Writing Retreat on a Private Island in Africa’s Great Rift Valley — 23-30 November 2019

I have spent many happy days writing at Lake Baringo in Kenya. It’s one of my favourite places in the world. Now I’d like to share it with a small group of other writers.

Lake Baringo is wonderfully quiet and isolated. The birdlife is stunning. The lake has almost no boat traffic. Watching a hippo surfacing for breath is almost as magical as waking up to the sun rising over the water.

Island Camp is a tented lodge. Each room/tent has proper beds, an en-suite bathroom and a beautiful view of the lake.

We will have the whole camp — the whole island — to ourselves.

No single supplements. Everyone gets their own room/tent (unless you want to bring a partner).

There will be no pressure to write or talk about your writing. Everyone will be free to do whatever they want and socialise as much or as little as they like.

November is pleasantly warm and mostly dry, falling between the rainy season and the baking hot dry season — ideal for writing or just catching up on all that reading we need to do.

This first Baringo Writing Retreat will be not-for-profit, so prices are discounted. We are also benefitting from an excellent “local” rate at Island Camp.

There are a few things to consider:

• This is wild Africa. You will encounter lizards, insects and possibly the odd snake. There are hippos and crocodiles in the lake. Weaver birds will attack your breakfast table. Rooms/tents are wide open during the day, so birds and bugs may fly in and do what they do…

• Electricity is by solar power during the day and generator at night. You will not have power in your room/tent during the day (except Superior rooms). There are sockets to charge laptops and phones during the day at the pool bar.

• There is usually some wifi at the pool bar, as well as 3G mobile data accessible on the island, but it is slow and in Africa nothing is guaranteed! This is not the place to do your online research.

• Food is plentiful, but we are a long way from civilisation and the menu can be a bit old-fashioned and plain. Expect the culinary style and standards of an old-school British club rather than a modern London restaurant. There aren’t a great deal of vegetarian options, although the staff will do their best.

• This is not a five-star resort, so expect a few rough edges and clumsy workmanship in bathrooms etc. The solar-heated hot water comes and goes. Bear in mind that luxury tented camps in Kenya can charge over $1,000 per night! This is a more affordable, but just as lovely, option.

• Island Camp has a lot of steps, although there are plenty of friendly staff around to help anyone unsteady on their feet. The nearest Western-standard hospital is over two hours away, so anyone with pre-existing medical conditions should consider their possible medical needs carefully.

• Weather can get exciting, with strong Rift Valley winds and thunderstorms particularly noticeable through canvas.

• Lake Baringo is approximately 5 hours’ drive from Nairobi.

If you would like to join the Baringo Writing Retreat, or if you have any questions, please contact me at mail@hectormacdonald.com

best wishes

Hector Macdonald