SHELA · LAMU · KENYA · 05-11 DECEMBER 2026
The Art of
Letting Go
Join one of Kenya's most exclusive Yoga & Art Retreats. Six transformative days on the sun-bleached shores of Lamu Island — where the ocean holds you still, time slows down and creativity finds its way home.
This is not a holiday. It is a return — to stillness, to creativity, to yourself.
A gentle uplifting six day retreat to end the year with gratitude and ease. Through yoga, meditation and creative expression we honor all that the year has held and consciously soften into release, creating space for renewal and the new year ahead.
This retreat weaves movement and making into a single, unhurried experience.
With only nine ensuite rooms, the entire property is reserved exclusively for our group. A protected space, free from outside distraction, held by the rhythm of the sea.
Where the ocean holds you still.
T H E I N V I T A T I O N
Directly on the beach - where the Indien Ocean meets an endless sky.
Y O U R P R I V A T E S A N C T U A R Y
9 Ensuite Double Rooms
Rooftop Yoga Shala
Full Exclusivity
Massage Facilities
13 Staff Members
Inner Yard Pool
Private Chef
Sundowner on the Rooftop & Beach
Your Guides.
Emma Coventry
Emma will guide you through daily yoga, meditation and workshops. Her teaching blends Hatha, Ashtanga, Yin, Restorative and Vinyasa — a balanced experience of strength, flow and deep relaxation.
With over 500 hours of training, Emma creates nurturing spaces where you can release and reconnect. She walks alongside you as you move, reflect and grow.
Y O G A · M E D I T A T I O N
A British figurative painter who has lived and worked within communities across Africa for the past six years — much of that time in Lamu. Her work begins with curiosity, using drawing and painting to explore place and build relationships.
Pie invites you to approach creativity as a practice of curiosity — no technique to master, only a willingness to pay attention. No experience needed.
G U E S T A R T I S T
Pie Heering
W H A T ’ S I N C L U D E D
All held for you.
6 nights accomodation
All other activities: village tour, sound healing, sunset dhow
Airport transfer
Full board - breakfast, lunch & dinner
3 art workshops
Cocoa Ceremony
Daily meditation & breathwork sessions
Daily yoga sessions
O P T I O N A L A D D - O N S
Should you wish for more.
Massages
Dhow trips
Watersports
Deep-sea fishing
Swahili cooking classes
Daily Rhythm.
I T I N E A R Y
This is an example only — each day will be different and the finalised itinerary will be available closer to the time.
Sunrise Meditation & Yoga
06:00 am
Beach walk or swim
07:30 am
Breakfast
08:30 am
Free time | one of our activities
10:00 am
Lunch
13:00 pm
Art workshop
15:00 pm
Sunset Yoga
17:00 pm
Sundowners
18:00 pm
Candelit Dinner
20:00 pm
Why Lamu?
Some places slow time down. Lamu is one of them.
Tucked along the coast of Kenya, this small, ancient island has remained almost untouched by the modern world — and that is precisely its magic. There are no cars here, no rushing, no noise. Instead, traditional dhows drift silently across the turquoise water, and donkeys carry the unhurried pace of daily life through narrow Swahili stone-town streets.
Lamu lives by a rhythm all its own — shaped by the tides, the wind, and centuries of coastal culture. It is a place where you swim in the morning, watch fishermen bring in their catch at noon, and lose track of the hours by afternoon. Where the air smells of salt and spice, and the evenings settle in slowly, golden and still.
It is hard to imagine a more natural setting for a retreat like this. The island asks nothing of you but to arrive, breathe and let go. And in that space — between the ocean and the open sky — something quietly shifts.
B E S T S E A S O N
SEP - APR
T E M P E R A T U R E
~ 30 °
D A I L Y F L I G H T S F R O M
Nairobi & Mombasa
F A Q
Questions, softly answered.
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No prior experience is required. Emma designs each session to be accessible and adaptable, so every participant can move at their own pace — from complete beginners to those with an established practice.
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Not at all. Pie is not here to teach technique — she is here to create alongside you and hold space for whatever wants to emerge. You only need to be willing to try.
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Our private chef gladly accommodates vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, allergies and specific nutritional preferences. Simply let us know before your arrival.
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Fly from Nairobi or Mombasa to Manda Airport. From there, we arrange your transfer — around 30 minutes by boat and foot to Shela village.
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Yes, absolutely. Lamu is a safe and welcoming island, and our guests move around freely and with ease throughout their stay. The local community is warm and hospitable, and the island's relaxed, car-free atmosphere naturally lends itself to a sense of calm and security.
In addition, two Maasai warriors are permanently present on-site at The Fort, ensuring an extra layer of safety and peace of mind at all times — so you can fully focus on what you came here for: to rest, explore and reconnect.
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Yes — The Fort is reserved exclusively for our group for the full duration of the retreat. No other guests, no outside distractions. The entire property, its rooftop, pool, and all spaces are yours to enjoy freely and intimately. This is what makes the experience feel truly special.
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Absolutely. Solo travellers are very welcome and will find themselves quickly at home within our small, intimate group. When booking, you can choose between a private single room or a shared double room — whatever suits your preference and comfort best.
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Of course! We are happy to help with any questions you may have. Simply reach out to us through the contact form on our website and we will get back to you as soon as possible. If you would like a more personal conversation, we are also happy to arrange a video call — just let us know and we will find a time that works for you.
You don't need another holiday.
You need space to breathe again.
@thefortshela
05-11 DECEMBER 2026