Kenya
Ishara Mara
After a thoughtful renovation, Ishara Mara has returned as an intimate, design-led sanctuary in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Just ten suites keep things personal – while a spa that runs on savannah time, sunrise yoga, and game drives stretching into golden hour set the rhythm. Handcrafted details, farm-fresh menus, and a pace guided by river and grassland draw you deeper into the landscape. Here, the Mara unfolds around you – panoramic, alive, and completely unforgettable.
LOCATION
Set on a gentle bend of the Talek River in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, Ishara occupies one of those rare spots where everything comes together. Riverine forest meets open savannah, pale sandbanks catch the light, and the Mara’s wildlife drifts naturally through the scene – including during Migration season. And while it feels wonderfully remote, it’s easy to reach – via a scenic drive from Nairobi or short hop by air to the Mara’s nearby Olkiombo airstrip.
YOUR ROOM
The wild is wonderfully comfortable here. Keeping things elegant with natural textures, each of Ishara’s ten airy suites open to a broad timber deck, complete with outdoor shower, vintage copper tub, and cushioned daybed, overlooking the expansive plains below. Crisp white linens drape super-king beds with hand-carved headboards, and mahogany grandmother chairs are upholstered in green leather – a nod to the majestic Oloirien (olive) tree that stands at Ishara. For families, we especially love the spacious villa suite, which combines two river suites around a central core for perfect views of the river, forest, and savannah.
For something different, Ishara is also home to the Mara’s only “star bed” – a cozy open-air cocoon that sleeps two guests under the night sky. We like to book it mid-stay, once you’re tuned to the bush’s rhythm.
WHO IT SUITS
Ishara works beautifully for couples in search of privacy and romance, with al fresco riverfront dinners, couples’ massages, and sunset yoga. Families will feel equally at home here thanks to flexible suite set ups, a heated pool, adaptable game drives, and hands-on learning alongside Maasai guides making traveling with kids particularly easy.
WHY WE LIKE IT
Expert safari guides, a treetop spa, and exceptional wildlife viewing without the crowds are just the start. Ishara’s location delivers front-row encounters throughout the day, while its thoughtful design and gentle pace create space to truly sink into the Mara. The on-site photography studio also really sets this place apart – where you can borrow high-end Canon gear, sharpen your skills with the help of three resident pros, and enjoy complimentary shoots so you have beautiful images to match your memories.
SUSTAINABILITY
Entirely off-grid and solar-powered, Ishara treads very lightly. Rainwater harvesting secures up to 200,000 liters to support the camp – including the pools and spa – easing strain on local resources, and a nearby waterhole provides safe drinking water for wildlife when it matters most. Solar-fed aeroponic towers also grow crisp greens and herbs on-site – shaping vibrant, hyper-fresh menus.
