Ishara Mara, Masai Mara, Kenya
Ishara Mara, Masai Mara, Kenya

Why We Love Ishara Mara Camp:

Ishara is one of the most thoughtfully designed safari lodges we have experienced in the Masai Mara. Every aspect of the guest experience feels intentional, from the guiding and wildlife viewing to the architecture, wellness facilities, and photography opportunities.

What stood out most to us was how well the lodge balances adventure with relaxation. Guests can spend the morning searching for river crossings or predators in the Mara before returning to the Nordic Spa, enjoying a cold plunge, working out in the exceptional gym, or simply unwinding on their private deck overlooking the river.

Insider’s Tip: Leah’s advice would be to leave time in your itinerary to properly enjoy the lodge itself. Between the Nordic Spa, cold plunge, stargazing decks, riverfront setting, and beautifully designed guest spaces, Ishara is far more than a place to sleep between game drives. It is one of the few lodges in the Masai Mara that genuinely encourages you to slow down, unwind, and enjoy the experience beyond the safari vehicle.

 Ishara Mara FAQs

What makes Ishara Mara different from other Masai Mara lodges?

Ishara stands out for its highly intentional approach to safari travel. Every detail has been carefully considered, from the guiding and photography experiences to the architecture, wellness facilities, and guest spaces. The result is a safari lodge that feels both luxurious and deeply connected to the surrounding Masai Mara.

Is Ishara Mara a good lodge for witnessing the Great Migration?

Yes. Ishara is an excellent choice for travellers hoping to witness the Great Migration, particularly during the Mara River crossing season, which typically takes place between July and October. Its location provides convenient access to both the Masai Mara National Reserve and the Mara Triangle, allowing guides to position guests in some of the region’s most productive wildlife areas.

While river crossings can never be guaranteed, Ishara’s highly intentional guiding, custom-built photography vehicles, and experienced team help maximise opportunities to be in the right place at the right time. Outside of the migration season, the Masai Mara continues to offer exceptional year-round wildlife viewing, including resident big cats, elephant herds, and abundant plains game.

What wellness facilities are available at Ishara Mara?

Co-founder Kyle Green could not recommend the wellness facilities more. Ishara offers some of the most impressive wellness facilities in the Masai Mara, including a Nordic Spa, cold plunge pools, wellness treatments, and a fully equipped gym overlooking the surrounding wilderness. It is one of the reasons we often recommend Ishara as a wonderful lodge to end a Kenya safari.

Is Ishara Mara good for photography?

Absolutely. Ishara partners with Canon and offers access to professional photography support, specialist guides, and custom-designed safari vehicles. Whether you are a beginner or experienced wildlife photographer, the lodge provides excellent opportunities to improve your skills while capturing the wildlife of the Masai Mara.

Is Ishara Mara suitable for families?

Yes. With two Family Suites, a private Villa Suite, flexible accommodation options, and a variety of activities, Ishara is well suited to families looking for a luxury safari experience in the Masai Mara.

What is the Room Configuration at Ishara Mara?

Ishara offers a collection of thoughtfully designed accommodation overlooking the Talek River, blending contemporary architecture with warm African influences.

  • River Suites – Seven elegant riverfront suites with private decks, stargazing spaces, and uninterrupted views across the riverine landscape.
  • Family Suites – Two spacious family suites designed for families wanting additional space and flexibility.
  • Villa Suite – An exclusive private villa experience, ideal for families or small groups seeking greater privacy and personalised service.
  • Starbed – A unique sleepout experience allowing guests to spend a night beneath the stars while remaining immersed in the sights and sounds of the Masai Mara.

Ready to start planning Safari in the Masai Mara?

Reach out and let’s start talking. We’ll listen and begin to tailor an experiential, private, luxury vacation based on exactly how you want to experience Africa. From adventure to relaxation—and everything in between—let us handle every detail of your unforgettable journey.

What Ubuntu Travelers Are Saying

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Excellent113 reviews
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16 September 2026
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Could not ask for a better safari firm. No stone is left unturned and you always feel like you can get answers, day or night! This is my second time using Ubuntu and I highly recommend them.
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13 September 2026
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Absolute 1st class travel planning. We had the most amazing and memorable trip, and as a person who likes to travel plan myself, this trip had so many moving parts there's no way I could have tackled it. I'd give Ubuntu an 11/10 rating if I could. They made our travel seamless, relaxed, and delivered the most incredible experience. 100% we will use them again.
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12 September 2026
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We had the BEST experience with Ubuntu planning our South Africa trip! From the beginning, they were so easy to work with and were amazing at communicating with us both before and during the trip. They put together the perfect itinerary for us with safari at two different lodges, time on Benguerra Island, and we even decided to add Franschhoek a couple of months before we left. They made everything so easy and somehow managed to make the entire trip feel completely seamless. One of the biggest things that stood out was how responsive they were when we had our international flight canceled. I literally just had to send them a WhatsApp message with our new flight information, and they immediately took care of rearranging everything for us. We never had to stress about figuring out transfers or logistics ourselves. They even had porters meet us at every airport, so we barely had to think about our luggage or where we were supposed to go. We truly felt taken care of every step of the way. It was honestly the trip of a lifetime, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We are already talking about when we can go back and will 100% be using Ubuntu again to plan our next trip. Highly, highly recommend them!
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1 September 2026
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Fantastic service
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19 August 2026
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What an incredible South Africa trip Ubuntu planned for my wife and I! Ubuntu set us up with full-day guided Peninsula and Winelands tours during our few days in Cape Town, followed by four days of Safari game drives at the Savanna Lodge within the Sabi Sands Nature Reserve. A huge thank you to Ubuntu for finding a perfect balance/mix of fun activities and relaxed downtime throughout out trip! Ubuntu took care of all the travel logistics once we got down to South Africa. Ubuntu set us up with our Guest Experience Liaison that would check-in with us ever couple of days and was available on call if we needed any sort of logistical support. We didn't end up needing to lean on our liaison since everything went so smoothly, but surely felt we had all the support we needed had something come up. We know we will be utilizing Ubuntu the next time we travel to Africa and highly recommend Ubuntu to anyone else planning a trip to Africa!
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12 August 2026
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From the plains of the Serengeti to the shores of Zanzibar, Ubuntu Travel designed an unforgettable Tanzanian package to celebrate a milestone birthday. I was especially grateful that they embraced this solo traveler and ensured that every detail was planned out in advance, making this a trip of a lifetime.
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24 July 2026
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Ubuntu Travel planned the most epic safari vacay for my husband and in Tanzania. We loved every place we stayed and every detail was taken care of! Their communication was exceptional! 100 out of 10!
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15 July 2026
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Best vacation of our lives!! My husband and I booked with Ubuntu for an unforgettable vacation to Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar this past June. The experience and support of Ubuntu was beyond our wildest dreams. We had first class, 5 star luxury service from start to finish. Jenna was absolutely amazing and was always a text, email or phone call away to answer our 100s of questions we had during the planning process. Owner's, Kyle and Leah were so kind as to even share links with my husband and I from some of their favorite stores so we could look safari chic. The care and support we were given during this entire vacation were top tier. The vacation itself was so personal, intimate and beautiful. The accommodations were breathtaking. Every lodge and camp left us speechless other than uttering the word, WOW, over and over. The service and staff at the lodges and camps were first class and luxurious. I didn't know a tented camp could be so fancy. I could have never dreamed of having a hot shower in the middle of the Serengeti with fresh French pressed African coffee brought to our tent every morning, or a 3 course breakfast with fresh fruit smoothies in the Masai Mara. We felt connected and so safe throughout our 3 week journey. The safaris were breathtaking and educational. You cannot describe how incredible this vacation is, you have to experience it and Ubuntu gave us a vacation of a lifetime. I cannot recommend Ubuntu enough to anyone looking to book a luxury African vacation. They did the hard work for us all the way down to sending us our beautifully embroidered Ubuntu duffle bag. Great customer service, great company, great people!
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10 July 2026
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We loved working with Ubuntu. From start to finish they were easy to work with. They really listened to what we wanted and planned the perfect trip. Their support in getting ready and throughout our trip was truly excellent (they really took great care of us). We had a flight cancelled and they went all out to get us back on track so we did not miss a thing. Their planning, work and local partners on the ground really allowed us to relax and be present. We had the trip of a lifetime and would absolutely use them again. Highly recommend.
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21 June 2026
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Wow! Ubuntu Travel planned the most amazing trip to Uganda for me. I cannot say enough good things about the meticulous planning they provided. Not only were they superb in planning, they also checked in while I was on my trip. The lodges I stayed at were spectacular, my guide seemed hand picked just for me and the scenery was beautiful and the food was 5 star quality. It was the most amazing trip of a lifetime. I am hoping to go back to Uganda someday. I definitely am going back to Africa and there is no doubt that I will be using Ubuntu Travel to plan my trip! I cannot imagine ever using anyone but Ubuntu for travel to Africa.