will focus on planning, writing feedback, or telling your story.Two family constellation days with Niall Campbell Coffee on the famous Peponi pool deck overlooking the moving tides, or at the local Swahili Cafe on the Maasai market square.Afternoons exploring (or writing) old hidden passageways and shaded villasWe gather again in the afternoon for a writing session, with feedback on your pieces or a deeper writing exercise to take to bed. ​SARAH BULLENSarah Bullen is a multi-published author, international writing coach and literary agent. Founder of The Writing Room and Kent Literary, she has had over 100 books published by writers she has mentored. As well as being a regular guest on talk shows, podcasts and writers’ circles, Sarah has been leading international writing retreats and adventures for the past decade and her retreats are on the 'preferred retreats' list of Queen of Retreats.Her recent books include Write your Book in 100 Days! Stop Mucking about and Just Write It and Love & Above – A Journey into Shamanism, Coma and Joy.NIALL CAMPBELLNiall Campbell is a family and systemic constellations expert, a sangoma, a traditional doctor nyanga (medicine man), a doctor of traditional ceremonies as well as institutions as well as a Ngaka ya diKoma, a doctor of rites. He is a world-renowned specialist in men's rites of passage.Niall (pronounced Neil) has over 25 years of apprenticeship in ancestral and nature spirits, divination and medicinal herbalism with African teachers. He facilitates men's rites of passage, initiations, entering adulthood and manhood and is widely regarded as one of the foremost holders of traditional ways.TESTIMONIALSWe have an entire page of reviews on retreats with Sarah Bullen you can also read here“The Lamu Writing Retreat gave me the bravery to explore my purpose: I am destined for greatness and my voice can inspire a new generation of leadership.”- Stanley Gabriel, insurance CEO, Johannesburg“A very rare, very special, very cool retreat, whether you have written before or not.”- Trevyn McGowan, gallery owner, Cape Town“I work for a big corporate and have experienced many group facilitation sessions. Often they are tedious. But Sarah is incredibly skilled and works on a different level. Those sessions are where the magic happened for me.”- Stephanie Safari, brand planning director, Cape Town 201“It’s beautiful to tap into the pot of universal energy. The Lamu Writing Retreat has added a whole new layer of depth to my story and my life in general.”- Patricial Guela, filmmaker, Nairobi 2021​“The mix of ‘work’ and play is what I want from a destination retreat. The added and unexpected bonus on this one was the deep sense of support and connectedness that I experienced. My one-on-one session with Sarah was eye-opening and went way beyond skills”- Seth Shezi, influencer and digital strategist, Cape Town“A wonderful creative balance between all things fun and free, and some deep contemplation and engagement in the creative process.”- Megan de Beyer, author and psychologist, author How to Raise a Man“It has been food for the soul to spend a week with new friends, from South Africa, Kenya and beyond. Hearing the accents, laughing together about truly African stories…I didn’t realise what an emotional desert I’d been in.”- India Baird, human rights activist and lawyer, founder of Brave Girl, New York 2021 https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events4/banners/12211160-e2f4-11f0-820b-e5e04fbe28e9-rimg-w1200-h344-dc93bbbd-gmir.jpg https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/1258c330-e2f4-11f0-820b-e5e04fbe28e9-rimg-w1200-h688-dcd8d9d7-gmir.jpg We stay at Banana HouseOwned by Monika Fauth (Dutch) and her husband, Banana (who is from one of Lamu’s original five families), this has the charm of a boutique hotel that feels like an elegant private home, with rooms spread over three houses in a lush tropical garden with a swimming pool. Banana House is also renowned for its airy yoga studio and morning classes by brilliant instructors, and its organic food prepared by the resident chef. https://youtube.com/shorts/-jlM3wF0hMc?feature=shareYOU WILL LEARNThis is an immersion into writing.​* What is your story? Let’s find it together.* The basics of planning a compelling book* The key elements of structure* Researching and remembering your life* Hooks, genre and message* Including characters and events* Handling point of view* Working with dialoguehttps://youtube.com/shorts/mLlvf7O-R1c?feature=share - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279 - **Event Categories**: art, literary-art, health-wellness, workshops, yoga, trips-adventures, sports, food-drinks, cooking, virtual, storytelling - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 600, max: 600, currency: EUR ## Event venue details - **city**: Shela - **state**: EA - **country**: Kenya - **location**: Banana House And Wellness Centre - **lat**: -2.2970223 - **long**: 40.9154553 - **full address**: Banana House And Wellness Centre, Shela Beach, Shela, Kenya ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Writing Retreat in Lamu, Kenya September 2027 - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/28a2d20327098dfe4931f5829208c573ad6ab753adab0b648e298c7a07874125-rimg-w1200-h406-dcd8eaea-gmir.jpg?v=1766819848 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Writing Retreat in Lamu, Kenya September 2027 being held? - **A:** Writing Retreat in Lamu, Kenya September 2027 takes place on Sat, 11 Sep, 2027 at 02:00 pm to Thu, 16 Sep, 2027 at 05:00 pm at Banana House And Wellness Centre, Shela Beach, Shela, Kenya. - **Q**: How much do tickets cost for Writing Retreat in Lamu, Kenya September 2027? - **A:** Tickets for Writing Retreat in Lamu, Kenya September 2027 are priced at EUR 600 per person. Here's a full breakdown of available ticket types:Ticket TypePriceAvailabilityDeposit General (not sure of room yet)EUR 600AvailableBanana Penthouse Suite full price $4,125EUR 600AvailableWellness Penthouse Suite full price $4,185EUR 600AvailableSweet Penthouse full price $3,905EUR 600AvailableFamily rooms $3,540EUR 600AvailableDouble room single rate $3,485EUR 600AvailableDouble room with Garden view $2,915EUR 600AvailableTwin room full price $2,885EUR 600AvailableSingle room $2,860EUR 600Available - **Q**: Who is organizing Writing Retreat in Lamu, Kenya September 2027? - **A:** Writing Retreat in Lamu, Kenya September 2027 is organized by The Writing Room Retreats. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Writing Retreat in Lamu, Kenya September 2027 is ideal for art lovers, collectors, creatives, and anyone inspired by visual arts, installations, and exhibitions. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Shela, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Writing Retreat in Lamu, Kenya September 2027 sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "Writing Retreat in Lamu, Kenya September 2027", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/28a2d20327098dfe4931f5829208c573ad6ab753adab0b648e298c7a07874125-rimg-w1200-h406-dcd8eaea-gmir.jpg?v=1766819848", "startDate": "2027-09-11T14:00:00+03:00", "endDate": "2027-09-16T17:00:00+03:00", "url": "https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279", "eventStatus": "https://schema.org/EventScheduled", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Banana House And Wellness Centre", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Shela Beach", "postalCode": "80500", "addressLocality": "Shela", "addressRegion": "EA", "addressCountry": "KE" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "-2.2970223", "longitude": "40.9154553" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Join literary agent and writing mentor Sarah Bullen on the magical island of Lamu, 11 - 16 September 2027, for a summer writing retreat.", "offers": [ { "@type": "AggregateOffer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2025-12-27", "availabilityEnds": "2027-09-16T17:00:00+03:00", "validFrom": "2025-12-27", "lowPrice": "600.00", "highPrice": "600.00", "price": "600.00", "url": "https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2025-12-27", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2025-12-27", "url": "https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279", "price": "600.00", "name": "Deposit General (not sure of room yet)" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2025-12-27", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2025-12-27", "url": "https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279", "price": "600.00", "name": "Banana Penthouse Suite full price $4,125" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2025-12-27", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2025-12-27", "url": "https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279", "price": "600.00", "name": "Wellness Penthouse Suite full price $4,185" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2025-12-27", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2025-12-27", "url": "https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279", "price": "600.00", "name": "Sweet Penthouse full price $3,905" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2025-12-27", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2025-12-27", "url": "https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279", "price": "600.00", "name": "Family rooms $3,540" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2025-12-27", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2025-12-27", "url": "https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279", "price": "600.00", "name": "Double room single rate $3,485" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2025-12-27", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2025-12-27", "url": "https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279", "price": "600.00", "name": "Double room with Garden view $2,915" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2025-12-27", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2025-12-27", "url": "https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279", "price": "600.00", "name": "Twin room full price $2,885" }, { "@type": "Offer", "availability": "https://schema.org/InStock", "priceCurrency": "EUR", "availabilityStarts": "2025-12-27", "availabilityEnds": "", "validFrom": "2025-12-27", "url": "https://allevents.in/shela/writing-retreat-in-lamu-kenya-september-2027/100001978875964279", "price": "600.00", "name": "Single room $2,860" } ], "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The Writing Room Retreats", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/the-writing-room-retreats/23961468", "description": "We understand writers, and the quiet magic sometimes needed to allow words to flow. After decades of supporting writers we know that to write a story buried in your heart, you need to remove yourself from ordinary life. All types of writers are welcome into these immersions into the world of story and creativity, from people writing their first novel to experienced creators of non-fiction booksOur retreats are suitable for people with no writing experience, or for writers who are just stuck with plotting or character development. We have had a range of people come on the retreats over the past few years, from published authors who need a push to novices who have only ever written letters.The Writing Room is there to support writers.The Writing Room" } ] } ] ```