Ishara Mara | The Safari Awards

The 2025 Safari Awards Winners Announced:  Best Safari Operator in Africa - Jack's Camp ........ Best Safari Experience in Africa -  Sirikoi ..........Best Safari Property Location in Africa - Greystoke Mahale..........Best Family Safari Experience in Africa - Sirikoi ..........Best Marine Safari Experience in Africa - Azura Benguerra ..........Best Safari Guiding Team in Africa - Cottars 1920's Camp .......... Best Safari Cuisine in Africa - Chem Chem .......... Most Romantic safari Property in Africa - Jack's Camp .......... Best Safari Spa in Africa - Royal Malewane .......... Best Riding Safari Operator in Africa - Ride Botswana .......... Best Mobile Safari Operator in Africa - Nomad Tanzania Mobile Safaris .......... Best Walking Safari Operator in Africa - Robin Pope Safaris .......... Best Value Safari Property in Africa - Flatdogs .......... Best New Safari Property in Africa - Onguma Camp Kala .......... Best Safari House/Villa in Africa - Mkombe's House Lamai .......... Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property in Africa - Grootbos Garden Lodge & Qorokwe Camp .......... Best Community Focused Safari Property in Africa - Singita Pamushana .......... Best Wildlife Conservation Organisation in Africa - Mara Elephant Project .......... Best African Tourism Board - Rwanda Tourism Development Board .......... 

Ishara Mara

16 Awards

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Ishara Mara

Awards
  • Winner of the LUXlife Magazine "Best Emerging Luxury Safari Camp - Africa" 2024
  • Winner of the LUXlife Magazine "Luxury Safari Camp of the Year - Africa" 2025

 

What's Special About Ishara Mara

From its first-of-its-kind offerings in the Masai Mara, such as the iconic Starbed Experience and the Canon Brand Experience Centre that provides complimentary gear, photo safaris, and photoshoots with resident professionals, to inventive additions like Nespresso machines on private game drives and bespoke culinary explorations, Ishara not only offers the expected comforts and experiences synonymous with a luxury safari camp, it exceeds them.

Parks

Masai Mara National Reserve

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Located within the heart of the Masai Mara National Reserve, Ishara Mara is an intimate luxury eco-retreat providing guests with river facing suites, exhilarating wildlife viewing, gourmet dining, a bespoke spa, sauna, cold plunge, gym, heated pool, Starbed, observation and yoga decks, wildlife waterhole, and Canon photo studio.

All you need to know

Intro

Many travelers often associate safaris solely with the thrill of observing wild animals in their natural habitat, but the Ishara experience transcends this common misconception. It encompasses a holistic journey of mindfulness, gourmet dining, wellness, and relaxation within the ethos of sustainable luxury, where elegance and environmental stewardship are seamlessly blended. An Ishara safari is a mosaic of meaningful and transformative experiences, a reminder that amidst our fast-paced lives, there exists a place where time slows, hearts open, and the beauty of the natural world reminds us of who we are and what truly matters.

Highlights

Ishara was built to accommodate an array of travelers with different wishes and needs. Whether you are a solo traveler or part of a group, and whether you are seeking exhilaration or relaxation, we have a breathtaking space for you to experience everything you desire.

Need To Know

Our location is comfortably accessible by road or air, only 262km from Nairobi by car or a
short flight to the Mara’s Olkiombo airstrip, 5km away. Your adventure starts upon arrival with
your personal guide meeting you at the airstrip or at Sekenani Gate

Safaris
  • Our guides are masters in the art of wildlife spotting and are able to find and interpret tracks, animal behaviour, and other ‘Isharas’ to provide a captivating and in-depth safari experience.
  • Our fleet of custom-built, luxury Land Cruisers, exclusively designed by Ishara, provide the ultimate photography vehicles. From panoramic views to padded storage for stowing away unused lenses or valuables, on board fridges and even Nespresso machines—our vehicles are designed for maximum comfort, flexibility, and professional use.
Wildlife
  • Unfenced and in the heart of the Reserve, Ishara is often visited by wildlife such as hippos, giraffes, elephants, and even lions and leopards. The camp’s manmade waterhole has become a place where nature finds sustenance, transforming into a spectacular carnival of life from day to night and across the seasons. It attracts diverse wildlife from near and far, even acting as a checkpoint for birds and mammals undertaking their annual migrations.
  • Game drives within the Reserve and the Mara Triangle feature a multitude of abundant wildlife habitats.

Quick Facts

Region
Africa
Property Type
Safari Tented Camp ( less than 20 tents)
Average Stay

3 - 5 nights

Average Price
  • US$1500 per person sharing in Green Season
  • US$2450 per person sharing in Migration Season
Child Policy

Our camp is best suited to host guests from the age of 8 years and above.

Accommodation

With seven River Suites, two Family Suites, one Villa Suite, and one Starbed, Ishara was created to provide joy, adventure, reflection, and serenity to all who enter. Our open-plan suites are thoughtfully placed on the brink of the wild.

 

Immerse yourself in the natural environment with unobstructed views of the river, forest, and expansive savanna from every corner of the spacious room and outdoor deck.

  • Each River Suite (103m2) offers a King or two Twin beds.
  • The Villa Suite (379m2) consists of two River Suites around a central lounge and dining area encompassing a private sundeck, an infinity pool and firepit. This suite accommodates up to four adults sharing.
  • Each Family Suite (168m2) consists of two inter-leading tents with a King or two Twin beds in one suite and two Queen beds in the other. This suite accommodates up to four adults sharing or a maximum of five for families with children (exceptions may apply).
Accolades

Ishara, one of Africa’s leading independent luxury safari camps, reopened to guests in February 2025 after an expansive nine-month renovation. Renowned for providing guests with the ultimate proximity to wildlife and the most fulfilling safari experiences year-round, Ishara’s new infrastructure, hospitality upgrades, and additions elevate it to the standard-bearer for luxury safaris in East Africa.

Season
  • Green Season: 3 Feb - 15 Jun 2025
  • Migration Season: 16 Jun - 15 Oct 2025
  • Green Season: 16 Oct - 21 Dec 2025
  • Festive Season: 22 Dec - 5 Jan 2026
Region
Africa
Property Type
Safari Tented Camp ( less than 20 tents)
Ishara Fact File
Validity 15-04-2025 to 30-12-2025

Ishara is the Swahili word for ‘sign’, and in this majestic part of the world, nature invites you to embrace each moment as a sign.

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Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property

I

17-04-2025 @ 7:15am
Best Safari Property Location

Location is literally in the heart of Maasai Mara national park

V
17-04-2025 @ 1:33am
Most Romantic Safari Property

Truly a romantic safari destination. They have the most beautiful star bed experience is extremely romantic

V
17-04-2025 @ 1:33am
Best Safari Guiding Team

The team is truly dedicated. Every staff is gentle, happy and bring the most vibriant energy to not only make you feel welcome but making sure you have everything you need. They are a family

V
17-04-2025 @ 1:33am
Best Safari Spa

Spa facilities are simply magical. I’ve experience the sauna, cold plunge and hot pool and it is impeccable.

V
17-04-2025 @ 1:33am
Best Safari Cuisine

Food is very fresh and some of the veggies and sources are produced there in the garden

V
17-04-2025 @ 1:33am
Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property

Very conscious about every single ecological detail. They show responsibility and make sure we use ecological packages and don’t produce much rubbish.

V
17-04-2025 @ 1:33am
Best Safari Guiding Team

Very knowledgeable guides. We learned so much about widelife

16-04-2025 @ 1:55pm
Best Safari Experience

Just wow. The attention to detail, knowledgeable guides, comfort. Ishara provides it all. Coffee, warming bags for cold weather, ponchos, cameras and most important, genuine and welcoming hospitality.

16-04-2025 @ 1:55pm
Best Safari Property Location

Beautiful location right in the middle of nature.

16-04-2025 @ 1:55pm
Most Romantic Safari Property

The star bed is very romantic. The decor of the place is very beautiful and romantic

16-04-2025 @ 1:55pm
Best Safari Spa

Incredible services with attentive professionals. The spa is beautiful with lovely views of nature

16-04-2025 @ 1:55pm
Best Safari Cuisine

Very adaptive to restrictions. Delicious meals.

16-04-2025 @ 1:55pm
Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property

Amazing luch forest, organic food and nature guides and photographers who are all very sensitive and protective with their natural environment

JF from France
16-04-2025 @ 12:49pm
Best Safari Experience

A lodge surrounded by nature, what else ?

JF from France
16-04-2025 @ 12:49pm
Best Safari Property Location

Ideally located with spectacular views over the river

JF from France
16-04-2025 @ 12:49pm
Most Romantic Safari Property

Romantic dinner and sleep under the star experience. The romantic bath is a must

JF from France
16-04-2025 @ 12:49pm
Best Safari Guiding Team

Awesome guide team

JF from France
16-04-2025 @ 12:49pm
Best Safari Spa

A superb location, very cocooning, and awesome techniques from the spa therapist

JF from France
16-04-2025 @ 12:49pm
Best Family Safari Experience

Nice two bedroom villas

JF from France
16-04-2025 @ 12:49pm
Best Safari Cuisine

Food is spectacular

JF from France
16-04-2025 @ 12:49pm

The Safari Awards Preferred Safari Specialists for Ishara Mara

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