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The Mara,
Briefly.
A short, beautifully composed safari at one of the Maasai Mara's most quietly celebrated camps.
A short, beautifully composed safari at one of the Maasai Mara's most quietly celebrated camps.
This is the classic short safari, beautifully done. Three nights at Ishara Mara, set inside the main Maasai Mara National Reserve, where the great cats hunt across open plains and the Mara River winds through the heart of one of Africa's most cinematic landscapes.
Days unfold to the slow rhythm of the bush. Early morning game drives at first light, unhurried bush brunches under acacia trees, and quiet afternoons before heading out again for the golden hour. One morning, you rise before dawn for a sunrise balloon flight over the plains, finished with a champagne breakfast served wherever you land.
Ishara is one of those rare camps that gets the small things right. Tents that feel like rooms, a guiding team that knows the reserve intimately, and a pace that lets the wilderness reveal itself on its own terms. Ideal for a focused first safari, a swift return, or a meaningful pause inside a longer journey.
Why we love this journey — three nights is the shortest stay we recommend for a proper Mara experience, and Ishara is the camp we trust to make every one of those nights count. Right inside the main reserve, no compromises, no shortcuts.
Ishara Mara — an intimate luxury tented camp set right inside the main Maasai Mara, with tents that feel like rooms and service that anticipates rather than asks.
The main reserve — direct access to the heart of the Mara, where the highest concentrations of big cats and migratory game can be found across the seasons.
Sunrise balloon flight — a champagne hot air balloon ride over the plains at dawn, finished with a bush breakfast on the open savannah.
Fly in, fly out — direct light aircraft connections from Wilson Airport. No long road hauls. Every hour of your short stay protected.
A Nairobi welcome — a complimentary opening night in Nairobi so you arrive into the bush rested, settled, and on local time.
Arrive into Nairobi and be met by your Ongeri representative. A private transfer carries you to your hotel for a complimentary opening night, included as part of every short safari package. Settle in, shake off the flight, and gather yourself for the bush.
A morning transfer to Wilson Airport for the short scheduled flight to the Maasai Mara. You are met on the airstrip and driven to Ishara Mara through the reserve itself, often spotting your first wildlife before lunch is even served. Settle into your tent, take in the views, and ease into the slower rhythm of the bush.
Late afternoon brings your first game drive. The golden hour over the Mara is something every guide remembers their first time seeing, and yours unfolds with lions stretching out of the shade, elephant families crossing back from the river, and the light turning everything to honey. Drinks in the bush at dusk, then a slow drive back to camp for dinner under the stars.
Rise before first light for the sunrise balloon flight. You lift off as the plains catch the early gold, drifting silently over herds and rivers and the long shadows of waking lions. The flight ends with a champagne bush breakfast on the savannah, in the company of your pilot and guide.
The rest of the morning is yours to spend back at camp, easing into the day with a long brunch or a quiet hour by your tent. After lunch and a short rest, head out again for an afternoon and golden hour game drive. The Mara never quite repeats itself, and your guide will follow whatever the day offers, whether that is leopards in the riverine forest, a cheetah on the hunt, or a sundowner stop you will never forget.
An early game drive carries you back into the reserve one final time, the plains as fresh as they were on your first morning. Breakfast at camp, then a short transfer to the airstrip for your return flight to Nairobi. Onward connections are timed and handled by your Ongeri concierge.
| Season | Travel Period | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Low Season | January – April, 21 May – 15 June, 16 October – 21 December | USD 7,375 |
| Peak Season | 16 June – 15 October | USD 10,550 |
| Festive Season | 22 December – 5 January | USD 9,200 |
All rates in USD per person sharing. Single supplement available on request. Subject to availability at time of booking.
An intimate luxury tented camp set right inside the main Maasai Mara National Reserve. Tents that feel like rooms, guides who know every bend in the river, and a calm sense of being exactly where you should be.
Every short safari opens with a complimentary night at Hemingways Nairobi or Villa Rosa Kempinski, giving you time to settle in before the bush begins. Meal basis confirmed at the time of booking.
Share a few considered details, and your Safari Advisor will be in touch within 24 hours.
An exclusive 45-suite boutique hotel set between Nairobi National Park and the foot of the Ngong Hills, with full butler service, a Michelin-starred Dining Room, and Karen's most tranquil gardens.
The Dining Room serves cuisine from the hotel's Michelin-starred chef — contemporary European with international accents. The Brasserie offers light lunches overlooking the gardens.
Villa Rosa Kempinski is Nairobi's contemporary five-star city hotel — 200 rooms and suites in the heart of the business district, with multiple restaurants, a spa, and the polished service Kempinski is known for. Ideal for travellers arriving on later flights or wanting the sophistication of a city hotel before heading into the bush.
Ishara Mara is perched along the Talek River, shaded by towering acacia trees, creating a tranquil haven of seclusion. Nestle into a chair on the expansive deck, wine in hand, savouring the quiet views of elephants as they come to drink at the nearby watering hole.
This accommodation is ideal for couples seeking a romantic safari retreat, with the lodge catering to both thrill-seekers and laidback adventurers. After immersive game drives, photography safaris, and wellness treatments, return to your luxury suite, surrounded by lavish comforts that will have you lulling off to sleep, dreaming of the next day's adventures.
A feast for the senses awaits. The chefs craft unique culinary delights that cater to your specific dietary requirements. Your meals are served against picturesque safari backdrops, creating an unforgettable contrast between impeccable restaurant-quality cuisine and untamed views of tree-lined rivers and wildlife-rich grassy landscapes.
Compact, considered journeys for travellers who want the very best of the wild in less time — or a wild beginning to something longer.
