A discreet luxury camp, Ishara seeks to straddle the divide between the best in luxury for its guests while remaining authentic to the wilderness that gently surrounds it.

Its location within the Maasai Mara National Reserve means guests sometimes encounter game right inside the camp at times mere footsteps from the luxury tents, adding a thrilling element to their holiday. With the stated intention to appear as if it isn't there. Ishara's website even goes as far as saying they have taken the "utmost care to ensure that the land we operate on continues to thrive, as though uninhabited."

Mara's Olkiombo airstrip is just 5km away making Ishara easily accessible by air and land transfers are also possible as it is only 262km by road from Nairobi.

Ishara has 15 suites and numerous shared spaces spread across a large area with a riverbank, forested shrubland, and savannah plain. The lodge has been constructed of mixed materials all with the aim of treading lightly on the land, something Ishara achieves without compromising luxury. The lodge has a pool, gym, indoor and outdoor dining areas, photo studio, and food garden. WiFi and mobile reception are also available.

Luxury tented accommodations comprise 7 River Suites, 2 inter-leading Family Suites, 1 larger Villa Suite with a central lounge with an indoor and outdoor dining area and private sundeck, plunge pool and fireside deck and fully-stocked bar and fridge. 4 Safari Suites offer one King or two Twin beds in traditional tents in the bush patrolled by Maasai guards to keep guests safe from wild animals. Finally, Ishara offers 1 special Star bed experience where up to 2 guests sleep under the stars up on a private en-suite observation deck.

The lodge prides itself on its extremely high service standards, with various staff hired for specific expertise. The opulent Villa suite has a dedicated host, while suites located in the bush come with night guard patrols, such is the wildness of Ishara’s setting. The menu focuses on international cuisine, with much of the produce grown in the lodge’s environmentally sound aeroponic farms.

There are three types of sleeping rooms at Ishara: the River and Safari suites, the Villa suite, and the Starbed. The River suites take advantage of Ishara’s beautiful riverside location. The Safari suites are located within the bush, where wildlife roams freely within their vicinity. Both River and Safari suites are spacious, with king or queen-sized beds, en suites, and generous decking areas where alfresco showers and wood-framed bathtubs can be found. The Villa suite has all this plus private dining area, plunge pool, and campfire. The Starbed is a wood-framed structure that reaches as high as the tree canopy. Open to the elements, it offers guests comfort while sleeping beneath a star-filled night sky.

Hot air balloon rides provide a unique opportunity to appreciate the scale and beauty of the Mara’s vast wilderness. A visit to a Maasai village is also a must, where guests can learn local customs such as the use of medicinal plants. Ishara also offers photography classes in partnership with Canon, enabling guests to capture and develop images of wildlife observed while on safari. Yoga and spa treatments are also available at the lodge.